Kitchen Worktops

[alexbartman]

About to embark on my rennovation of the kitchen. Have got estimate

for laminate, Corian (and similar) and granite worktops......the onl remotely affordable medium is Laminate.

I want to use a high gloss black finish - but have been warned abou the tendency that it will show every single scratch and blemish - an it is a working kitchen after all.... I have two linked questions.....is there a major difference between th manufacturers of Laminate worktops - the prices from several place (including B&Q who are just about the cheapest - not by much though are roughly the same - what should I look for? And does anyone hav any experience of installing the high gloss laminate finishes - should I steer clear - any advice/recommendations gratefully received....

thanks

Ale

-- alexbartman

[Ben Blaukopf]

We put the B&Q gloss black in our kitchen last year. We moved this year, and we're not putting gloss laminate in the new kitchen. *Everything* scratches it.

If you go into B&Q and have a look, you can see the scratching on their test pieces of worktop. I'd argue that a kitchen is a far harsher environment than a B&Q kitchen display area where the worktop *isn't* in constant use, with chopping boards and what not being moved around.

If you drop anything pointy on it, it will dent. And show it, because it's gloss.

The laminate in our current kitchen is matt. The kitchen is over 20 years old, and the laminate is doing just fine. In fact the whole kitchen is holding up well, so it's a shame to rip it out really. But the tomato red floor-to-ceiling tiles, fluorescent lighting over suspended ceiling, etc just aren't our thing....

We're thinking about wood, with granite in the sink area. Haven't price it up yet though...

Ben

[Lee]

Yep, we put in the B&Q black gloss worktop and it does show every scratch - even if you are *very* careful, which most people won't be in a working kitchen ;)

Does look really nice when first installed though ;)

Lee

[Michael Chare]

One difference is the way the front edge is formed. For example the Magnet ones have a drip rail/edge.

I got put off Corian when the salesman mentioned that one of his customers had decided to replace their car instead. Ten times the price for something that could be damaged by a hot pan/oven dish!

[manatbandq]

Easy to add with a router, remember to seal it with varnish afterwards.

MBQ

[swinster]

Depending on your budget I found a place local to us that imports granite from CHina and India. This is emmeninatly more affordable at around =A3100-=A3150 per linear meter.

[Jeff]

Axiom do an etch finish which is half way between gloss and matt. Mine will be fitted soon, so in 6 months I will be able to say if its any good or not

Regards Jeff

[daddyfreddy]

I'd suggest steering clear of gloss laminate finishes regardless of the colour. They don't wear well and personally I think they look cheap (sorry to all those that have them ;-)). If you want that look then go for the real thing - granite.

[Nigel Molesworth]

Try these guys:

(phone, don't email)

They have just templated and fitted about 7m of granite in my kitchen for £2000, it looks fantastic.

No connection, just a very happy customer.

[PeTe33]

We got quotes from on-line suppliers for granite then went to a local granite specialist fitter and he was happy to match the same price for cash.

Magnet quote was around 5K ours was done for around 2.5K

It is bloody excellent !

:¬)