Chipboard kitchen countertops: features and tips for choosing

The suite is the centerpiece of every kitchen, reflecting the style and individual preferences of the family. Comfort and convenience of cooking depend on well-chosen furniture, and the quality of the selected set affects the period of operation of the furniture.

One of the main elements of this furniture is the table top. In specialized stores you can find a wide range of chipboard products.

Chipboard is the most popular building material from which domestic furniture is made. The chipboard kitchen countertop has an affordable price and good performance.

Chipboard is a combined material that is made from wood shavings and auxiliary components by complex hot pressing. To increase moisture resistance, manufacturers add paraffin to the chipboard.

Material advantages:

• low price range;
• high reliability and durability;
• resistance to mechanical damage;
• wide range of colors.

Disadvantages:

• the release of hazardous and toxic substances that negatively affect human health;
• low resistance to moisture;
• lack of the possibility of repair.

As a decorative facing layer of chipboard, several options are most often used.

• Paper-laminated plastic (laminated chipboard) - decorative laminate, which is made by pressing and has three layers - a cellulose resin base, a decorative pattern and a protective film. Advantages - high density, resistance to temperature, light, moisture, chemicals and mechanical deformation. The material repels odors, has a wide range of colors and textures. Disadvantages - the need for additional processing of the end sections and places of contact with the stove.

• Melamine foil - Kraft paper coated with melamine resin. Advantages - thickness no more than 0.5 cm, wide range of colors.
• Veneer - natural wood layer, which is covered with a protective moisture-resistant varnish. Disadvantages - low resistance to moisture and mechanical damage, short period of operation.

There are three types of countertops depending on the texture:

• matte;
• glossy;
• combined.

According to the level of environmental safety, there are two types of material:

• E1 - environmentally friendly material that does not contain hazardous chemical compounds;
• E2 - the technical type of the product, which is not used for the manufacture of furniture.

Modern manufacturers produce two options for kitchen countertops made of chipboard, depending on the size:

• fixed;
• arbitrary.

Depending on the thickness, chipboard for furniture production is offered in several versions:

• high density material - 1.8, 2.8 and 3.8 cm;
• medium density material - 5 cm;
• combined material - 6 cm.

If we talk about forms, then there are several of the most popular product modifications:

• corner;
• straight;
• oval;
• trapezoidal;
• in the form of the letter "T";
• in the form of the letter "P".

The choice of a kitchen countertop is a crucial stage in the improvement of the kitchen, on which not only the aesthetic beauty depends, but also the service life of the headset.

Experts identify several main criteria that influence the choice of this product.

• The size - a parameter that depends on the number and dimensions of built-in household appliances.
• Moisture resistance - an important indicator, data on which should be indicated in the accompanying documents. The more resistance to moisture, the higher the cost of the product.
• Color and texture - the main indicators affecting the overall aesthetic appearance. In addition, the method of care and the types of chemicals used that are used to remove various contaminants depend on them.
• End edge processing - one of the main indicators that affects the service life. The most durable is the countertop with double-sided curvature and drip tray.
• Coating.

The choice of the right product is also influenced by such an important indicator as the edge of the table top.

Depending on the material used, it can be:

• plastic;
• polyvinyl chloride;
• acrylic;
• polymer thermoplastic (ABS);
• wooden;
• made of artificial stone;
• aluminum;
• stainless.

In the process of installing a kitchen countertop, novice craftsmen need to adhere to the recommendations of professionals.

• The installation of the table top should be carried out on a stable support along the perimeter of the entire work surface.
• Fastening of the kitchen sheet to the lower cabinets is carried out using furniture corners.
• It is strictly forbidden to drive screws into old holes.
• The product is cut only on machines.

• Openings for household appliances must be formed using an electric jigsaw after final installation. Transportation of the finished product with already cut holes can lead to cracks, chips, breaks, and in some cases even to a violation of the integrity of the structure. Experienced craftsmen recommend that you always process the cutouts for built-in appliances with special protective equipment.
• For the corner connection of the structure, it is necessary to use screw ties. To protect the junction from above, aluminum fasteners must be used. The use of a curved method of processing the ends when connecting parts of the structure will hide the gash and joint places as much as possible. This method of processing edges can only be carried out with a milling machine.

To extend the operational life of the structure, experienced craftsmen recommend following simple rules:

• prevention of damage to the integrity of the protective layer, for the creation of which sealants are used;
• in case of water ingress on unprotected areas of the chipboard, it is necessary to quickly dry the working surface to prevent swelling of the structure;
• direct contact of hot objects with the surface leads to deformation and melting of the protective film;
• the use of a heat-insulating stand is a guarantee of preserving the intact surface of the countertop;
• contact of chipboard with frozen food will lead to delamination of the decorative film;
• operation of the countertop is possible only a day after its installation;
• to remove dirt, use only creamy cleaning agents;
• laminated surfaces have maximum durability and resistance to mechanical damage.

In the event of a deep scratch on the laminated worktop, it is imperative to fill it with a special wax.

For the rules for installing chipboard countertops, see the following video.

Modern designers offer a large number of beautiful current projects, for the implementation of which chipboard countertops are used. This material is used not only for budget orders, but also for the design of expensive interiors. It is not necessary to spend a lot of money to create a beautiful and practical kitchen.

Modern manufacturers produce a huge range of building materials that make it possible to realize all the design wishes of customers. In specialized stores, you can buy kitchen countertops that have a solid color, but can also be made in marble, natural wood or wild stone.

A glossy wood-like countertop against the background of light kitchen cabinets will give the headset nobility, and the relevance of the wooden pattern will remain for many years.

The harmonious combination of dark wood kitchen and laminated worktop will appeal to any customer. Against the background of the glossy sheen of the chipboard, dark household appliances, a shiny sink and faucets look beautiful.