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Lifestyle choices are becoming more practically based and moving away from romantic notions of yesteryear. The kitchen has also felt this influence and in particular the bench top or work surface, which needs to withstand the most impact and contact with kitchen utensils and appliances, has had to evolve to ward off the effects of time. The result has ben a deluge of hardy and beautiful product design.

The area on which we work is vitally important, both aesthetically and from a practical point of view. the choice of material needs to withstand temperature fluctuations and many different emulsions. Both these factors come into play when choosing a bench top and the inherent qualities of each product governs the manner in which it should be cleaned.

Certain chemicals may not be suitable for the material which is chosen. For example, bleach would not be suitable on a wood counter and a particle based abrasive could damage glass tops. Resin-based stone tops and laminates offer ease of maintenance but may not provide the heat-proof resistance required. Porosity should also be considered, particularly around the sink area.

By gauging and considering all the pros and cons of each surface candidate, one can conclude which material is best for you. If the one that you "absolutely must have" does not meet your expectations then perhaps it could be used as an accent in the kitchen as opposed to the major component. For instance, if you really desire Surrino or some other synthetic top but are worried about the inherent temperature resistance, then it could be used around the sink area as an accent. It is highly flexible and could be cut exactly to size, creating a beautiful integrated sink as it is nonporous and smooth, warding off mildew and damp competently.

Great granite

Without a doubt still the most popular choice in the medium to high end kitchen, the beauty of stone has a way of softening the hard interior of a kitchen. At the same time, the cool, solid characteristics make granite the perfect material for food preparation. The cold surface is ideal for kneading, molding and cutting dough. To add to this it is easily cleaned and relatively scratch resistant. It can withstand high temperatures and maintains its color and gloss for a lifetime.

European convention is moving toward earthier and more textured tone in its stone use. Clients tend toward a more muted and "rough: form of the versatile stone varieties, often opting for a less polished finish.

Wood

If wood is highly desired, one should prepare and plan for its inclusion with the help of an expert as its natural qualities may not be advisable for certain areas of the kitchen. Accents or glimpses of wood offer a warm and earthy feel and can be very beautiful if carefully included. Butcher blocks inserted into an area or raised eating areas can be taken advantage of in order to exploit a longing for wood.

Stainless and stark

Stainless steel bench tops can look wonderful in the right type of kitchen and offer an industrial look highly sought after. By combining the steel finish with other materials one can still create a sense of warmth. Ease of maintenance and uniformity of color and texture allow for aluminum-style bench tops to be hardy and high-glamour.

Corian craft

Modern trends in kitchen design are moving away from traditional elements. New-age products are taking the construction and design world into an age of durable style and this is never more true than in the environment of work surfaces. Exciting new-age stone that has been reconstructed to offer a more monochrome surface with a clean and crisp look agreeable with the functional effect desired today. Corian is ideally matched with many other materials and is easy to maintain, being nonporous and smooth. It is however challenged in the event o heat resistance - care should be taken.

Laminate

As composite materials become more and more accepted and find favour due to improved duration so the market for popular laminates offers a better solution for the work top area.

Enriching the range of shade and texture and enhancing the inherent quality dramatically, so as to allow the laminate market to compete with natural surfaces and hold its own in the competitive world of kitchen style. by incorporating composites, a work top can offer the client a high degree of scratch and heat resistance. Moreover, exciting multiplex edges in wood or aluminum finishes add to the complexity of the look.

Basic colors such as white and wood grain can be made more appealing with these edging choices. Laminate will always have a place in the kitchen and is especially suited to the budget conscious.

New trends

There are specially treated stainless steel that recovers its sparkle and crisp appearance with a simple wipe clean. Glass is also catching on as a surface with a difference in the kitchen. The transparent material can be obtained in almost any color and offers a 100% non-porosity. The endless sheen also creates a beautiful seamless finish very much sought after on work area. Concrete can now be polished to a high sheen or simply sanded and treated for rustic looking countertops. Tiles still offer a rustic and dated look but today they can be sources in a number of materials like natural stone and glass. Despite their heat resistant qualities they do however make the task of cleaning them problematic as they tend to allow the growth of mildew on their uneven surface.

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