No kitchen is complete without the right worktop. This not only adds the finishing touches to the design, but also plays a major role in the cooking process - it provides a support surface for the products, on which the food is prepared and then arranged in the plates. Heat, water, cold, sharp objects – kitchen worktops must be able to withstand this and more without any problems. To ensure that the modern work surface meets these requirements, there is a wide range of materials to choose from -Natural stone, artificial stone, concrete, glass, steel and wood. Every material has advantages and disadvantages - we will try to give you an overview.
Worktops for the kitchen – natural stone at a glance
The natural stone slabs are durable, scratch-resistant and easy to care for. Nowadays, in addition to the traditionally very popular granite (available in numerous grains and nuances), slate also has an extremely attractive anthracite gray color that is particularly effective in combination with yellowish woods such as oak. Marble refines both the traditional ones , as well as the modern white minimalist kitchen, quartzite composite (a mixture of several stones) and the real eye-catcher - onyx.
Benefits fromMaterial– durable, easy to clean, has a pleasant feel and an elegant, highly polished surface
Disadvantages of the material – heavy weight, an expensive option
Worktops for kitchens made of stainless steel – advantages and disadvantages at a glance
DieStainless steel worktopsare particularly popular for their durability and heat resistance. If you choose this option, you have to expect a little more effort - because hot pots and liquids can leave stains that then have to be removed with special cleaning agents. That's why steel worktops are better suited to a small apartment than to the spacious kitchen of a large family.
Advantages of the material – durable, heat-resistant, fits harmoniously into any interior.
Disadvantages of the material – stains have to be removed with a special cleaning agent, scratches can quickly be seen on the high-gloss surface.
Worktops for the kitchen made of concrete – the material is finding new uses
What was not possible 10 years ago has now become a real trend - concrete flooring is not uncommon in minimalist new buildings. But the material is also used in the kitchen – as a worktop. The concrete worktop is - similar to the covering - finely sanded, coated with a special care product and then installed. For stability, it is important to take the greater weight into account - usually the kitchen island/kitchen cabinets are structurally reinforced with stainless steel so that they can withstand the additional load.
Advantages of the material – durable, long-lasting when sealed, very easy to care for. Has an attractive look that goes particularly well with industrial-style kitchens.
Disadvantages of the material - higher weight /4 cm thick worktops weigh approx. 100kg per square meter/
Glass kitchen worktops give the kitchen an elegant touch
Glass worktops offer great freedom of design - painted glass in particular has great appeal and can set accents in the kitchen. Frosted glass is also enjoying increasing popularity and is being used more and more often. Glass can be easily processed and is therefore a good alternative for custom-made kitchen landscapes. Anyone who invests in such a kitchen top has chosen a material that is heat-resistant but not scratch-resistant. If a dining area is connected directly to the kitchen island, the glass counter can create a seamless transition between the two areas.
Pros – fairly easy to care for, heat resistant, comes in a variety of colors
Cons – Knives leave scratches
Artificial stones in the modern kitchen
Corian is perhaps the most well-known artificial stone / the mineral material was developed and patented by the DuPont company /. The innovative material can be processed with wooden tools, can be cast into shape and fascinates with its elegant, high-gloss look. Nowadays it is used not only in the kitchen, but also in the bathroom and sanitary areas.
Advantages – is available in many colors, can be cast into shape and processed almost seamlessly, and is resistant to stains
Disadvantages – less heat resistant compared to natural stone
Wooden kitchen worktops – pure natural feeling
Wood gives the kitchen a distinctive charm and creates a cozy atmosphere. In any case, the material is better suited for kitchen fronts than for worktops - because it is neither scratch-proof nor sensitive to heat. And admittedly – wood is not really easy to care for either – because the surface has to be carefully oiled and stains are difficult to remove. Anyone who chooses this option will definitely score points with an original and homely kitchen.
Marble worktops – an elegant addition to the modern kitchen
Kitchen in gentle natural nuances and with marble worktop and splash guard
Modern white kitchen with marble countertop and flooring
Marble worktop - the material is scratch-resistant, insensitive to heat and does not discolor
Modern kitchen with wooden counter and marble top
Stylish minimalist kitchen with high-gloss fronts
Kitchen countertops – quartz composite
Quartzite composite with integrated lighting
Onyx kitchen island with quartzite composite worktop
Modern kitchen with illuminated element
Wooden worktop coated with quartzite composite
Traditional kitchen with quartzite composite in a marble look
Onyx kitchen countertops
Onyx worktops look elegant and sublime
Slate kitchen worktops
The material has an attractive anthracite gray color
Slate is scratch-resistant and easy to clean
Granite kitchen countertops
Granite comes in different colors
From dark gray, almost black, to gray to light versions
Granite is finely ground and sealed with a special varnish
This guarantees heat resistance
Granite also finds its place in the Scandinavian kitchen
Steel kitchen worktops
Concrete kitchen countertops
Worktops made of Corian – the material from DuPont is a real eye-catcher
Glass kitchen countertops
Wooden kitchen countertops
