SGH_WIKI

Stone for worktop/Counter top

IMPORTANT NOTE for I-quartz: STRONG CHEMICAL, SOLVENTS AND DYES MAY CAUSE PERMANENT DISCOLORATION. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT HOT PADS AND CUTTING BOARDS HE USED.

Laminates are the toughest and cheapest and can look quite good but don’t really compare to the tactile feel of other materials and they too will eventually deteriorate once water has got in along the edges.

Granite has lovely reflective properties, a cool touch and each piece is unique but they need sealing otherwise they are susceptible to staining. They also don’t like excessive heat. If you do go for granite, please show some taste and avoid the black.

A composite solid surface is a blend of resins and has great properties for a kitchen surface but the surface isn’t as reflective as granite or quartz and doesn’t feel cool to the touch.

Corian is simply too plastic looking for me, and expensive.

Stainless steel marks and scratches easily.

Cimstone

Technistone is an engineered stone that consists of 93% Quartz, Granite, Quartz Silica and 7% resin, binders and colours.

Limestone

Natural stones

  Granite
  Limestone
  Marble
  Soapstone
  Gabbro
  Slate
  

Silicate mineral

  Travertine
  Quartz
  

Manufactured materials

  Concrete
      Cast-in-place
      Precast
      Processed slabs
  Compressed paper or fiber
  Cultured marble
  High pressure laminates
      Post-formed high-pressure decorative laminates
      Self-edged high-pressure decorative laminates
  Quartz surfacing or engineered stone is 99.9% solid @ 93% aggregate / 7% polyester resin (by weight), colors and binders
  Recycled Glass surface either with concrete or polyester resin binders
  Solid-surface acrylic plastic materials
  Solid-surface polyester acrylic
  Terrazzo
  Tile
  Cast-in-place materials
      Natural stone suspended in a resin
      Post-consumer glass suspended in a resin
  Epoxy
  Phenolic resin