Laminate worktops are still overwhelmingly the most popular choices of work surface in the UK, and Duropal are one of the key manufacturers. So let’s have a closer look at some of the features of a Duropal worktop.

Aesthetic Appeal

At the time of writing, Duropal laminate worktops are available in 61 decors. These range from wood, granite and solid surface reproduction to more outlandish and imaginative patterns and designs. The leading edges of a Duropal surface can be profiled in two different ways (Classic and Quandra – Classic being more rounded), and matching upstands and back panels are available for a number of the decors. There are also three different Duropal finishes: enhanced high gloss, enhanced semi-matt and crystal stone (recommended for plain colours and stone reproductions). The high gloss is less hardwearing then the other two finishes (see below).

As with all laminate worktops, it is hard to get completely seamless joints between Duropal worktop sections. If fitted correctly, the joints will still look neat and relatively inconspicuous; they just won’t be invisible as they can be with solid surface worktops.

Durability and Performance

Duropal laminate worktops are really easy to keep clean. All that’s needed is a wipe down with a damp cloth and some washing-up liquid. Laminate worktops have a reputation for lacking durability, and, while it is true that other worktops are more hardwearing, if taken care of properly a laminate worktop can last a long time.

Duropal worktops are advertised as being resistant to sunlight, coffee stains, tea stains, red wine stains, ink stains, fruit juice and cigarette burns. That said, in their literature, Duropal offer some very specific dos and don’ts about using their laminate worktop.

Always place hot pans, ovenware and irons on a trivet or protective pad to protect the surface from the intense heat which can cause damage to the worktop if placed directly on the surface.

Do not cut or chop directly on the worktop surface – always use a chopping board or worktop saver.

These two warnings are not specific to Duropal kitchen worktops. In fact, they could be applied to all laminate work surfaces and all solid surface worktops too.

The Duropal brochure also warns against the use of abrasive cleaning pads and aggressive detergents, as well as stating:

The use of PVC aprons may possibly affect the durability of the high pressure laminate on the post-formed edge of worktops. This could lead to premature wear in high traffic work areas.

Although laminate surfaces are waterproof, they are vulnerable to moisture and bacteria where sections of worktop are joined. For this reason, liquid spills must be dealt with quickly and vigilantly in order to stop moisture penetrating the worktop’s core. In addition, the Duropal brochure advises that:

Kettles, coffee machines, fryers and any other heat or damp source should not be positioned directly over worktops joints.

All Duropal worktops are fitted with a unique seal designed to prevent water and steam accessing the core from the underside of the worktop.

As mentioned above, some laminate finishes and colours are more likely to show cuts, scratches and blemishes. You should avoid a high gloss texture and dark colours in heavily used areas.

Installation

If you are a competent woodworker, you should be able to fit your own Duropal laminate worktop. However, if you are in any doubt, it’s probably a prudent idea to call on a worktop installer.

Cost

At the time of writing a 4100mm length could be purchased from approximately £135 and a 2050mm length from about £90. Some of the finishes, such as the high gloss laminate worktops, were slightly more expensive.

Even the countertops which are famed for being hardwearing and durable, such as granite, have their weak points. Some granite worktops can become permanently stained by acidic liquids and most granite suppliers recommend that you do not cut directly onto the surface.

The same is true of solid surface worktops. Most manufacturers specifically urge the customer to use worktop savers and chopping boards to protect the worktop surface.

Although most chopping boards are made from wood (and can be made from worktop off cuts), there are a range of other materials and different designs on the market. In addition to wood, chopping boards can also be constructed from granite, plastic, glass and marble. There are numerous different designs to choose from, and some companies even produce personalised chopping boards.

There is also a massive range of worktop savers on the market. Worktop savers are usually larger than chopping boards and they’re designed to protect the worktop from spills, drips and splashes that can occur when food is being prepared. As they can occupy quite a large surface area, many worktop saver manufacturers have given a lot of thought to the visual impact of their product. Although it does serve an important practical role, the worktop saver is an effective way of injecting some colour into your kitchen design.

