Kitchen Island Worktop material ideas

[digitalquill]

I have had a kitchen designed and they have put in a very nice center island (1600x1600mm). This island contains the sink and drainer unit at one end with two corner units next to it and the back end of it open for a seating area.

It was designed to have a Granite top, however, we are looking in the region of £1500-£2000 for the granite alone, so it is way outside our budget.

Are there any other cost effective solutions? Laminate is the obvious answer but this would involve more than one join (4 pieces to get edging all the way round)

The wife does not like the idea of solid wood so I am struggling for ideas

Any thoughts would be great,

thanks

Matt Houldsworth

 

[masona]

The wife does not like the idea of solid wood so I am struggling for ideas

Any thoughts would be great,

I prefer tiles and I don't know why it's not popular

 

[digitalquill]

masona: Interesting idea, what would you use as a base for the tiles? 18mm MDF? Ply?

Theoretically how would one joint Laminate to get a 1600x1600mm square? It is too wide as far as I know to just have tow bits back to back so I would think you would need to have a centre panel?

 

[Jasonb]

Two 900mm breakfast bars back to back would work, you will have to cut 100mm of each one at the back to get a becent joint which can be done like you would a corner joint with bolts and colorfil.

Also depending on the layout you could have the eating area at a lower height which would save having to use tall stools, something like this

Jason

 

[digitalquill]

Thanks Jason, what about the two edges that do not have the curved edge? I suppose edging strip could be used just don't know how it would look.

Any problems with a join close to the sink? Water ingress etc?

Two heights is a possibility. Looks neat, especially in that two colour/texture.

Thanks again
Matt

 

[masona]

masona: Interesting idea, what would you use as a base for the tiles? 18mm MDF? Ply?

I have used 2 x 18mm exterior plywood glued together and overlapping any joins, I can take a photo of my tiled worktop

 

[digitalquill]

A photograph would be great if you have time... then the boss can decide what she wants!

 

[masona]

Sorry about the mess! Approximately 12 yrs old

 

[joinerjohn]

How very late 90's Masona.

 

[foxhole]

I used 60cm square floor tiles over my old worktop and also for upstand.

Untitled

• foxhole
• 11 Nov 2008
• 10

 

[digitalquill]

Thanks foxhole, masona

It is a neat idea. I have seen some floor tiles in B&Q which are big enough to cover the area using 4 tiles so might be an option.

Thanks Again

Matt