6 minute read 
Feb 3rd, 2022 Whether you are fully renovating your kitchen or looking for a small change with a big impact, a new stylish and practical worktop can make all the difference.
The worktop is an integral part of the kitchen when it comes to the form and function of the room. In terms of design, it is a large surface area that makes up a big part of what you see in the kitchen, and the right worktop can really set off your other design choices, whether that is the cupboards, wall decor or floors.
A work surface also needs to be practical. It is where the food preparation takes place and therefore must be hygienic and easy to clean. It’s got to work hard and look great, so many people are choosing durable, natural materials for their worktops, and granite is becoming a popular choice. However, while its natural beauty makes it a stunning central focus for your kitchen, there are a few key disadvantages to these solid worktops. They can be expensive to buy, costly to fit and tricky to replace if you want to keep up with the trends and fancy a change.
The great news is there is an alternative, one which addresses all of these issues but which some people haven’t even considered: a granite overlay.
In this blog, we explain why a granite overlay worktop is a perfect solution when searching for a new look for your kitchen. We show how it offers all the benefits of granite but with improved convenience, sustainability, flexibility and cost-efficiency.
Why solid granite may not be so great
Granite has become a fashionable choice for kitchen surfaces. As discussed in our last blog, natural materials are all the rage for 2022, and granite may offer a stylish, hard-wearing material that comes in a variety of colours, but it has its disadvantages too.
Many customers like to update their kitchens as trends change, but this process is not easy with a solid surface, like granite. Solid granite worktops are strong and durable but as well as being costly, they also require extra maintenance such as needing to be re-sealed regularly. If homeowners are relaxed with their maintenance, the porous granite can suck up liquids such as oils or wine, which will be impossible to remove. Bacteria can harbour inside granite if not sealed properly, making them quite unhygienic.
The solution is choosing an overlay. With its installation process, the disruption and costs of ripping out your kitchen are avoided, but you are still left with a gorgeous, low maintenance worktop that you can proudly show off to your guests.
Exploring the benefits of granite overlays
At Granite and TREND Transformations, we offer a range of granite worktop overlays that can be quickly and easily installed directly over an existing surface, providing a bespoke and brand new surface in a fraction of the time and at a much lower cost.
A granite overlay offers many of the same benefits as solid granite surface, but without its disadvantages. Let’s take a look at how this is possible.
Hard-wearing and hygienic
While our overlays are only a quarter of an inch thick and much easier to install, they still offer all the benefits of solid granite and come with a 10-year warranty. We add quartz to our granite overlays – another natural and extremely durable material – to create our range of distinctive patterns.
All our surfaces are resistant to mould, heat, stains and scratches, as well as being non-porous which means your worktop will stay hygienic and maintain its perfect, wipe-clean finish despite constant heavy use. Plus, our worktops never need re-sealing and through our partnership with Microban®, we include their cutting-edge antimicrobial technology into all our etherium® By E-Stone products during the manufacturing process for 24/7 protection.
Easy installation
Installation of our overlays, the ‘top that fits on top’, can be achieved in as little in a day with very little mess or hassle to you. The overlay is created bespoke to fit your requirements, can be installed directly over most existing surfaces and bonded securely and permanently to the original.
This simple installation means that you can keep your original layout and current kitchen units if you like but completely transform the look of your room with the addition of a smart new surface. In contrast, it would be very difficult to install a new solid granite worktop without replacing the entire kitchen.
Better for the environment
With less waste and a shorter installation time, overlays are better for the environment and better for your wallet, the ideal all-round solution. By refacing rather than replacing, you are making an environmentally friendly choice and helping to contribute to a better future, a key part of our company’s ethos.
By simply resurfacing and replacing doors and accessories, a new kitchen from Granite and TREND Transformations creates 75% less waste for landfills than a traditional kitchen remodel. Our surfaces are engineered to be strong and durable whilst still light and thin, meaning there is a lower carbon footprint from their transportation. Furthermore, due to the high-quality manufacturing, your new kitchen will last a long time without needing to be replaced.
An instant new look
Our granite overlay surfaces might last a long time, but kitchen fashions can change quite dramatically. An inexpensive and simple overlay means you can quickly update your kitchen to a new look, then change it up again a few years later with minimal waste and hassle.
Choosing a more budget-friendly and easy-to-install overlay doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style. Our granite overlays are available in a wide range of colours and patterns, whether you want a cool, grey finish, a natural-looking stone or a sleek black.
For example, with its warm tones, our Gardena engineered stone pays tribute to the granite found only in the Gardena valley in the Italian Dolomites, a UNESCO heritage site. Another option, black Nero Stella, combines Aventurine quartz with granite to give a glistening effect. Meanwhile, our Perla di Modena features orange and brown grains with the soft, elegant shimmer of mother of pearl.
To complete your kitchen upgrade, why not look at our replacement kitchen doors? They are available in various styles and finishes and can also be easily fitted onto existing units for an instant makeover.
Not just worktops
Our granite overlays can transform your kitchen, whether as worktops, splashbacks, or upstands, but they also look great in other parts of the house.
The ease of fitting, natural look of the stone, and smooth, durable finish mean these products also work brilliantly as bath surrounds, shower interiors, floors, or walk-in shower rooms, among other uses – just another reason why overlay is the perfect option for your home.
Weighing up the options
The granite overlays manufactured by Granite and TREND Transformations provide all the advantages of solid granite. They offer a variety of timeless, classy styles for your kitchen and are hard-wearing and able to stand up to heavy-duty use. However, they come with a simpler installation, and the added benefit of Microban® technology anti-bacterial protection. The convenience and functionality of our overlays make a design refresh eco-friendly, fast and affordable, without compromising on style.
Get in touch to find out how a bespoke, chic and practical overlay can transform your kitchen or bathroom. You can download a brochure to view our range of granite overlays, visit a showroom to experience the quality of our products for yourself, or try our 3D Design Tool to see what difference they could make in your home.
