Worktops from the first millennia

Very few products are able to remain unchanged over time, and keep the properties of resistance, durability and looks without change.   But that’s exactly what ceramics can do. Ceramics are familiar to us all and have been made by man over many millennia. And now you can add those superb, enduring ceramic properties to your kitchen worktops.

Kent KitchenSolutions are able to offer Neolith ceramic counter tops by THESIZE.

THESIZE has created Neolith; a high performance, large format, slim porcelain slab technology. But why choose a Neolith ceramic worktop for your home?  Well you may like to consider a few characteristics of Neolith ceramics:

• 100% Natural mineral composition
• Non absorbent; near 0% water absorption
•  Lightweight; 7kgs/m² in 3mm thickness
• Easy to clean; impervious to chemicals
• Hygienic; food safe
• Resistant; fire and high temperature resistant, Neolith does not emit toxic fumes when exposed to fire.
• Green; Neolith is recyclable and has high % of recycled content
• Flex resistant; Neolith has a high flexural strength
• Freeze and thaw resistant
• Chromatic property; Neolith colours are mineral based and do not fade with UV exposure
• Heavy duty; Neolith resists high traffic abrasion

For flexibility NeoLith ceramics come in a range of formats:

• XSS:    300x600mm
• XS:      600x600mm
• XM:     600x1200mm
• XL:      1200x1200mm
•  XXL:   1200x3600mm

(NeoLith is the largest high performance porcelain slab on the market at 3600x1200mm)

And NeoLith slabs are available in 3 thicknesses: 3mm, 5mm, or 10mm with or without reinforcing fibreglass backing.  But for added flexibility the slabs can be laminated: 3+3mm, 5+3mm, and 5+5mm.

With a wide choice of colours to suit all aesthetics why not consider ceramics for your home.

Corian worktops and much more !

In the UK we tend to think of Corian in terms of solid surface worktops for kitchens and bathrooms but it's much more versatile than that. The video below illustrates how many other uses it has. A number of designers were asked to design and produce a unique object to celebrate a special anniversary for DuPont. It's clear to see that there is much more to the product than just Corian worktops for kitchens.

Corian worktops, why every kitchen should have one.

The 1st matter to be mindful of is that Corian is the trade name, not a material or substance like Quartz. This may appear obvious, but a surprising amount of individuals do not understand that. Corian is a trade name that relates to a range of acrylate resin kitchen worktops, manufactured employing particular materials in a specific manner.

Corian worktops are deep down acrylic worktops, only they tend to be set away inside their own class for the plain reason that they outperform the criteria most acrylic worktops fulfil, in terms of durability, thickness, warranty, versatility, strength or range of colours.

There is not really a lot you can not undertake with Corian, and it's the triple combination of versatility, style and strength that has resulted in a lot new fitted kitchens, new build kitchens and re-designed kitchens being equipped with new, purpose-made Corian worktops.

The thought of having ones kitchen worktops purpose-made may appear a bit excessive, and although it's certainly accurate that Corian surfaces will not be found in A budget basement for inexpensive kitchen worktops, the cost is just 1 way of considering the value of a countertop constructed from Corian.

If you are going to have a Corian kitchen worktop, you may as well have it constructed to ones particular requirements, as its durability means there's every possibility it will be around in the kitchen longer than you are.

Because Corian worktops are fabricated from an acrylic resin resin material that possesses a remarkably high tensile and impact strength and durability they could be formulated in a number of disparate processes. Corian may be cut, shaped, glued and even vacuum moulded, meaning that if you are able to conceive of it, a Corian countertop can be produced to your specification.

A lot individuals have utilised this advantage to aquire Corian worktops that comprise additional components traditionally added separately from the countertop, like splashbacks and drainage ducts for the kitchen sink. Corian worktops can easily be manufactured with curves or different third-dimensional structures, so having a curved back plate or splashback is easily accomplished, and not merely appears beautiful but importantly increases the cleanliness and hygiene of ones kitchen.

A different benefit of Corian is that there don't seem to be any seams or joints. Frequently it's the seams or joints within kitchen surfaces that are most inclined to harbouring bugs and bacterium that may present a health hazard.

But as different parts of a Corian worktop are connected together the material or bonding agent applied is the exact equivalent polymer resin employed in the fabrication of the worktop itself. This means that the consequence is a seamless joint, improving both the visible appearance of the worktop as well as getting rid of a possible health risk.

Corian worktops come with a 10 yr guarantee, which constitutes peace of mind in itself, but it's likewise comforting to think about the method in which a Corian worktop may be restored to keep it appearing as good as new. The material is exceptionally strong, and it would need a significant effort to harm the finish of a worktop formed from Corian.

All the same, kitchens are all but warzones, with weighty pans barging in to the surface, sharp knives slicing across the top and all fashion of tools or utensils exposing the work surface to a lot risks and perils.

