Wood, granite, glass: What material for the kitchen worktop?

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?