Laminate worktops Find out why this modern material deserves a place in your kitchen

Find out why this low-cost material deserves a place in your kitchen

Thanks to new print technology and advanced manufacturing that has seriously improved design and durability, it’s definitely time to look again at laminate worktops. Unlike granite, stone and composite materials, laminate can be fitted on-site, without factory-based templating, so it’s also the fastest way to get cooking in your new kitchen.

Qwhat are laminate worktops? High-pressure laminate (hpl) is made by soaking multiple layers of decorative paper in resins to form a single layer. This is then applied to a high-density core – usually chipboard or particleboard. It’s the cheapest worktop option, mainly because it’s inexpensive to produce but bear in mind that you get what you pay for. Allow a budget of between £40-£100 a linear metre for premium grade laminate.

QHow can i spot quality? Look for a laminate layer that’s least 0.5mm thick with a consistent thickness, and a dense core board. Worktop samples, available from most kitchen showrooms, usually show the cross section. The core material should be tightly compressed with no little holes.

Qwhat should i avoid? A good-quality laminate will wrap around the full edge of the worktop, continuing far enough underneath to ensure a watertight seal.

Qwill the laminate peel at the ends? Improved adhesives have largely solved the problem of peeling edge strips, and it’s pretty easy to re-glue any lifting edges if required. One way to reduce the chances of peeling is to have the end edges postformed by a specialist supplier (in the factory) but this will involve careful templating and increase the cost.

Qwhat are the latest laminate looks? Textured surfaces that mimic natural materials are hot but expect to pay more as they require a thicker layer of laminate. The new square-edge profiles offer a more contemporary style, while the latest matt surfaces bring a fresher look.

‘Laminate is the easiest and fastest worksurface material to install - an average-sized kitchen can be completed in as Little as a day’