The worktop is the most important part of any kitchen. This is where you will work on your most delicious recipes, cut your ingredients, etc. It is expected to withstand intensive use, to withstand shocks and heavy loads or to be easy to clean. User-friendly, practical and aesthetic, its choice is not easy. Let's zoom in on the best worktops of the moment!
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Our selection
"Made of solid oak wood, this worktop is both scratch and stain resistant. It is the most interesting of this comparison, with an unbeatable quality/price…"
"Do you want to adopt a modern and design style for your kitchen? You can get it at a great price with the Forestea dark…"
"Popular with professional chefs, the Cuisibane PlaniQuartz is more durable than ever. The material is noble while its less traditional character makes it even more…"
"Made from paper and resin, the GoodHome Nepeta has a realistic wood effect finish. Use either side to match your existing decor."
Made of solid oak wood, this worktop is both scratch and stain resistant. It is the most interesting of this comparison, with an unbeatable quality/price ratio.
175 £ on CastoramaThe GoodHome Hinita worktop has been designed entirely with solid oak. It measures 300 x 62 cm and is 4 cm thick. Among its advantages are its ease of maintenance and its great practicality. Of course, this model allows a wider range of customization options so you can adapt it to your desires. It is also ideal if you already have oak doors and accessories in your home.
A testament to its quality and strength, the GoodHome Hinita comes with a 25-year manufacturer's warranty. It is pre-oiled at the factory for immediate use after installation. In square edge form, it does however require daily cleaning with damp cloth and a little mild detergent.
Do you want to adopt a modern and design style for your kitchen? You can get it at a great price with the Forestea dark slate worktop. It is both easy to install and easy to maintain.
55,99 £ on AmazonThink you don't have the budget for a beautiful and functional worktop? Don't be fooled! Forestea Dark Slate could be the solution to your problem. It shows an incomparable ease of maintenance in addition to its easy installation. This worktop is available in many colors, lengths (180 to 300 cm), depths (60 and 65 cm), textures and thicknesses (28 to 38 mm).
Offered at a reasonable price, the Forestea dark slate entry-level worktop will certainly meet your aesthetic needs. Its laminate design will bring contemporaneity to your decor and will match any style.
Popular with professional chefs, the Cuisibane PlaniQuartz is more durable than ever. The material is noble while its less traditional character makes it even more elegant.
372 £ on Manomano
Made from paper and resin, the GoodHome Nepeta has a realistic wood effect finish. Use either side to match your existing decor.
151 £ on CastoramaThere is no shortage of customization options, although this one elegantly sports a chic wood effect finish. You can customize it to match the overall decor of your kitchen. Its best feature would be its ability to be used on either side. Made of paper and resin, it offers the assurance of exceptional durability.
Quality is always the order of the day at GoodHome. So it's no surprise that this countertop comes with a 25-year warranty. Best of all, this countertop is very low maintenance. And finally, you can clean it very easily. A cloth soaked in soapy water should suffice.
Any specific needs?
Your guide :
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| TOP OF THE TOP | CHEAP | TOP OF THE LINE | EXCELLENT | |
In accordance with our commitment, this buying guide does not contain any sponsored products. |
9/10 |
7/10 |
8/10 |
8/10 |
| OUR SELECTION |
GoodHome Hinita
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Forestea dark slate
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Cuisibane PlaniQuartz
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GoodHome Nepeta
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Made of solid oak wood, this worktop is both scratch and stain resistant. It is the most interesting of this comparison, with an unbeatable quality/price ratio.
|
Do you want to adopt a modern and design style for your kitchen? You can get it at a great price with the Forestea dark slate worktop. It is both easy to install and easy to maintain.
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Popular with professional chefs, the Cuisibane PlaniQuartz is more durable than ever. The material is noble while its less traditional character makes it even more elegant.
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Made from paper and resin, the GoodHome Nepeta has a realistic wood effect finish. Use either side to match your existing decor.
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Material
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Solid oak wood
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Slate laminate
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Quartz (80% minerals, 20% resin)
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Paper and resin
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Dimensions
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300 x 62 x 4 cm
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275 x 64 x 3.8 cm
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120 x 63 cm
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300 x 62 x 1.2 cm
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Weight
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50 kg
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30 kg
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34 kg
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33 kg
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Guarantee
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25 years
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-
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5 years old
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25 years
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Customized availability
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Yes
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Yes
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No
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Yes
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A worktop is not chosen at random. Some materials are used for their ease of maintenance while others are used for their style. Here are the most commonly used materials of the moment in detail.
Among the metals, we distinguish :
Natural stones make beautiful worktops. In this field, we can mention :
When it comes to solid wood, you will have to choose between melamine or laminate. Of course, other types of wood can be used such as :
Manufacturers compete with ingenuity in transforming common materials into a work of art, so you can also use :
The thickness of your worktop depends on its material. If you have a preference for ceramic, it should be quite thin. Solid wood, on the other hand, will need to be thick. You will find some from 12 mm up to 58 mm knowing that the most common is 38 mm, the perfect thickness able to support your appliances and contain your built-in equipment.
