Any difference between worktops from the big 3 sheds?

[Deluks]

Is there any real difference between the quality of worktops from B&Q/Homebase/Wickes, apart from price?

We currently have a black granite gloss style, but they mark really easily plus it's been fitted slightly wonky (dads mate mitred them but there is a 1mm height difference at the join )

Was thinking of scrapping it and getting a matt black finish. Will be the ideal excuse to rejig the kitchen layout too, as theres loads of wasted space. No mitres this time, just 2 straight runs.

So, any bad experiences?

 

[Scrit]

The biggest downer is that most of them supply 3m lengths as opposed to the 4m lengths supplied to the trade. They don't seem to take much care of their tops (storage or handling), either, and I'm suspicious that they are made down to a price. Believe it or not there is an appreciable difference between a good quality top such as a Duropal and one of B&Qs. Good move getting rid of the gloss worktops - PIA and too easy to damage. They also show every little speck of muck.

Scrit

 

[Deluks]

That duropal stuff does look interesting, but to be honest the 3m length isn't a problem for me, our kitchen is only 2900 on the longest wall. The 4m length would be about 200mm too short to do both sides, taking the fridge and door into account.

So the gloss worktops seem to get a bad reputation across the board from what I've been reading, so many people are taken in by it, the stuff looks good in a kitchen showroom. Of course this can only be a good thing for the kitchen industry, after a few years of use people will want to replace them, which usually means new units, tiling etc in to the bargain.
I'm just glad we haven't got round to tiling ours yet.

I've noticed that MFI do a premium range of laminate worktops, anyone have any experience with them? Whats so great about 'em?

 

[Scrit]

So the gloss worktops seem to get a bad reputation across the board from what I've been reading, so many people are taken in by it, the stuff looks good in a kitchen showroom. Of course this can only be a good thing for the kitchen industry, after a few years of use people will want to replace them, which usually means new units, tiling etc in to the bargain.

I think the high gloss laminates were introduced as a way of sating the demand for granite/glass/acrylic wotktops in the lower to middle segment of the market place rather than as a way to make loads of dosh. Most installers regard them as a PIA because you have to be so careful to ensure that the tiler or builder (on new builds) doesn't put boot marks, dust and scratches all over them. However, a reasonably skilled installer CAN replace worktops on in-situ units without destroying the tiles, in many though not all cases. I've done it myself a number of times, including replacing 30mm tops with 40mm ones. Not a job for the faint-hearted, however.

Scrit

 

[skybluescooby]

the stuff looks good in a kitchen showroom.
Exactly, this is why your duped into buying the stuff, I work in new build show homes and the amount of people that are impressed by the clean shiny look is amazing, Over the past couple of months some National housebuilders have removed these due to the high number of call backs regarding ease of damage.
Avoid unless you want to fit in order to sell on.
Back to the question, i find the sheds a tad expensive, source some local timber nerchants, i did and got 2 x 3mtr x 38mm black matt worktop for £55 delivered and in mint condition