Worktop Express Information Guides

“Which worktop types are best-suited to an office environment?”

Our very latest ‘Question of the Week’ was sent into us by Pete in Cirencester. He’s looking for information on the ideal worktop types to use in an office environment.

QUESTION:

“We’re currently planning an office re-fit and would like to know what worktop types you recommend for an office environment.”

ANSWER:

Hi Pete,

Many of the worktops in our collection are ideal for use in an office environment, but which option will suit your requirements is largely down to personal choice.

We offer a large range of solid wood worktops as well as new collection of laminate worktops which regularly features new decors.

Our offices are fitted out entirely with solid wood worktops of varying timber types. Solid wood creates a beautiful, tactile surface that can be easily customised to suit your office layout and requirements.

We wrote an information guide entitled ‘Using Wooden Worksurfaces in an Office’ which you might find helps you to choose the right kind of wooden worktops for an office.

To keep them looking their best, any wood worktop will require occasional oiling, though – when used in an office – not as regularly as it would be in a kitchen environment.

If you would prefer a surface that requires zero maintenance after installation, then consider our range of laminate worktops. These surfaces come in a variety of different decors, including wood-effect, stone-effect, quartz-effect and much more; you’re sure to find a style to suit your office environment in our collection.

Although laminate worktops are not quite as easy to customise and install as a solid wood worktop, they can still be installed without the assistance of a professional fitter with the guidance found in our dedicated Nutshell guide: ‘How to Install Laminate Kitchen Worktops’.

Both solid wood and laminate worktops can be customised by our dedicated fabrication team. Visit our bespoke kitchen worktops page to find out more about the services we can provide.

If you want to know more about the differences between a laminate and solid wood worktop, I would recommend reading the following guide: ‘Laminate Vs Real Wood Worksurfaces: What’s the Difference?’.

To take a closer look at any of our worktops, our Gloucestershire worktop showroom is less than 30 minutes away from Cirencester.

Otherwise, feel free to order worktop samples or get in touch if you have any further queries.

All the best,

Ben @ Worktop Express

“Which kitchen worktop materials require the least maintenance?”

Not every worktop suits all kitchens, and so when Christian from Minehead sent in our ‘Question of the Week’, we were happy to help him choose kitchen worktop materials that require little maintenance.

QUESTION:

“I’m looking for kitchen worktop materials that are low-maintenance. What would you recommend?”

ANSWER:

Hi Christian,

Choosing the right worktop materials is not only a design-led decision, but is also crucial to consider the practicalities of your decision to help ensure that your worktops last for many years to come.

It should come as no surprise that some worktops require more maintenance than others, but – above all else – we would make sure you choose a surface that fits comfortably in with your kitchen design.

In the Worktop Express collection, our laminate worktops require the least maintenance, specifically the range of AEON™ laminate worktops.

These surfaces feature Enhanced Performance Technology, which reinforces the top layer of the laminate worktop to make it up to five-times more resistant to scratches and ensure that it looks newer for longer. At present our collection of AEON worktops includes Calcutta Marble, Lunar Night and Winter Carnival.

Maintenance of our laminate kitchen worktops is easy – you need only keep them clean using a soft cloth and soapy water.

Our range of wooden worktops may seem high-maintenance by comparison, but in reality the only work required to keep the timber looking its best is a light oiling every few months. These solid wood surfaces do require a little more attention in the weeks following their installation, but if you follow the guidance in our ‘Solid Wood Worktop Aftercare Kits Nutshell Guide’, it really is quite straightforward.

If you want to compare laminate worktops and wood worktops further, we recommend reading the following guide: ‘Laminate Vs Real Wood Worksurfaces: What’s the Difference?’

To help make your decision, we would recommend visiting one of our worktop showrooms to see our range of kitchen worktop materials for yourself. Your closest showroom is currently located in Gloucester, but if you cannot travel this far, why not order a range of our worktop samples instead?

If you have any other questions for us, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

All the best,

Ben @ Worktop Express

“I’m trying to create a vintage kitchen design. Do you sell a grey wood worktop”

Anna from Chepstow emailed in recently to ask whether we sell a grey wood worktop. We’ve chosen this as our latest ‘Question of the Week’.

QUESTION:

“I’m trying to recreate the look of a vintage kitchen on a budget, and am looking for a grey wood worktop that would be hard-wearing enough to withstand a busy home. Can you help?”

ANSWER:

Hi Anna,

Thanks for getting in touch regarding a grey wood worktop for your new kitchen. Though no timber is naturally grey, you may find some oak, ash or maple products on the market that look almost grey, usually down to a limewash process.

At Worktop Express, we only sell wooden worktops in their natural state, or with a protective coating of Rustins Danish Oil (for an additional cost). The only wooden alternatives we have to grey are our black oak and wenge worktops, which – as the names suggest – are much closer to black than grey.

If you require a grey wood worktop, we would recommend looking at our grey oak laminate worktops. These surfaces are made from a hard-wearing laminate rather than real wood, but thanks to the textured matt finish, the appearance is very realistic.

Emulating expensive full stave oak worktops that have been stained with a grey finish, these laminate worktops have a square edge finish and look just like real mature timber.

At only £90 for a 3 metre worktop, our antique grey oak laminate worktops are great value for money, are perfect for a busy kitchen and will look great alongside vintage fixtures and accessories.

To see images of this worktop option, please visit the Grey Oak Laminate Worktops Gallery. Alternatively, pay a visit to one of our worktop showrooms or order laminate worktop sample pack B, which includes the grey oak decor.

If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us again.

All the best,

Ben @ Worktop Express