The ultimate guide to Dekton countertops

If you’re on the hunt for a new kitchen countertop and you’re wondering if Dekton is any good, you’re in the right place to find out.

We’ve pulled together this ultimate guide to help you decide whether to buy a Dekton countertop or not. It covers everything you need to know about Dekton… plus everything you might not have even thought about!

What is Dekton?

Dekton is an ultra-compact surface, representing cutting-edge technology in kitchen countertop manufacturing. Ultra-compact surfaces are high-performance materials created using extreme heat and pressure. The result is a dense, non-porous material. Dekton doesn’t stain, burn, scratch or fade.

Dekton is also classified as a composite material, meaning it is made by combining multiple raw materials—such as porcelain, glass, and natural quartz—through an advanced process. This fusion enhances its strength, durability, and overall performance compared to traditional surfaces.

What is a Dekton worktop made of?

Dekton countertops are made from a blend of porcelain, glass, and natural quartz minerals, fused together under heat and pressure. This process results in an ultra-compact, highly durable surface that is non-porous and resistant to heat, scratches, stains, and UV exposure.

How is Dekton made?

The process of making Dekton is known as Particle Sintering Technology (PST). The raw materials are blended before compressing them under extreme pressure. Once pressed, a decorative layer is printed onto the surface, and the slab is then baked at 1200°C.

This process mimics the way marble is naturally formed through replicating the natural process that forms stone over thousands of years—but in just a few hours. By utilising extreme heat and pressure, materials are fused together without the need for a bonding agent. This is why Dekton is referred to frequently as sintered stone.

Who makes Dekton countertops?

Dekton is manufactured in Almaria Spain and more recently in Florida USA by a Spanish, family-owned company called Cosentino. They’re one of the biggest solid surface manufacturers in the world. They work with a global network of fabricators and installers to get their high-quality surfaces into homes and buildings.

And Dekton isn’t just for kitchen countertops. Cosentino also uses it to make flooring, tiling, wall cladding and building facades. So, that should give you an idea of just how versatile and hardwearing this surface is.

As well as Dekton, Cosentino also manufactures Silestone (a quartz surface), Sensa (a granite surface) and Natural Stone countertops.

Why choose Dekton countertops?

Kitchen countertops take a lot of abuse over their lifetime. Spilt food and drink, hot pans, cleaning chemicals, abrasive materials and knives are all part and parcel of the everyday wear and tear they go through.

So, is Dekton any good at standing up to this abuse?

The simple answer is, yes! In fact, we think Dekton is the best kitchen worktop material for performance and here’s why:

• It’s stain-resistant. Red wine, coffee, tea, lemon juice, turmeric and other spices… even drain cleaner won’t leave a mark on a Dekton surface because it’s non-porous.
• It’s UV-resistant. Remember we said Dekton is also used on building facades? Well, this is one of the reasons why. So if you were wondering whether Dekton can be used outdoors, the answer is yes! Dekton is perfect for outdoor kitchens. And your work surface won’t fade in a sunny kitchen.
• It’s scratch and abrasion-resistant. You can slide objects along this countertop or use abrasive cleaning cloths without leaving any marks because it’s incredibly hardwearing. You can even cut veg on it, although we always recommend using a chopping board when using sharp knives on any work surface material.
• It’s fire and temperature-resistant. This refers to both hot and cold temperatures. So, you can put hot pans or electrical appliances directly onto a Dekton countertop without fear of it scorching or cracking. And its resistance to cold is another thing that makes it ideal for outdoor kitchens.
• It’s maintenance-free. All a Dekton countertop needs is a wipe down with soapy water after use. That’s it!
• It comes with a whopping 25-year manufacturer’s warranty. A nod to show just how confident Cosentino is in the durability of this surface.

What finishes and colours do Dekton countertops come in?

When it comes to colours and finishes, you’re spoilt for choice with Dekton. Because it’s an engineered stone, Cosentino can create many different colours and designs. From countertops that mimic natural stones to work surfaces that mimic other materials like concrete.

Here’s a run-down of the range.

Dekton finishes

Dekton has 4 finishes: polished, smooth matte, textured matte and velvet. Not all colours come in all finishes, so if you’re set on a particular finish, check the colour you pick is available in it.

Dekton colours

Dekton colours range from various shades of white, beige and pale grey to dark browns and blacks. There are solid colours, plus patterned designs to mimic marble and granite countertops.

Here are a few of our favourites:

What design choices do Dekton countertops give you?

When it comes to creating unique designs, Dekton is perfect for a kitchen surface. Here’s how you can make your worktop both functional and bespoke with Dekton:

Dekton countertops can be installed on any brand of kitchen units

People often ask us if units from places like Ikea, Howdens, B&Q and Homebase, are strong enough to hold Dekton worktops. The answer is yes. All standard kitchen units are fine to have Dekton countertops fitted onto them. So, your choice of worktop won’t limit your choice of kitchen supplier.

