Market kitchen furniture boasts a wide choice of worktops of different materials ranging from the most advanced composite and ending with the traditional and exotic. In this article we will describe the most popular types of countertops for the kitchen, show their advantages and disadvantages, the design possibilities. And also give advice on styles and to where they are best used.
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- 1 Types countertops for the kitchen for the manufacture of the material
- 1.1 Laminated chipboard, MDF
- 1.2 Fake diamond
- 1.3 A natural stone
- 1.4 Wood
- 1.5 Glass
- 1.6 Stainless steel
- 1.7 Tile
- 1.8 Concrete
- 2 Exclusive countertops with unique design
- 3 Criterias of choice
- 4 findings
Types countertops for the kitchen for the manufacture of the material
All materials of construction for tabletop, have their advantages and disadvantages. The choice often depends not only on the value or aesthetic parameters, but also on ease of use, depending on the characteristics of the product itself.
Laminated chipboard, MDF
Chipboard (particle board), Fiberboard (fiberboard) and MDF (MDF-medium-density fiberboard) are composite materials based on recycled, shredded wood. They can use a variety of fastener material to liginovyh formaldehyde resins and paraffinic adhesive mixtures. As the outer protective and decorative layer of the laminate used, HPL-plastic-paper laminate coating, high plastic pressure, etc. The thickness of such countertops more than conventional plates, which are made of case furniture - 28, 38 or 50 mm. Despite the significant differences in the production technology, the performance of these materials are very similar.
Important! ADI is most cheap material from which is made to two-thirds of kitchen garnirurov. Less frequently used chipboard and MDF, they are better and more durable, but their cost is 1.5-2 times higher.
Benefits:
- reasonable price;
- wide selection of colors and textures;
- Easy to install (you can substitute your own);
- mechanical resistance of medium intensity;
- resistance to UV;
- resistance to household detergent (without abrasive).
Disadvantages:
- Particleboard allocates carcinogens formaldehyde cereals;
- ends and place of mechanical damage must be carefully isolated from moisture;
- when moisture by a protective layer article can swell;
- low temperature resistance.
Fake diamond
Fake diamond - a composite material based on polymer (acrylic) binders crushed into powder with mineral fillers marble, granite, basalt, quartz. Depending on the model and the manufacturing technology of artificial stone countertop may be monolithic or have an insertion of plywood (Particle board) to facilitate the mounting process and reduce product cost. Currently, there are 2 major production technology of artificial stone countertops.
Acrylic. The polymerization takes place under the influence of temperature. This method of production gives certain advantages:
- reasonable price in comparison with natural stone;
- It allows you to create seamless countertops complex forms, to order.
However, the final product has a lot of drawbacks:
- extreme changes in temperature, for example, rapid cooling water space, where there was a hot pan, can lead to surface cracking;
- outer layer material may be colored with organic substances.
Important! On the surface by mechanical effects may appear chips and cracks, but they are easily removed by yourself with special repair kits.
Agglomerate. It is produced by vacuum molding. As the filler, generally used crushed quartz, so these countertops often called quartz.
Compared with acrylic artificial stone has the following advantages:
- a material more durable, some manufacturers offer a guarantee of up to 20 years of operation;
- resistant to mechanical and thermal effects;
- texture and appearance more presentable and look like natural materials.
However, such a production method imposes certain technical limitations:
- density and hardness of the material does not allow self-completion forms;
- low maintainability - if the countertop was damaged, then fix it with no visible effects is practically impossible.
A natural stone
Natural stone countertops have high strength characteristics. However, they are chosen not only for strength and durability, but also for the beauty of the natural material and the unique texture of each product. The most common species used for the production of kitchen countertops are:
- marble;
- granite;
- basalt;
- dibaz;
- Gabby.
All natural stone countertops have several similar shortcomings:
- the high price of the material;
- a lot of weight. It leads to difficulties in the transportation, installation, countertops and furniture requires a considerable strengthening of the housing;
- moisture absorption. Despite the high density, natural materials have a tendency to absorb moisture. Therefore, to care for them is necessary to use special means of moisture repellent.
The most commonly used marble and basalt rock group. Their operating parameters are somewhat different.
Granite:
| dignity | disadvantages |
| Temperature resistance; resistance to household chemicals and abrasive detergents. | The limited color gamut preferably of dark color |
Important! Some granite rocks have a high radiation background. Before purchasing ask the sanitary-epidemiological conclusion.
Marble:
| dignity | disadvantages |
| Hygiene, biosecurity; quite a wide choice of textures and colors. | low resistance to temperature; It can be colored, absorbing moisture; sensitivity to certain types of aggressive detergents (high-acidity). |
Wood
Solid wood in its natural raw form is not suitable as a material for kitchen countertops. Wood undergoes several processing stages is impregnated and covered with so many antiseptics, fire retardants (fire impregnation) and polymers, so to speak of its "naturalness" inappropriate.
