Get the Best Kitchen Benchtop for Your Budget
There are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to finding the right benchtop – even when you’re on a budget
Sophie Baylis
14 May 2017
Houzz UK Contributor: I'm a London-based freelance journalist with many years of experience writing about interiors for leading magazines in the UK and overseas. Follow me at @InteriorsInOut on Facebook and Twitter.
Houzz UK Contributor: I'm a London-based freelance journalist with many years of... More
Benchtops are like handbags – they can make or break a look. “Combine the wrong coloured handbag or shoes with an outfit and it looks totally wrong,” says Kevin Buchanan of Kitchens International. “Choose the wrong benchtop for the cabinets and your kitchen loses its style.” And like accessories, quality matters. A decent benchtop will enhance an affordable kitchen, while a poor-quality one will make even the most expensive fitted kitchen look cheap.
“Work surfaces and splashbacks can account for around 20 to 30 per cent of the visual area of your kitchen, so it’s important to get the choice of material and colour right,” says Jo Gilhooly of Bushboard. “It’s worth the time and investment to ensure that you remain happy with your benchtop long after it’s been installed, rather than having to go through the hassle and expense again of replacing it.” Your first step should be to set your budget. Next, visit a reputable kitchen showroom and talk to a professional about which material is right for you (think ahead about your personal style and how you use your kitchen to save time). Then let our experts guide you through some of the most popular materials to help narrow down your options.
Professional advice from: Kevin Buchanan of Kitchens International; Jo Gilhooly of Bushboard; Kathryn Manis of Model Projects; Steve Root of Roots Kitchens Bedrooms Bathrooms
“Work surfaces and splashbacks can account for around 20 to 30 per cent of the visual area of your kitchen, so it’s important to get the choice of material and colour right,” says Jo Gilhooly of Bushboard. “It’s worth the time and investment to ensure that you remain happy with your benchtop long after it’s been installed, rather than having to go through the hassle and expense again of replacing it.” Your first step should be to set your budget. Next, visit a reputable kitchen showroom and talk to a professional about which material is right for you (think ahead about your personal style and how you use your kitchen to save time). Then let our experts guide you through some of the most popular materials to help narrow down your options.
Professional advice from: Kevin Buchanan of Kitchens International; Jo Gilhooly of Bushboard; Kathryn Manis of Model Projects; Steve Root of Roots Kitchens Bedrooms Bathrooms
Get the look with laminate
Laminate benchtops have become one of the most popular options on the market as they offer the best value for money. Constructed from a core material, commonly chipboard, they feature a printed decorative layer covered by clear plastic, which provides a hard-wearing surface.
Easy to clean and maintain, laminate has worked hard to shed its reputation for looking cheap and lacking resilience. Advances in technology mean it can mimic natural materials more realistically, and it’s far more durable too. However, it does retain a few drawbacks. “Bear in mind that laminate isn’t resistant to heat or steam, nor can it be used as a cutting surface,” Buchanan says.
Another limitation of laminate is that you can only install an overmounted not an undermounted sink; an undermounted sink requires the edges of the benchtop to be visible and watertight, but with laminate, typically, you won’t get a finished edge suitable for use so close to a sink. (However, there are some new developments here, which you can explore on Formica®’s US website.)
Laminate benchtops have become one of the most popular options on the market as they offer the best value for money. Constructed from a core material, commonly chipboard, they feature a printed decorative layer covered by clear plastic, which provides a hard-wearing surface.
Easy to clean and maintain, laminate has worked hard to shed its reputation for looking cheap and lacking resilience. Advances in technology mean it can mimic natural materials more realistically, and it’s far more durable too. However, it does retain a few drawbacks. “Bear in mind that laminate isn’t resistant to heat or steam, nor can it be used as a cutting surface,” Buchanan says.
Another limitation of laminate is that you can only install an overmounted not an undermounted sink; an undermounted sink requires the edges of the benchtop to be visible and watertight, but with laminate, typically, you won’t get a finished edge suitable for use so close to a sink. (However, there are some new developments here, which you can explore on Formica®’s US website.)
Are all laminates the same?
All laminates are not created equal. The part you don’t see – the core – needs to be good quality if your benchtop is to last, but not all manufacturers focus on this.
