Making the cut: granite and quartz natural stone worktops make a bold, high-end kitchen statement

PUBLISHED: 13:03 12 August 2019 | UPDATED: 13:03 15 August 2019

Lauren Knight

Natural stone worktops make a bold, high-end kitchen statement. Photo by Via Lactea

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stoneCIRCLE is the largest stonemasonry factory in the south of England. They specialise in crafting high-end kitchen worktops. Director Steve Vanhinsbergh reveals how a natural stone worktop will create the ideal surface for preparing your meals and make a beautiful addition to any kitchen.

Best kitchen countertops

When buying new worktops think about how often you use them. Durability is key - your worktops need to withstand the test of time, and the spills that go with a well-used kitchen.

stoneCIRCLE specialise in crafting bespoke kitchen worktops. Photo by River Valley White.

Choose a design that won't go out of fashion. Natural stone worktops are timeless so they won't need updating again in a few years' time.

stoneCIRCLE can help you choose a worktop that has the right colour and finish of stone and looks great with the rest of your kitchen.

"We recommend using granite, quartz or sintered stone for kitchen worktops. They're durable, long-lasting and look stunning," said Steve.

Worktop made of Caesarstone Oyster which is a quartz with a double pencil edge. Photo by Weybridge

Picking the right stone for your kitchen worktop

There's a lot of choice when picking the stone for your worktop to update the look of your kitchen. If you want a subtle, complementary style you should choose quartz. The stone's design is uniform and tends to be quite subtle. Newer products include white marble imitation.

For a bolder finish you should choose granite. It has a more distinctive pattern and natural variation, which are ideal for an eye catching design.

Both stones are hard wearing and scratch resistant. They stay cool making them perfect for rolling pastry on a summer day.

stoneCIRLE's showroom in Basingstoke has a large range of samples on display for customers to view, and their online material library shows the huge selection of stones available.

Cutting the stone

stoneCIRCLE uses digital technology to cut the slabs for your worktops. But final polishing and quality control are still done by hand.

You can choose the finish, edge details and where any cuts for hobs, sinks and other appliances are to be made. It usually takes around five working days to install and fit your countertops.

"It's highly unlikely anyone will have a worktop like yours. You can personalise your worktop every step of the way for a truly bespoke design," said Steve.

stoneCIRCLE

For over 50 years stoneCIRCLE has worked in the stonemasonry industry. They are known for their attention to detail and high quality customer service. They use the latest stone cutting technology while preserving hand-crafted techniques stonemasons have used for centuries. They pride themselves on their professionally crafted and beautifully finished worktops.

Find your bespoke countertop at www.stone-circle.com or call 01256 850380.