Overview of countertops for kitchen worktops

As no house is complete without food, so no one, even the most compact kitchen is not complete without work surfaces. Today, for the manufacture of countertops use various artificial and natural materials, which have a specific set of properties. Visually it is difficult to determine from which it is made one or other surface, and the abbreviation in the catalog or on the price tag much of nothing to say. Consider what are the finished countertops, and what you can "skolhozit" coating is not inferior to the purchase of all the parameters.

Countertops made of chipboard

Particleboard - chipboard obtained from waste processing industry, it consists of a mixture of wood shavings, sawdust and wood chips. Plates are molded by hot pressing into the synthetic resin used as a binder. Without additional finishing it - the rough stuff. To use it for the production of furniture, laminated particleboard - are covered with a special film. It not only protects the board from external impact, but also makes it decorative, simulating almost any mother, especially valuable varieties of wood. Today, designers give chipboard and other types - a mosaic, natural stone, brick or a fancy pattern.

These countertops are conventional and water-resistant - in the last added water-repellent, which is especially important in the kitchen. However, even water-resistant laminated plate with regular contact with water swell able and delaminate, especially if there is an unprotected edge, or over time, there are mechanical damage. However, due to the high decorative and affordable cost of chipboard countertops are the most popular. When caring for them will last long enough.

Countertops made of MDF

MDF - another derivative of wood waste, stands of very fine fraction. Plates made from virtually milled into dust waste compacted at elevated pressure. By DSP are more homogeneous structure and higher density. Furthermore, in view resource base and a method of production of MDF greener, stronger and lighter. As for the finish, these plates are not only laminated but shponiruyut - coated with a thin layer of real wood.

Therefore, such a countertop visually completely indistinguishable from wood, as well as to the touch. By Performance also benefits this material - it is more difficult to damage, it is more resistant to moisture and keeps the best hardware. However, if the scratches, chips or joint still get slightly wet, deformation and can not be avoided. With the popularity of smaller weight advantages tops of MDF due to the higher cost.

Table tops made of natural wood

Performed by any of the array of valuable species, or of furniture boards. These worktops mans work area in kitchen with island. To protect the wood from moisture and mechanical impacts cover countertops special oils, sometimes laminated. The advantages of this type of coatings include natural, strength and durability, again, subject to careful mode of operation. The main drawback - the high price, especially when talking about the array, rather than glued designs. But in the second case, and you can bet with naturalness, as the slats are glued all the same chemical composition.

Table tops made of natural stone

Most often, granite or marble, onyx less - massive slabs characteristic textures and colors, not afraid to moisture, resistant to mechanical damage and wear. Yes, stone countertops harder to cut / scratch / chop off / but it may well crack, for example, if you first put the pan with hot, and then at the same place to lay frost out of the refrigerator. In addition, some varieties of granite are characterized by a porous structure and well absorb the fat, over time this will lead to discoloration and tarnishing.

In the production of boards covered impregnated protective, but if it is not updated, it gradually wears away. By cons stone slabs also include a small range of colors, but it is a trifle compared with the fabulous price. Significantly, under a countertop because of the large mass of the base must be increased, which also adds zeros. However, the stone in the kitchen - it is a sign of status and wealth.

Countertops made of glass

Popular in the kitchen, decorated in the style of hi-tech, and small kitchens as well as glass enlarges the space. Tempered glass is resistant to deformation, not abraded not afraid of strikes, e.g., falling utensils. The glass may be either transparent or laminated - with different patterns under the upper protective layer. The undoubted advantages include decorative and environmentally friendly glass tabletops. Among the disadvantages - not only the price but also the noise - any movement, whether supplied by a plate or cutting products, accompanied by a sharp sound.

Countertops made of artificial stone

In addition to natural, composite countertops are popular today, cast in stone granulate and binder, the surface simulates the pattern of the stone. Such coatings are characterized by wear and presentable appearance, but the resistance to mechanical damage and high temperatures depends on the raw materials. Quartz varieties are not afraid of heat and scratches, but the acrylic hurt and then, and more. But take care of acrylic stone lighter. As for the price, it is lower than granite or marble, but still - it's expensive.

Stainless steel countertops

Another modern trend, which does not fit into every interior, but quite popular among consumers. Countertop surface may be specular or matte perfectly smooth or textured (embossing). It is resistant to almost all kinds of influences that is an advantage, stainless steel quickly loses its form because of fatty streaks and fingerprints, which are indispensable in the kitchen, that is a clear minus. In addition, heat from the hot instantly and the surrounding surface. Well, the cost - metal countertops also belong to the category of budget. Despite this, it is the metal most often can be found on the ultra-modern kitchen.

homemade countertops

Homebrew Among the most common are two options.

tiling

On the basis of plywood, OSB, chipboard or moisture resistant plasterboard on tile adhesive or the composition of the "liquid nail" glued tiles, ceramic or glass mosaic, granite less. All seams are carefully sealed with grout, it is the weakest point of countertops, so you should use a specialized grouting, for instance, for bathrooms. They are elastic, resistant to moisture and does not crumble from the joints. Veneered tabletops are most often found in the same makeshift kitchens, but can perfectly complete and ready to set, if the original cover is not satisfied for any reason.

Thanks to the huge range of coverage can pick up any color and texture, and performance, in this case at a height. Tiles are not afraid of moisture, cuts and scratches, resistant to intensive operating mode, it is easy to care for. The cost price of this will depend on the countertop tile class, but in any case, will turn out cheaper to purchase. If in doubt because of the large number of stitches and messing around with grouting, it is worth paying attention to the granite: a few large plates, a thin seam, and - a minimum of problems.

Interior concrete

In performance countertops, cast concrete, almost as good as a stone, and look great, especially when used as aggregate or gravel fines granite / marble chips. Like any other monolithic product, countertops cast in the formwork straight or reverse way. In the former case the form is collected and poured in place, while the second finished board is set based on the set after grade strength and handling. In both embodiments, the reinforcement plate is required, and polishing the front surface of several approaches and formulations of special protective coating.

When sanding is removed weak abrasion layer of concrete, and is also manifested texture and fixer during processing and hydrophobizator concrete becomes impermeable. That is, the liquid and dirt that are typical of the application, will be without any problems removed in the cleaning process. As for the decoration, many modern interiors such worktop only decorate. In addition, a real exclusive, as in the case of natural or artificial stone - is unrealistic to manufacture two identical surface.

Worktop - is not only a solid functionality, but also one of the most important elements of decoration that can both reduce the entire image in a single entity, and depersonalize the kitchen. When you select are important and performance, and the visual component, and the price factor. Given that one of the requirements for countertops, is the longevity, it might make sense to overpay, so soon did not have to re-purchase puzzled. On the other hand, reasonable price makes it possible to periodically adjust the look of the kitchen countertops due to change.

An interesting variant of the execution, including the top - in the material a monolithic kitchen, Technology for manufacturing concrete countertops - article of Concrete Furniture. In the video - about the features of the placement in the kitchens built-in equipment.

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