Types of countertops for the kitchen plusses and minuses: from artificial stone, granite, basalt, from marble, glass, steel, wooden, countertops from a laminate.

In order not to criticize the style and practicality of modern cuisine, the table top is the first thing that catches your eye when looking at modern kitchen.

A single table top can not only decorate the kitchen, give it a modern, stylish look, but also solve the problem of clogging food crumbs in between the modular space. In times of lack of a single countertop, the housewives had to periodically push out the modular cabinets in order to remove the accumulated food residues and this was the time when the hostess spent a lot of effort to restore order in the kitchen. Currently, we have an extensive selection of modern countertops, but pay special attention to getting the kitchen on the countertop. In addition to beauty, the table top should be durable, especially durable, so you can entrust the manufacture of high-quality table tops only to trusted companies http://www.ogranstroy.ru/wares/stoleshnicy-53/. Let's try to consider the properties of both positive and negative materials, of which modern countertops are made.

Table-tops, which is good, and what is bad for countertops made of artificial stone

Table tops made of artificial stone consist of a plastic polymer-mineral base.

It's easier to say that this table top consists of acrylic plastic.

The advantages include:

• a beautiful imitation of the color and texture range of different rocks of natural stone;
• the price of an artificial countertop is much lower than the price of a countertop made of natural material;
• light weight;
• it is easy to process;
• the ability to give a table top made of acrylic plastic of any shape;
• acrylic tabletops perfectly tolerate shock loads;
• are not exposed to moisture and steam.

The disadvantages of acrylic worktops include the following:

• acrylic countertops do not tolerate the effect of high temperature, as when exposed to high temperatures, the table top deforms and loses its appearance;
• the upper surface of the acrylic worktop when worn on it wears off, scratches and scratches appear on the surface, so the acrylic tabletops lose their marketable appearance over time. To return the presentation to an artificial stone, the surface of the countertop must be polished.

Countertops, which is good, and what is bad for granite and basalt countertops

Table tops made of natural stone are made of natural granite and basalt plates.

The thickness of the plates does not exceed 3 cm.

Thanks to modern equipment, specialists produce cutting plates from natural stone, then the cut piece is polished and polished. The finished table top has sawn-through openings under the sink and other built-in household appliances.

After the completion of all stages of cutting, the edges of the table top are processed, they are given the desired shape. The edge of the table top can be made figured or straight.

The advantages of granite and basalt countertops include:

• durability;
• the beauty of natural stone;
• aesthetics;
• resistance to ultraviolet light;
• resistance to high humidity.

The disadvantages are:

• a large weight of the tabletop made of natural stone, this construction must be securely fastened;
• high price;
• a heavy processing process and if cracks and chips appear during operation, they can not be removed.

Countertops, which is good, but what is bad for marble countertops

Marble worktops are tabletops made of natural stone. The advantage is:

• good workability, you can make a curved profile;
• the table top can be made in any shape, depending on the designer's decision;
• marble is not afraid of excessive moisture, fire and cold.

Disadvantages are:

• instability to the influence of aggressive media, such as acid, etc .;
• low resistance to mechanical damage.

Worktops, which is good, and what is bad for steel worktops

Steel worktops are made of alloy steel.

Pluses:

• high resistance to high humidity;
• have increased strength;
• high hygiene;
• long service life;
• easy to clean;
• low cost.

Disadvantages;

• the table top shapes can only be rectangular or angled.

Tabletops, which is good, and what is bad for glass countertops

Glass countertops have their attractiveness and style.

Pluses:

• moisture resistance;
• refractoriness;
• high strength.

Disadvantages:

• are prone to scratches and chips;
• do not clean with abrasive compounds.

Countertops, which is good, and what is bad for wooden countertops

Wooden countertops do not lose their popularity and now, they are able to create a cozy atmosphere.

Wooden countertops are made of glued hardwood panels, the surface is well polished, then a layer of special oils is applied on top.

Special oils are able to protect the tree from aggressive environmental influences and from mechanical damages.

Pluses:

• spectacular appearance;
• environmental Safety.

Disadvantages:

• danger of fire;
• to prolong the life of the tree must be treated with special protective compounds.

Tabletops, which is good, and what is bad for countertops made of laminate

Worktops from the laminate win their place, the popularity is constantly growing.

Pluses:

• low cost of countertop;
• low cost of installation;
• a wide variety of colors;
• a wide variety of imitations (under the skin, under the wood, under the stone, under the metal, etc.);
• high resistance to ultraviolet light;
• ease of maintenance;
• high wear resistance;
• high resistance to aggressive environment;
• high resistance to fire.

Disadvantages:

• low resistance to moisture, moisture leads to swelling of the working surface. To prevent moisture from seeping through the seams, all joints and seams must be treated with silicone sealant.