Your kitchen worktop is the hardest-working surface in your home. It endures hot pans, sharp knives, spills, stains, and constant use—day after day, year after year. After nearly three decades installing worktops across the North West, we’ve learned that choosing the right material is one of the most important decisions in any kitchen makeover.
Get it right, and you’ll have a beautiful, durable surface that enhances your kitchen for years. Get it wrong, and you’ll face ongoing frustration with maintenance, damage, or simply regretting your choice. Let’s walk you through every worktop option we offer, the pros and cons of each, and how we help clients make the right decision for their specific needs and budget.
Why Your Worktop Choice Matters So Much
The worktop is:
- The most-touched surface in your kitchen
- Highly visible from multiple angles
- Subject to extreme conditions (heat, moisture, impacts, stains)
- A significant portion of your makeover budget
- Difficult and expensive to change once installed
Unlike cabinet doors (which can be replaced relatively affordably), worktops are substantial investments that you’ll live with for the life of your kitchen. This is why we spend considerable time discussing worktop options during consultations.
Quartz: Our Most Popular Choice
In recent years, engineered quartz has become our most-installed worktop material, and for good reason.
What is Quartz?
Quartz worktops are engineered stone—approximately 90-95% natural quartz crystals bonded with resin. The result is a material that combines the beauty of natural stone with enhanced performance characteristics.
Why Clients Choose Quartz
Durability Exceptionally hard and resistant to:
- Scratches (though not completely scratch-proof)
- Stains (non-porous surface)
- Heat (up to about 150°C, though we always recommend trivets)
- Impacts (more resilient than granite)
Consistency Unlike natural stone, quartz offers:
- Uniform colour and pattern throughout
- Predictable appearance (what you see in the sample is what you get)
- No unexpected veining or colour variations
Low Maintenance Requires only:
- Wiping with soapy water for daily cleaning
- No sealing required (unlike granite or wood)
- No special products needed
Aesthetic Variety Available in:
- Solid colours (whites, greys, blacks, creams)
- Marble-effect patterns
- Dramatic veining
- Subtle speckled finishes
- Matt or polished finishes
Quartz Considerations
Cost Mid-to-premium price range: typically £200-£400 per square metre installed, depending on brand and colour choice.
Heat Sensitivity While heat-resistant, very hot pans (straight from hob or oven) can cause thermal shock. We always recommend trivets.
Seams Large kitchens require joins. We position these carefully and skilled fabricators make them virtually invisible, but they do exist.
Weight Very heavy—requires proper support from cabinets below.
Our Recent Quartz Installation
In our recent white handleless kitchen, we installed high-gloss white quartz throughout. The reflective surface beautifully complements the white cabinetry, bounces light around the space, and provides a luxurious, seamless look. The non-porous surface is perfect for busy family kitchens where hygiene matters.
Granite: The Classic Natural Stone
Granite remains popular, particularly for traditional kitchens and clients who love natural materials.
What is Granite?
Pure natural stone, cut from quarried blocks. Each piece is genuinely unique with natural variations in colour and pattern.
Why Clients Choose Granite
Natural Beauty Every granite worktop is unique:
- Genuine natural patterns
- Depth and character impossible to replicate
- Prestigious, high-end feel
Durability Extremely hard and resistant to:
- Scratches (very difficult to scratch)
- Heat (can handle hot pans better than most materials)
- Impacts (though can chip if struck hard on edges)
Value Addition Still considered a premium material that adds value to properties.
Granite Considerations
Maintenance Requires:
- Annual sealing to maintain stain resistance
- Immediate cleanup of acidic spills (wine, lemon juice)
- Specialist granite cleaner (not just any cleaner)
Variation Natural stone means:
- Slight colour variations between slabs
- Unexpected veining or patterns
- What you see in showroom may differ slightly from your installation
Cost Similar to quartz: £180-£350 per square metre installed, depending on stone rarity and colour.
Seams More visible than quartz due to natural pattern variations.
When We Recommend Granite
- Traditional kitchen styles (pairs beautifully with wood)
- Clients who appreciate natural materials
- When heat resistance is a priority
- For solid, dramatic colours (black, deep green, brown)
Solid Wood: Warmth and Character
For clients wanting warmth and natural beauty, solid wood worktops are unbeatable.
Popular Wood Species We Install
Oak
- Classic British choice
- Strong grain pattern
- Available in various finishes (natural, light, medium, dark)
- Cost: £150-£250 per square metre
Walnut
- Luxurious dark brown
- Beautiful grain
- Premium feel
- Cost: £200-£300 per square metre
Beech
- Lighter, more uniform appearance
- Affordable
- Durable and stable
- Cost: £120-£200 per square metre
Iroko
- Excellent water resistance
- Rich golden-brown colour
- Ideal near sinks
- Cost: £180-£250 per square metre
Why Clients Choose Wood
Warmth Creates immediate cosiness and character that stone and laminate can’t match.
