Décor fit for kitchen worktops

This is the go-to worktop material because it is strong and durable, easy to clean, water proof, heat and acid resistant and very light. However, it is usually cold and difficult to integrate into large areas.

Your kitchen worktop can be used for preparing and serving food as well as dining. It should, therefore, be able to withstand regular intensive cleaning.
According to Ibrahim Mudde, a kitchen designer at Truelevel Construction Company in Kamwokya, your personality is usually shown in the décor material you choose. It is important, therefore, to choose a style you like as well as a surface that will suit your lifestyle and personality.
Mudde says kitchen worktops add worth to a kitchen, giving it an extraordinary appearance.

Worktop materials

Granite: This is one of the most popular choices for kitchen worktops. It is stylish, beautiful and is associated with luxurious kitchen schemes. They are hard-wearing, heat resistant, antibacterial and easy to clean. However, they are very heavy and expensive.
Mudde says: “Granite is a rock that is both heat and scratch resistant and if sealed properly, it is also stain resistant and requires no special maintenance once installed.”

Quartz: This is a man-made alternative to traditional stone worktops such as granite. It is durable, easy to clean and comes in a wide range of colours.
“Although less heat-resistant than granite, quartz has recently gained popularity and offers a more uniform, contemporary stone work-surface. It is also naturally resistant to staining and scratching,” Mudde advises.

Laminate: This is a cost effective and versatile worktop solution and has become the most popular option on the market. It is cheap, easy to clean, durable, scratch and heat-resistant and suits any style of kitchen, from contemporary to classic. However, it is a poor quality option because it can peel, burn or even melt which in turn makes it unhygienic.
Mudde says laminate worktops may look good on paper, but you get what you pay for. “Cheaper options will damage easily and may not carry some of the benefits listed above. Shop carefully if you are considering laminates because there is a huge variation in quality,” he advises.

Hardwood: Whether you prefer a contemporary or traditional kitchen, hardwood is a great material for a kitchen worktop but it is important to put work into its maintenance, according to John Mukiibi, a kitchen designer, with Dubai Wood Company, WOODCO UAE.
It is cheaper than stone options and has a variety of colours. If well maintained, it looks great even with age.
“The major weakness with wood compared to stone or composite options is that it requires bi-annual varnishing to keep away stains and damage. However, this may be a benefit as the worktop will age over time, gaining a beautiful coating,” Mukiibi warns.

Solid surface worktops: These are made by applying an acrylic resin to the top of a material such as wood. They create a seamless, glossy worktop that fits perfectly into a contemporary design. They are heat and scratch resistant, seamless, stain resistant and can be moulded into any shape but they are expensive.
Mukiibi says: “These solid surface materials are great for modern kitchens. They are heat and scratch resistant to some point. They cannot, therefore, compete with solid stone or quartz. Although the resin exterior is waterproof, if any water gets within the substrate material, it can cause irreparable damage.”

Glass: This has only recently been introduced to the work-surface market. It is stylish, versatile and works perfectly in a contemporary design. It can be made in any size or shape, is easy to clean, hygienic and extremely durable. It is also heat resistant, has limitless range of colours, looks modern, stylish and sleek. However, they are expensive and need frequent cleaning.