Alternative Kitchen Countertop Options | A Quick Guide

[@kitchinsider]

The first 1,000 people to use the link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: skl.sh/kitchinsider10221

[@barbaraeaton9266]

Thank you so much for covering these less talked about countertops materials. I feel more confident about the compact laminate. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Mark, as far as I know, has never talked about it.😮 Compact countertop sounds like the way I will go with my kitchen upgrades. I'm so grateful!

[@kitchinsider]

Glad it was helpful! I think compact laminate is a great choice! 😊

[@Jon-hb6gx]

Thanks for covering concrete as I'd asked in a previous video. Great job and very clear 🙂

[@nadhiffqodri]

Love this format of video, easy to understand and easy to make a decision 😊👍

[@kitchinsider]

Thanks so much! Pleased it was helpful! 😊

[@Veronica-vt9tp]

You are so good.. I learn a lot as I will be doing a kitchen remodel on a small house 1000 sq ft house that I was awarded in a divorce settlement. Thank you

[@deepthir503]

I really enjoyed watching this video ❤. Thank you so much for sharing ❤.

[@lauramiller6106]

Another excellent video! Limestone counters are tempting, especially since I live near some active limestone quarries. I'll look into them. Thank you.

[@kitchinsider]

Thanks! As you can probably guess, I have a soft spot for them. Just need to be aware they'll need a little extra care. It would be amazing to check out a local quarry. I bet you'd get some good deals!

[@HISnown4ever]

Another well constructed video. Thanks for the info.

[@Veronica-vt9tp]

Love your videos. You know you stuff!!!

[@MTKDofficial]

Great video and info! My favourite on the list is Quartzite and I'm really intrigued with Compact Laminate! But I've been wanting to pour my own concrete island top for a while now. On another note, I love seeing your subscriber count climb! Let's connect soon!

[@kitchinsider]

Thanks Mark! I'm a big fan of Quartzite too, so many beautiful options! Doing your own concrete top would make for a great video! Always up for connecting! Hope you're doing well!

[@claudiastarr7125]

Excellent and informative video!

[@kitchinsider]

Thanks so much! Pleased you liked it! 😀

[@neilpickup237]

And to think that while I was growing up in the 60s and 70s, Formica brand sheet laminate worktops on Hygena kitchens was considered the height of luxury, and most sinks were stainless steel and covered the whole of the cabinet rather than being let into the worktop (as they were always called back then!). I like granite, which I had fitted over a decade ago. I have always wiped spills up immediately (ingrained from childhood when you were more concerned about the liquid itself than its staining properties). Unlike some, I find it easy to keep well in exactly the same way as I cleaned our laminate worktops as a child (a cheaper brand as we couldn't afford the 'proper' Formica) - wipe over with a damp cloth using one of those scouring sponges for non-stick pans to loosen any dried on food and buff up with a dry towel to give a shiny streak free finish with very little effort if you buff up before the dampness dries off. Although as a child, we often had those woven plastic/nylon doughnut shaped scrubbers so good at removing dried on food from plates. Granite, and I presume any other surface which is cold to the touch, are excellent for making dough and pastry. One thing to watch out for with laminate surfaces is that they can have a limited life. Even if you look after them well, any surface texture will become smooth over time - possibly just a few years on the edge by the sink, and the pattern itself can be gone in 10 - both considerably sooner if a budget option as fitted shortly before I bought my first home is chosen!

[@karenbergstrand2772]

thanks for the great video -- it's very helpful. I'm contemplating soapstone for my countertops -- have you discussed that material in another video?

[@NakedMuso]

I've just had compact laminate installed in a relatively small kitchen / diner and I'm absolutely chuffed to n*ts with it. I'm glad I watched because I'd not appreciated it could scorch so thanks for that tip. I love the thin look and the plain black edge. Thanks for your content, always interesting 👍

[@kitchinsider]

Nice! Pleased to hear you're happy with them. I think they can look great! Yes, as there is resin in their make up, it can scorch/mark. They're pretty tough though! Thanks!

[@leahmcclelland7201]

I have been researching recycled glass countertops and wondered what your opinion was on that?

[@Whatisthis94]

Never even thought about limestone but loving the look and pricing for sure! Thank you.

[@kitchinsider]

Thanks! I'm a big fan. (If you couldn't tell) 😊

[@nickcat95]

Hi, what do you think of the hpl/ceramic 1.2cm thickness? Is it resistant enough?

[@floralprincess133]

Fab informative vid! Can we see your kitchen please?

[@garyspeed8961]

Corian, Artificial (reconstituted} Stone? ahh.. I see you covered the in your website... well worth a visit too!