Natural Material Renewable, sustainable, ages beautifully rather than just getting old.
Repairable Can be sanded and re-oiled to remove damage and refresh appearance.
Tactile Pleasure Feels warm and pleasant to touch (unlike cold stone).
Wood Considerations
Maintenance Required
- Regular oiling (every 2-3 months initially, then every 6 months)
- Immediate cleanup of spills
- Not suitable around hobs without careful protection
Water Sensitivity
- Can mark if water left standing
- Requires proper sealing, especially near sinks
- Not recommended for very messy cooks
Movement Natural material expands/contracts with humidity changes—this is normal and expected.
Cost Mid-range but maintenance adds to lifetime cost.
When We Recommend Wood
- Traditional or country cottage kitchens
- Clients who enjoy caring for natural materials
- Away from main cooking zones (perfect for islands or breakfast bars)
- When warmth and character are priorities
Laminate: Quality on a Budget
Modern laminates have improved dramatically. We install quality laminate worktops that look far more expensive than they are.
Modern Laminate Options
Stone-Effect Convincingly replicates granite, marble, or quartz at a fraction of the cost.
Wood-Effect Realistic wood grain patterns and textures.
Solid Colours Clean, contemporary solid colours in matt or gloss finishes.
Why Clients Choose Laminate
Budget-Friendly £50-£120 per square metre—significantly less than stone or wood.
Easy Maintenance Simply wipe clean with standard cleaning products.
Variety Hundreds of colours and patterns available.
Quick Installation Readily available with short lead times.
Laminate Considerations
Durability Less resistant to:
- Heat (hot pans can damage surface)
- Deep scratches (though surface scratches are rare with quality laminate)
- Water at seams (edge sealing is crucial)
Replacement Cannot be repaired—damage requires worktop replacement.
Visible Seams Joins are more obvious than with stone.
Perceived Value Some buyers see laminate as lower-end (though quality examples are impressive).
When We Recommend Laminate
- Budget-conscious makeovers
- When funds are better spent on doors and storage
- For clients planning to upgrade worktops in 5-10 years
- Rental properties
Quality Matters We only install quality laminate from reputable manufacturers. Cheap laminate is false economy—it looks cheap and wears poorly.
Solid Surface (Corian-Type): Seamless Luxury
Solid surface materials (Corian being the best-known brand) offer unique benefits.
What is Solid Surface?
Acrylic-based material that can be moulded, shaped, and joined seamlessly.
Why Clients Choose Solid Surface
Seamless Joins Pieces are bonded and polished to create genuinely invisible joints—perfect for complex layouts.
Integrated Sinks Sinks can be bonded underneath with no visible seam—ultimate hygiene and easy cleaning.
Repairable Scratches and damage can be polished out by professionals.
Mouldable Can create curved edges, integrated drainer grooves, and custom shapes.
Solid Surface Considerations
Cost Premium pricing: £250-£400 per square metre installed.
Scratches Softer than stone—more susceptible to scratches (though repairable).
Heat Sensitivity Hot pans can damage surface—trivets essential.
Specialist Installation Requires experienced fabricators—we work with certified installers only.
When We Recommend Solid Surface
- When seamless appearance is priority
- Complex layouts with many joins
- Integrated sinks desired
- Contemporary styling with curved elements
Dekton and Ultra-Compact Surfaces: The Latest Innovation
Ultra-compact surfaces like Dekton represent the newest worktop technology.
What is Dekton?
Highly compressed mixture of glass, porcelain, and quartz—essentially engineered super-stone.
Why Clients Choose Dekton
Extreme Durability
- Virtually scratch-proof
- Highly heat-resistant
- UV-resistant (won’t fade)
- Stain-proof
Low Maintenance Requires only basic cleaning—no sealing, no special products.
Large Format Available in very large slabs—fewer seams needed.
Indoor-Outdoor Use Can be used for exterior applications (perfect for extending kitchen to outdoor kitchens).
Dekton Considerations
Cost Premium: £300-£500 per square metre installed.
Brittleness Despite strength, can chip if impacted hard on edges during installation or use.
Limited Availability Fewer colour options than quartz.
Specialist Installation Requires experienced fabricators with specific tools.
