Worktops Granite Granite is one of the toughest worktop materials available and is very low maintenance. Cleaning is as simple as a damp cloth. You can put hot pans straight onto it and it is beautifully cool for making pastry. The stone can be finished with a high-gloss surface or can be honed to a soft sheen. Fitting granite worktop is a specialist job and your fitter will create a template of the worktop once your kitchen units have been installed to ensure a perfect fit. As with timber, granite can be cut to incorporate a draining area around your sink. Corian® Corian® is a subtle blend of natural minerals and clear acrylic. It can be shaped to suit your individual requirements, seams are invisible and the variety of colours is endless. This material is durable, hygienic, non-porous and can be repaired by a specialist should damage occur. Ideal for worktops, splash backs and integrated sinks. Laminates Laminate worktops come in a huge variety of colours and patterns, so you can be sure of finding something that will work well with your room scheme. The depth of the worktop is usually 300 or 400mm. Choose the thickest worktop you can afford, as it will be more resistant to damage. Gloss finish laminates are becoming increasingly popular but are more prone to scratching than their textured counterparts. With all laminates you should always use chopping boards and heat resistant mats to avoid damage. Timber Timber worktop is available in a wide variety of hard and soft woods. It is usually more expensive than laminate worktop and requires more maintenance. Timber worktop should be oiled regularly. Timber worktop can be shaped as required to fit awkward corners or to create an integral draining board and it can be finished with a variety of edge profiles. Scratches and burns can be removed with gentle sanding. Other materials Stainless steel is becoming more popular in domestic kitchen, having been used for many years in commercial kitchens for its hygiene properties. Scratches are self-healing and the material is extremely hard-wearing. Glass or concrete are other increasingly popular materials for work surfaces and come in a range of colours to co-ordinate with your kitchen.