The ultimate guide to Neolith® countertops
When you’re looking for a new kitchen countertop, it’s easy to get confused between all the different materials and brands because there are so many. And they all have their pros and cons.
Our aim is to help make that decision easier for you.
In this blog, we take a detailed look at Neolith® countertops. It tells you everything you need to know to help you decide if it’s a worktop that will suit your needs.
Who makes Neolith® countertops?
Neolith® countertops are made by a company of the same name. Their headquarters and manufacturing plant is in Spain and they distribute Neolith® all over the world using a network of fabricators and installers.
As well as worktops, Neolith® stone surfaces are also used for all sorts of other things. Internal and external wall cladding, floors, building facades and even furniture. This shows what a versatile and hardwearing surface it is.
How is Neolith® made?
Neolith® is a sintered stone worktop. It’s made of 100% recyclable crushed stone that’s sinterized – a process that applies extreme heat and pressure to fuse the stone together without having to use glue. It’s a speeded-up version of the process natural stones, like marble and granite, go through naturally in the earth’s crust.
Why choose Neolith® countertops?
When choosing a kitchen countertop, one of the main things you need to consider is how much abuse the surface will need to take! Am I (and my family) messy? Will spills get cleaned up quickly? Will I be careful with hot pans? Am I prepared to put in any maintenance work that might be needed?
If you’re thinking about choosing a Neolith® countertop, we’re pleased to say that it performs very well:
What finishes and colours do Neolith® kitchen countertops come in?
Neolith® gives you plenty of choices when it comes to colours and finishes. There are over 50 colours to choose from, and they come in all sorts of contemporary and classic designs. Some designs mimic other, less hardwearing materials. So, it’s great if you need the performance of sintered stone but love the look of marble, for example.
Neolith® finishes
Neolith® has four finishes: satin, silk, polished and riverwashed.
Neolith® colours
Neolith’s® colour range is split into six collections:
The Classtone Collection is a range of 15 classic colours and designs that mimic marble, granite and quartz. They’re sophisticated and stylish, and any design of kitchen will be enhanced by their rich colours.
The Fusion Collection blends traditional and contemporary with its range of 25 colours. The unique patterns have been designed to playfully reference materials found in the natural world but with a modern twist. In this range you’ll find many solid colours, and colours with subtle patterns.
The Iron Collection consists of five colours that mimic real iron. Some are subtle, and some are vibrant. They have a stunning metallic finish that works equally well in modern and classic kitchens.
The Timber Collection comes in just three designs with a hyper-realistic wood effect. Unlike real wood, Neoliths® Timber Collection doesn’t require any maintenance and has all the hardwearing properties of sintered stone.
The Colorfeel Collection is a range of 7 high-definition colourful surfaces, ranging from the subdued to the dramatic. These are solid colours in white, beige, grey, brown and black.
The Steel Collection comes in just two dark colours that will give an urban feel to any kitchen. They also have their own unique steel touch finish.
What design choices do Neolith® countertops give you?
When it comes to designing your kitchen, Neolith® is so versatile that it won’t limit you in any way. Here are some ideas of what you can do with Neolith®:
Neolith® kitchen countertops can be fitted on any brand of kitchen cabinet
Choosing a Neolith® countertop doesn’t hold you back when it comes to your choice of kitchen supplier. It can be cut and shaped to fit any kitchen cabinet. So, whether you choose Ikea, Howdens, B&Q or an independent supplier, Neolith® will suit them all.
Neolith® countertops come in two thicknesses
Neolith® for worktops is available in 12mm and 20mm thicknesses. 20mm is the most popular size, but the slimmer 12mm looks fantastic in a modern kitchen.
Neolith® countertops can be curved
Curved and shaped cabinets can give your kitchen a much softer feel than traditional square edges and straight lines. You can buy cabinets in a range of curved shapes, and you’ll need a worktop that can be cut to match that shape. Neolith® is a worktop that’s suitable for this.
Neolith® countertops have two edge options
A square edge profile simply has a square flat edge.
A flute edge profile gives the appearance of the worktop jutting out on the top side.
Neolith® countertops allow you to have an undermount sink
As with all stone worktops, you can install an undermount sink with Neolith®. You can also have a recessed drainer or drainer grooves cut into the worktop next to your sink so that your whole sink area blends seamlessly into your kitchen.
Neolith® also have their own range of undermount sinks, made from the same material as the worktops, and in many of the same colours.
Neolith® allows you to have a flush-mounted hob
Flush-mounted hobs are a popular choice for the modern kitchen. They look sleek, and their totally flat surface makes them easy to clean. All stone worktops are suitable for flush-mounted hobs, including Neolith®.
Neolith® countertops allow you to have pop-up sockets
Pop-up sockets are really handy for plugging in occasional use appliances on your kitchen island. But to be able to have a pop-up socket, you really need a stone worktop. So, Neolith® is perfect for this.
Neolith® has matching upstands and splashbacks available
Upstands are the perfect finishing touch for your kitchen. They’re 100mm tall, so only cover the bottom part of the wall behind your worktop. But they’re great for concealing any gaps that arise between your wall and the worktop due to uneven walls.
Splashbacks can cover your whole wall. They not only look fantastic, but they protect your wall from food splashes too.
All Neolith® collections come with matching upstands and splashbacks. But you don’t always have to match colours. You could go for a contrasting look instead.
When you combine worktops and splashbacks, they must always be the same thickness. You can’t have a 20mm worktop with a 12mm splashback because the different thicknesses would affect the worktop’s use. And because different thicknesses are produced in different batches, you wouldn’t get an exact colour match.
Are Neolith® countertops expensive?
Neolith® are premium quality and high-performance worktops. So, they tend to be at the higher end of the worktop price scale. However, you can expect these worktops to last for years and to look just as new after 10 years as they do on the day they’re installed.
It always pays to shop around as prices can vary between suppliers. Some suppliers have more overheads than others, so their prices are likely to be higher. Others have smaller overheads or buy in bulk, so get a better price from the manufacturer.
At SEH Interiors, we don’t have showrooms or sales teams, so we’re usually able to supply and install Neolith® worktops for up to 50% less than our competitors.
What’s the installation process for Neolith® countertops?
Neolith® countertops are supplied by Neolith® to fabricators in big slabs. So, they must be cut down to size and shaped to precisely fit your kitchen.
They also have to be cut by special machines that can’t be brought into your home. So, unlike laminate or wooden worktops that are bought off-the-shelf in standard sizes, Neolith® worktops do take a bit longer to get installed. However, the process is straightforward, and they’ll be well worth the wait!
Depending on who supplies and fits your worktop, this process can take anywhere from two to six weeks or more. At SEH Interiors, we know you won’t want to wait too long to get your kitchen finished. So, we aim to install worktops a week (with a maximum of two weeks) after the template has been made.
In summary
If you want a hardwearing and long-lasting kitchen countertop, you can’t go wrong with Neolith®. It allows you to have any design you want and comes in a wide range of colours and finishes. This makes it an excellent choice for any kitchen style.
SEH Interiors have over 10 years’ experience supplying and fitting premium-quality kitchen worktops at affordable prices across the UK, including Neolith®.
Browse our Neolith® countertop range.
