How to choose a countertop for the kitchen: types of materials, design photo

Residence of each individual reflects his nature, tastes, preferences, and financial position. All seek to ennoble the house, make a beautiful renovation, furnish to returning home to feel cozy and comfortable. One very popular places in each house is considered to be the kitchen, where families gather for breakfast and lunch daily, frequently meet guests and arrange a tea party.

The modern kitchen is so diverse that to choose the best option that combines price and quality is quite easy.

Worktop - worktop lunch, work tables and kitchen sinks, it can be manufactured as a separately for each locker individually and solid one, covering the entire lower set of kitchen furniture. The continuous embodiment, of course, more convenient and practical to use, reliable in all protects the sidewalls of furniture, no joints working surface. It is much easier to clean and maintain. But how to choose an ordinary tabletop, are not aware of all the subtleties and nuances of the citizen?

Variety of table-tops, their main characteristics

furniture segment of the market offers quite an impressive range of varieties of tops, but the following options are considered to be the most popular.

• Chipboard - a new processing technology by DSP color lamination virtually breathed new life into it, significantly expanding the scope of use of this material. As for tops, it would probably be the best option for a budget repair. It is inexpensive, has an attractive appearance, though much afraid of scratches, mechanical damage (moisture can penetrate). In addition, the color may fade, which significantly reduces the period of its appeal.

• MDF - standing and high quality option, as opposed to the particle board table top made of MDF quite resistant to various mechanical influences, moisture. This material is recognized as an environmentally friendly and easy to maintain.

• Natural solid wood - are attractive in appearance and environmentally friendly, while quite demanding and difficult to maintain. On the tree there are traces of moisture, hot, blows and cuts. However, the tree can accumulate various germs easily penetrate into its pores.

• From agglomerate - active material is a subspecies of the artificial stone made of marble, granite or quartz chips and adhesive. This countertop looks expensive, but the price is quite reasonable. Sinter is resistant to various attacks to moisture, hot and shocks.

• Granite - the material is not just tough. Resistance to any other than mechanical impact and durability of amazing. He is not afraid of no fire, no water. granite coloring varied, as a rule, the most common colors are red, green and black.

• Marble - this truly refined material is able to fall in love with a glance. Marble - is a luxury, wealth and the presence of the owner of an exquisite taste. The material is very demanding of care, can not tolerate mechanical damage (strokes) and thermostable, but copes with moisture, and its color does not fade. Such an embodiment is suitable for remarkably large, the roomy kitchens.

• Ceramic tiles - these worktops are considered simple and comfortable, water-resistant (except joints), heat-resistant and impact-resistant. But the joints will absorb water, the cost of a tall tiles.

• Acrylic - it includes acrylic resin, color pigments and mineral crumb material obtained amazingly attractive and easy to care for, but afraid of being hit and hot.

• Stainless steel - stainless steel countertops covered with galvanized able to serve almost forever. Variants of such products a lot, it can be a mirror, matte, and other kinds of surfaces. This material can be described in one word - wear-resistant, it is not afraid of anything at all. It may, of course, over time, lose a little luster or gloss, but with proper care it will not happen.

How to determine the color of countertops?

If the kitchen is made in any particular design style, then you need to stick to it, and in a choice of countertops.

• Style "Provence" and "Country" - represent the rustic style, which involves the use of all natural and bright.

• "Classic" - says about the necessity of the presence in the interior wood kitchen (or MDF) of dark, brown or beige.

• "Minimalism" - is characterized by the presence of quiet tones, clear straight lines, shine.

• "High-tech" - implies the existence of a primary color and another, contrasting him.

If the design of the kitchen did not adhere to any design styles, or use a few, then, referring to the combination of colors when choosing a worktop, should be based on the color of kitchen units and material.

As for the material of kitchen furniture, it should primarily bear the weight of the working surface and combined with each other (wood - wood, MDF, stone, glass, etc.). Tsp ace is better to buy the color of granite, and other natural materials.

So what better worktop for the kitchen?