“The ‘better’ laminate benchtops have cores that vary in density,” explains Steve Root of Roots Kitchens Bedrooms Bathrooms. “The surface layers are denser and stronger, so less likely to suffer impact damage if a pan is dropped on them. A less dense structure is used in the middle to avoid the benchtop from becoming too heavy.”
Quality laminates also prevent spills from running along the base of the benchtop and into the cupboards beneath. “The better, more durable laminate benchtops will have ‘drip seals’ on the underside of the front edge to prevent this,” adds Root.
Which kitchen benchtop is right for you?
All laminates are not created equal. The part you don’t see – the core – needs to be good quality if your benchtop is to last, but not all manufacturers focus on this.
“The ‘better’ laminate benchtops have cores that vary in density,” explains Steve Root of Roots Kitchens Bedrooms Bathrooms. “The surface layers are denser and stronger, so less likely to suffer impact damage if a pan is dropped on them. A less dense structure is used in the middle to avoid the benchtop from becoming too heavy.”
Quality laminates also prevent spills from running along the base of the benchtop and into the cupboards beneath. “The better, more durable laminate benchtops will have ‘drip seals’ on the underside of the front edge to prevent this,” adds Root.
Which kitchen benchtop is right for you?
Wooden benchtops: the pros…
Kathryn Manis of Model Projects recommends wood as a good-value alternative to laminate. It adds character to a contemporary or traditional kitchen, and it’s a hygienic choice because of its antibacterial properties.
Timbers are available at various price points, so there’s almost certainly a wooden benchtop for your budget. Plus, wood is a good return on your investment because it can last for many years when it’s cared for. “You have to be willing to put in the work to maintain it,” Manis says. “I recommend oiling a wooden benchtop at least once a year.”
Kathryn Manis of Model Projects recommends wood as a good-value alternative to laminate. It adds character to a contemporary or traditional kitchen, and it’s a hygienic choice because of its antibacterial properties.
Timbers are available at various price points, so there’s almost certainly a wooden benchtop for your budget. Plus, wood is a good return on your investment because it can last for many years when it’s cared for. “You have to be willing to put in the work to maintain it,” Manis says. “I recommend oiling a wooden benchtop at least once a year.”
… and the cons
Common complaints about wood include that it’s easily scorched, scratched and stained. Manis advises drying any water that gets onto a wooden benchop as soon as possible – but that’s not always practical around a sink. Wood can swell if it gets very damp. So, if your heart is set on a wooden benchtop, think about having a small section of a different material in the sink area, as seen in this kitchen.
Common complaints about wood include that it’s easily scorched, scratched and stained. Manis advises drying any water that gets onto a wooden benchop as soon as possible – but that’s not always practical around a sink. Wood can swell if it gets very damp. So, if your heart is set on a wooden benchtop, think about having a small section of a different material in the sink area, as seen in this kitchen.
Templated or cut on site?
Templating refers to benchtops that are fabricated in a factory and delivered ready to fit. For stone, engineered stone or solid surface materials, this is essential as it’s not always possible to cut them on site.
Wood and laminate are generally easier to fit and can be cut on site to accommodate stovetops, sinks and plug points. “If you have the skills and tools to fit them yourself – or your on-site carpenter does – then this is normally cheaper and easier than taking accurate measurements to send away to a fabricator,” Root says.
How much does a kitchen benchtop cost?
Templating refers to benchtops that are fabricated in a factory and delivered ready to fit. For stone, engineered stone or solid surface materials, this is essential as it’s not always possible to cut them on site.
Wood and laminate are generally easier to fit and can be cut on site to accommodate stovetops, sinks and plug points. “If you have the skills and tools to fit them yourself – or your on-site carpenter does – then this is normally cheaper and easier than taking accurate measurements to send away to a fabricator,” Root says.
How much does a kitchen benchtop cost?
Consider composite
“In the past, the choice [for benchtops] was either a natural material or limited man-made material at extreme spectrums in terms of cost,” Buchanan says. But there’s now a middle ground if your budget is tight, rather than tiny: “With the advances in benchtop technology,” he continues, “there are many options of composites. These are just as hard-wearing as stone, but can come in varying colours and patterns and have a consistent look.”
Although composites don’t come cheap, there are ways to cut costs. But first, what are composites and why might they be worth investing in?
“In the past, the choice [for benchtops] was either a natural material or limited man-made material at extreme spectrums in terms of cost,” Buchanan says. But there’s now a middle ground if your budget is tight, rather than tiny: “With the advances in benchtop technology,” he continues, “there are many options of composites. These are just as hard-wearing as stone, but can come in varying colours and patterns and have a consistent look.”
