Elisha’s choice… A COMPOSITE WORKTOP
For a surface that wins on performance and style, follow our guide before you buy
‘it pays to seek out a skilled installer -even the most expensive composite worktops will look cheap if badly fitted’ Jonathan Stanley, Caesarstone Uk
Composite worktops offer durability and strength. They’re often favoured over natural stone for their perfect finish and colour consistency – the swatch shade you select is exactly what you’ll get. They also feel reassuringly solid in a way that laminates can’t come close to.
Q What is a composite worktop? A worktop made of more than one material is often known as a composite. The two main types are quartz composite (engineered stone or quartz), and acrylic composite (solid surface). The former is predominantly made from quartz, resin and pigments, the latter from stone and mineral dust, acrylic, resin and pigments.
Q In what way are they similar? They are similar in many ways. Both are man-made, hard wearing and low maintenance, although it’s wise to use chopping boards and trivets to prevent heat and scratch damage. They also both come in a wide range of colours and patterns. The latest trend is to mimic the vein patterns of luxury stones like marble.
Q So what’s the difference? It’s mostly down to the construction. Acrylic-based composites are more flexible than quartz and can be moulded seamlessly to create shapes, including integrated sinks with invisible joints. Quartz-based composites can also be joined, but the connection may be visible.
Q What if they get damaged? In the unlikely event of damage, a composite can often be repaired by a specialist. Perfect restoration is easier with acrylic composites as scratches can be sanded out; quartz is usually filled and subsequent polishing can leave dull areas.
Q Are they expensive? Yes, compared with laminates and wood. They can be pricier than natural stone, too, especially igneous rocks like granite, and it also depends on how they’re made and the quality of materials.
Q Does a specialist have to fit them? In most cases. Templates are taken once the base units are fitted – it’s usually one to two weeks before the worktops are ready to be installed. You can buy them in standard sizes off the peg, which is ideal if they don’t need to be scribed to a wall.