Laminate
The majority of laminate worktops are normally 38mm thick. The normal construction is of a chipboard core with a resin impregnated paper bonded to the top and curved around the front of the board. When the board is finished in this manner it is called Post forming. Other front finishes to laminate are metal and polypropylene.
Wood
There are numerous timbers available: the most popular size is 38mm thick, although other sizes are available. The maintenance required is not as daunting as most people think; tops only need “oiling” twice a year. Draining flutes can be machined to facilitate a draining board
Natural Granite
This is a natural stone and the slabs that the tops are manufactured from are 20mm or 30mm. 20mm is used for upstands and backsplashes, and sometimes two pieces are bonded together to create 40mm tops. 30mm is the preferred size. Numerous options are available due to the way this material can be worked.
Man-made Granite
This a mixture of resin and granite. It is available in the same sized slabs as the natural products and can be machined the same, but is stronger so is more flexible in certain situations. It is also available in a range of lighter colours not available in a natural product.
Glass
This is now available with any RAL colour bonded to the underside. It is normally used in a natural finish however it is also available with an etched finish.
Doors are constructed from different materials to suit the style of the kitchen.
Hand painted in-frame doors
These are a mix of tulip wood and MDF. The tulip wood is used for the outer frame and the MDF is used for the centre panels, door frame and large panels. This is because the MDF is very stable, will not shrink and takes paint well.
Traditional five piece timber doors
The frame is solid timber, however, depending on the style of the door, the centre panel may be wood veneer on an MDF core.
Foil or vinyl wrap
These are an MDF or chipboard core onto which a resin impregnated paper or a vinyl is vacuum bonded.
Kitchen using Iroko worktops & "Belfast" sink unit, with traditional taps:
Example images of one of our traditional kitchen designs using a "Belfast" sink with traditional taps, and with a central island, plus a custom hand painted dresser housing administrative equipment:
Backsplash - Material used behind the hob.
Built-in - Appliances designed to be fitted into appliance housing.
Built under - Appliance designed to be fitted under a worktop.
Induction hob-Uses an electro magnet to heat the pans, recognised as the quickest and safest methods of cooking.
Inset drainer-Drainer machined in stonework tops.
Le Mans corner-Intelligent storage used in a corner situation.
Magic corner-Intelligent storage used in a corner situation.
MDF-Medium density fibreboard.
MFC-Melamine faced chipboard.
Piro-A self-cleaning system for ovens.
PP edging-SQ edging in different finishes of polypropylene-type edging, used to edge laminate worktops in.
PVC edging-The edging on the front of the carcass in a colour to match.
Soft close-Mechanism that stops drawers and doors from closing noisily.
Triflo-Tap with three handles: hot, cold and filtered.
Undermount-Type of sink designed to be fitted under stone or timber worktops.
Upstands-Material used instead of tiling up the wall and at the back of the worktops. This is normally in the same material as the worktops.
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