To Gloss or not

[jean2579]

We are due to have new kitchen benchtops put in. I have found the Laminex of my dreams, it is a high gloss white marble surface.

We have a very small kitchen with limited natural light.

The kitchen maker says that gloss benchtops are a very bad choice and I should opt for a matt finish.  They are nice but deadly dull and boring.

I asked OH for his views and he said that as long as the food continues to come out of the kitchen he is not interested. Big help!

Any views for or against gloss tops.

[*sparklz*]

Gloss tops are easier to clean but the main rule is never chop on it and only use a chopping board.

We recently renoed the kitchen and put a matt laminate down but all the cupboards and splash backs are white gloss and it is a lot easier to clean.

[boris1gary]

go with what you want, if you really like the gloss - go for it, probably be annoyed later on if you don't.

[azureline** · Accepted solution]

Gloss, you won't ever be happy with matte. 🙂

and get a Norwex kitchen cloth for cleaning it. No streaks, dries fast.

[twinkles**stars]

It is a well lit area? If so, you will see every mark and smear on the gloss tops and you will be constantly buffing them. Personally I wouldn't have gloss, low gloss or matt for me.

[cherry*135]

I wouldn't choose a high gloss laminate for a bench top and never a white one. My thoughts

Did the cabinet maker give any reasons why they didn't recommend it? Hard to keep clean? Wouldn't wear well ( any lights catches would show)? Etc

[cherry*135]

Is it stark white or as you mentioned marble swirly shades of white,off white, grey?

As twinkle said it will show fingerprints smudges etc.

[cherry*135]

Catches in my post back there should be scratches

[lyndal1838]

I had high gloss benchtops many years ago...very easy to clean but scratch very easily.  Even normal everyday use made them go dull very quickly.

A friend had a textured finish on her benchtops and she was very unhappy....she had to use a nail brush to scrub them all the time.  Within 12 months she had replaced them.

My mother had green matt finish and was very happy....I am not too sure about white matt though.  I think it would show every little spot.

[i-need-a-martini]

I think you will find that your joiner is telling you to steer clear of the gloss because the laminate companies won't guarantee them. 

The gloss laminates from Laminex and Formica usually say "For Vertical Use Only". However Laminex does a range called Diamond Gloss which they approve for benchtops. It is more expensive but I wouldn't suggest any other brand.

On saying that, even though they boast it is highly durable, it isn't. It scratches and will dull if you scrub it. Admittedly, my experience of this happening was in a hospital staff tea room that had a lot of use. But the dulling occurred within 2 years.