Worktop savers can be purchased in a range of different materials (glass and wood being the most popular), and a bewildering array of designs, colours and patterns.

When you are purchasing your kitchen worktops it’s a good idea to pick out your worktop savers and chopping boards at the same time. If you don’t, you run the risk of using your worktop without protecting it first, and damaging the surface’s finish.

In chapter two of Freakenomics the authors, Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner, identify five terms that appear in real estate ads which are linked to optimum sale prices. The appearance of Corian, granite and maple in a set of house details led to a high eventual sale price.

When you think about it, this is obvious –  Corian, maple and granite worktops are all used in top of the range kitchen designs. A potential house buyer would associate these terms with a quality property even if they don’t particularly favour these types of surface themselves.

So, if the price of granite worktops or Corian worktops is putting you off making a purchase, just think of it as an investment which may help you to sell your house more quickly or to maximise your home’s sale price.

Manufactured by Karonia, Mistral solid surface worktops are 25mm thick and are completely non-porous.

Let’s have a closer look at some of the benefits and potential weaknesses associated with Mistral worktops.

Visual Appeal

As with all solid surface worktops, it is possible to install Mistral worktops with seamless joints between worktop sections. Furthermore, because it is a true solid surface, a Mistral worktop can be cut into imaginative shapes without the need for end-capping.

Mistral worktops are available in eleven colours (at the time of writing), and, providing they are installed correctly, would look stunning and eye-catching in almost any kitchen design.

Functionality

Mistral kitchen worktops are made from 100% non-porous material and, as a result, they are very hygienic. In most solid surface worktops the chipboard core is the most vulnerable element because if it gets wet its structural integrity is compromised and it can be the breeding ground for germs and bacteria. Mistral solid surfaces do not share this weak point.

Although it is claimed that Mistral maximizes the natural strength and durability of solid surface, the Mistral literature is quite clear about just how a Mistral worktop should and shouldn’t be used:

Never put hot pans, especially those made of cast iron, directly onto your Mistral worktops because, as with all worktop materials, the intense heat can damage the surface.

Always use a hot pad or trivet (with rubber feet) under hot pans and other items such as oven trays.

Ensure that pans do not overhang the edge of the hob as the reflection of the heat onto the surface can cause scorching.  Please take special note of this when using gas wok burners.

Avoid sliding hard objects across the surface, particularly those with unglazed ceramic bases as ceramic is extremely hard and likely to scratch the surface.

Do not cut directly onto your Mistral surface, use a cutting board/worktop saver.

While MISTRAL surfaces are non-porous, it is still recommended that any spills are wiped up as soon as they occur.  Any spills can always be removed but the longer they are left, the less simple the method.

Avoid exposing your Mistral surface to strong chemicals such as paint removers and oven cleaners.  Any spills should be immediately cleared up with lots of soapy water to ensure that no damage occurs.

Most solid surface worktops are easily scratched and Mistral worktops are no different. However, minor marks can usually be polished out of the surface and deeper scratches can frequently be inconspicuously repaired.

Mistral point out that their darker coloured worktops will show wear much more easily than mid-tone designs. They do not recommend black worktops for high-traffic areas (e.g. kitchens). This negative factor is not just true of Mistral worktops. Most dark solid surfaces (and some of the pure white ones) require a considerable amount of maintenance to keep them looking good.

Installation

Mistral comes as worktop blanks or modules. Therefore, they can be shaped and cut on-site without the need for templating and off-site fabrication It is claimed that Mistral worktops are simple to install and that their installation doesn’t require the use of specialist tools. However, a certain level of expertise and experience is required to fit solid surface worktops properly. If you want to guarantee seamless joints, it might be worth calling in a professional kitchen fitter.

Mistral worktops are compatible with Belfast sinks and other under-mounted sinks (and these can be located anywhere within the worktop’s span), and drainer grooves can be cut into the worktop surface.

Minerelle kitchen worktops had a 2mm thick solid surface layer made from polyester resin. This is very similar to the construction of Artis Smartstone worktops.

