Surface special | PRODUCT FEATURE
We look at the technical properties and pros and cons of all the common materials found across worktops, tiles,
Under the W
splashbacks and shower walls. We also explore how retailers can better educate and inform their customers to make the right choices for the long term… Francesca Seden reports
hen it comes to the question of which surfaces are best for a kitchen or bathroom project, the choice can
be overwhelming and confusing for the consumer. With so many different materials and finishes available, it can be difficult to make the right decision. Despite this, consumers are often uncom-
promising in what they think or say that they want – either going for the very cheapest imitations to meet budget constraints, or, at the other end of the spectrum, asking for difficult-to-work-with and high-maintenance materials, without necessarily being aware of the pros and cons of their chosen material for a particular application. This can prove incredibly challenging to retailers, who likely will want to work with what they know to be reliable. So, in a market where homeowners are so steadfast, it is crucial that you are seen as an expert in this sector, and able to give solid advice as to what is suitable for the area in which it is to be
used and the client’s lifestyle. Andy Phillips is the director at Affordable Granite, a fabricator based in Surrey and one of the founders of the Worktop Fabricator’s Federation. Speaking on a recent episode of The kbbreview podcast, he noted this trend among consumers who are increasingly inflexible, and who are pushing retailers to the limits of their knowledge. “There is a big trend for quartz as that’s what’s easy to work with,” he says. “About 75% of what we’re doing at the moment is quartz engineered stone. And because it’s engineered, it can be made to look like whatever you want and mechanically it is very stable. However, there is now also an emerging trend for ceramics and natural stone, but because retailers are so used to working with quartz, some have lost the understanding of what the differences are.
“So, when customers come in, they’re challenging designers to do something a bit different, because they don’t want to be exactly like their neighbours.” Gareth Gilchrist is a sales designer for Scotland- based The Bathroom Company, an award-winning retailer that does high-end commercial projects, as well as jobs for private clients.
He says that although their typical clients are generally ‘clued-up’, their retail outlets are
MHK’s Xeno Kitchen 3317 featuring a selection of surfaces including lacquered laminate, 124 Walnut reproduction and Xtra ceramic in black
August 2023 •
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