Although composites don’t come cheap, there are ways to cut costs. But first, what are composites and why might they be worth investing in?
Composites include
engineered stone…
Among the composites available is engineered stone, which combines the natural beauty of stone with the technical and performance benefits of a precision-engineered material. “Being man-made, with a mix of quartz and resin, the material is colour consistent, harder-wearing than granite and stone, and highly resistant to stains, scratches and impact,” explains Jo Gilhooly of Bushboard. “It’s easy to clean with a simple wipe down and needs little ongoing maintenance. It can also be cut, shaped and routed, giving wide design flexibility.”
engineered stone…
Among the composites available is engineered stone, which combines the natural beauty of stone with the technical and performance benefits of a precision-engineered material. “Being man-made, with a mix of quartz and resin, the material is colour consistent, harder-wearing than granite and stone, and highly resistant to stains, scratches and impact,” explains Jo Gilhooly of Bushboard. “It’s easy to clean with a simple wipe down and needs little ongoing maintenance. It can also be cut, shaped and routed, giving wide design flexibility.”
… and solid surface
Another composite is solid surface. This is generally made of a blend of minerals and acrylic. The result is a hard surface that can be moulded into any shape. “Solid surface benchtops can be seamlessly jointed, so there are no visible joints and grooves,” Gilhooly says. “Another key benefit is that the material is repairable, and scratches can be polished out and chips repaired by a professional tradesman.” It’s even possible to carve out a draining board because the colour runs all the way through.
Browse solid surface benchtops
Another composite is solid surface. This is generally made of a blend of minerals and acrylic. The result is a hard surface that can be moulded into any shape. “Solid surface benchtops can be seamlessly jointed, so there are no visible joints and grooves,” Gilhooly says. “Another key benefit is that the material is repairable, and scratches can be polished out and chips repaired by a professional tradesman.” It’s even possible to carve out a draining board because the colour runs all the way through.
Browse solid surface benchtops
Know how to save cash on composite
If you have the budget for composite, but are still looking for ways to keep costs as low as possible, ask your supplier or contractor about the available options for composite surfaces that don’t need templating. These ‘installer-ready’ benchtops can be fitted and cut on site in as little as two days, avoiding the usual two- week template-fabricate-wait process. “Installer-ready work surfaces can offer cost savings of up to 30 per cent overall against the traditional template route,” Gilhooly says.
If you have the budget for composite, but are still looking for ways to keep costs as low as possible, ask your supplier or contractor about the available options for composite surfaces that don’t need templating. These ‘installer-ready’ benchtops can be fitted and cut on site in as little as two days, avoiding the usual two- week template-fabricate-wait process. “Installer-ready work surfaces can offer cost savings of up to 30 per cent overall against the traditional template route,” Gilhooly says.
Mix up materials
Variety won’t just add interest to your kitchen, it’ll also make it more cost effective. “Rarely will just one benchtop satisfy a whole kitchen design. Zoning is important and also helps your budget stretch further,” Buchanan says. Think about placing hard-wearing stone beside sinks and stoves, and use more affordable laminates elsewhere. If you want to warm up your kitchen with wood – a porous material – steer clear of high-traffic areas and confine it to the breakfast bar.
Tell us
What benchtop do you currently have? Tell us what you love – or loathe – about it in the Comments below.
More
Read more kitchen stories
Variety won’t just add interest to your kitchen, it’ll also make it more cost effective. “Rarely will just one benchtop satisfy a whole kitchen design. Zoning is important and also helps your budget stretch further,” Buchanan says. Think about placing hard-wearing stone beside sinks and stoves, and use more affordable laminates elsewhere. If you want to warm up your kitchen with wood – a porous material – steer clear of high-traffic areas and confine it to the breakfast bar.
Tell us
What benchtop do you currently have? Tell us what you love – or loathe – about it in the Comments below.
More
Read more kitchen stories
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does anyone know why so many people's usernames are HU and a load of number these days? sure they never used to be
Although it looks lovely, I will never have another wooden worktop. We have oiled ours, and the last time it remained sticky for months. It scratches and marks - don't ever leave anything with iron in it on an oak worktop. I loved my previous granite, and will use again.
Could not agree more with rimchef - never ever have a wooden worktop. They're a nightmare.