When We Recommend Dekton
- Premium budgets
- High-use family kitchens
- When maximum durability is priority
- Contemporary styling
Choosing the Right Edge Profile
Worktop edges significantly impact the overall look. We offer various profiles:
Square Edge
- Clean, contemporary
- Most affordable
- Maximum worktop surface area
Pencil Round Edge
- Slightly rounded for comfort and safety
- Classic, versatile
- Modest cost addition
Bullnose Edge
- Fully rounded
- Traditional feel
- Comfortable to lean against
Ogee Edge
- Decorative, traditional profile
- Suits classic kitchens
- Premium cost
Waterfall Edge
- Worktop material continues down the side
- Contemporary, furniture-quality finish
- You can see this in our recent white kitchen peninsula
- Significant cost addition but stunning impact
Worktop Thickness Options
Standard thickness is 20mm, but we also offer:
30mm
- More substantial appearance
- Suits larger kitchens
- Traditional styling
- 30-50% cost increase
40mm
- Very bold, statement look
- Premium feel
- Typically traditional kitchens only
- Significant cost increase
Slim (10-12mm)
- Contemporary minimalist look
- Less common
- Requires perfect cabinet support
Special Considerations
Around Hobs
We always discuss heat protection:
- Stone worktops handle heat reasonably well (with trivets)
- Laminate requires particular care
- Wood requires significant protection
- Some clients choose different material just around hob area
Sink Cutouts
Different materials offer different sink installation options:
- Undermount (sink under worktop) – works with stone, solid surface
- Inset (sink drops into worktop) – works with all materials
- Integrated (one-piece) – only solid surface
Splashback Coordination
Your worktop should work with your splashback choice:
- Matching material – using worktop material as upstand or full splashback
- Contrasting – tiles, glass, or different material
- Continuation – same colour but different material
Our Worktop Selection Process
When helping clients choose worktops, we:
1. Discuss Usage Patterns
- How much do you cook?
- How messy is your cooking?
- Do you use hot pans frequently?
- How important is easy maintenance?
2. Consider Style
- Contemporary or traditional kitchen?
- What colour scheme?
- What feeling are you creating?
3. Review Budget
- What’s realistic for your overall makeover budget?
- Where should funds be prioritised?
4. Show Physical Samples
- Large samples viewed in your kitchen
- In your lighting conditions
- Against your cabinet choices
5. Explain Maintenance Honestly
- Exactly what’s required for each material
- Realistic assessment of whether it suits your lifestyle
6. Calculate Accurately
- Precise measurements of your worktop area
- Itemised costs including edge profiles and cutouts
- No hidden surprises
Installation Excellence
Worktop installation requires expertise. Our process includes:
Templating Creating exact templates of your worktop areas—essential for accuracy, especially with stone.
Fabrication Stone worktops are cut and finished in specialist workshops—we work with the best fabricators in the region.
Sink and Hob Cutouts Precisely measured and cut to manufacturer specifications.
Sealing and Finishing Edges polished, joins sealed, everything finished to perfection.
Protection During Installation Your new cabinets protected throughout worktop installation.
Worktop Costs: Budget Planning
Approximate installed costs for standard kitchen (6 linear metres):
Laminate: £300-£720 Solid Wood: £900-£1,800 Granite: £1,200-£2,400 Quartz: £1,400-£2,800 Solid Surface: £1,800-£3,000 Dekton: £2,200-£3,600
These include materials, fabrication, installation, cutouts, and edge finishing.
Can You Keep Existing Worktops?
Sometimes, yes! If your current worktops are:
- In good structural condition
- Appropriate material (stone, solid surface)
- Suit your new design
We can:
- Deep clean and reseal (granite)
- Sand and re-oil (wood)
- Professional polish (stone)
This saves significant budget that can go towards premium doors or storage solutions.
However, if worktops are:
- Damaged or worn
- Wrong colour for new design
- Poor quality laminate
- Improperly supported
Replacement is essential for a successful makeover.
Making Your Decision
The right worktop for you depends on:
Lifestyle – High-use family kitchen needs different material than occasional cooking Budget – Be realistic but invest appropriately in this crucial element Style – Material should complement your overall design Maintenance – Choose what you’ll actually maintain properly Longevity – Consider your 5-10 year plans
We’ll guide you through these considerations honestly, helping you choose the material that genuinely works best for your specific situation.
See Our Work
From the high-gloss white quartz in our recent contemporary installation to solid wood in traditional country kitchens to granite in classic designs, we’ve installed thousands of worktops across the North West.
We’d love to show you our portfolio, discuss your requirements, and help you choose the perfect worktop for your kitchen makeover.
After nearly 30 years, we know worktops inside out—the good, the bad, the practical, and the beautiful. Let us share that expertise with you.
Ready to discuss worktop options for your kitchen makeover? Contact Gordon’s Makeovers for a free consultation. We’ll bring samples to your home, discuss all options honestly, and help you choose the perfect surface for your needs and budget. Serving the North West for nearly 30 years. Get in touch today.