When preparing food for the hostess important any work surface. Of great importance is the type of material and the width of the kitchen countertop. It is constantly exposed to moisture, get fat splashes, it is subjected to high temperatures and various chemicals. It should not only be functional and comfortable, but also to integrate harmoniously with the interior of the room.
Content
- What should be the worktop
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Popular material for countertops and standard sizes
- Laminated chipboard and MDF
- natural wood
- Acrylic
- Agglomerate
- Marble and granite
- Steel
- Dimensions corner kitchen
- Special sizes - advice and selection rules
- Removing the sizes are correct
- The use of special fluids for masking joints
- conclusion
What should be the worktop
Pick the perfect option for the kitchen it is necessary according to certain criteria, acceptable to all members of the family. First we need to define its basic qualities. It must be durable and comfortable for all households. To the product was glad and enjoyed every day, the following points should be taken into account when choosing:
- Damage resistance, impact resistance;
- Water resistance;
- Resistance to high temperature;
- Easy-care, the ability to use chemical weapons;
- Beautiful modern design;
- Resistant to dyes and acids;
- The possibility of repair;
- Absence of harmful substances in the material;
- Acceptable price;
- Long service life.
Popular material for countertops and standard sizes
Easy selection of a wide variety of table top products for the same type of facilities planning. Typical dimensions for the surface - length 100 cm, width - 60 cm, thickness - 2.8 cm. Dishes to order, with individual parameters, are more expensive, but they can go beyond the standards in any way. The height of the kitchen units is regulated by human growth.
The determining factor when choosing a countertop - the material from which it is made. Each option has its quality and performance characteristics, the positive and negative sides. When choosing your perfect product, it is necessary to focus on functionality, personal preferences and the requirements of the subject.
It should be understood that the life of the cheap wood-plates will be small. Thick sheets of natural stone products are characterized by durability, but also an impressive weight. To choose the right countertop and its size, should be familiar with popular options and settings for the work area.
Laminated chipboard and MDF
Products made of wood laminates are a group of affordable price range. This plate of chips and related formaldehyde resins. Standard sheet sizes countertop - width - 60 cm, length - 350 cm, thickness - 2.8 cm. Decrease font size can be easy, but to increase the work area of a material will fail. Will prevent the seam connection. Due to the absence of harmful substances in the material and the low price, such countertops popular and are in demand.
Countertops made of MDF and chipboard have excellent performance. In order to prolong their service life using the trim. Such furniture is divided into the following types:
- Melamine. Special coated paper impregnated with resins. The product has an additional resistance to chemical attack;
- Laminated. Longer service life, protects from moisture, eliminates the appearance of stains on the surface;
- Veneered. Veneer fixed varnish no different strength. The product is not suitable for frequent and intensive use.
The disadvantages of these working areas include the possible swelling of the material in contact with the moisture that occurs when infeed of washing, depressurization seams. There is also no possibility of restoration of the damaged areas. Countertop will have to change completely.
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natural wood
The main advantage of the working area of natural wood - a natural, attractive look. To prolong the life of its lacquered tabletops. But even if part of the processing array in the rate loses its appeal and quality characteristics. On a material remain visible traces from shock and pressure. This worktop has a low heat resistance, poor moisture resistance, loses hygiene during extended use.
Table tops made of natural wood is not suitable for daily use because they are impractical, require careful treatment and special care. Most often these products make to order. Each manufacturer sets its own parameters. Usually the product width is - 60-100 cm, length - 100-300 cm, thickness - 4 cm.
Acrylic
The plastic material is an artificial stone. Due to their properties it allows you to create countertops of all shapes and sizes. Manufacturing technology of acrylic white clay, resins, dyes and polymers allows for narrow work spaces and overall any design and color. Finished bonded acrylic plate using two-component adhesive to the base of chipboard, foam glass.
Acrylic worktops - ecological products, resistant to impact and chemicals. Everything for the work area, you can use several sheets. When installing the hob, the sink will not be visible seams. At occurrence of chipping and surface scratching easily repaired by casting an acrylic resin and subsequent grinding. Lack - exposure to high temperature.
Standard sizes acrylic worktop vary considerably with parameters similar surfaces. Width - 80 cm, length - 300 cm, thickness - 3.8 cm. Due to the impressive weight of the material is poorly treated, which increases its cost. Most often it is used for the design of working areas in buildings with non-standard layout.
Agglomerate
Suitable for expensive marker sets. It consists of natural marble, quartz, granite chips, connecting elements, which makes the countertop attractive and durable. The product has a long service life, presentable appearance, easy contact with the majority of aggressive chemicals.
The material properties can be created countertop of any shape and length of several sheets. Enough to fill the seam with special glue and good wipe. In the same way the product can be repaired.
The cost of the working surface of the agglomerate will essentially depend on the color. Monochrome products with small patches of the most affordable option when both the countertop with a large picture under the natural stone will have a higher price.
Manufacturers produce agglomerate sheets of standard size - 300 x 140 cm. For the manufacture of stone countertops cut them lengthwise into two parts, so that the width of the finished plate no more exceeds 70 cm, length 300 cm, the thickness of the finished product is 4 cm, 1.2 cm where agglomerate 1.8 cm sheet Chipboard.
Marble and granite
Table top of such material will be the most durable. The product will be able to survive more than one set. Natural stone is humidity resistant, unaffected by chemicals. Durable natural material is heavy, can not boast a variety of colors and textures.
