A Sturdy Start

Craft a long-lasting kitchen with these hard-wearing surface materials

From the walls to the countertops, the kitchen has a whole lot of surfaces, and all of them need to be fitted out properly in order to stand the test of time. Before you dive in head-first and break the bank, here’s a quick guide to the best materials for every kitchen surface.

Walls and backsplash

Ceramic tiles

While porcelain tiles tend to get more love than their ceramic counterpart, ceramic tiles are ideal when it comes to your kitchen walls. While they’re not as durable as porcelain tiles and tend to absorb water more easily, they are affordable and more than sturdy enough for a simple wall application. Pro tip: opt for polished ceramic tiles with minimal grout lines, such as Hafary’s glossy Opal series, in order to reduce clean-up.

KompacPlus

A particularly popular material in our local kitchens, KompacPlus is made with paper pulp soaked in resin, then combined into a thick panel with multiple sturdy layers. The 6mmthick panel is then treated under high heat and pressure to fuse each layer into one solid piece. This process results in a material that is not only hard-wearing and durable, but also heat-resistant and impervious to scratches and impact, making it ideal for both backsplashes and countertops. Plus, KompacPlus comes in a variety of textures, patterns and tones to suit any interior style.

Sustainable Pick

Stainless steel