On average, you spend nearly 30 minutes to 2 h per day in your kitchen, not counting the hours of washing dishes. You should therefore put a premium on its functionality and comfort. Take into account the location of the worktop (next to the wall or in the center of the kitchen) and the available surface to avoid many inconveniences. The standard norms are that it should be 85 to 93 cm high from the floor. However, you have the possibility to choose a custom-made model, more adapted to your size and requirements.
A classic worktop takes the square or rectangular shape and often sold without any artifice. It will suit you very well if you prepare the meal only very rarely or if it serves you mainly as a dining table. Useful accessories can be added to it, accentuating the comfort of use, such as a cutting board, a cooking plate, a complete faucet, a hood or shelves.
Practical and inexpensive, the ready-to-install table is of standard size. It's easy to install, but may not fit into the space you already have planned. On the other hand, the custom-made worktop fits perfectly in your kitchen and meets your expectations in every way. Here, you have an infinite number of possibilities to choose from.
The mere presence of a worktop can completely transform the atmosphere of your kitchen. This is why its installation requires special care. Here are the steps to follow:
Pay attention to the length and width of the furniture on which you will create your worktop. Use a spirit level if necessary and remember to adjust the adjustable height if there is one.
Take the necessary measurements for your future worktop. Don't hesitate to add an extra edge if you want a nice look. Put the plan on the material of your choice, trestles might be necessary, then make the drawings according to the desired dimensions. Use a circular saw, a mason's rule and clamps as guides.
If you want to fit a cooktop or sink, simply place it over the material and trace the outline with a pencil. Draw a new line inside the material so that you can cut out the shape of the element to be integrated. Make a hole on each of the 4 corners with a 1 cm wood bit and then continue using, this time, a jigsaw.
Get another person to help you if the worktop is heavy enough. Put it in the place you have reserved for it. Fix it with screws at defined distances (for example every 0.5 m). If possible, you can simply glue it with glue suitable for the material.
Smooth the surface with a sander and cover the edges with decorative strips if you have them. Use a file and a cutter to remove any excess that sticks out. Finish the job by adding a silicone gasket that you will install between the wall and the new kitchen top.
A stainless steel worktop ensures excellent hygiene. This is why it is very popular with professionals. Thanks to its elasticity, it absorbs shocks effectively. And if you are planning to reduce noise, you can use a wood lining. Stainless steel matches your appliances today, almost all of which are designed with the same material.
Wood stands out for its strength, naturalness and aesthetics. It offers a lot of advantages and promises a picturesque atmosphere to your kitchen. Note that some wood species are better suited to the style you want to highlight than others.
In its most natural look, stone aligns with all kitchen constraints. Here you have the choice between granite, slate, marble and quartz.
Ceramic is reminiscent of the material of your tableware or even some of your decorative items. Despite its resistance to wear and heat, the slightest impact can break it. The joints are risky places for hygiene. You can find them in the form of large slabs or medium-sized slabs adorned with pretty patterns.
Like ceramics, the tempered or lacquered glass of this type of worktop is nonetheless fragile. If it gets scratched, it will be difficult to repair. It also does not withstand thermal shock and scratches. Glass brings modernity to your kitchen. We like it in particular because of its unbreakable, hygienic and very easy to maintain.
Concrete is one of the heaviest materials of the moment. You must therefore ask for professional help when installing it. Waxed concrete has a very smooth surface and gives an industrial and minimalist look to your kitchen. It goes well with all other materials, whether wood, metal or glass.
Almost every kitchen today has a worktop. In the format of a table, it has a flat surface that can accommodate your various kitchen utensils and your ingredients. It is generally used for the preparation of meals, the cutting of ingredients and the numerous culinary finishes. In some cases, it can also accommodate built-in appliances such as the sink or the cooktop. Since it will be your best companion in the kitchen, it must be solid and resistant to scratches, shocks, heat, detergents... Its smooth surface makes cleaning less complicated. Its height varies between 74 and 115 cm depending on its function (table, cooking surface, classic work surface or bar counter).
There are no less than 4 types of worktables, including the simple table, the chef's table and the cutting table. The first one is made of stainless steel, more hygienic and the only one accepted in a professional kitchen. You can choose how you want to install it, for example in the centre of the kitchen as an island, against the wall or in a corner. The chef's table, whether suspended, semi-suspended or on legs, is often accompanied by a basin, cupboards and shelves. Its width varies from 100 to 200 cm. As for the cutting table, it is mainly used, as its name indicates, for cutting meat or fish. It is usually found in butchers', caterers', pork butchers' shops...
All kitchens today are equipped with a worktop, regardless of its material. It is a specific place dedicated to the realization of dishes, from preparation to cooking. It sometimes includes a sink and/or a hob and can be ordered to measure. The workbench is particularly suitable for professional cooks. It has been designed with the aim of integrating various compartments used for refrigeration, cutting or the conservation of ingredients.
