Worktop Express Information Guides

“Do you work with any worktop suppliers in my area?”

We were recently contacted by Mia in Durham, who is looking for new worktops but is not located particularly close to any of our showrooms. She asked whether we work with any other worktop suppliers in her area.

QUESTION:

“I really want wooden worktops but can’t get to any of your showrooms easily. I’m told that you offer great quality worktops and so I wondered if any worktop suppliers near me might stock your products.”

ANSWER:

Hi Mia,

We are delighted to hear that you have been recommended our wood worktops. Unfortunately we do not yet have a showroom in the far north east of England, though it is likely we will make plans to open one at some point in the future.

Our products are available through other kitchen fitters and worktop suppliers, though we would always recommend that you purchase worktops directly from us in order to get your worktops for the best price whilst benefiting from our 2Man next-day worktop delivery and highly-rated customer service.

If you can’t make it to one of our kitchen showrooms, I would suggest you order one or more of our worktop samples to take a closer look at any of the worktops in our collection before placing your order.

Our samples are cut from current worktop stock, and are sanded and pre-oiled on one side to give you an accurate representation of the finished product. These samples are priced at just £5 including fast courier delivery, a cost that can be refunded if you go on to purchase a worktop from us.

You can also take a closer look at many of the wooden worktops in our collection by viewing our wood worktop image gallery.

To find out more about ordering worktops directly from us, please read the following information guide: ‘How to Order Kitchen Worktops Online in Five Easy Steps’.

If you have any further queries about our worktops, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us again via live chat, email or telephone.

Kind regards,

Ben @ Worktop Express

“What tools do I need for fitting a kitchen worktop?”

Our most recent ‘Question of the Week’ was sent in by Ollie in Weymouth, who emailed in to ask what kind of tools he would need when fitting a worktop.

QUESTION:

“I’m about to order a wood worktop from you and before I do, I want to know whether there are any specialist tools required for fitting a kitchen worktop, or whether it can be completed with relatively basic DIY tools.”

ANSWER:

Hi Ollie,

Thanks for your question, and for choosing Worktop Express as the supplier of your new kitchen worktops.

If no major alterations are required for your new surface, fitting is a relatively straightforward task. We recommend that the worktop is fitted to your kitchen cabinets using slotted angle brackets which simply screw directly into the worktop and the cabinet below.

If you are planning on cutting worktops to size, you will need to consider the appropriate tools, including a circular saw and / or electric router. You can read more about cutting worktops in our dedicated information guide: ‘How to Cut Wood Worktops for Kitchens to Size’.

Other customisations, including the addition of a profile edge or apertures for kitchen sinks and hobs can also be cut using an electric router. Other customisations can be made easier using one of our worktop jigs, which are a template that helps – amongst other amendments – when cutting worktop connector bolt recesses. Find out more about using jigs by reading our ‘Using Router Jigs to Customise a Wood Worksurface’ information guide.

Lastly, I would recommend that you read our ‘Installing Our Wooden Worksurfaces’ Nutshell information guide, which covers everything else you might need to know about installing our worktops. Many of the details covered in this guide, and those above, also apply to laminate worktops.

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

Kind regards,

Ben @ Worktop Express

“Which of your surfaces are most suitable for a kitchen breakfast bar worktop?”

This week, our question has been sent in by Julian in Clifton – he would like to know more about using our worktops for a breakfast bar.

QUESTION:

“I’m looking to put a kitchen breakfast bar in and I would like some advice on which of your surfaces are the most suitable for this purpose”

ANSWER:

Hi Julian,

Thank you for getting in touch – breakfast bars and kitchen islands are a popular feature in many homes but with such a range of options available it can be difficult selecting the right one for you. You have not stated what you mean when you say ‘most suitable’ and with a variety of solid wood surfaces, laminate worktops, and our recently added earthstone work surfaces available in a range of sizes, we will consider your options below.

The type of material you select for your kitchen breakfast bar will depend largely on personal tastes and the budget you have at your disposal. Our laminate work surfaces are the most cost effective option and are available in a huge range of décor styles – from stone effect options like our Carrara marble and Luna nero grey slate to the luxe, glossy black sparkle Andromeda, we even have a range of wood effect designs. Laminate surfaces are a low maintenance option and are ready to install immediately upon arrival without need for any treatment. A number of our laminate work surfaces are available in a 900mm width which is a popular option for breakfast bars.

Solid wood is a fantastic option for a kitchen breakfast bar, and we have a number of different timber species available to suit a range of different kitchen styles. We manufacture our own work surfaces at our Gloucestershire location which means we are able to keep costs to a minimum – we like to pass our savings on to our customers, so our wooden worktops offer exceptional quality at a fraction of the cost that a solid wood worktop would usually cost. These work surfaces are available in lengths of up to 4m and 620mm, 720mm, 960mm or 1240mm widths – with 960mm being particularly popular for breakfast bars. Solid wood will need a chance to acclimatise to your kitchen before it is installed, to allow it to adjust to the moisture content in the room, and it will need regular oiling to keep it looking as good as possible.

We have recently added a range of Earthstone worktops to our website, and all the styles we have available come in a 900mm wide option which is finished on all edges, so it is ready for installation as soon as it arrives. Earthstone surfaces have a 6mm thick acrylic top layer which gives them a look and feel similar to that of natural stone options. When installed using the colour matched adhesive, a seamless look can be achieved, which makes them a fantastic option if you are looking to create a modern, contemporary kitchen breakfast bar. The thick acrylic on these worktops means they can be repaired, and they may need a light sand and polish prior to installation but are largely a low maintenance choice.

These are the options available to you Julian and hopefully we have provided enough information for you to decide which selection will be best for you. The requirements of kitchen breakfast bars vary from home to home, and as such, there are a number of benefits for each type of work surface – so it is important that you weigh up the available options carefully and pick the best for your home. If you do have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Kind regards,

Ben @ Worktop Express