A comparison of the most popular materials for countertops
in the kitchen, including cost overview and care tips
We sneak our vegetables on it, just put down the hot
saucepan there and make it dirty every day: The worktop in the kitchen must be
able to withstand a lot. It should be water resistant, robust and heat
resistant; Practical, easy-care, but also beautiful - because it determines the
aesthetic look of the kitchen significantly. We will show you 12 short-portrait
materials for worktops - from solid wood to natural stone to modern mineral
materials, and explain the advantages and disadvantages, costs and care of the
various kitchen worktops.
1. Worktop made of solid or real wood
With wood - whether beech, birch or cherry tree - cosiness
in your kitchenon. With naturally treated solid wood panels you make an
ecologically harmless choice at the same time, get a great feel and get a real
unique. The important thing is a difference: solid wood panels are made of
solid wood. Real wood boards, on the other hand, are chipboard with veneer -
they are made of wood, but they are not "grown". Either way, wooden worktops
are sensitive: Sharp knives can leave cuts on the surface, hot pots leave
unsightly dark stains on the wood. You should never cut on a worktop made of
solid or real wood without a base. Make sure that the joints around the sink
and hob are well sealed. Otherwise, water penetrates and the wood swells up.
Costs:depending on wood and thickness, from approx. 60/70
euros (eg solid beech, 30 mm) to more than 300 euros (eg solid oak, 80 mm) and
more per meter, plus assembly
Care: For hygienic reasons you should impregnate the
worktops. This goes without saying due to a regular treatment with oil or a
special wood varnish. The advantage of oiled panels is that you can easily sand
down damaged surfaces. Read even more tips on caring for wooden worktops here.
2. worktop made of laminate or laminate
Wood look can also be achieved with worktops made of
laminate or laminate - but also the look of natural stone surfaces, high-gloss
decors or concrete. The advantage of the imitation of laminate or laminate is
their special ease of care - and in contrast to wood, they are even harder.
Impacts are better cushioned. Nevertheless, you should not cut on a plastic
worktop - a cutting board and also a saucer for hot pots are advisable. Another
advantage: kitchen worktops made of plastic are cheap. Nevertheless, there are
big differences in quality here as well. The thicker the coated surface, the
more durable. Through thinner surfaces cuts go quickly to the underlying
support plate, water can penetrate, the material swells up.
Costs: Depending on the version from 15 Euro to over 200 per
running meter; plus installation
care: Light soiling can be easily removed with water,
commercial cleaning agent and (scratch-free) sponge. Unlike wood or other
sensitive worktops, plastic surfaces do not need to be impregnated.
3. Granite worktop
With worktops made of natural stone you have three options:
slate, marble or granite. The most commonly used is the robust granite. Like
the other two natural stones, a granite counter worksnoble and timeless, but
also cool. The stone with its individual structuring is available in lighter or
darker versions. Caution: In small or dark kitchens, a black or gray stone can
quickly be overwhelming. A particularly finely structured granite slab can also
cause unrest. The stone is particularly popular due to its insensibility to
stains and scratches. Hot pots, water and sharp knives can usually not harm
granite - a big plus in terms of hygiene.
Costs: depending on grade and plate thickness from approx. 120
Euro per running meter; plus installation - the price can be significantly
higher, depending on the type of granite, up to more than € 500 per meter.
Care:Untreated granite is more sensitive than it looks. Do
not use any chemical, acetic or acidic care products as they can attack the
stone. Better access to special stone oils for granite care. Regularly polish
the stone in a circular motion to avoid streaks. Sponge and water are
sufficient for daily cleaning.
4. Worktop made of marble
A classic beauty is also a countertop made of fine marble .
Marble is a bit softer than granite and therefore more susceptible to
scratches. High temperatures, such as a hot pot bottom, the dense rock,
however, optimally withstood. Even water has only a small chance to penetrate
the material. Nevertheless, as with all surfaces, water stains should be wiped
quickly to avoid unsightly edges. Marble is sensitive to acidic foods. Marble
worktopsare available in many colors - but depending on the country of origin
and rarity, the price is correspondingly high.
Costs:depending on the variety and strength from 300 euros
per meter, noble varieties also quite 700 euros per meter, plus installation
care: If persistent water stains have arisen on the marble,
you can remove this with a soft woolen cloth and a little olive oil. Grease
stains with a lime powder mixture.
To permanently seal the pores of the marble, so that such
stains do not even occur, you should regularly impregnate the rock with special
oils.
Note: You need advice on kitchen planning or an exact
estimate? Here you will find kitchen experts in your region
5. Worktop made of slate
Not as robust and resistant as granite is slate .
Nevertheless, the exclusive natural stone is popular in the kitchen. The
sedimentary rocks are distinguished by their simple and cool appearance,
matching industrial style as well as country-style kitchens or simple, modern
kitchens, But slate is not slate. A distinction is made between a gapless,
brushed and ground surface. And the tints may vary depending on the composition
varied. If you decide on a slate, you should first make aware that the material
"lives". The so-called "slates" occasionally dissipate
small particles. Also through the daily use and its natural aging, he gets
after a while a very specific patina. Do not cut directly on the surface - this
will damage knives and slates alike.
Cost : from about 200 euros per meter, depending on the
variety also far higher, plus installation
care:Prior to first use, the slate should be primed with
oils or waxes so that grease and water can not penetrate for the time being.
For daily cleaning you can then resort to mild soaps and soft sponges.
6. Worktop made of concrete
Because of cold logs! Concrete worktops are becoming
increasingly popular. Why is that? At their properties! Because the traditional
building material is heat-resistant, scratch-resistant, stable and convertible.
