What is the Hardest Wearing Kitchen Worktop?

When planning a kitchen renovation, there are so many factors to consider. From cabinets and flooring to appliances and lighting, choosing the hardest wearing kitchen worktop probably isn’t at the top of your agenda.

 In addition to contributing to the aesthetics of your new kitchen, choosing the most durable material will ensure your new counter withstands the test of time. Here, we offer a concise, straightforward guide to the hardest-wearing kitchen worktop materials available, from granite and quartz to acrylic and sintered stone. 

At Shaw Stone, we specialise in the fabrication and installation of luxury stone surfaces. We combine timeless stonemasonry skills with the latest technology to supply the most hard-wearing kitchen worktops available. If you’d like to find out more about our ranges, please get in touch. Call us on 01329 844474 and speak to one of our expert team members today. 

All of the most popular materials used to create kitchen worktops come with their own unique advantages. Therefore, it’s important to consider the array of benefits offered by each countertop before making a final decision.

Granite

Granite is a naturally occurring rock that forms in the Earth’s crust over millions  of years when Magma and Lava cool and solidify.

When considering the hardest-wearing kitchen worktop material, granite is certainly a worthy contender. Generally, stone worktops are more durable than alternative materials. Formed during a very slow cooling period, granite is an incredibly strong natural stone. 

If you’re a keen cook who loves spending time chopping, dicing and frying in the kitchen, granite is the best option for you. Due to its extreme heat and scratch resistance capabilities, granite offers both longevity and a stunning, timeless finish, sure to impress your dinner party guests. 

At Shaw Stone, we’re pleased to offer our clients bespoke granite worktop manufacturing and installation services. All of our countertops are available in a range of colour options, tailored to suit your preferences. To receive a free quotation, or to find out more about the unique attributes of granite worktops, please get in touch. 

Quartz

Formed under intense pressure, quartz is a hard, crystalline mineral made up of two oxygen and one silicone atom. With 90% of the surface made from one of the most durable materials found on Earth, quartz is, without a doubt, one of the hardest-wearing kitchen worktop materials available.

In addition to its un-rivalled strength, quartz is also extremely aesthetically pleasing, able to transform the appearance of any space by injecting a stylish, elegant feel. 

If you’re looking for a slightly more affordable alternative to granite, quartz is an excellent option, engineered in a multitude of colours and patterns. Whether you’re looking to create a contemporary or conventional feel, quartz offers a durable, cost-effective and stunning solution. 

Acrylic

When it comes to choosing the right material for your new kitchen counter, it’s unlikely that acrylic will be the first substance that comes to mind. However, acrylic kitchen worktops are, in fact, extremely resilient, offering the durability of natural stone at a fraction of the price. 

In order to make this hard-wearing kitchen worktop, resin and natural minerals are heated until they turn into liquid. This liquid is then poured into moulds and left to cool. 

As well as optimum strength, acrylic worktops offer a range of benefits including being stain and impact resistant and incredibly flexible in their design capabilities.

If you’re looking to save money on your kitchen renovation without compromising on longevity, acrylic worktops are the ideal option for you. 

Sintered Stone

Sintered stone is a 100% natural material, made using advanced technological processes that mimic the form of natural stones. While natural stones take thousands of years to form, sintered stone can be created in as little as a few hours. 

As well as being one of the hardest-wearing kitchen worktop options available, sintered stone is also chip and scratch-resistant and is extremely easy to clean. 

The surface is also incredibly hygienic and is 100% waterproof. Perfect for kitchens, sintered stone adapts well to environments where humidity levels are high and exposure to liquids is likely. 

If you’re looking for an alternative hard-wearing kitchen worktop option to granite or marble, sintered stone is the ideal choice for you. 

The hardest-wearing kitchen worktop for your space will depend on a variety of factors. From aesthetic preferences to the size of your budget, there are many attributes to take into consideration before making a final decision. 

If you’d like to find out more about the various countertop material options we stock here at Shaw Stone, please do get in touch. Call us on  01329 844474 and speak to one of our experienced, friendly team members today who will be happy to help.