Cullifords’ Guide to Kitchen Surfaces

From statement splashbacks to hard wearing worktops, selecting the right kitchen surface can feel quite daunting. With more choice and material varieties than ever, it’s vital to choose the correct surface for your design scheme, from both a practical and an aesthetic point of view. Here, Oliver Webb, Director at fine quality stone specialists Cullifords, talks through the pros and cons of different kitchen surface materials.

Jade River Marble, priced from £1,190 per m2

Granite
“The beauty of granites as a natural stone is the colours and variance you get from them and the real natural feeling you get from their touch. Each block will bring a touch of individuality and unique style to your kitchen.”

Arguably one of the most popular choices for worktops, a granite surface is both durable and functional. Ranging from hard to soft, granite is a natural stone and as such offers a huge variety of shades and patterns. Harder granites will not need sealing whilst most other softer granites will perform best if sealed. Good sealant will stop the ingress of water, oils and other liquids on all natural stone and day to day cleaning can be done with a light soapy solution. Although the majority of granites should be able to withstand hot things being placed on the surface, there is always a slight chance of thermal shock, so it is best to use a trivet or chopping board. There are however harder materials such as the Lundhs Real Stone that are strong enough to withstand the heat of hot pans.

Verde Lapponia Granite, priced from £775 per m2

Marble
“Marble can add a true elegance to a home and as with other natural stones, they give you a real sense of naturalness.”

Marble comes in a wide variety of colours and patterns. In addition to the classic white Carrara marbles which continue to be popular, there are beautiful hard green European marbles as well as stunning Indian and Portuguese stones that are used frequently on the Iberian Peninsula, that perform similarly to the Carrara marbles. As with all the work surface material groups, there are some harder types and some softer ones. When it comes to durability, marbles in general will over time develop a patina from small scratches and possible staining if the sealant does not work well. The benefit of having a marble work surface is that any stains that do appear can be removed with a poultice and it can be re-polished in situ if needed.

Verde Luana Marble, priced from £350 per m2

Lagoa Pink Marble, priced from £750 per m2

The Do’s and Don’t’s of Buying Surfaces

DO
• Use an experienced company or person for installation.

• Relax! The single greatest myth around looking after stone is that it should be bulletproof. Nobody ever said this. We do not expect wood to be impervious to everyday wear and tear, nor do we expect carpets or other surfaces to be bulletproof, all surfaces will wear in different ways.

DON’T
• Buy without viewing the actual block you will be having cut and without taking a sample home for testing.

• Get too caught up on prices until you get the final cost from the fabricator or retailer.

• Hold back. There is so much choice; it is a shame when people choose the safe option. Natural surfaces are unique – indulge yourself, and pick something distinctive, so it becomes an unforgettable part of your home.

Ceramics
“Ceramics are fast becoming one of the most popular choices for kitchen surfaces. The combination of technology and visual appeal mean you are guaranteed to find the appearance you’re looking for.”

From colourful marble imitations to eye-catching terrazzo-style patterns, ceramic surfaces boast practical and aesthetic benefits. Heat, light, scratch and chemical resistant, ceramics are a favourable choice for kitchen surfaces.

Crafted from ceramic clays and mineral colourings, the worktops are available in a range of colours and finishes and can cater to a variety of tastes from the ultra-contemporary to a more traditional style. The material is UV resistant and can therefore be used outside and as the pattern is made from a photograph, the colours can vary with market demand easily. At just 12mm, they’re ideal for creating a very sleek looking finish to a kitchen worktop.

Natural Quartzite
“Another form of natural stone, quartzite offers the veined look of a marble with increased durability.”

As the trend for more marble-effect surfaces has developed, quartzite materials have been quarried more and more. Whilst all types of quartzite make for a hardwearing and sound worktop choice, similar to granite, the harder quartzites will be more resistant to scratches and other daily wear and tear than the softer ones. Commonly harder than a marble and often wonderfully wavy, a quartzite is the perfect choice for those looking to make a statement either on walls, central islands or kitchen worktops.

Sourcing some of the world’s most exotic and finest materials, Cullifords’ range of exceptional fine quality natural and man-made stone is guaranteed to help you make a truly stunning statement. From kitchen splashbacks and worktops to flooring and bathroom walls, the arresting detail, rare colouring and striking patterns of Cullifords’ stones will transform any interior into an extraordinarily distinctive scheme.

www.geraldculliford.co.uk