For custom-made products, not only the worktop but also the seamlessly
integrated sink can be cast. Before installing a concrete worktop , however,
you should think about the weight of the plate: a square meter with a thickness
of 4 centimeters weighs about 100 kilograms. Be sure to clarify the load
capacity of your kitchen floor and the stability of the substructure. If the
floor can not support the weight, you can also work on countertops with
concrete lookdodge.
Cost: Since mostly made to measure very dependent on the
mold, mold and finish. Roughly speaking, a concrete worktop lies in the middle
price segment of granite countertops.
Care: Porous as concrete, a treatment with oils or natural
wax is highly recommended. It becomes even more insensitive by a synthetic seal
by means of artificial paints. As a result, however, a part of the charming
rough look is lost. But no matter how much you care for the surface, concrete
will develop a nice patina over time - so you have to like it. For daily
cleaning water-soluble detergent and a damp cloth is sufficient. You should
also refrain from using acidic agents here.
7. Worktop made of artificial stone and solid surface material
If you do not want to give up the look of natural stone, but
want a work surface that is even more resistant, then you should resort to
artificial stone or mineral materials such as Corian or Cristalite. Here, in
terms of hygiene, robustness, hardness and ease of care, nothing to be desired.
On particularly hard minerals can even be cut on the surface; however, for
example, Corian should be protected from heat. Kitchen countertops made of
artificial stone and mineral materials, but also captivate by external values.
They are noble, seamless - and can be mixed on top of that to your liking.
Everything is possible, from the seamless white look to the colorful design.
Costs:from about 240 euros per running meter plus adjustment
and installation. Depending on the design and material end price therefore much
higher, especially since the plates with individual cutouts and z. B. are made
seamless sink.
Care: In contrast to natural stones, worktops made of artificial
stone or mineral materials do not have to be sealed. Here it is perfectly
sufficient to remove stains with water and conventional household cleaners.
8. Worktop made of glass Glass
plates are also robust and insensitive. They are not only
suitable as splash guards in the kitchen , but also as countertops. The
material is hygienic and, unlike artificial stone and mineral materials, germs
hardly offer any attack surface. Only one thing is harder than glass: diamond.
Here you can confidently put the knife or put off hot pots - up to 400 degrees,
the plate keeps loose. Especially with modern kitchens, glass fits in with its
light yet extravagant look. But quality also has its price here.
Costs: from about 200 euros per meter, plus installation
care:Glass worktops need no impregnation. Stains are removed
with water, detergent or glass cleaner with a wiper.
9. Worktops made of quartz composites
Quartz composites such as Silestone, Caesarstone or Zodiaq
are real all-round talents. Consisting of 93 percent ground quartz and
so-called "upgrading additives", kitchen worktops can be created
entirely according to your wishes. Like a shiny white surface that looks like a
noble stone. Due to the high quartz content, countertops are among the hardest
surfaces available for kitchens and are scratch-resistant and water-repellent.
Only with heat you should pay attention here and put under the hot pot a
coaster.
Cost: from about 150 euros per meter, depending on the
variety and thickness much higher. The price range is comparable to that of
granite; plus installation
care:Stains can be wiped off easily and quickly, just like
with a glass. Although quartz glass worktops are very insensitive, too much
chemistry should not be available. You should therefore not resort to acidic
means.
10. Worktop made of stainless steel
Kitchen worktops made of stainless steel are the ultimate in
gastronomy - and also in the domestic kitchen by now. For one simple reason:
They are particularly heat-resistant, functional, timeless - and hygienic, as
the material keeps all liquids and fats on the surface. Another advantage: sink
and hob can be welded flush with the surface. Unfortunately, stainless steel
worktops are also susceptible to scratches - and visible fingerprints are
unavoidable. Cleaning is the order of the day.
Cost: from about 35 euros per meter, plus installation.
Maintenance:Stainless steel worktops can be cleaned with
special stainless steel cleaner, but even with mild cleaners from the drugstore
you will get rid of stains. Small scratches can be removed with scouring cream.
11. Linoleum worktops
Resistant to oils and greases, largely insensitive to heat,
flame retardant, bacteriostatic, hygienic, easy to care for - the natural
material based on linseed oil, cork powder, limestone flour and resins is
perfect for everyday kitchen life. The clou: You can also easily cut on
linoleum countertops, even deep cuts close practically by themselves. However,
a worktop made of linoleum is completely insensitive : Coloring foods such as
red wine, coffee or ketchup can leave stains if they are left to soak for a
long time best to be eliminated immediately.
Cost: from about 120 euros per meter, plus installation.
Maintenance:Detergent is perfect for daily cleaning, the
luster disappears over time with a special washing emulsion. Although linoleum
is acid-resistant, alkaline cleaners such as soft soap should rather be avoided
as they attack the surface.
12. Tiled worktops There are many
possibilities in the design of tiled worktops. The carrier
material is a simple chipboard, which should, however, be sealed watertight. In
order that the joint does not break, the use of a so-called decoupling mat is
also advisable. The gluing is also more or less complex depending on the size
of the tiles - but no problem for a tiler . Special molded parts and
edgebanding provide a remedy.
Cost: from 15 Euro the running meter, plus installation.
Maintenance:In fact, tiled countertops made of simple
ceramic tiles are extremely easy to care for - if there were not the joints.
Here, the higher the proportion of joints, the higher the cleaning effort. A
special joint cleaner helps to remedy stubborn dirt.
Note: All prices are intended as a rough guide. Depending on
the manufacturer, exact type of material (such as different stones or woods),
plate thickness, edge processing and depth of the prices vary per meter kitchen
countertop. Also costs for cutouts and assembly are added.
This item has been updated, pictures have been removed or
exchanged.
Which material did you choose for your kitchen worktop? What
experiences have you had? What tips for care?
