Choosing the right worktop is one of the many decisions you’ll make when designing your perfect kitchen – and it could be one of the most important. It affects not only how your kitchen looks overall, but how long it will last and how you’ll use it. After all, from your morning coffee to cooking your evening meal, it all takes place on the worktops.

At Drumoak we’ve been fitting kitchens for homeowners in Scotland for since 1972 so we know a thing or two about worktops. In this blog we’ll share with you the pros and cons of stone, wood and quartz countertops and to help you choose the right one for your kitchen.

---

Natural Stone Worktops

Stone worktops come in a number of different varieties, including granite, marble and quartzite. As they’re made of real, natural stone, each worktop is completely unique and has many great qualities that would work wonderfully in any kitchen. However homeowners should consider a number of aspects before deciding if a stone worktop is right for them – let’s have a look at the pros and cons.

Pros of Natural Stone Worktops For Your Kitchen

Look great: Natural stone worktops bring a premium feel to a kitchen, and as they’re made from real stone, each worktop is completely unique, with natural colours and grains.

Super durable: These worktops are extremely hard-wearing and resistant to scratches, meaning that with proper care they’ll last for decades to come.

Heat resistant: Natural stone easily resists high temperatures from hot cooking utensils and pots and pans, so you don’t need to worry about scorch marks.

Cons of Natural Stone Worktops For Your Kitchen

Porous Surface: Natural stones are porous, which means they can absorb liquids and stain if not properly sealed.

High maintenance: The porous surface means you’ll need to periodically seal your natural stone countertop to avoid moisture getting in and stains.

Price: Natural stone countertops are more expensive than alternatives like wood or man-made options like laminate.

Chipping risk: These countertops can chip under sudden or hard impacts, which can lead to further, more expensive damage if left untreated.

---

Wood Worktops

At Drumoak, we not only supply and fit wooden worktops, we craft them ourselves at our workshop in Aberdeenshire. So, naturally, we love wood worktops, but there are some considerations you should make before deciding if they’re right for you.

Pros of Wood Worktops For Your Kitchen

Natural look: A wooden worktop adds warmth and a real traditional homely feel that other worktops can’t replicate.

Affordable: Wood worktops are more budget friendly than alternative options like stone or quartz.

Lasts decades (with proper care): If looked after properly, a wooden worktop can last for generations and develop unique features as it matures.

Marks buff out: You can easily sand out any dents or scratches, meaning minor repairs are far easier on wood than other worktops.

Cons of Wood Worktops For Your Kitchen

Very high maintenance: Wood requires regular oiling to provide a seal that prevents cracks – all buyers should keep this in mind when considering wooden worktops.

Vulnerable to water: Wood can warp or even rot if water gets through to it, so sealing is absolutely necessary.

Heat sensitivity: Putting hot plates or pots on a wooden surface can cause burns or scorch marks.

---

Quartz Worktops

Quartz worktops are unlike other natural stone worktops because quartz is granular. That means it has to be mixed with other materials to bind it together, resulting in worktops that are made from around 90% natural crystals with around 10% resins, polymers and colourings. The result is an ever-popular worktop style with a number of properties that you should consider.

Pros of Quartz Worktops For Your Kitchen

Low maintenance: Unlike other surfaces that require regular sealing, quartz naturally resists stains and water.

Durable: Quartz is highly resistant to chips, cracks and scratches, and will look great for years to come.

Aesthetically pleasing: As quartz is man made, each worktop in your kitchen will look the same, giving a consistent and cohesive look. This also means there are many options for colours and finish.

Hygienic: Quartz isn’t porous, so bacteria can’t get into the surface, meaning these worktops make for safer food preparation.

Cons of Quartz Worktops For Your Kitchen

Price: Quartz is one of the more expensive options for kitchen countertops, and has a higher upfront cost than alternative materials.

Not heat resistant: The resin used in quartz countertops can melt, so all hot pots, pans and utensils must be placed on hot pads.

---

See The Worktops For Yourself

Now that you know a bit more about the different qualities of stone, wood and quartz worktops, why not come and see them for yourself? Our showroom on the Royal Deeside is open 7 days a week, and our friendly team will be happy to help you with any questions you have about worktops or other aspects of your kitchen.