Quartz, Dekton, granite and laminate worktops compared
In a typical Irish kitchen, a fitted high-pressure laminate worktop costs €800 to €2,000 (€50 to €100 per linear metre) and goes in on the same day as the cabinets. Laser-templated 20mm or 30mm quartz, granite or Dekton sintered stone costs €2,200 to €4,800 fitted and takes 5 to 10 working days from templating.
Per-metre and full-kitchen prices, why hot pans mark quartz resin but not Dekton, and which worktop lets you fit an undermount sink.
Free, no obligation. One local kitchen company covering your county replies, not five.
Calculate your fitted kitchen design & worktop cost
Select your room layout, door construction and worktop material to see a realistic Irish supplied-and-fitted guide range.
Estimated guide price
€11,900 to €22,700 supplied & fitted
Cabinetry & fitting: €9,100–€17,900 · Worktop: €2,800–€4,800
Guide price for an L-shaped or U-shaped kitchen with a central island (12 to 20 units) with classic 5-piece painted Shaker doors and ultra-compact Dekton / porcelain sintered stone worktops. Includes island base units, end panels and breakfast overhang (allow 1,000mm to 1,200mm walkway clearance all round). Appliances, plumbing/electrical moves (€500 to €1,500–€500 to €2,000) or an RSJ wall knock-through (€2,000 to €4,000) are priced separately if needed.
Book a local measure & 3D planEvery kitchen worktop material compared on cost and durability
| Worktop material | Price per linear metre | Typical kitchen fitted | Undermount sink? | Heat & stain resistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-pressure laminate (38mm or 22mm square-edge) | €50 to €100 / m | €800 to €2,000 | No (inset sink only) | Stain-resistant; hot pans or water sitting in an unsealed joint will blister or swell chipboard core |
| Compact laminate (12mm solid core) | €180 to €320 / m | €1,400 to €2,600 | Yes (100% waterproof core) | Waterproof solid phenolic core; takes drainer grooves, though softer against knife scratches than stone |
| Solid hardwood (oak / walnut / iroko, 40mm) | €150 to €300 / m | €1,200 to €2,400 | Belfast sink ok with regular oiling | Warm natural grain; needs Danish or Osmo oil every 6–12 months and scorches under hot pans |
| Engineered Quartz (20mm or 30mm) | €300 to €750 / m | €2,200 to €4,200 | Yes + polished drainer grooves | 90%–93% natural quartz in resin: non-porous (no sealing needed), but thermal shock above 150°C can yellow the resin |
| Natural Granite (20mm or 30mm) | €350 to €600 / m | €2,500 to €4,200 | Yes | Handles hot pans better than quartz; slightly porous so needs resealing every 1 to 2 years |
| Dekton / Porcelain sintered stone (12mm or 20mm) | €420 to €800 / m | €2,800 to €4,800 | Yes | Baked at 1,200°C with zero resin: completely immune to hot pans, UV fading, lemon juice and red wine |
How stone worktop templating works and the 5–10 day gap
- Cabinets fitted and levelled first. Stone slabs do not bend. Your kitchen fitter installs and laser-levels all base units, island frames and support rails first.
- Digital laser templating (€100 to €200 if not bundled). The stone mason visits with a digital laser templater to map the exact wall curves, window sills, tap holes, undermount sink bowl and hob aperture to half a millimetre.
- CNC cutting & polishing (5 to 10 working days). The slabs are cut with waterjets, edges are bevelled or bullnosed, and drainer grooves are milled in the stone workshop.
- One-day fitting & plumbing reconnect. Two or three stone fitters bond the slabs onto the carcasses, resin-colour-match any seam, and undermount the sink so the plumber and electrician can reconnect the tap and hob the next morning.
20mm vs 30mm quartz: which thickness should you pick?
Ten years ago, 30mm stone was the default in Ireland. Today, 20mm quartz and sintered stone accounts for over half of new orders: it looks lighter and crisper on handleless and contemporary Shaker kitchens, weighs a third less on the cabinets, and saves 15% to 20% on raw slab cost. For a classic country in-frame kitchen, 30mm quartz (or a 40mm–50mm mitred drop-edge on the island) gives a heavier traditional profile.
Real examples and installation detail
Get a 3D plan & price from one local designer
Pick your kitchen layout, project stage and county. Your request goes to one local kitchen designer and fitter covering your county so they can measure up and draw your 3D plan.
Kitchen designs guides & price breakdowns
Straight answers to what people ask most: itemised costs, specifications, planning or grants, and what to check before you book.
More guides & resources: All guides & calculator hub · Technical & trade glossary · Frequently asked questions · All areas covered · About this site
Questions homeowners ask
Can you put a hot pan straight from the oven onto a quartz worktop?
No — always use a trivet or chopping board on engineered quartz. Quartz contains 7% to 10% polymer resin binder, which can discolour or crack from sudden thermal shock above 150°C. If you want to put roasting tins straight on the counter, choose Dekton/sintered stone or natural granite.
Can I get an undermount sink with a laminate worktop?
Not with standard chipboard-core laminate, because water will soak into the exposed raw chipboard around the cut-out and swell it. If you want an undermount sink without paying for stone, use 12mm solid-core compact laminate, which is 100% waterproof right through.
How much do stone worktop cut-outs and upstands add?
If itemised separately, allow €100 to €200 for laser templating, €80 to €150 for a polished undermount sink cut-out and tap hole, €50 to €100 for a hob cut-out, and €75 to €150 per linear metre for 100mm matching stone upstands.
Kitchen designs across all 26 counties
Requests from all 26 counties go to one vetted local specialist who covers your county — from Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick to Kildare, Meath, Wicklow, Waterford and Donegal. Pick your county below for local prices, specifications and advice. Compare all areas covered →
Want a 3D kitchen plan and exact fitted price?
One local kitchen designer and fitter covering your county measures the room, draws the layout and prices the full job in writing.