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The disadvantages are the instability to strong shocks, lack of maintenance, the complexity masking joints when the two plates. Marble countertop is not different practicality. Material coated with yellow spots immediately upon contact with the hot objects, absorbing dyes, which are difficult to remove.
Countertops made of marble, granite are always made to order. Parameters products are in wide range. Blanks cut from standard sheets 300 X 300 cm. The thickness of the marble - 3 cm granite - 2 cm.
For giving the products the desired height to the front face glued strip of natural stone suitable shape and size. This may be a conventional, double-sided profile with a forward moving, at 45 ° C.
Steel
Steel products are characterized by high resistance to wear. the surface is not made of pure material. The best option for the kitchen - a metal monolith. Sheet steel adhesive qualities around chipboard, MDF, leveled, sealed seams and polished. The resulting product is hygienic, easy to clean, different heat resistance, moisture resistance. Standard dimensions - length of 300-400 cm, width - 60 cm, thickness - 4 cm.
The disadvantages of steel surfaces can be attributed to the lack of resistance to mechanical damage. From the blows, dents are pressing strongly noticeable scratches from knives and sharp objects. To minimize the visual unattractiveness and make cuts invisible, it is better to choose a steel countertop with a matte surface.
Dimensions corner kitchen
Corner countertops are often installed in a small kitchen. This is the optimal solution for the tiny rooms. These products enhance well-working surface area. To set and other furniture optimally fit into the interior and took up a minimum of space, you must choose the size and shape of the product correctly. It can be of any color, but it is better if it will not be very different from the facades.
In pursuit of valuable square meters in a small kitchen countertop width better not decrease. Its standard size of 60 cm will be quite acceptable. In order to visually push the space, the end part can be rounded, which in turn will facilitate the free movement. Length increasingly raised from a party or has an equal part with embedded sink in the middle.
The special design of corner worktops a great opportunity to visually divide the surface into pieces. When one side will serve as a working area, and the other will be a convenient place for the location of household appliances and decorative items.
Special sizes - advice and selection rules
Many manufacturers do not use sets for its products some guests. Making countertops customized involves working with non-standard dimensions. When the linear regulated working surface located along one wall. If the room is narrow and elongated, the length of the table top may exceed the usual 300 cm. Maximum number - 500 cm. To produce such products without seams can be of certain materials.
For a small kitchen will have to choose from the standard angular tabletop or order the product line-type. Collectors kitchen sets often work with dimensions 150 x 60 cm. But can be any deviation parameters. This will depend on the features of the room, kitchen design, material owners preferences.
Nonstandard advanced solution - increasing the width of the table top 1 meter. Such a product would be appropriate in the spacious kitchen, will make the work area more comfortable, will allow the use of space by the wall for decoration arrangement, additional accessories, home appliances.
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Removing the sizes are correct
For accurate calculation of the future countertop settings must take into account many factors. If the headset is already available, it is easy enough to prepare the surface to be measured, freed from unnecessary items. The unit can be taken millimeters or centimeters. In the latter case, it is impossible for rounding. Proper removal of measurement is as follows:
- length measurement. An easy task, especially if the product is located along the wall is not interrupted appliances and sink. You can Gaugeable the distance with a tape measure or take the data from the data sheets premises. You must take into account the thickness of the walls, especially if it is drywall or other bulk materials.
- Measurement of built-in appliances. worktop is often interrupted by a gas stove, sink. Such instruments should be measured by one of the parties, and take away from the panel length. For the vibrating devices it is necessary to leave the reserve. Furniture and household appliances, such as washing, dishwasher, cabinets, racks, the top of which is closed, do not participate in the measurements. They will just covered worktop from above.
- The depth of the worktop. This parameter can not be less than 40 cm. He is determined solely by personal preferences and perceptions about comfort. In the presence of embedded devices need to build on their size. Countertop will look better if among several household items will not be large differences in depth. If this can not be avoided, it is necessary to focus on the measurement of the deepest insertion.
- Measurements countertop-island. For products that are at the same time serve as a kitchen table and work area, depth and length should be determined based on the squaring room amenities households. Countertop island should be comfortable for work and seating. Recommended width - 80 cm.
The use of special fluids for masking joints
The ideal surface for kitchen units - one-piece countertop. It will last longer guaranteed prefabricated elements. But there are times when to establish such a product is not possible, then you have to collect it from several segments. Such an arrangement is necessary to use a variant for mounting the angular kitchens.
Join segments can be of any shape, as long as they are perfect in size. To do this, use special plastic, aluminum strips. For some materials need to install a threaded coupler. In combinations edge panels special two-component adhesive is applied in surface color and contractible. Composition strengthen compound and mask the seam. When tightening the ties of the adhesive will perform along the joint. It should be spread evenly and allow to dry. Then sanded and polished.
To close the joint countertop to the wall using a special plinth. It simultaneously covers the gap and allows to give the product a finished look. Skirting boards come in various shapes and designs. The minimum size does not exist.
conclusion
Working surface - one of the most vulnerable places in the kitchen. It is set not for one year, and should not be for a long service life to lose quality features and appeal. In choosing the material necessary to consider many factors, as each has its own characteristics. Ability to cut the product of the individual sizes, join the segments will depend on the parameters and the type of base plate.