One of the most popular choices in this category is stainless steel. It is a classic look and combines a hard wearing surface with clinical efficiency. Stainless steel will scratch but over time these scratches build up to an even matt like appearance. There are textured stainless steels available and apart from looking great they reduce finger marks and scratches are less visible. When comparing quotes cheque the gauge, or thickness, of the steel. Some companies use a thinner gauge, and this may be why they are cheaper.
Corian is a well known engineered product that works well in kitchens. It comes in a wide range of colours and patterns as well as a range of textures. As joins are welded together they almost invisible. This lets you have a long countertop with almost no visible joins. Corian due to its composition has some flex and so is not brittle. Corian can melt if subjected to enough heat. Do not put pots and pans straight off the hobs onto a corian bench or you could damage it. However corian is repairable and damaged sections can be cut out and new pieces seamlessly welded in.
Engineered Stone
This product is made by crushing a natural stone and then reconstituting it together with the aid of a resin. Typically these engineered stones have about 90% to 95% stone and the balance is resin. Engineered stones tend to be less brittle than natural stones as the resin allows them to flex slightly. A benefit of these products is that you get a consistent colour and pattern throughout the whole sheet. As there is no variation a small sample will be representative of the final product. Make sure you use material from the one batch for your countertop as like wallpaper each batch will vary slightly.
There are two categories of engineered stone. One is where countertop is solely made up of the engineered stone. The other is where the stone is made into thin sheets that are then laid onto a substrate. The second option is usually cheaper.
High Pressure Laminates
These layered paper with printed pattern on top that is super compressed. The compression gives the laminate its strength and durability. Laminates are only a few millimetres thick so are then glued onto a substrate to make your countertop. They come in the widest range of colours, patterns and textures of any countertop material. High pressure laminates are not as durable as other options but they are the lowest in price. Remember on horizontal surfaces only use high pressure laminates. Low pressure laminates are less durable and should only be used on vertical surfaces. You should not cut or chop directly onto even a high pressure laminate and do not put hot pots and pans on them.
Manmade countertop materials vary widely in properties and price. If you are unsure talk to a kitchen expert about your individual needs.
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