However, there are certain types of wood, requiring minimal pretreatment oak, beech (pre-steamed in special autoclaves), cherry, walnut, ash, teak. All of these rocks can be used for the manufacture of kitchen countertops in the form of an array. Conifers, such as cedar and Siberian pine, it is recommended to a laminated slats. In any case they will be subject to additional surface treatment to prevent release of resins.
Of the benefits that provide a wooden countertop, it should be noted:
- the highest aesthetic appeal;
- ease of processing makes it possible to create almost any countertop configuration;
- maintainability. Even with significant damage to the surface it can be quite quickly lead to its original state by removing with a hand tool a few millimeters of the top layer.
Disadvantages:
- high price;
- It requires special care and careful handling;
- you must systematically carry out the restoration surface.
Glass
Glass as a material for kitchen countertops It began to be used relatively recently. This material has a rather questionable performance.
On the one hand, the absolute resistance to water, chemical and biological influences. Modern technologies allow to create a glass having a high resistance to temperatures and sudden changes. High mechanical strength and abrasion resistance can not be afraid even intensive mechanical action on the surface. Certainly, the hatchet to chop meat and chops to do directly on the glass top is not desirable.
On the other hand, the use of glass requires high accuracy and frequent cleaning. This table top is not suitable for every style interior. Glass countertops are expensive, and also cause some difficulties during installation.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel countertops have long been used in commercial kitchens and benefit from a perfect performance. The apartments can be seen very rarely, mainly due to the utilitarian appearance.
Benefits:
- fire;
- absolute inertness to high temperatures, moisture, aggressive detergents;
- high impact resistance and resistance to the most intense mechanical stress;
- high maintainability. In order to remove from the surface traces of the operation, simply refinish material.
Disadvantages:
- in its "natural" form has limited use. suitable for high-tech style and the like;
- to give a countertop any decorative properties requires an individual order for production that makes this product extremely costly.
Tile
previously ceramic tile He used as an alternative, temporary coating for kitchen countertops, but now this material is often favored in the development of the individual kitchen design.
Advantages of use:
- a wide range of textures and rich colors provide unlimited design options;
- high strength characteristics (resistance to abrasion and scratch resistance) and water resistance;
- resistance to biological agents and household detergents;
- reasonable price;
- good maintainability. In case of damage of one tile it can be simply cut and replaced by another.
- having the desire and the minimum skills of a countertop can be done independently.
Disadvantages and technical limitations:
- ceramic tiles - a rather fragile material and can not withstand strong shock deformation. However, as mentioned, broken tiles rather just replace the new;
- special attention should be paid to the material joints. Sami joints should be as small as possible, and grout most durable and high quality.
Important! If you are going to make kitchen countertops made of ceramic tile, then it is advisable to buy material for a dozen tiles more for repair and replacement, as the color and texture of the same collection may vary for different parties.
Concrete
The popularity of interior styles like Techno and Urban led to the use of unconventional materials for kitchen countertops. One of them was concrete. Do not think that concrete countertop resembles a wall panel house. In the manufacturing process used small fraction quartz sand, high cement and modern fiberglass reinforcement. Due to various additives such concrete has a high density and does not absorb moisture. Often during zheleznenija (machining cement concrete surface), various pigments. Also, the surface may be covered with a layer of acrylic.
Benefits:
- high strength;
- maintainability;
- heat resistance.
Disadvantages:
- rather poor color palette;
- a limited number of styles which can be used.
Exclusive countertops with unique design
Modern technologies allow to combine formerly incompatible materials. As a result, you can get a harmonious and impressive beauty of its design and the combination of:
1 of 7
Ceramic tile
Solid wood
Concrete
Original design solutions produce unique material combinations
Criterias of choice
The table top is a work surface on which during operation are affected by various negative factors. Her choice should be based on the analysis of the following criteria:
Strength. It describes the ability of a material to resist external influence countertops of various kinds, especially impact and shearing.
Practicality. This criterion means not only ease of maintenance, but also resistance to household chemicals, including including aggressive, various abrasive cleaners, high humidity and ultraviolet radiation. This option also allows for resistance to high and low temperatures. After all, the material will affect not only the heat of the hobBut also cold from the frozen food.
Durability. In fact, a combination of the first two criteria. However, choosing the countertop and focusing primarily on the durability, it is necessary to take into account some of the nuances. The surface of natural stone are more durable and expensive, can survive more than one set of furniture. Conversely, less durable countertops, tend to have an affordable cost, in the case of damage or change the room design concept can be easily removed and replaced.
Aesthetics. Choosing the coloring table top, should consider the possibility of design changes of furniture and colors of the kitchen area. Colors and textures should be chosen in such a way that they approached several interior styles.
findings
When choosing a countertop for the kitchen need to focus primarily on its cost and their aesthetic preferences. After all, most of the materials from which they are made, it is reliable and durable, even when subject to intensive use, and manufacturers provide a wide range of different textures and flowers.
