Glass Worktops The Versatility Of Style

Compared to most materials and solutions used in kitchen design, glass worktops and glass splashbacks offer perhaps the widest range of choices in terms of style, design and appearance. Whatever the style, look and colour of your kitchen there is little doubt that it could be complemented and enhanced through the use of glass worktops.

Some people tend to assume that all glass worktops and glass splashbacks must necessarily transform the look of a kitchen into something ultra modern. However, this doesnt have to be the case, and there are plenty of older kitchens which have been given a new lease of life without affecting the overall theme and feel of the traditional kitchen.

Of course, that isnt to deny the fact that glass can certainly transform a kitchen into a sleek, contemporary space, but this does depend on the options you choose. For example, one of the first options to consider when looking at glass worktops is the colour. Whilst glass tends to be largely colourless, this doesnt have to be the case, and glass can be coloured in two different ways. The first way of colouring glass is to add a dye to the liquid glass as it is being manufactured. This tends to be what stained glass is.

The alternative method of colouring glass is to create the glass as colourless and then apply a coloured material to the underside of it. This means that the glass cant be seen through completely, but still looks coloured. Clearly if you had completely transparent glass worktops youd be able to see through to the contents of your drawers and cupboards, which wouldnt generally be a good design choice. In these cases having the glass backed by a coloured sheet of plastic or other material makes the glass look coloured right the way through, but prevents you seeing through to your boxes of cereal.

Of course, given the fact that the glass can be coloured means that you have an almost limitless choice in terms of look and design. For modern, funky kitchens then citrus colours look great, although for older kitchens darker reds and browns look fabulous. White provides an ultra clean, minimalist look whilst blues and greens keep the whole room feeling fresh, cool and clean. Oranges are warming and provide a calm atmosphere whilst black offers a traditional look which is also very striking.

If in any doubt, take a look at a few examples and youll quickly start to realise the tremendous difference which colour can make as far as the overall look and effect of glass worktops and glass splashbacks is concerned. But colour is only one element, and there are many more options. For example, glass worktops can be manufactured using standard transparent glass or frosted opaque glass. Frosted glass reflects a little less of the light, but provides a very stylish look. If you want light and reflections, go for clear glass, but if you want to sleek, modern look which isnt quite as dazzling, frosted glass works very well.

Another option to consider is the use of LED lighting. This works especially well with frosted glass, providing a diffused lighting effect from underneath the glass itself. Theres no denying the fact that this looks fabulous and very stylish indeed. LED lighting lasts for years uses very little power and generates virtually no heat, meaning that its ideal for this sort of styling.

Finally it's worth remembering that glass can be manufactured in almost any shape and style, and often glass worktops can be manufactured to incorporate spaces for the sink and taps, and even have drainage channels or embedded cooling racks formed as part of the surface. Glass splashbacks too can be made to accommodate sockets and pipes, all without seams or joints, meaning that its far easier to keep clean and looking brilliant. Why not take a look at a few examples today and discover the versatility of style thats possible with glass worktops?