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
How to choose a kitchen worktop?
The Best Kitchen Worktops
In order to choose the right work surface for your kitchen, it’s essential you familiarise yourself with your preferred material before purchasing. From low-cost materials like laminate and wood to more costly surfaces like granite and quartz worktops, the best kitchen worktops should not only look good but should serve you and your family well for many worry-free years.
Ultimately, the best kitchen worktops should be aesthetically pleasing, affordable, and made from the most durable worktop material. That said, quartz, sintered stone, and granite worktops are the three leading worktop surfaces for kitchens in Ireland today. Therefore, we will explore each material 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 range of fabrication options to suit your own kitchen layout. In particular, granite and quartz offer you an unlimited choice in countertop fabrication design with matching splashbacks, practical sink drainers, and modern edge profiling.
What are the best kitchen countertops on a budget?
Although quartz worktops for Dublin and Ireland have become very affordable, granite countertops are still less expensive. Depending on the type of granite you choose kitchen worktop prices can be as much as 20% lower compared to engineered stone. That said, prices will undoubtedly vary depending on additional worktop features required.
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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. Meaning any edge or surface work such as fluted or recessed sink drainers 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, granite countertops 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, all quartz colours have a non-porous surface. As a result, engineered stone requires very little maintenance to keep in prime condition.
Like sintered stone, consumers associate quartz with a brand, believing the best quality kitchen countertops to be branded, like Silestone. This in itself is a false conception. For example, our engineered stone is composed of the same materials as branded quartz, is NSF, CE certified, and is equal to if not more superior. In fact, we are that confident in the quality of our engineered stone we offer the same quartz worktops guarantee as leading brands and an optional 25-year warranty.
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. Not to mention, our nationwide worktop installation service for quartz worktops comes with a guarantee offering you complete peace of mind.
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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