How do I bathroom / kitchen / extension? etc.

Dekton/Silestone or Granite, on the basis that you can put hot pans on it.

My in-laws have got corian, it’s pretty impressive but I think quite soft compared to more recent composites?

Pretty soft water where we are, luckily.

I probably need to see/touch a good example but my impression having worked in commercial kitchens and owned a stainless sink unit is that it would feel a bit agricultural and scratch easily…

I've got 20mm Quartz, absolutely fine so far (about 4 years). Seems to occasionally mark, particularly with stuff like tea, but they seem to disappear again with bog standard kitchen cleaner.

I used these guys but that was mainly based on them having the exact worktop I wanted to match an existing one and them being happy to drop a sample off. Seemed helpful though
https://www.dggranitefactory.com/

i'm really interested in slate worktops.

Aside from the staining, molding, warping, splintering and fraying? Nothing that I can think of.

Doesn't quartz have everything that marble has, except more robust & cheaper.

I'd be starting with the question "why not quartz" and go from there.

We were strongly steered away from corian by our kitchen company - apparently it's pretty bad environmentally.

(We so far just haven't done the kitchen at all, so the most green option taken instead!)

scratch easily…

It's pronounced, patina.

I have mounted our Corian sink seamless, and it is really awesome, from a cleaning perspective and touching it is so satisfying. From a DIY perspective it is meh (getting the glue gun for example) but it can be repaired I think even more easily than wood, like sanding, re-glueing pieces into it invisble – but I guess @Dramatic_Hammer someone is mounting this for you, so no DIY advise needed?

It'll buff out, etc...

How so?

Buying 2nd hand corian is probably a better option then.

Joking aside, it also depends on your aesthetic. My folks kitchen, including the wood worktop, was really well done and my mum is diligent about cleaning it.

It now has wear, but it suits the kitchen which is in a more traditional style.

We stayed at a mate's that has some sort of white quartz stuff and we were forever cleaning anything that touched it. Often with that pink stuff. It was such a ball ache.

I guess that's mainly from a recycling perspective? I've read a little bit about it but didn't find much things about it being environmentally (very) bad.

we went with bamboo.

pros;

• good eco credentials
  
• looks (have got bamboo shelving system and island worktop so matches in nicely)
  
• i was installing it myself so knew i could adjust it if needed
  
• ordered online and got a load of offcuts that i have used elsewhere
  
• good value
  
  

cons;

• requires re-finishing / waxing every 6 months
  
• has a few watermarks now after 2 yrs use (which i think adds to the charm of wood but most would probably disagree with)
  
  

Every. Six. Months.

Fair play. That is commitment.

We wanted Corian but unfortunately I took my dad to the showroom with me to check it out & he scratched it pretty easily, the thought of him checking for scratches every time he came round crossed that one off the list!

Then we ran out of money so ended up with laminate - looks fine & is extremely cheap!

If I had the cash & inclination to change it now I'd go solid Fenix - easy to clean, you can heal scratches & nothing even sticks to it.

Is there a Fenix showroom in East London’s East London?

Are you waxing with actual wax?

it's not a huge chore, just a wipe with a rag really and leave it to dry overnight.

@dbr - not actual wax. i've been using ronseal worktop oil but would be happy to listen to alternative recommendations.

I’m sure that’s probably fine. Thought you meant beeswax, which would be an insane finish for a kitchen worktop

Corian here. Sadly didn’t get a built in integrated sink. Now livid. Worktop is fine though.

yeah, not sure why i mentioned waxing!

i might pick up a tin of osmo top oil for next time it needs doing

I'll ask them for more details but I recall they suggested that the carbon sunk into it, waste and by products etc were all pretty bad - worse than the alternatives

Why not quartz? heat and staining really - it needs to be idiot proof in our house!