Dekton countertops come in four thicknesses

Dekton is available in 8mm, 12mm, 20mm and 30mm thicknesses. 20mm is the most popular size, but the slimmer 12mm looks great in a modern kitchen.

Dekton countertops can be curved

Gone are the days when you had to stick to straight lines in the kitchen. Cabinets come in all sorts of curved shapes now, and Dekton is a worktop material that can be fabricated to fit those curves. You can also have curved breakfast bars and cut-outs for round sinks.

Dekton countertops allow you to have an undermount sink

When it comes to your sink area, Dekton provides more choices than a standard sink and drainer.

Instead, you can install an undermount sink and have a recessed drainer or drainer grooves cut into the countertop. This means your sink blends seamlessly into your worktop for a minimalist look. And it makes the area easier to clean because water can drain straight from your work surface into the sink.

Dekton allows you to have a flush-mounted hob

Another feature of a Dekton countertop is that it’s suitable for use with a flush-mounted hob. This is where the hob is sunk into the surface to make it flush, giving your kitchen a designer look. You have to buy a hob specially made for this too.

Dekton allows you to have pop-up sockets

Occasional use plug sockets that pop-up out of your kitchen countertop are really handy. Particularly on a kitchen island, where you can’t use wall sockets. Dekton is one of the kitchen surface materials that makes this possible.

Dekton has matching upstands and splashbacks available

Upstands and splashbacks that match your countertop give a beautiful finished look to any kitchen.

Upstands are 100mm tall, so only cover the bottom part of your wall behind the countertop. If you want to protect the rest of the wall from splashes, you can apply tiles.

Splashbacks cover your wall’s full height between the work surface and cabinets, therefore taking away the need for separate tiles.

We often get asked if you can have a 20mm thick worktop with thinner splashbacks or upstands?

Unfortunately, you can’t. This would affect the use and increase the price. But also, different surface thicknesses are manufactured in different batches. So, your worktop and splashback or upstand wouldn’t be a perfect colour match if they were different thicknesses.

Dekton comes in a large slab size, meaning less joins

All Dekton slabs come in a larger than average size of 3150mm x 1440mm. This means it can cover large areas with fewer cuts and joins than most other worktop materials.

However, if you need to cover an area that’s longer or wider than this, you will require a join. And how visible the join is will depend on the colour and design of your work surface.

For example, if you choose a solid colour, the join will be a fine width, sealed with colour matched glue. So, the join will barely be visible. But on a veined countertop, veins across two slabs won’t match up, so the join will be more noticeable.

Is Dekton expensive?

Because of their premium quality and high performance, Dekton countertops naturally tend to be at the higher end of the spectrum when it comes to price. But they offer excellent value because they last for years.

And prices can vary quite greatly between suppliers, so it pays to shop around. For example, suppliers with many overheads, like showrooms and sales teams, usually have to charge more to cover their costs. On the opposite end of the scale, some suppliers might seem very cheap, but they could be cutting corners when it comes to customer service or installation.

At SEH Interiors, you can buy Dekton worktops from us at up to 50% less than our competitors. And that’s because we have low overheads and get discounts from the manufacturer as we buy huge quantities. But we also aren’t the cheapest because we never compromise on our service or the installation quality to keep our prices low.

What’s the installation process for Dekton countertops?

Dekton countertops are a bespoke buy, which means they’re made to order to fit your kitchen perfectly. Once you’ve decided on a Dekton countertop, the process is simple:

1. Get a quote. We’re sure the first thing you’ll want to check is that your choice fits within your budget. At SEH Interiors you can get an online quote in one hour.
   
2. Order some samples. Buying a new Dekton countertop is a significant investment, so you must see your chosen colour in the flesh, in the light of your own kitchen. At SEH Interiors you can order free worktop samples and get them delivered to your home within a few days.
   
3. Visit a Cosentino showroom to look at a large slab. There are nine Cosentino showrooms around the country with large slabs of every colour on display.
   
4. Place your order.
   
5. Expert installers measure your kitchen and make a template of your countertop. This stage can only be done once your new kitchen base cabinets have been fitted into their final place. The length of time this takes will depend on your supplier. At SEH Interiors, we can visit you within a week of placing your order if needs be. Here’s some advice on how to prepare for a worktop installation.
   
6. Your work surface is made. This takes place at the fabricator’s workshop.
   
7. Your countertop is fitted. The length of time between the template being made and installation date will depend on the supplier. At SEH Interiors, we know that you’ll be keen to get your kitchen finished, so we aim to install a week (with a maximum of two weeks) after the template has been made.

In summary

A lot of people ask us. “Is Dekton worth the money?” Well, in answer to your question Dekton countertops are arguably the most hardwearing and high-performing kitchen countertop material available. With such a wide range of colours and styles to choose from it’s easy to find something that will suit your tastes. And its design versatility will allow you to create a bespoke kitchen, with a countertop that will look fantastic for many years.

SEH Interiors have over 10 years of experience supplying and fitting premium-quality kitchen countertops at affordable prices across the UK.
Browse our worktop ranges.