Whether you like it a little rough with wood or concrete or more noble with quartz and marble, the worktop will always bring charm to your kitchen. An opportunity to contrast it with the existing elements, so don't be surprised to find it in a varied palette of colours, finishes and materials. This is what will ensure that you are able to customize it perfectly to your tastes and needs.
Do you opt for the standard models? Their height of 85 cm for a depth of 60 to 65 cm will surely suit you. However, customization offers are not to be excluded. The thickness of the worktop depends on the choice of material, i.e. between 28 and 38 mm, and some go up to 100 mm. This is ideal if you plan to integrate a dining area. And for the insertion of cooking elements, a minimum of 38 mm would be necessary. Custom-made worktops avoid bending when preparing your meals and therefore adapt to your body shape.
As the centrepiece of a kitchen, the worktop can be made from natural wood such as solid oak, metal such as stainless steel or natural stone. And let's not forget glass, ceramic and waxed concrete which will allow you to adopt a unique and personalized style of decoration. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages. Some materials are not very scratch-resistant and heat-resistant, while others are not.
You will choose your worktop according to your budget. Laminate seems to be the most affordable, ranging from 10 € to 40 €/m². It gives the perfect illusion of waxed concrete, granite... For solid wood, you will spend an average of 50 € to 100 € per m². Only resin reaches a maximum rate of 200 €/m².
All worktops, whether standard or custom-made, have a smooth surface that has already been treated in the factory or by the craftsman. This makes them easier to maintain. Daily cleaning is only possible with a non-abrasive sponge or soft cloth and soap.
In our opinion, the best brands of work plans in 2022 are :
GoodHome is a subsidiary of the British KingFisher group, along with Castorama and Brico-Dépôt. This international brand is aimed at both private and professional customers and offers a wide range of DIY products including sinks, fences, taps, toilets and worktops at a price that is accessible to all budgets.
Headquartered in Breuillet, France, Forestea is an expert in the design and sale of items for carpentry, decoration, furnishing and storage of the house. It works specifically with wood, a natural material highly recommended for its ecological and biodegradable aspect.
Cuisibane uses all its expertise in the manufacture and distribution of bathroom and kitchen items. LED mirrors, washbasins, shower trays, washbasins, worktops ... are all quality products that it offers at the best price.
Interbuild Real Wood was founded by the Swedish Greger Scholander. It focuses all its expertise on the real wood, acacia. The company is one of the best suppliers of acacia worktops, chairs, tables and panels in the world.
Polyrey initially specialised in the world of high-pressure decorative laminates. In 1972, it began to diversify its skills and started designing melamine particleboard. It is a great ally for those who are looking for a worktop at a lower cost without compromising on quality.
The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).
However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.
We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.
Adapt the size of the sink to the work surface
You may be running out of space in your kitchen. You can decide to integrate the sink directly into your work surface. But be careful with the size of the sink, because the larger it is, the less space you will have to work with. If you have a dishwasher, a sink measuring at most 40 x 35 x 20 cm is more than enough.
Don't underestimate the height of your work surface
The choice of the height of your worktop depends on your size. A 90 cm high model will give you more comfort. You will be more comfortable while maintaining a good posture. This technique also gives you the possibility to gain space at the bottom. And why not make it to measure in order to have a motorized worktop that goes up and down as needed?
Opt for a deep enough work surface
The ready-to-install worktop displays a depth of about 60 cm. However, if you have enough space in your kitchen, choose models with a depth of 70 to 75 cm. Indeed, the more depth there is, the more space you will have for storage.
Light up the work surface
Preferably placed above the worktop, the lights allow you to prepare your dishes in the right conditions. Some will install them right under wall cabinets or shelves. Others will love the mini-spots on rails, LED strips, adjustable spotlights, fluorescent tubes...
Touch the work surface to ensure its quality
It's not enough to simply look at the worktop to get an idea of its quality. You literally have to touch it and feel its texture or thickness to judge whether or not it's suitable for your use.
Corian is a material with almost the same properties as synthetic resin. It is most often used for its aesthetics, strength and hygienic quality. It consists of mineral powder mixed with acrylic resin, which is why it is available in various designs. It is soft to the touch and perfectly resistant to impact, high temperatures and scratches.
There is no need to replace your worktop. Some renovation work can be enough. You can give it a makeover by making effective changes to its general appearance. You can apply a coat of acrylic paint to the entire surface or cover it completely.
As mentioned above, not all materials are equal. Some have the advantage of being more resistant, while others promise easier maintenance. However, if you are looking for a worktop that is resistant to water, grease and heat, we recommend granite and laminate.
If you tend to frequently place hot pans on your work surface, a ceramic model is a wise choice. Indeed, this material stands out especially for its ability to withstand a maximum temperature of 1200°C, especially since it can withstand scratches and light impacts.
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