Worktop Overlays FAQs

First and foremost, you want to choose a kitchen worktop which looks and feels great, and will stay doing so for many years to come. Fortunately, you don’t need to break the bank to find one! A high-quality engineered stone overlay worktop may be more expensive than cheaper options such as laminate, but they are far more durable and long lasting. With built-in resistance to pretty much anything a busy kitchen can through at them, they’re even easier to maintain than more expensive solid marble or quartz, making them the perfect cost-effective worktop choice.

There’s a great deal of choice out there when it comes to affordable kitchen or bathroom worktops, but it is essential to balance what is affordable with what is cost-effective. You can buy cheap worktops anywhere, but cost-effective worktops which hit the sweet spot between affordable and high quality, and will keep your kitchen or bathroom looking great for years, are only available from experienced and trusted firms such as Granite Transformations.

Yes. Most kitchen worktops are designed with some heat-resistant properties, but you will find that some are better than others. For example, laminate worktops are especially susceptible to heat, whereas stone worktops such as engineered stone overlays are far more naturally durable, and withstand even very high temperatures.

It depends entirely on the materials you choose for your kitchen and bathroom worktops. Generally speaking, the cheaper the worktop is to buy and install, the more you are likely to have to spend on maintenance over the years. You might even find you need to replace them entirely much sooner than you would like. Cost-effective and cheap are very different things when it comes to kitchen and bathroom worktops, so it’s better to spend more for quality in order to save in the long run.

Laminate worktops are often considered a economical option, but their quality varies greatly. While some laminate worktops may look good when installed, that beauty is just skin deep and they rarely keep their shine for long. They tend to be much more susceptible to heat, impact and water damage than engineered stone worktops, meaning you may need to spend more on replacing them sooner than you hoped.

It depends what you mean by affordable! Buying new kitchen or bathroom worktops is a major investment which you should be able to continue enjoying for many years to come. This means you shouldn’t just consider the initial cost, but also how much you might need to spend on maintenance and renewal over the years. Cheaper kitchen worktops may be a tempting choice, but if they start to look shabby or need repair and replacing within just a couple of years, you’ve not really saved any money. In fact, it could end up costing you more. Avoid false economy by choosing worktops that have a good balance between cost and longevity, such as engineered stone, which is both more durable and more affordable than both extreme high and low end alternatives.

etherium® By E-Stone surfaces are not only tough, they’re highly resistant to heat, making them an ideal choice for busy kitchen work surfaces. However, the same simple common sense rules you would normally use apply when it comes to handling hot pots and pans.

Always avoid placing cookware straight from the oven or hob directly onto the surface.

Allow pans to cool first, or use trivets or heat protection pads to avoid burning or scorching the surface. Special care should also be taken with ovenproof glass and cast-iron cookware, which retains its heat longer than normal pans. Similarly, surfaces should not be exposed to naked flames and hot fat and oil spills should be removed immediately.

Extra care should also be taken when using induction and ceramic hobs, both of which generate extremely high temperatures in the base of the utensil that dramatically exceed normal heat resistance levels and could cause serious scorching or irreparable damage.

etherium® By E-Stone surfaces are built to take the rough with the smooth. The diamond polished finish may look and feel as smooth as glass, but it’s tough enough to resist everyday impacts from heavy pans and cast iron cookware. In fact, they’re tested to withstand the impact of a bowling ball from a height of 3ft without damage, so should be able to cope with even the most heavy-handed cook! Even so, edges are naturally vulnerable to sharp impacts and can chip if struck hard. Please take extra care when handling or storing heavy cookware.

etherium® By E-Stone surfaces are resistant to staining from most common household foods and liquids; however, light-coloured finishes are more at risk from substances like tea, coffee and red wine and need a little extra care.

Sustained contact with certain chemicals, such as solvents, acetone, acid or alkaline products can also cause damage. Lemon juice should also be avoided. To avoid any possibility of marking, ensure all spills are wiped clean at the earliest opportunity.

For really stubborn stains that won’t shift with normal cleaning, use an ordinary cloth and diluted liquid bleach, making sure you rinse the surface thoroughly with clean water afterwards.

For accidental spills of harsh chemicals (such as paint stripper, oven cleaner or nail varnish remover) rinse the surface liberally with soapy water and wash off thoroughly. Never use limescale removers, lemon detergents or calcium carbonate cleaners on these products as they will dissolve the shells.

Our 10 year limited material warranty covers our etherium® By E-Stone, granite, recycled glass & porcelain surfaces including the Trascenda™ collection for indoor use only.

The warranty does not cover damage caused by misuse or lack of care. Additional terms & conditions may apply, read our full Care & Warranty booklet for full details.

Very easily! As all of our kitchen and bathroom worktops are made of engineered stone overlays, every single piece is manufactured and cut to the exact dimensions of your space. Unlike using solid slabs of natural stone, we can make incredibly precise cuts in order to fit around sinks and hobs, or even any special features your home may have.

Engineered stone overlays like our granite, quartz and recycled glass overlay worktops are precision manufactured for quality, beauty, and durability, so you can expect to pay for excellent quality. However, they could cost a lot less than you might think and occupy the sweet spot we like to call ‘affordable’ luxury. Also, you’ll save money just by choosing overlay worktops as you won’t need to pay for expensive removal of your old worktops, or all the other extra costs which come with your kitchen being out of action. The exact price will vary depending on your space, as all our overlay worktops are made exactly to measure. Our design and installations specialists would be more than happy to give you a free, no obligation quotation for any job, big or small.

You can see our full range of granite overlay worktops right here on our website, or also see them in person at any of our showrooms located all around the UK. We can also arrange for one of our design experts to bring some to your home so you can see how they look in your kitchen with a free, no obligation home consultation.

Absolutely! Quartz overlays are a stunning addition to your home which are available in a huge variety of styles to suit any design. Whether you choose a more classical marble effect or go for something which sparkles with its own inner light, quartz overlays can totally transform how you feel about the most important rooms in your home. Much more affordable than solid slabs of stone, but even more durable and long-lasting, quartz overlays are an investment which will pay off for many years to come.

Yes! In fact, that’s our speciality. In the vast majority of cases, as long as your existing worktop in still solid and structurally sound, we can install all of our overlay worktops directly on top of your existing ones. If you’re not sure your existing worktops are suitable for overlays – though, they almost certainly are! – we recommend contacting your nearest Granite & TREND Transformations showroom.

Great quality is never cheap, but our quartz and granite overlay worktops could be a lot more affordable than you think – especially as you won’t need to pay to have your old surfaces removed or fork out all the extra expenses of having your kitchen out of action for weeks on end. The exact price will vary depending on your space, as all our overlay worktops are made exactly to measure. Our design and installations specialists would be more than happy to give you a free, no obligation quotation for any job, big or small.