[@jonnybeach9322]

Hi K ,I would increase the cost on stainless tops to the top level . Also no mention off solid timber tops as previously mentioned? They also range from $$ to $$$$$$$$ ,did I mention the Spekva bespoke division! 😃👍

[@kitchinsider]

Hi Jonny! Yeah, pricing these things is very tricky, so many variables! I mentioned timber tops in a previous video kzbin.info/www/bejne/mneon5Wioq6WY5Y Spekva have some lovely wooden worktops! I bet their bespoke service could be top level! 😁

[@rutontuton]

You forgot wood (Timber). We are planning on using Sapele (a type of Mahogany) for our island. My husband is a wood worker so upkeep will not be costly. I love the warmth of wood, and now that our children are grown we can maintain it without worrying that our kids will damage it.

[@kitchinsider]

A mahogany island sounds beautiful! Handy having a wood worker for a husband too! Sounds great! btw I mentioned timber tops in a previous video 😊 kzbin.info/www/bejne/mneon5Wioq6WY5Y

[@bizzybits1918]

This is so helpful. Did not know about compact laminate.

[@kimwoods172]

What do you think of ceramic like ABK stone?

[@haven8917]

What can you say about Sintered stone? Pros and cons?

[@berlinorama]

I am considering a ceramic countertop and backsplash when I finally renovate my kitchen, but quartzite could be another option.

[@turkeyphant]

Why can't you get many wood colours for compact laminate? They're almost all white or black.

[@ChoobChoob]

What do you think of copper countertops?

[@Stephenwc]

I was not aware of compact laminate. I do want to construct the countertop myself DIY onsite but would prefer to avoid the downsides of thin veneer over wood as in traditional laminate. Stone/hard surfaces including quartzite, granite, concrete etc generate volumes of silica dust and are generally challenging to work with so I'll pass on those.

[@DeSilver215]

Hi Mark! Have you any experience with modified acrylic as a kitchen countertop? (Eg Mirostone)

[@logicalblueberry]

Never heard of compact laminate. What's the difference between this and Corian.

[@tomblake6743]

Would love to see you cover micro-cement as well 😊

[@kitchinsider]

I wrote a little bit about it here: kitchinsider.com/microcement-kitchen-worktop-advice/

[@tomblake6743]

@@kitchinsider Excellent, thanks mate

[@gabrielconrad8548]

I’ve heard soapstone is a good countertop material, but haven’t seen many videos on it.

[@luce]

I would have liked to hear about some modern alternatives, in particular Dekton but also Neolith, Fenix NTM or Corian.

[@kitchinsider]

I talk about Dekton, Neolith and Corian a little bit in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/mneon5Wioq6WY5Y

[@luce]

@@kitchinsider thanks!

[@HelenEttlin]

What about soapstone and epoxy resin?

[@sudha4128]

You did not mention Corian Countertop, pros and cons!

[@g.b.2806]

Perhaps a stupid question, but do you think basalt (the volcanic rock) would work as a kitchen countertop? What kind of issues would you see with it, what could be counted in its favour? It is certainly durable enough to be used as a floor, but then again... we rarely cook/prep on our floor, do we?

[@kitchinsider]

No such thing as a silly question. I've never done a basalt countertop but you can definitely get them. Like all natural stone it's quite porous, so would need sealing and maintaining. They have similar properties to granite (both igneous rocks) but with a more even colouring (a bit like Limestone) so some good pros there.

[@flowerseva]

Hi Michael- I’d love info on Porcelain counters with Integrated sinks. If there’s such a thing??. But Info on these 2 items would be great! I’m in the USA, but have heard Porcelains have been de rigueur in Europe for awhile… Again, you’d need to guide me on that.

[@kitchinsider]

I spoke a little about porcelain in this video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/mneon5Wioq6WY5Y You can have integrated sinks with them (although quite pricey). Porcelain has been around for a while now over here in Europe and is definitely getting more popular (although quartz is still no.1).

[@flowerseva]

@@kitchinsider ok- yes, they do seem pricey, and we in USA, are just beginning with this material and the associated workmanship involved to install. Thanks again 🙏💫♥️

[@brendaunsworth8336]

Can Compact Laminate be used as a backsplash/ one piece?

[@kitchinsider]

Yes 👍

[@danschmitz4699]

Copper from rolls?

[@PR-lm2te]

What about quartz?

[@evali9087]

I am really interested in the sales skills for kitchen designer.

[@kitchinsider]

Sales were always my least favourite part. I think if you show a genuine interest and passion for a clients project, have good attention to detail, knowledge and design skills then you shouldn't need to 'sell' anything. Having a good product that you truly believe in helps too. 😊

[@evali9087]

@@kitchinsider Thanks for your reply👍

[@adampoyser6453]

Copper?

[@jamiechevalier244]

I'm disappointed you didn't cover ceramic tile, which was standard in kitchens for decades. Yes, it has downsides, like all surfaces. But completely ignoring it is strange.

[@vivalaleta]

Why are you claiming that concrete is so expensive? It doesn't have to be.