Other solid surface options which are similar to Minerelle work surfaces (with <7mm thickness solid surface resin layer) include:

• Tuscan solid surface worktops
• Apollo Magna worktops
• Earthstone worktops
• Encore worktops
• Staron worktops
• Getacore worktops

Visual Appeal

At the time of writing, Smartstone worktops are available in seven different designs (all of which would look great in both contemporary and traditional kitchen design schemes). With all solid surface worktops the biggest selling-point is the fact that they can be fitted with seamless joins between worktop sections. Artis Smartstone solid surface worktops are no different in this respect, and, providing they are fitted correctly the modular elements (see below) can be combined to form the desired homogenous appearance.

Functionality and Durability

Like all solid surface kitchen worktops, Artis Smartstone is non-porous. It is therefore hygienic and easy to keep clean. Liquid will stay on the surface of the worktop ready to be wiped-up, and bacteria and germs will not be able to thrive in the chipboard core (the most vulnerable part of the worktop).

Artis Smartstone can be scratched and marked quite easily (as is the case with all solid surfaces). Fortunately, according to the Artis literature, in the case of light scratches the smooth surface can be lightly sanded and repolished bringing the surface back to its original condition, and more significant damage can be repaired by an experienced installer using a Smartstone repair kit.

Some Smartstone finishes are more likely to show scratches and marks than others. The Artis brochure makes this very clear:

Please be aware that marks are more visible on gloss, metal foil and darker surfaces. Additional care must be taken during installation and in use.

If you don’t want to spend all of your free time maintaining your kitchen worktops, heed this advice and go for a matt or semi-matt Smartstone worktop in one of the mid-tone colours.

Smartstone is fairly heat resistant, but in accordance to the Artis maintenance guide:

Hot pans and casserole dishes must be placed on a counter saver due to the intense heat generated.

Installation

Artis Smartstone solid surface kitchen worktops do not require templating (meaning that an installer will not need to measure up the worktop and then have it fabricated off-site prior to installation). Instead, Smartsone kitchen worktops can be purchased as blanks (or modules) and then shaped, joined and fitted on-site. This reduces cost and the amount of waiting time.

A Smartstone module with drainer grooves is available and it is possible to fit an under mounted sink to a Smartstone worktop.

In order to achieve a high-quality finish (which is incredibly important with solid surface worktops), with truly inconspicuous joins between the modules, it is a good idea to have your Smartstone work surface installed by an experience solid surface fitter.

Cost

Because it can be purchased ‘off the shelf’ and because it has a relatively thin solid surface layer in comparison to other solid surface worktops (Corian worktops, for example, have a 12mm acrylic polymer solid surface), Artis Smartstone is not one of the most expensive solid surface worktops.

At the time of writing, a 3000mm module was approximately £365, and a 4100mm module was about £400.

Aesthetic Appeal

Tuscan solid surface worktops come in just four colours – Artic Snow, African Dust, Ebony Sand and Graphite Sand. This is small choice compared to some other solid surface worktops. Corian worktops, for example, can be fabricated in over 100 different shades and patterns. However, I think all of the Tuscan worktop colours would probably work well in most kitchen design schemes.

Tuscan worktops can be fitted with inconspicuous joints (as is the case with all solid surface worktops), and matching upstands and splashbacks can be incorporated.

Providing they are fitted correctly by an experienced installer (see below), Tuscan solid work surfaces can look fantastic.

Durability and Functionality

Tuscan solid surfaces are non-porous. This means that dirt, grime and bacteria can’t penetrate the surface of the worktop. As a result the worktop’s chipboard core will not be a breeding ground for germs unless the surface is severely damaged, or the joins between sections of worktop have not been properly fixed. Tuscan worktops are easy to keep clean and are very hygienic.

Although they are relatively heat resistant, Tuscan suggests that you follow these common sense guidelines when using your solid surface worktop:

Do not allow your Tuscan work surface to come into any contact with oven cleaners, paint remover, paint brush cleaners, drain cleaners or any similar products.

Do not chop directly onto the work surface. Always use a separate chopping board for this purpose, just as you should with any work surface to prevent scratching.

