It's worth spending money on a good worktop because this is the part of the kitchen that's subjected to a lot of wear and tear. The first step is to think of all the other elements in the room when deciding on the type of worktop you'd like. Consider what the kitchen doors, the cupboards and the splashback will be made of so the worktop fabric will fit into the whole environment. If, for example, you have wooden cupboards or kitchen doors, a timber worktop may be too much.

The ideal kitchen worktop is non-porous, doesn't stain or scratch and requires very little maintenance and cleaning. Ideally, a working surface should be 5 to 10cm lower than the height of your flexed elbow. Think about having a small shelf running along the back of the worktop to put items such as washing-up liquid and cooking oil, on - you can also park items up here when you clean the surface. Some materials, such as metal and Corian, can be moulded to form this as an integral part of the worktop. The shape of the worktop's leading edge is important because you'll be leaning against it a lot - so it shouldn't be too sharp. The leading edge is also vulnerable to damage.

Think about cleaning - if the leading edge has an up-stand you won't be able to wipe crumbs into your hand. Another vulnerable area is where the worktop is cut to hold an element such as the kitchen sink - the gap between the two materials needs to be well sealed. Wood moves and the seal between a wooden worktop and the sink may eventually crack, bringing the surface into contact with water which can eventually rot wood. The same problem occurs where tiling meets an element such as a wall or hob. The grouting recess can be susceptible to damage and wear.

The materials include stone such as granite and slate. Granite comes in many colours, from plain black to those containing sparkling flecks. Many types of slate are too porous to be used as a kitchen surface but slate with a high silica content is suitable and has a cool matt surface. It's generally cheaper than marble and granite.

Man-made surfaces include Corian which, although expensive, is versatile and can be moulded into sinks and so on, allowing your whole worktop area to be created from the one material.

Formica is cheap and available in lots of colours. It typically comprises a laminate on a chipboard backing so you have to be careful about letting water into any cracks as this will rot the interior. It's also not a good surface for cutting food on as it scratches. Using a hardwood edging can make Formica look more classy and expensive.

While tiling looks good on floors and walls, as a work surface it comes under close scrutiny and you are able to see every flaw. While tiles are hard wearing, the grouting can stain if it is damaged and gets wet.

Stainless steel is the choice in many professional kitchens because it is heat resistant, hard-wearing, hygienic and non-corrosive. It can scratch easily, although brushed stainless steel is more hard-wearing and doesn't show up scratches as much as the polished variety.

Zinc was once common in old bars. Preparing food on this surface will even add a touch of this essential mineral to your diet! Glass is an exciting material to use as a worktop, either clear or frosted. Because it is transparent you have to have a backing, such as white MDF (medium density fibreboard).

Wooden worktops need oiling fairly regularly to keep them supple and smooth. Cutting on the surface can damage wood and it is prone to rotting if subjected to lots of water. While wood and Formica can be cut by a competent DIYer, to make holes for sinks and so on, Corian, stone, metal and glass should be cut by the supplier or contractor.

The cost - Formica is one of the cheapest worktop materials, costing from around £20 a metre. The Panelling Centre, for instance, charges between £75 and £110 for Formica measuring 12 feet by 40mm thick. Wooden worktops vary according to the type of timber - the Panelling Centre sells a solid beech top measuring four metres by 40mm for £468. Corian costs around £400 to £500 a metre while granite costs about £200-250 a metre, suppliers include Acorn Park Kitchens.

An average granite worktop costs from £1,500 to £2,000 supplied and fitted, from Stone Developments. Prices for glass worktops start at about £95 a m for 8mm thick toughened glass.

The company will then work out the thickness of the glass you need, and determine what holes can be cut into it. Suppliers include Myra Glass.

Changing a worktop can spruce up an older kitchen but some are easier to remove than others. If you have a built-in hob and sink you'll need to disconnect the plumbing, gas and electricity. The worktop may be screwed down or glued. If it's glued you'll probably have to break the old worktop to remove it.

The worktop HAS to be strong enough to be cut into a strip to create abridge - for example, in front of a hob or sink, where it may be only 2" thick and unsupported from below.

Contacts

The Panelling Centre 01 884 1111

Acorn Park Kitchens 01 458 8202

Stone Developments 01 286 2981 or 087 419 3235

Myra Glass 01 453 2622