Which Kitchen Worktops are Best?
Learn more about the most popular kitchen countertops in Ireland to help you decide which is best for you.
The Most Popular Countertops for Kitchens
Based on durability, practicality, and popularity we take an in-depth look at Ireland’s three best-selling kitchen worktops.
Sintered Stone
The most durable worktop material
Granite
Best quality kitchen countertops
Quartz
Leading worktop surface for kitchens
The Best Kitchen Worktops
In order to choose the right work surface for your kitchen it’s essential that you familiarise yourself with your preferred material before purchasing. From common low-cost materials like laminate and wood to more costly solid surfaces like granite and quartz worktops, the best kitchen worktops should not only look good but should be both practical and functional for your home. Although materials like stainless steel are sometimes used for kitchen worktops in Dublin, they are expensive and can scratch easily, so be careful and don’t rush into your decision.
The best kitchen worktops should be aesthetically pleasing, affordable, and made from the most durable worktop material. Quartz, sintered stone, and granite worktops all fall into this category, making them the leading worktop surfaces for Irish kitchens today. In fact, a recent survey by fabricators found that quartz worktops in Ireland account for over 75% of their stocks, with sintered stone and granite making up the remaining 25%. That said, we will explore these three materials in detail to help you make a more informed decision as to which is best for you.
What are the best types of kitchen worktops?
Ultimately, the best type of countertop material should not only look good and last but should offer a wide range of fabrication options to suit your kitchen’s layout and design. For instance, kitchen worktops in Kildare that are produced from either granite or quartz allow for endless fabrication options, with matching worktop splashbacks, practical sink drainers, and modern edge profiling. Whereas with Sintered Stone your fabrication options are much more limited, especially when it comes to surface work and edge machining.
What are the best kitchen countertops on a budget?
Regardless of whether you choose engineered stone, granite, or sintered stone, kitchen worktop prices will mostly depend on the additional features you choose and your location for countertop measuring and installation. For example, quartz worktops in Dublin, which is a central location are much more affordable than say in Kerry or Cork, due to the distance we must travel. That said, out of the three materials we are comparing, our cheap quartz colours for 2025 will provide you with the best countertops on a budget.
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Most Durable Worktop Material
Sintered Stone
Sintered stone is made-made from a combination of crushed quartz, porcelain, and glass. Some of the most well-known sintered stone brands include Neolith, Dekton, and Ceralsio. This is by far the most durable worktop material available with the highest resistance to heat, staining, and scratches. Additionally, compared to cleaning quartz or granite, sintered stone is virtually maintenance-free.
As good as all this seems, there are many drawbacks to the material, which are rarely mentioned. The first and most obvious drawback is its pattern. Unlike granite and quartz which have a continuous pattern right through, the pattern on sintered stone is only printed on the surface. This means that any edge or surface work such as fluted or recessed sink drainers for worktops will not show the true surface pattern.
Because the pattern is only printed on the surface all worktop edging is mitered with a matching down-stand fixed to it. Thus, continuing the material’s pattern along the front edge. However, this effect can only be done on straight lines, which is why you very rarely see sintered stone worktops with a round corner. And if you do, look closely, as the edge colour will be different from its surface.
Although sintered stone is the most durable worktop material, this does not mean to say it’s superior to quartz or black granite worktops. Ultimately, the best quality kitchen countertops should not only be durable but should be practical for the environment they serve. And unlike sintered stone, the best kitchen worktops have endless fabrication options to suit your kitchen style and layout.
Advantages of Sintered Stone
- Completely stain and scratch proof.
- Completely Heatproof.
- Non-Porous with no maintenance needed.
Disadvantages of Sintered Stone
- Pattern is only printed on the surface.
- Limited surface and edge fabrication.
- Restricted options for worktop shape.
- Chipped edges cannot be repaired.
- Most expensive due to fabrication time.