If you did not go to determine the countertop material, it should be selected based on the following criteria:

• It should be in harmony "fit" in the interior of the kitchen;
• Provide reliable protection lower cabinets headset;
• Be resistant to moisture, heat, mechanical damage, household chemicals and does not absorb odors;
• Do not include in its composition of toxic substances;
• Just cleaned the stains, dirt;
• Do not lose attractive appearance.

Based on its financial position and opportunities, it is natural to choose natural materials working surface, as they best meet the above criteria and is very durable. Taking into account the design or the way a kitchen design and most of the working surface is necessary to give preference those species which fit perfectly into the interior, without standing out from it without breaking it and integrity.

Exercising choice countertops for the kitchen, it is worth noting that it can be almost any shape and size, as it almost always made to order. It is necessary to carry out quality measurements, specify the desired thickness and color of the product. To submit or so to say "try on" a particular version of countertops, you can buy a small piece of it and try on your kitchen "live". This is especially significant for expensive materials, because pay for the marble, which just will not look exactly in your interior is not quite nice and reasonable.

Popular design kitchen countertops

Among the incredible range and variety of table-tops to decide on its purchase can be difficult. Some models may be solid, some pieces, while others are able to have the most complex geometric forms and virtually any color. Design tops just did not have restrictions and limits.

Wooden countertop: natural and ecological

Countertops made of wood rightly rank high on popularity and frequency of their use. Since this material is amenable to repair, it has many advantages and has the ability to resume their original appearance, and it has earned its relevance. Tree - it is beautiful and natural, and if more and combine it with a stone or other natural elements, so you can transform your kitchen, he wants to spend time on it just hours. Although wood, and has a small flaws, they are fully compensated by the advantages.

Laminate countertops: cheapness and decorative

Of course, laminate countertops alluring and beautiful, bright shiny colors catch the eye immediately. Because of its availability, it is used very often. It is desirable to comply with such a rule, giving preference to the material - the material of kitchen unit has to be also made of expensive, and the price has to external harmony therebetween. If you do not have great financial opportunities, this is quite a budget type of exactly what you will do. Do not worry about the fact that it quickly will become worthless, it depends on how you use it and how to look.

Countertops made of MDF: eco-friendly and beautiful

Such an option could well afford one, though he was a little more expensive than particle board, it is definitely more eco-friendly and durable. MDF enjoys an excellent demand, as indeed has many positive qualities. The color palette allows you to choose any color or tone of the working surface to the maximum to turn your favorite cuisine, inject a freshness and novelty.

Countertops for kitchen Acrylic: standard solution

Choosing acrylic as the working surface, especially if it is assumed a non-standard form, it will be the correct one. Due to the production technology acryl easily can be given any shapes and colors and this without any joints, seams and loss of strength. In addition, in the surface pores completely absent, and therefore harmful pathogenic bacteria there just do not look. He is not erased, does not lose color and shine, in general, an excellent option for those who can afford it.

Countertops made of agglomerate: imitation of naturalness

Since the composition of this material consists of chips of natural stone, then its strength is almost the same. He is extremely hardy, handsome and rugged. It looks rich, to distinguish it from the real stone is very difficult. The more environmentally friendly it is not afraid of chemistry, thermal effects and moisture, does not lose color and external data. Unlike natural stone agglomerate costs are much lower, which significantly expands the range of its customers.

Countertops made of glass: originality and creativity

Glass itself is extremely versatile, especially its impact-resistant models. Glass can be finished with special stickers, painting and even different compositions of flowers, pebbles, shells, and other decorative elements arranged within it, and with the lower side. Moreover, if there is no need to save, you should order a thick, toughened glass (naturally taking into account the The maximum permissible load on the furniture), then it will look impressive, but be extremely long period.

Many kinds of countertops give a chance to a flight of fancy, and satisfaction of the most creative and unconventional ideas, like designers and ordinary citizens. It can decorate not only the lower kitchen cabinets, but also coffee tables, kitchen aprons, dining tables and even window sills. Its scope is so wide that it is limited, perhaps, only by imagination and the needs of people.

VIDEO: Designer kitchen countertops.

Modern kitchen countertops - 50 photo-ideas: