How to choose material for kitchen counters or worktops

From porcelain to wood, stone, quartz, concrete and composites, we get professional advice

Explore the affordable end of granite and compare with quartz and other composites. File picture

Scalding pots and pans, the gouge of a thousand knife blades, a dedicated worktop should be able to withstand abuse, retaining its looks and performance for years with little more than a hot wipedown.

What’s the best advice when choosing a kitchen? Joe Nash, founder and joint director of leading Munster kitchen design house Celtic Interiors, says: “When choosing your countertop, it all comes down to budget. If you can afford a quartz top from Silestone, you will have a good top that should last for many years once you’re careful with hot pots.