Stepping into the enchanting realm of resplendent renovations, imagine the transformation of the ordinary into the extraordinary. Picture this: your kitchen, the beating heart of your home, evolving from worn-out wood or laminate worktops to the grandeur of quartz. The thought of kitchen worktop replacement may have crossed your mind as you’ve found yourself staring, perhaps one time too many, at surfaces that no longer inspire but instead plead for rejuvenation. Embarking on this kitchen makeover journey is more than a capricious whimsy; it demands time, energy, and, undeniably, monetary investment. However, as relentless as time’s passage may be, the call to refurbish those dated, faded work surfaces becomes unavoidable, especially when you’re considering showcasing your property on the real estate market.
Standing on the precipice of a stylish transformation, you could significantly enhance the allure of your home with quartz. A renovation not just about aesthetic evolution, but also a potential source of considerable return on investment. Stone, ranging from granite and marble to quartz, promise an impressive average ROI of around 72%, suggesting that your kitchen worktop replacement could not only delight your senses but also potentially elevate your property’s market worth.
Why Even Consider Kitchen Worktop Replacement?
Updating a kitchen can instantly improve not only the appearance but also the value of your home. And, of course, remodeling a kitchen is a huge expense. As we mentioned, it takes money. However, you don’t really have to renovate the entire kitchen. Sometimes it’s enough to give it a breath of fresh air with new surfaces. But why consider such an investment?
The Old Kitchen Surfaces Are Outdated
Interior design trends evolve with each passing decade. Depending on when your kitchen last experienced an upgrade, you might be dealing with some outdated kitchen worktops. Take, for example, the popularity of granite in the 70s – it was deemed an excellent investment and it’s easy to see why. As we moved into the 80s and 90s, tile became the material of choice, a look that, while fashionable then, may now seem somewhat dull. The noughties saw the rise of laminate and wood, which imitated the elegance of marble with its intricate patterns. Yet, by 2007, these surfaces, once novel and chic, have likely begun showing signs of wear and tear. If you find this to be the case in your kitchen, it may be time to consider an upgrade to a quartz worktop.
They Are Cracked or Chipped
Laminate worktops and wood are more susceptible to chipping and cracking compared to a robust quartz surface. Their durability falls short and so does their lifespan. If you’ve ever experienced the aftermath of a heavy pot taking a tumble onto your laminate worktops, you’ll understand this all too well. The resulting cracks are not just an aesthetic nuisance, they pose a substantial concern for hygiene too. Every crack becomes a potential haven for bacteria to nest and multiply. If your surface is marred with cracks or chips, its safety is compromised. While it’s possible to continue using a cracked surface, the upkeep becomes considerably more challenging than before. The inevitable crumbs and dirt will find their way into the crevices, leaving you to contend with bacteria looming from within them. Along with these issues, the worktop cost associated with frequent replacements of less durable materials should be considered. A more resilient material like quartz can offer long-term cost efficiency.
There Are Stains on Them
Staining is a common issue with both laminate and wooden worktops. Despite protective measures, everyday kitchen items like a hot pan or stain-prone food (think beets, berries, and wine) can tarnish these materials. In fact, it wouldn’t be surprising if you’re currently dealing with a stubborn stain or two. This is because materials like laminate and wood don’t offer the same level of stain resistance and ease of maintenance as stone options such as marble, granite, or quartz.
They Are Low-Quality
It’s no secret that when compared to granite, marble, and quartz, the quality of laminate and wood falls short. These natural and artificial stone materials stand as superior choices that can endure for years, if not decades. Their durability, heat-resistance, lower likelihood to stain or crack, and contribution to home value make them an excellent choice. When considering a kitchen upgrade, replacing with these materials is a wise consideration. Potential buyers often inquire about the kitchen surface materials, making this an important factor to keep in mind.
When is the Right Time to Replace Your Kitchen Worktop?
If your old laminate or wood worktops look pretty good and show no wear and tear, it might still be time to replace them. You don’t really have to wait for them to look shabby and dull before starting a renovation project. So, here’s when you should consider replacing old laminate or wood worktops with quartz worktop.
You Want an Upgrade
Upgrading your kitchen with new quartz worktop is an excellent way to give the room a makeover. If you’re looking for a quick and easy solution to your dull kitchen, then this is it. Replacing just the worktops with a high-quality material worktop is an excellent way to make the kitchen look classier and fresh. The old laminate worktops you’ve been looking at for years are definitely in for an upgrade. If you opt to do it with quartz, you won’t regret it.
You’re Tired of the Color Scheme
After a while, we all get tired of looking at the same old colours on our walls and furniture. But, before you grab that painting brush, consider sprucing up your kitchen in another way. Sure, replacing old worktops is more expensive than simply slapping a new layer of paint on your walls or kitchen cabinets. However, it’s a better investment. It can also completely transform your kitchen. So, if you’re tired of looking at that wood (or wood-like) pattern in your kitchen, take a look at the quartz worktop selection we have in our Chesham worktop showroom . Maybe a lovely white quartz worktop can become a new focal point in your kitchen.
