Kitchen countertops are the horizontal material that is placed on top of your base units; you use your countertop to prepare food and house small kitchen appliances. Some countertops are also used as a breakfast bar where you can sit down for breakfast in the morning.

It is important that your kitchen countertops are durable, as they will need to resist cutting, the application of heat where things are taken out of the oven and placed directly on top of it, they will also need to be waterproof and resistant to stains and scratches.

There are many materials that countertops can be made from, the most common materials being laminated particle board, granite, corian®, marble, wood, ceramic, and stainless steel. Of these materials, the most economical is probably laminated particle board; This laminate can be found in many different designs, including ones that mimic the other materials mentioned, such as marble and wood. The more expensive options such as marble and granite can be very expensive and will often cost as much as kitchen units; however, they look extremely elegant and stylish.

You will find that more expensive countertops such as granite can be very waterproof and stain resistant although it is important that they are well sealed to have these properties. More expensive marble and granite countertops require specialized fitting and granite countertops are often custom cut at the factory with the open ends polished to a brilliant finish.

Ceramic countertops are basically made with skirting boards with ceramic tiles laid down, they look nice especially in traditional looking kitchens but the grout lines can cause some problems with dirt and germs collecting so will require regular deep cleaning.

Laminate particle board countertops are relatively easy to fit compared to the others mentioned, they can be simply cut with a saw or router if you are using the famous butt and scribe joint. They can be easily cut and fixed on site in no time, even the DIYer could try to fit them themselves, especially if they had to use tie bars that can be purchased.

Wood countertops, such as wood blocks, can also be easily cut on site, although as they are more expensive, more care must be taken. If you want these countertops to be cut around a traditional Belfast-style sink with cut-out drain grooves, you’ll need a jig and router, although it’s probably best left to a professional. If you do put wood countertops, it is important that you continue to oil them regularly.

Stainless steel countertops probably provide the most hygienic surface of all and that is why you will see them regularly used in professional kitchens where hygiene and ease of cleaning are of paramount importance.

You may find it helpful to get a professional company to install countertops for you, as it can be a job that requires some skill. To buy kitchen countertops, it’s probably best if you have a good online store.