While offering heat resistant properties, we recommend you protect your Tuscan work surface with protective pads, stainless steel trivets or hob bars. Never place hot ovenware, pots or pans directly onto the surface.

Even if you follow this advice to the letter, your solid surface kitchen worktop is likely to become scratched and marked with everyday use (this is true of all solid surface worktops and not just those made by Tuscan). Luckily, most minor scratches can be polished away and more serious marks can often be repaired by a kitchen installer.

Some solid surface worktops are more vulnerable than others. If you opt to have your Tuscan work surfaces polished to a high gloss finish, you are going to spend more time cleaning and maintaining them than you would if you had gone for a matt or semi-matt finish. Although I haven’t heard any direct complaints about them, using my knowledge of other solid surfaces, I would suggest that the Arctic Snow Tuscan worktop will be harder to maintain than the African Dust or Graphite Sand options. (Some of the other solid surface manufacturers explicitly state that their pure white worktops are not suitable for heavy traffic situations.)

Installation

A quality installation is the key to getting your solid surface worktop to look good and last a long time. As a result, unless you have had considerable experience in fitting kitchen worktops, it’s probably a good idea to bring in a professional kitchen fitter. This way you can ensure that the joints are seamless and the worktop core is not going to be exposed to bacteria and water. The expense will be worth it in the long run.

Let’s take a look at some of the key features associated with the solid surface Apollo worktops.

Appearance

Even though Apollo Magna worktops can be purchased as blanks, it is still possible to install them so that they have seamless joints. Integrated sinks can also be incorporated. These Apollo worktops are available in ten colours and the literature suggests that they ‘have the same look and feel as 12mm solid surface worktops’. Providing they are fitting correctly, and the joints are made to appear seamless, there is no denying that Apollo Magna worktops do look really stunning.

Durability and Performance

Because they are non-porous Apollo Magna worktops are very hygienic. Bacteria and grime is not able to reach the core by penetrating the solid surface. Due to their seamless nature, the gap between worktop sections also doesn’t provide a route for germs into the heart of the worktop. The surface is also easy to wipe down.

Although they are relatively stain and heat resistant, as with other solid surfaces, common sense will dictate that you must treat the surface with care. If you want to avoid damaging the solid surface, don’t place hot items straight from the oven onto the worktop and don’t cut directly onto the counter. Most purchasers use chopping boards and worktop protectors.

Apollo Magna worktops can be marked and scratched fairly easily. However, most tough stains and markings can be buffed away, and deeper scratches and chips can usually be repaired. Certain colours of Apollo Magna worktops are more susceptible to being damaged than others. The Magna brochure is clear on this point:

Please note dark, heavily pigmented colours will show scratches, dust and ordinary wear and tear more readily then light or textured colours and should not be used in high traffic areas.

You have been warned! The same is also true of pure white solid surface worktops. Most complaints about solid surface worktops (including Apollo Magna work surfaces) are related to two things. First, the worktop has been installed incorrectly (resulting in surface cracking and lifting), and second, a very dark, very pale or high gloss worktop has been fitted in a busy kitchen and, as a result, it is becoming difficult to maintain the counter’s original finish.

Installation

Apollo Magna worktops come as blanks, meaning that they do not have to be individually fabricated off-site to your specifications. The Magna solid surfaces are described as ‘easy to install with seamless unobtrusive joints’. This is not always the case, particularly if you are an inexperienced kitchen fitter. To guarantee a fantastic finish to your worktop, it is advisable to enlist the services of a professional kitchen installer.

Prices

At the time of writing, a 1800mm by 650mm length of Apollo Magna solid surface worktop cost about £240, and a 3600mm length cost between £380 – £400. Matching upstands and spalshbacks are also available. When considering the cost of these worktops, don’t forget to factor in the price of installation and fitting kits.

Aesthetic appeal

Earthstone is intended to give the appearance of granite worktops without the expense. They can be fitted with seamless joints and matching upstands, hob panels and splashbacks can also be incorporated. Earthstone worktops are available in eight designs (at the time of writing), and they are pre-finished with a matt surface so that they can be installed immediately.