In almost all cases when a worktop acquires a scratch, gouge or chip it's a matter of merely living with it, or replacing a big segment of countertop, that might not be a perfect match against existent surface sections.

Nevertheless, attributable the nature of the fabric employed, Corian surfaces can be mended just by employing the same polymer resin from which it's comprised, and which is used in the joints and seams, filling in the chip, abrasion or dent, polishing the surface and leaving the worktop as good as new, without any obvious join or discolouration.

For a kitchen that excels visually, and holds its own against the forces of a ferocious cook, Corian worktops give versatility, durability and style; if you are able to conceive of it, Corian can normally make your dream kitchen come true.

Kitchen Worktop Options

Kitchen worktops have come a long way since the days when laminate was king. By combining form with function, they determine ambiance and practicality. Whether it's the classic elegance of granite or wood, a colorful solid surface or laminate, or the sleek feel of stainless steel, worktop options are many and varied.

Worktops are priced by linear or square metre, with template, delivery, and installation quoted in the total price of the worktop. Prices vary depending on texture, color, pattern, intricacy of edging, number of holes, sink type, and seams. Seams affect look and durability, and can lead to water seepage that warps wood and causes laminate to pull away from its substrate. A qualified, certified kitchen designer can help reduce joins and advise on the best solution for you. At Kitchen Solutions Kent you can visit our fabricators and granite suppliers to personally select the material to be used in your worktops and see how they will be manufactured.

Heavy countertops, like cement, natural, and engineered stones, are held in place with gravity and fixative, while other counters are screwed and glued. Since worktop pricing ranges from the economical to the astronomical, it's important to consider longevity, durability, maintenance, and price.

Concrete
Concrete is one of the more dynamic products to grace the kitchen. It boasts texture and detailing unlike any solid product. It is porous in nature, absorbs stains easily, and must be sealed regularly. At an inch-and-a-half thick, concrete weighs the same as a granite countertop. But, since concrete must be poured and cured prior to installation, it's important to get it right. The worktop fabricator should first template then create the countertop from a pre-cast mold in a controlled factory setting. On-site casting might result in a one-piece installation, but will require major demolition should the countertop need to be removed.

Engineered Stone
Engineered stone is a quartz-composite product mixed with colored pebbles, polymers, and epoxy. It has an even pattern and more color options than natural stone. So, if a kitchen calls for more worktop space, it's easy to order the same pattern and shade. Quartz worktops are an extremely durable product that takes the heat, resists stains and costs about the same as granite.

Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is chic, contemporary, and noted for its association with professional kitchens. It is stain resistant, and the only surface that can be safely bleached. Newer applications include brushed or textured finishes that help camouflage scratches. Welded stainless-steel sinks create an integrated look, while splashbacks with corrugated patterns create dimension. Stainless steel, when attached to a wood substrate, becomes more sound resistant. Regular rolled edges, bullnose, or Marine edges (no drip), are standard. Stainless steel worktops cost between £250 to £400 per linear metre dependent on specification

Stone
Natural stone needs to be seamed, is typically sealed to protect it from damage and stains.. Granite is quarried worldwide, with colors and patterns that reveal the region and the geological conditions that created it. With granite worktops, each slab is unique, with random and inconsistent patterns. Customers may visit our fabricator to select their own slabs. Granite is graded for a host of variables including density, strength, water absorption, and acid resistance. Granite tiles are less costly but have more seams, while a 3/4-inch granite sheet can also be purchased and applied to a wood substrate for the same look at less cost and weight. Typical cost is around £200 per linear metre.


Wood
Wood has a warm and luminous appeal for worktops and kitchens. Oak, maple, cherry, red beech, walnut, teak, and mahogany are all hardwoods favored for worktop applications. Some wooden countertops are built with finger-jointed construction and installed with miter-bolted seams for added durability. Wood is one of the more sanitary products for the kitchen, with inherent properties in to protect it from bacteria build-up. Maintenance is required, however, starting with regular mineral oil treatments, particularly near the sink, and extra caution with extremely hot cookware. Prices for solid wood worktops range between £1oo to £200 per linear metre installed.


Solid Surfacing
Solid surface worktops, commonly known as corian worktops offer seamless acrylic faces with seams that are only visible from the underside. With solid surfacing, sink and counter materials can be integrated to create a fluid, graceful line. Solid surfaces come in a rainbow of colors, patterns, and styles, including stone and glass look-alikes. They are stain and heat resistant, with more edging and border options than natural stone. Scratches are easily softened with a non-abrasive scrubbing pad.

Laminate
Laminate worktops are economical and come in a host of colors and patterns. Laminate is not usually scratch or heat resistant, but at Kitchen Solutions Kent our laminate worktops have twice the number of layers than normal and are much more heat and scratch resistant than most. Laminate is highly stain resistant and provides a good balance between cost and practicality.

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