A countertop is an incredibly important part of your kitchen. And choosing a material for your worktop is a huge decision as it will have a huge impact on the aesthetics and practical function of what is probably one of the most used rooms in your home. 

In short, a well-chosen countertop can do everything from make life easier for the chef of the house to adding a sense of luxury and sophistication that will impress your guests. 

Overlooking the importance of your countertop now could also leave you regretting your decision for many years to come, as renovating your kitchen space can be a costly and complicated process.

Today, due to the functionality and aesthetic appeal of stone countertops, materials like marble, granite and quartzite are perhaps 3 of your best options when it comes to choosing a worktop for your home. 

While there are a few other materials to choose from, such as wood, we believe that if you can afford it, it’s worth going for the resistance, beauty and durability of natural stone materials like granite, marble, quartzite — or perhaps quartz, the brilliant man-made alternative to natural stone with a similar visual appeal and functionality. 

Granite Worktops

Granite countertops are one of the most popular choices for the kitchen due to their durability and appearance. They are easy to clean and maintain and will generally resist any spillages of kitchen-related liquids and sauces, such as tomato sauce, wine, coffee, cooking oils, soy sauce and more. 

Available in a wide variety of colours the flecked, sparkling appearance and toughness of granite can be used to match almost any interior design scheme, adding a sense of sturdy timelessness. 

Granite worktops can also be dressed up or down, depending on your kitchen arrangement. Whether you want a luxurious premium feel, or a non-nonsense functional space, the textures and designs that granite offers can be suited to pretty much anyone’s preferences.

Marble Worktops

If you want a lavish look and premium feel, there is really no better option than marble. The beauty of this material is well documented and it is unrivalled in its ability to offer elegance and strength at the same time. 

It is a porous stone so it must be carefully sealed before usage, but it will function perfectly as the worktop for your cooking space. It offers heat resistance and avoids stains and scratches like other natural stone materials. 

Quartzite Countertops

Quartzite (not to be confused with quartz) is now an incredibly popular natural stone material used for the countertops. It is harder than granite and less likely to stain than marble. 

Its beauty, hardness and easy maintenance are natural qualities for any worktop surface and this is what you get with a quartzite countertop. Many also choose this option as an alternative to marble if concerned about marble’s porosity. Others simply choose it for its amazing aesthetic appeal. 

What About Quartz

Quartz isn’t necessarily a natural stone but it’s worth a mention here as many people often get confused between it and quartzite. It also makes a great choice for kitchen worktops so you may well encounter it in your decision-making process for your next kitchen renovation. 

Quartz countertops are man-made engineered stone countertops formed by combining 90% ground quartz (a natural hard mineral) with 8-10% resins, polymers, and pigments. This forms a very hard granite-like surface that is great for the kitchen.

The appearance will largely depend on how the quartz is processed and ground with coarsely ground quartz producing a flecked appearance and finely ground quartz producing a smooth look.

Let Us Help You Choose Your Kitchen Countertop

If you’re in the market for stone worktops in London and want more advice about the best option for your home, we can help you review the many countertops worth considering for your kitchen renovation. 

Simply get in touch with us at Marble and Granite and we’ll help you make the right choice.