Providing they are fitted correctly and the joints between worktop lengths are actually made to be seamless, Earthstone worktops do look really good.

Most solid surface kitchen worktops are prone to becoming scratched quite easily, and Earthstone worktops are no different in this respect. However, most small, everyday marks can be buffed and polished away by the worktop owner. More significant scratches can also usually be removed, but these may require the expertise of a specialist kitchen installer.

Due to the fact it is non-porous, Earthstone kitchen worktops are easy to wipe down and keep clean. The seamless joints also prevent bacteria and germs thriving between sections of worktop.

Although it is quite heat resistant, it is recommended that you do not place hot items directly onto the Earthstone surface. You should also always use a chopping board or worktop protector when cutting or setting down heavy or sharp items. Such measures should ensure that the Earthstone worktop stays looking in good condition for longer.

Some of the Earthstone colours are more likely to become scratched or to show scratches. The Glacier option in particular is not a very good choice for a busy, well-used part of your kitchen. Although it will look great after it has been cleaned, it won’t be long until it has become marked again. Most pure white solid surface worktop, regardless of who makes them, should only be used for very low traffic kitchens or kitchen areas.

Although all of the literature suggests that Earthstone worktops can be used with non-factory fitted undermounted sinks and Belfast sinks, I have heard some reports of people having trouble with this configuration. Just as with laminate worktops, because Earthstone worktops have a chipboard core, any water penetrating into the worktop will cause the counter to blow and the surface will lift and crack. It is a much safer option to install an inset sink.

Installation

Fitting an Earthstone worktop is described as ‘simple’ because no templating is required and the worktop blanks can be manipulated using the same techniques you would use if fitting a laminate work surface. Yet, if you want to guarantee a seamless finish with invisible joints between worktop sections, it is advisable to use an experienced solid surface worktop fitter. The quality of installation will dramatically affect the look and functionality of you worktop.

Price

Earthstone worktop blanks come in two lengths. The 1800mm worktops cost about £345 at the time of writing, and the 3000mm lengths: £575 – £600. On top of this you must also factor in the cost of installation and fixing kits.

Let’s have a look at some of the features of an Encore worktop:

Visual appeal

At the time of writing, Encore comes in eleven semi-matt colours / designs. They can be fitted with seamless joints and you can choose to incorporate drainer grooves and install matching upstands, splashbacks and hobpanels to maximise the effect of Encore’s sleek and simple lines.

I think most people would agree that, providing they have been installed correctly, Encore worktops, like most other solid surfaces, look amazing.

Functionality and Durability

Although Encore worktops are meant to have a heat resistance of up to 280 degrees C, this doesn’t mean that you should place items straight from the oven onto the worktop. The Encore care leaflet is very clear on this matter:

Protect it when placing hot pans or hot items from the oven.

The same leaflet also warns against chopping directly onto the Encore surface, dropping heavy things upon the worktop and allowing spills and splashes to go un-wiped.

As is the case with most solid surface worktops, Encore is quite easily scratched. Yet, most damage is reversible. Small scuffs and marks can often be polished away, whereas more significant marks can be sanded out or repaired (either invisibly or almost invisibly).

For most Encore worktops, if you use common sense and follow the care guidelines set out by Encore (involving daily cleaning and weekly polishing), your worktop should look great for years to come. This is certainly not the case if you have elected to install a Glacier White Encore solid surface worktop. This particular worktop (like other pure white solid surfaces) stains and marks incredibly easily. Although it is shown being used as a working kitchen worktop in the Encore brochure, I do not think it is an appropriate surface for a busy kitchen as you will spend an inordinate amount of time trying to keep it looking clean and mark-free.

All Encore worktops come with a ten year guarantee and they should be installed by an experienced Encore fitter who has undertaken the appropriate Encore installation training. As with other solid surface kitchen worktops, it is the quality of the installation which can determine the durability and usability of your worktop.

Cost

At the time of writing, a 2020mm length of Encore worktop cost approximately £300, and a 4100mm length cost about £445. In addition to these prices you would need to budget for professional installation, a fixing kit (to ensure that seamless joints are achieved) and Encore worktop polish and care materials.