Worktop Express Information Guides

“What is the best laminate worktop for a busy home?”

The latest ‘Question of the Week’ was sent into us by Harold in Nuneaton. He has a very busy home and wants to choose a laminate worktop that will be able to endure plenty of wear and tear.

QUESTION:

“We’re thinking of putting new laminate worktops in our kitchen, and now that we have grandkids visiting on a regular basis, I want to choose something that’s affordable, suitable for a busy home and safe for all the family. What would you suggest?”

ANSWER:

Hi Harold,

Thanks for getting in touch with Worktop Express®. We’re excited to hear that you are planning on updating your home with one of our laminate worktops.

Choosing the best laminate worktop for a busy home can be tough, but fortunately we have some advice to help you pick the perfect option.

Within our ever-expanding collection of laminate worktops, we sell a variety of AEON Enhanced Performance Laminate worktops; these special surfaces are manufactured in such a way as to create a stronger, more durable product that is up to five times more hard-wearing than standard laminate worktops.

These AEON laminates come with a smooth 3mm post-formed edge profile and are especially resistant to scratches and scuffs, ensuring that the finish lasts longer:

Marble Laminate Worktops – Calcutta

Granite Laminate Worktops – Winter Carnival

Lunar Night Laminate Worktops

If you’re not sure that these laminate worktops are right for your kitchen, we would recommend choosing any other laminate surface that boasts a smooth 3mm or 6mm post-formed edge profile. This is because softer edge profiles are less susceptible to impact damage, and – unlike those found on square edge worktops – are not as sharp (a feature that will be welcomed by your visitors, should one of them bump into your worktop!).

There are many post-formed laminate worktops to choose from in our collection. Simply head to our laminate worktops page to view the full range. Alternatively, you can visit one of our worktop showrooms to take a closer look at our most popular laminate surfaces.

If you have any further queries, don’t hesitate to contact us via telephone, email, live chat or social media.

All the best,

Ben @ Worktop Express

“Do you have any advice for cutting kitchen worktops?”

Today’s ‘Question of the Week’ comes from Patricia in Kendal. Patricia is planning on placing an order with us and needs advice for cutting kitchen worktops.

QUESTION:

“I want to order my new worktops from you, but want to know whether they can be easily cut to size once you have delivered them? Any advice is appreciated.”

ANSWER:

Hi Patricia,

Thanks for getting in touch. We are very happy to provide some advice on cutting your new worktops.

If you have any previous experience using power tools, then cutting kitchen worktops can be a fairly simple operation, as long as you have access to the right equipment. In our worktop fabrication centre, the team use a variety of sophisticated machines to create bespoke worktops to exacting standards, but home DIY alternatives are also available.

Routers

If you are choosing wooden worktops, a router provides the precision to make accurate cuts, and can also be used to add unique features such as edge profiles, drainage or hotrod grooves. A quality router for cutting kitchen countertops will cost approximately £150 for a 900w model.

Circular Saws

A circular saw is the most efficient tool for cutting a worktop down to size. A suitably powerful circular saw (that includes at least a 140mm cutting disc) can cost upwards of £100. When cutting worktops to size using a circular saw, you will need to take into account the thickness of the blade. We also recommend leaving a small amount to sand down so that the ends of your worktop have a perfectly smooth finish, or – in the case of laminate worktops – so that a matching edging strip can be applied.

Drill and Holesaw

To cut holes into a worktop for taps or other pipes, a drill and holesaw would be the best option. For wood worktops, a powerful drill will be required that can run at low speeds to ensure the wood is not burned or discoloured. A suitable drill will cost in the region of £90. You will also need to purchase a separate holesaw of a suitable diameter, which should cost from £6 – £10.

To use the tools safely, please also ensure you have the appropriate protective equipment, including a face mask and protective glasses.

If you would prefer, our bespoke worktop cutting team can make a variety of adjustments to your worktops before delivery, allowing them to be installed right away with minimal fuss: services start at just £5 depending on your needs.