You’d Like a New Island with Quartz Worktop
People often opt for a kitchen remodel when they realise that they’re missing a kitchen island . However, matching your brand new kitchen island to your old worktops is a bad idea.First of all, it will look off, no matter how hard you try. If you have old laminate or wood worktops, they’ll have changed colour. So, even if you get that exact same laminate or wood worktop for your island, it will be off by a shade or two. A much better idea is to follow the lead of our other Buckinghamshire clients and replace all the worktops in your kitchen. That way, your new island will look like it belongs (rather than sticking out like a sore thumb).
Kitchen Worktop Replacement: Creating More Space with Quartz
We have a lot of clients in Buckinghamshire county that are looking to make their kitchen spaces more effective. Sometimes, you simply don’t have the room for a kitchen island. That’s especially true for those with older houses that are common across Amersham, Milton Keynes, Aylesbury, and High Wycombe. If your kitchen is too small for an island, you can still add a bit more space by replacing your worktops. They can be designed in a better way, so they allow you to make good use out of every last inch of space in your kitchen.
You’re Planning to Sell Your House
Of course, as mentioned, if you’re planning to sell your house, a kitchen upgrade is a must. Houses sell like crazy in Buckinghamshire count y but that doesn’t mean you don’t have to try to make your house as appealing as possible.Replacing old worktops is the best way to make your house ready for a sale . Any Beaconsfield, Gerrards Cross, and Rickmansworth realtor will tell you — a new worktop can get you a much better price on your house. And they’d know’ they’ve been selling them left and right.
Why Opt for Quartz Worktop?
Ok, so now you’re starting to realize that you should definitely replace your old worktops. But why opt for quartz worktop? Why pick an artificial stone rather than something more natural like granite or marble ?Overall, quartz is the most eco-friendly option. It doesn’t require as many resources or manpower to mine it and it offers more options when it comes to colours and patterns. Not to mention, quartz has significant advantages when we compare it to laminate or wood. Even if you’re dying to have that rustic kitchen style that requires wood worktops or are looking to save money with laminate ones, you’ll soon realise that quartz worktop offers more bang for your buck.
Quartz Worktop Vs. Laminate and Wood
Quartz, even though an artificial stone, still has plenty of benefits. Compared to laminate and wood, it’s more durable and better in appearance. However, that’s not all. To help you make a decision, we’ve made a deep comparison of the three materials. After all, that’s the only way to actually make a choice.
Durability
Quartz isn’t a natural stone. However, it’s mostly made out of natural materials. 93% of your quartz worktop are natural minerals (quartz, granite, marble, and other stones) that are ground into polymers and resins. So, technically, only 7% of your quartz worktop isn’t “natural material.” Because of the manufacturing process, quartz is extremely resilient and durable. In fact, out of all stone worktop materials, it scores the highest on the Mohs scale of hardness. Laminate and wood can’t really compare when it comes to durability. Not only do they show wear and tear easily and more quickly than quartz, but they are also much easier to damage. If you have a busy kitchen and you like to cook, then quartz is definitely the better option between the three.
Value
Quartz worktops are more expensive than laminate and wood. Therefore, they also offer more value. As mentioned, replacing your worktops can significantly impact the overall value of your home and make it easier for you to sell it.
Maintenance
Laminate is extremely easy to maintain. However, that’s only true if it isn’t damaged. If you have a crack on your worktops, cleaning it will become increasingly difficult with time. The same goes for wood. Although wood worktops require more maintenance than laminate, they are still pretty easy to clean. Repairing them, however, is a different story. Since cracking or damaging quartz is quite a difficult task, maintenance isn’t as complicated. You’ll never have to worry about it because, unless you frequently use a diamond drill in your kitchen, you won’t have to worry about damaging your quartz worktop.
Quartz Worktop Appearance
Wood worktops hold up nicely against the tooth of time (for a few years at least). But laminate looks outdated even when it’s only been slightly used. Therefore your kitchen will also look a bit boring and dull.
However, quartz worktop offers quite the opposite effect. Because quartz is an artificial material, the manufacturers can produce a variety of colors and patterns for you to choose from. Of course, the same can be said for laminate. You can pick between hundreds of options. However, quartz is the only material out of the two that can also offer the appearance of timeless elegance.
Resistance
Quartz is famously stain, heat, and crack-resistant. Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s indestructible. However, you will find yourself hard-pressed to actually manage to chip or stain a quartz worktop.
Compared to stone, laminate and wood not only chip easily but also stain easily. And, if you happen to forget yourself and put a hot pan on your worktops without something to protect it, you’ll have a nasty looking stain to keep you company in the kitchen from that point forward. That isn’t something that can happen with quartz.
BucksMarble: The Best Worktops Supplier in Buckinghamshire
If you’ve made the decision to replace old laminate or wood worktops with quartz worktops — congratulations! We support your decision wholeheartedly. As the top worktops specialist in all of Buckinghamshire county, we know just how big of an impact that decision will have.
BucksMARBLE helped plenty of people transform their kitchens (one worktop at a time) and will be more than happy to help you do the same. So, give us a call at 01494793515 or email us at info@bucksmarble.com and let’s get started on creating the kitchen of your dreams!
