Whether you are looking to upgrade the kitchen in your current home, or looking to renovate the worktops in a new property, there are numerous options available to choose from. The worktops are one of the most important parts of your kitchen, they’re a standout kitchen feature and become an integral part of the décor, as well as being one of the most used surfaces in your kitchen. There are various types of stone worktops available, each one becoming more popular than another over time. Composite quartz has been growing in popularity over the last decade and is now one of the most popular worktop options for kitchens but it’s not the only stone available, there are many natural options too. This article will look into the various types of stone available when picking out your perfect worktop.
Where to start when the possibilities seem endless
When it comes to choosing your kitchen worktop, you can often be spoilt for choice and end up putting off the decision for as long as possible. With so many natural and man-made materials to choose from, the choice of your kitchen worktop can often be a stressful decision to make and not one you want to regret.
Here at Coulon Stone, we are experts in natural and man-made stone products that offer the perfect solution to your worktop conundrum and we want to share our advice and expertise with you, in the hope that it will make your decision easier to arrive at.
Ultimately, you have to be happy that your chosen material is nice to look at, long lasting and durable. Many homeowners choose to purchase a worktop surface that is in-keeping with the style of property they are in, as well as making sure that it will stand the test of time. After all, the kitchen is one of the busiest places within our home and the worktop sees the most traffic on a daily basis!
Quartz Worktops a modern and minimalistic look
First on our comparison list is the composite quartz surface. This is a man made surface that is created from crushed stone and sand which is held together by a strong resin. It is a durable product that is purpose-created for both household and commercial use. Quartz kitchen worktops are likely to last a long time as long as they are treated and cleaned correctly.
A popular choice for many kitchen worktops, it is often chosen due to its modern finish and similarity to look like marble with much stronger durability.
| Quartz Worktop Pros | Quartz Worktop Cons |
|---|---|
| Huge variety of designs including designs which replicate marble | Some brands can mark if a hot pan is placed on the surface |
| Very durable and man-made for busy areas | Some brands can be stained by certain foods like beetroot. |
| Scratch resistant | |
| Waterproof (not susceptible to water marks) | Coulon Stone Durability rating – 5/5 |
Slate Worktops for a traditional design
For homeowners looking for worktop surfaces with a traditional kitchen style, Slate worktops are a great choice. Formed by combining volcanic ash and clay, some slate types are softer and therefore not appropriate for a kitchen worktop however Coulon Stone are proud to be able to source Berwyn Slate from Wales that is much harder and therefore suitable for your kitchen design.
Perfect for period style cottages and farmhouses with owners who are trying to stay in keeping with the property features, Slate worktops can be a beautiful addition to your kitchen.
| Slate Worktop Pros | Slate Worktop Cons |
|---|---|
| Perfect for a traditional look | Prone to staining from oily foods |
| Capable of withstanding hot pans | Potential to scratch if polished (flame brushed services less likely too) |
| Can be made easily made watertight | Susceptible to watermarks if not sealed correctly |
| Coulon Stone Durability rating – 3-4/5 |
Granite Worktops for natural colours and patterns
Granite worktops have long been the most popular choice for kitchen worktops and we are not surprised. It’s a naturally hard surface perfect for a variety of busy places within the home and the range of colours will match many a kitchen design.
Granite is a durable material and is easy to clean which is great for busy kitchens. We at Coulon Stone suggest you have a professional fitter to install your granite worktops so you can be sure it’s installed and finished correctly to give your work surfaces the best start in your kitchen.
| Granite Worktop Pros | Granite Worktop Cons |
|---|---|
| Very hard natural stone | Prices vary but some can be more costly than other stone products |
| Variety of colours to match any room | |
| Waterproof, stain and scratch resistant | Coulon Stone Durability rating – 5/5 |
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Choose Coulon Stone for your perfect worktop choice
When it comes to sourcing and installing the perfect worktops, Coulon Stone is the professional team you need. We provide quality materials at competitive prices so you can be sure you will be left with bespoke kitchen worktops that stand the test of time.
Coulon Stone have been providing excellent choices of stone and quartz surfaces since the 1990’s so no matter the type of stone you need or whether you are not sure where to start, the team at Coulon Stone are ready to advise and guide you through your kitchen worktop journey. Get in contact today or drop by our showroom so you can see our choice of products firsthand.