Choosing a kitchen countertop, types of countertops

  • admin
  • 01-Aug-2014
Choosing a kitchen countertop, types of countertops

The worktop in the kitchen is essentially the same as the surface of the table. This is the part of the furniture that, due to its location, must withstand a wide variety of influences. The worktop is not only subjected to mechanical influence when cutting vegetables, fruits, meat, etc., for example, but also to temperature effects, for example, a hot pan or frying pan that has been removed and placed on the surface, as well as accidentally overturned bottle with vinegar essence or not deliberately dropped drops of hot sauces. Therefore, relying on the above-described examples of impacts, the table top should not be chosen only by external attractiveness. A good option is the manufacture of countertops to order. Such a deliberate choice will protect you from a waste of money.

Knowledge of the materials used to make the countertops will help to make the right choice

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Giving any advice about the choice is a senseless undertaking. Any sane person has his own established opinion. It will be more correct to give information about the most famous and popular best tabletops for the kitchen, their types, their positive and negative properties. And the final choice is to leave for the buyer.

Table tops made of MDF and chipboard, what they differ from

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Initially, you need to understand one important point - mainly for the production of kitchen surfaces use the same material. The table top for the kitchen is made from chipboard or MDF. And all the rest - a variety of exterior decoration. It is necessary to know that the main moment at the countertop is its thickness. It can be a minimum of two centimeters, a maximum of six centimeters. Naturally, the thicker, the higher the cost. So you can not ignore the fact that the thicker the table top, the stronger and more reliable it will be. It should be noted that in the case when it is planned to mount a surface for cooking in the kitchen surface - the required thickness will vary from three to five centimeters.

The next step is to understand and understand what MDF differs from chipboard. Plate MDF refers to fibreboard, and a plate of particleboard to chip. In principle, there is not much difference between them, except for one nuance. A chipboard is made by adding resin to the board. Consequently, unnecessary evaporation will be inevitable. Physicians confirm the fact that these evaporation can adversely affect the child's body. But with all this, the chipboard plates are much cheaper than MDF.

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Facing materials for kitchen countertops come from both natural materials and artificial ones. And now more in detail about some of the most purchased types of countertops.

Laminate flooring

There is an opinion that the material with a laminate coating is most in demand. It is more than all the rest is designed for consumer requests. In creating this type of coverage, two not unimportant qualities of the product have successfully combined - a proportional relationship between value and quality. According to the declared characteristics, the material with such a coating is quite strong and it does not suffer blows. But it is important to know that this kind of surface does not tolerate moisture. There is a way out of this situation - when installing a sink, you must necessarily use a sealing cord, which is complete with a sink. In addition to this, it will not be superfluous and colorless sealant.

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A serious problem is the fact that it is not possible to produce sheets of the type of countertops at once of the right size. Manufacturers have found a way out of this situation - they resort to gluing together fragments. When choosing such a coating it is necessary to study it carefully and consider whether the seam is noticeable or not. With a professionally and qualitatively made finish, the seam will not be visible.

Width of countertop for kitchen

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It makes sense to purchase a slightly larger cover than the width of the kitchen set. This will help to avoid touching the handles of various drawers and cabinets. Increased attention should be paid to finishing the surfaces of the ends and edges. When they are covered with plastic - this is not the best option for buying. The most practical in this case is a coating of polypropylene, acrylic or steel edges.

Colors of kitchen countertops

This topic is worthy of a separate conversation. Experience proves that it is not particularly important from what particular material the coating of the kitchen table is made, on it in time, in any case, there will be unremovable spots. It makes sense to select a material that is not monophonic, it will also be practical to have a light color - on such a coating the spots will be less noticeable.

Also, experts advise selecting a coating with a matte surface, because the option of scratching is almost inevitable. However, scratches on the glossy surface will be more noticeable than on non-monotonous, dark and matte.

Artificial stone countertops for kitchen

Table tops of this type in recent years have gained immense popularity. Such finishing is done either with acrylic or with agglomerate. Choosing, it is necessary to know what made the material of interest, whether fillers and resins are included in the composition, and if it includes what exactly. Podvid table-tops for a kitchen made of stone are quite a lot, they are quite possible to get confused. At the same time, each firm-manufacturer works according to its specific technology.

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The covering of this kind is famous for its special strength. It is made whole, that is, without suture, and it also repels moisture well. But there are several but - the surface covered with acrylic does not tolerate high temperatures, for example heat from a hot frying pan or pans. It can also be damaged by contact with abrasive detergents, that is, you need to use something more gentle for washing and cleaning. Otherwise, continuous scratches are inevitable.

With agglomerate coating, the situation is quite different. All of the above problems and shortcomings it has not and is not afraid, but it has its own. This material is cold to the touch, in case of damage to some part of the material it can not be restored. If already such a coating is damaged, then it will need to be completely replaced, if to say otherwise - it is disposable.

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The kitchen surface made of artificial stone will cost several times more expensive than those described above. But when the choice fell precisely on such a coating and the decision to purchase has already been made, it will be more appropriate to choose a light-tone material with an average or large pattern-the scratches formed on it will be less noticeable.

A plate made of agglomerate will be more problematic in transportation due to weight, and there will also be difficulties in mounting work. The methods of its production are not simple, therefore it is more expensive in cost. Between acrylic and agglomerate, there are other distinguishing features: acrylic material makes it possible to embody almost any imagination on this topic. From it it turns out to make a table-top of almost any form, including corner countertops for the kitchen. And from the agglomerate, only a rectangle is obtained. In addition to this, the agglomerate has a less rich color spectrum than acrylic.

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There are nuances and with the presence or absence of stitches. If the worktop of acrylic will be seamless without any necessary length, then at the countertop of agglomerate, without a seam there will be only the first three meters, everything that will be produced afterwards without a seam will be unreal. Whatever the relation to the presence of the seam, one must understand that after a certain amount of time, an excellent shelter for microorganisms is formed in it in any case.

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Most likely, the main criterion for the right choice will be the obligation of the guarantee of the manufacturer and the store, and more specifically, it should be taken into account what exactly is included in the terms of the guarantee and for how long it is valid.

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