To find out more about the range of fabrication services we offer on wooden worktops, visit our wood worktop cutting service page; or, for laminate worktops, visit the laminate worktop cutting service page. Alternatively, custom wood worktops can be ordered using our Online Bespoke Worktop Tool, which can be used to submit your fabrication designs to our team electronically (as an added bonus, a 10% discount on all cutting services is available when using this tool).

I hope the information provided will help you make a decision. If you have any other queries regarding our worktops, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Kind regards,

Ben @ Worktop Express

“What are post formed worktops?”

Today’s ‘Question of the Week’ comes from Eddie in Chelmsford. He has been looking at our laminate range and wanted to know what we mean by post formed worktops.

QUESTION:

“I have been looking through your range of laminate worktops and noticed that some are square and others have what you call a “post-formed” edge. Can you explain what this means?”

ANSWER:

Hi Eddie,

Thanks for taking the time to send in your query regarding our laminate worktops. Our ever-increasing range comes in a variety of finishes to suit any home, and – as you have noticed – some come with a square edge profile, and others with a post-form edge profile.

Our laminate worktops are constructed by wrapping a sheet of laminate over a composite fibreboard core that has been shaped with a smooth edge profile. As the laminate is added after the edge profile has been created, it is known as being ‘post-formed’.

Laminate worktops are created by machines that attach the laminate surface to the composite fibreboard core using high heat, pressure and an adhesive. Some of the worktops in our range have a 3mm post-formed edge, whilst others have a larger 6mm edge. This is a measurement of the radius of the smooth profile – the larger the number, the softer the appearance of the edge.

Most of the worktops in our range have a single post-formed edge, whilst the wider laminate breakfast bars are post-formed on the two longer sides. In both cases the two shorter edges of the worktop are left unfinished and will require the application of laminate edging strips during installation.

You can find out more about laminate worktop edge profiles and various other aspects of these surfaces in our Laminate Kitchen Worktops Nutshell Guide.

If you have any other questions regarding our laminate worktops – or anything else in our range – don’t hesitate to contact us via email, phone or live chat.

Kind regards,

Ben @ Worktop Express

“Are laminate countertops hygienic?”

Our latest ‘Question of the Week’ was sent in by Alice in Selkirk. She is interested in our range of laminate countertops but would like to know how hygienic they are.

QUESTION:

“I am currently trying to decide which of your laminate worktops would suit my new kitchen, and would like to know how hygienic they are compared to other worktop types.”

ANSWER:

Hi Alice,

Thank you for sending in your query regarding our laminate surfaces. We hope you will find the perfect surface amongst our wide variety of laminate designs – whether you are planning something modern or altogether more traditional.

We appreciate that hygiene is a key consideration in any kitchen. As well as wanting your kitchen surface to look elegant, modern surfaces must be easy to clean and maintain.

Each of the laminate worktops in our range is made by sealing a hard-wearing laminate surface onto a composite fibreboard core under high heat and pressure, to create an impact-resistant finish that protects against water and steam.

To provide additional moisture resistance, a foil layer impregnated with resin is fixed onto the underside of each worktop, whilst a rebate with a polyurethane resin in-fill acts as an extra moisture barrier.

Our laminate worktops are very hygienic, and can be maintained easily using only a clean microfibre cloth and warm, soapy water. Once the entire surface has been wiped down, we recommend drying it thoroughly using pieces of kitchen towel or a clean, dry cloth.

For more stubborn food stains (which might attract bacteria), we recommend cleaning using the following, more abrasive solution:

• 2 small cups of water.
• ¼ of a cup of white vinegar.
• A tablespoon of washing-up liquid.

If you would like to find out more about cleaning laminate worktops, I would suggest you read our ‘How to Clean Laminate Countertops’ information guide. If you have any other queries, do not hesitate to contact us.

Kind regards,

Ben @ Worktop Express