Our Score: 6/10
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Best Quality Kitchen Countertops
Granite
Cut and polished directly from the earth, granite is the only material that is 100% naturally formed. Unlike other man-made materials such as engineered stone which can be replicated, granite colours are totally unique in design and structure. For this reason, and because of its beauty and durability, granite continues to be one of the leading worktop surfaces for kitchens in Ireland today.
Being a natural material, granite does have its drawbacks, with the most significant one being its penetrable nature. Compared to white quartz worktops, which are non-porous, countertops made from granite have natural pores allowing liquids to penetrate the surface if left uncleaned. However, to counteract this, a sealer can be applied which blocks the pores, thus, protecting the granite.
All our granites are pre-sealed before installation with the leading impregnating sealer from Dry-Treat. Unlike other similar products on the market, Dry-Treat comes with a 10-year warranty, meaning your worktop should be protected for 10 years. That being said, cleaning granite and maintaining it on a regular basis is essential, if you want your worktop to stay in prime condition.
All things considered, the best quality kitchen countertops like granite offer an eye-catching beauty that very few worktops offer. Not to mention, granite worktop prices are good value for money, especially if you have a certain budget to keep too. If you do decide to purchase granite, not only will you have one of the best kitchen worktops, but you’ll have something unique to only you.
Advantages of Granite
- Moderately stain and scratch-resistant.
- Highly heat resistant.
- Granite’s beauty and uniqueness.
- Chipped edges can be repaired.
- Unlimited options for worktop fabrication.
- Least expensive kitchen worktops.
Disadvantages of Granite
- All granites are porous.
- Needs regular care and maintenance.
Our Score: 8/10
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Leading Worktop Surface for Kitchens
Quartz
If you could take the resilience of sintered stone and combine it with the natural beauty of granite, you would probably come up with a material like quartz. There are many reasons why quartz is the leading worktop surface for kitchens in Ireland. For one thing, prices for quartz countertops have in recent years become very competitive, making it an affordable option for many Irish consumers.
Sometimes known as engineered stone, quartz is man-made from a combination of 95% crushed quartz and 5% polyresin. Apart from sintered stone, it is the most durable worktop material with a high resistance to heat, staining, and scratches. Not to mention, quartz worktop colours have a non-porous surface. As a result, engineered stone requires very little maintenance to keep in prime condition.
Since the turn of the millennium engineered stone has soared in popularity and continues to be Ireland’s leading worktop surface for kitchens. For example, over 90% of new kitchen worktops in Meath and Westmeath, made by us are produced from engineered stone. Similarly, the majority of other worktop fabricators also recommend quartz as the best quality kitchen countertops, mainly because of its unlimited fabrication options and its durable and robust nature.
Introduced in 2023 a revolutionary development combining engineered stone’s durability with high-definition printing has further increased the materials’ aesthetic appearance. Now with the ability to replicate the look of natural stone with unprecedented levels of detail, printed quartz worktops are the latest trend to hit the market. And unlike sintered stone, printed quartz incorporates a full-body look, meaning the pattern is continuous from top to bottom.
Regarding costs, quartz worktop prices for Northern Ireland and the Republic will vary depending on additional worktop elements and your location. Apart from granite, engineered stone offers the best value for money, with sintered stone being the most expensive. Additionally, our “special deals” for 2025 are an ideal option for those with a limited budget, and like all our engineered stone colours, come with a quartz worktop guarantee offering you complete peace of mind.
Ultimately, people want the best kitchen worktops at the most affordable prices. As Ireland’s leading worktop surface for kitchens, quartz offers this plus much more. A vast array of colours, unlimited design and fabrication options, durability, and affordability make engineered stone the best quality kitchen countertops available. Together with our experienced worktop installation and customer service team, we’ll see you receive the finest quality worktop for a lifetime of use.
Advantages of Quartz
- Highly stain and scratch-resistant.
- Moderately heat resistant.
- Non-porous with little maintenance needed.
- Modern aesthetic appearance.
- Chipped edges can be repaired.
- Unlimited options for worktop fabrication.
- Affordable kitchen worktops.
Disadvantages of Quartz
- Requires minimal care and maintenance.
Our Score: 9/10
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