A kitchen is much like a bench in a workshop, for example the Stephen Graver workshop just outside Bath. Cabinets are designed, prepared and made on them much like food is chopped, diced and chucked in a Greek salad. However, a work bench does not have to be pretty or special, whereas you would want to prepare your food, with pride on a work top that looks marvellous and suits your new kitchen. There are many different materials on offer out there to suit the kitchen in question and getting the right top to sacrifice your carrots to the salad God is very important.
Not a widely used work surface as like all metals, they gather fine scratches and swirl marks, can corrode or rust but rarely unless you use cast iron and the choice is limited. Stainless steel is usually the choice, but be warned, remember the 1980’s DeLorean? The car was a nightmare to keep clean, so you will spend the rest of your life wiping up coffee cup marks and removing the juices of massacred fruit and vegetables. Aimed more at the catering market rather than domestic kitchens but are very hygienic. If you dare to be different then go for stainless steel. Just keep a tube of metal polish at the end of the party for cleaning up!!
Granites and Marble
All types of colours, thickness and prices. These two natural stones are an excellent way to make a big impression, especially if you choose a chunky 50mm thick top. Granite is extremely hardwearing and resistant to scratches and heat. Like marble, each piece is different to the other by which it has different patterns and colours in each tile or slab.
Marble worktops are at their best when finished in a matte effect or honed, but can also be polished if you like some shine. Both excellent materials but out of the two, Marble would be the most majestic choice, especially in Carrara white, which looks stunning.
Composites
Ideally suited to the more modern of kitchens, giving a space age feel. Composites come in all types of material such as carbon fibre, Parapan solid acrylics and Corian plastic resin tops. Carbon fibre is great if you want a Formula 1 style kitchen, but have to have the salary of a driver to buy it. Very strong for what is basically weaved fibres and usually backed onto polystyrene. Can scratch quite easily, but looks fantastic. You will feel like you can chop chorizo as fast as Lewis Hamilton can drive a McLaren. Corian is available in a huge range of colours and textures. Very easy to clean, cost effective and available in different thicknesses to suit your needs. A very modern material that would even convince Darf Vader to change the kitchen in the Death Star. Not as durable as a stone top but for a year 3000 look, it’s the ticket. Parapan acrylics like Corian also offer the same high gloss finishes as well as being water resistant. The wide range of colours is extraordinary from executive gun metal greys to swinging 60’s purples and greens. If Austin Powers designed a kitchen, it would use Parapan I bet. With much more versatility and choices with composites, they make for a more cost effective yet elegant or whacky kitchen work top.
Metals
Not a widely used work surface as like all metals, they gather fine scratches and swirl marks, can corrode or rust but rarely unless you use cast iron and the choice is limited. Stainless steel is usually the choice, but be warned, remember the 1980’s DeLorean? The car was a nightmare to keep clean, so you will spend the rest of your life wiping up coffee cup marks and removing the juices of massacred fruit and vegetables. Aimed more at the catering market rather than domestic kitchens but are very hygienic. If you dare to be different then go for stainless steel. Just keep a tube of metal polish at the end of the party for cleaning up!!More top tips and opinions soon!
Stephen Graver Kitchens 