What kind of countertops are there?

One of the most interesting elements in the kitchen is the countertop. It is a table surface that fulfills a range of functional as well as aesthetic and decorative purposes.

The countertop in the kitchen is almost the main workplace of the hostess and therefore it is constantly exposed to three main types of exposure: mechanical, thermal, and chemical. That is why, when choosing the material from which the countertop should be made, you need to know well all its pros and cons.

When choosing a product, its quality characteristics are necessarily taken into account:

• resistance to moisture and different temperatures;
• shock resistance and resistance to damage;
• no fear of chemicals and ease of maintenance.

When producing work surfaces for the kitchen, the choice is often made on the following materials:

• natural and artificial stone;

• wood;

• laminated chipboard;

• glass;

• metal;

• ceramic or tile;

• concrete.

You can also find more rare materials for the production of modern countertops, for example, volcanic stone, covered with enamel, but it is much less common. And most often oak, beech or teak is used for the manufacture of wooden structures.

You can also choose more familiar woody varieties - alder or larch, pine or birch. These options are ideal for sustainable wooden dwellings. The edges of the product are milled, and the surface of the table is coated with a special oil to protect it from moisture, various types of dirt and high temperatures. You can also order a countertop made of exotic wood species, but then its cost will be very high.

You can opt for a stainless steel worktop when decorating high-tech kitchens. You can try the option of installing a copper surface, but this is more suitable for traditional decors.

For information on how to choose a countertop, see the next video.

Modern kitchen countertops are 3-4 centimeters thick, but can be even thicker depending on the preferences of the owners of the house.

The length of the countertops varies depending on the size of the kitchen, however, some materials have a limitation on the length of the canvas. Long length in their case will lead to the presence of noticeable seams and joints. This fact must be taken into account when choosing a surface. So, the stone will be seamless at the greatest length, therefore it is suitable for installing a long surface, but the agglomerate cannot be longer than 3 meters, so it is better to use another material in a large kitchen instead.

The width of the furniture top (as designers often call the countertop) is usually standard - 60 cm. There are also wider countertops. They can protrude significantly above the cabinets or go almost flush with them.

The main parameter when choosing a countertop will be its thickness. Usually it is from 2 to 6 cm. The thicker the base, the more durable it will be, but the more expensive it will cost you.

In many kitchens, you can find a double countertop, usually a pull-out. This design will help you significantly save the footage of the room. If you often use the countertop in the kitchen as your own work area instead of an office, then the tilting mechanism will come in handy, which allows you to adjust the more comfortable position of the countertop.

Metallic products are strong, durable, not afraid of temperature changes.

Among the disadvantages of such products, one can single out the fact that fingerprints are visible on them, after a while the metal may fade, when heavy objects fall on it, dents may remain, even small scratches are clearly visible on the metal surface. Countertops imitating the bronze composition of the material are very popular today, although it is very difficult to find a pure bronze countertop.

Glass countertops have an interesting aesthetic appearance. The glass table is surprisingly strong and stable. Tempered glass is most often used. Patterns and drawings are sometimes applied to it, painting or various blotches, photo printing is used. This material is in great demand due to its unusual design and excellent characteristics. Glass products are hygienic, but they also often have hand marks on them.

The main plus of highly practical countertops from chipboard - this is their low cost. Also, chipboard products are resistant to temperatures up to 200 degrees. But, alas, they also have many disadvantages: this material is afraid of moisture and swells under its influence, it is also afraid of damage. It should be remembered that chipboard is not an ecological material; the resins that stick together the shavings contain formaldehydes. A product made of chipboard boards, in contrast to products made of chipboard, has a special facing protective film pressed into its structure, making the material used more durable and moisture resistant.

Table top ceramic tiles may look different. You can even come up with a pattern or ornament yourself. For a miniature surface, tiles are usually selected; you can also take mosaic tiles as a basis. It looks very impressive, very simple to work with and to install. To make such a product as reliable as possible, it is fixed with a frame, which is later pasted over with tiles. This table will require special care, it will not be possible to put hot or too cold dishes on it. The grout between the joints will also require diligent washing when leaving.

Fake diamondthat is used for the production of countertops has no pores, which helps it not to absorb water, abrasives and coloring components. This base is also not afraid of bacteria and fungus and is completely environmentally friendly. If stubborn dirt appears, it can be removed very easily. You just need to wipe the surface with a cloth soaked in soapy water. You should not put hot dishes on this product. Although it is non-combustible, it can melt. Unnatural stone is an excellent alternative to natural material, moreover, it is cheaper and has high wear resistance.

Acrylic stone has a special structure, thanks to which it is the most moisture resistant material. It will not, like wood, become moldy or mildewy. Another important advantage of such a stone is its thermal stability. But acrylic is easy to scratch and can only be washed using special detergents.

Agglomerate (quartz) Is a direct relative of natural stone, which is not afraid of hot dishes and is cheaper than acrylic. When leaving, he is not afraid of aggressive substances. The agglomerates are very cold and very heavy to the touch.

Natural stone stands out for its catchy appearance, special strength.Stone countertops can be a staple of any space. The product can also be made from any natural stone. To do this, simply take a slab of stone a few centimeters thick. This material is not afraid of humidity, different temperatures, shock and deep scratches. If necessary, the stone can be sanded to restore its original color and appearance. A stone product is considered environmentally friendly, it is easy to clean. The price of such a product is high. The cost of a marble surface will be lower, but a granite surface will be much more practical.

Plastic is considered one of the most popular materials among modern consumers. It is very practical, capable of imitating other materials. The disadvantage of plastic countertops is that it can melt when in contact with high temperatures, and also burn out under the sun's rays.

Polypropylene countertops are characterized by good chemical resistance, resistance to moisture and steam, high wear resistance, impact resistance. However, they are more often used for industrial purposes; in ordinary kitchens they can be found quite rarely.

Concrete surfaces are available for every taste, they can be grinded, polished without any problems, as well as painted or included, when released, shells or small pebbles. As for the requirements for care, such products must be regularly impregnated with special protective equipment.

You can also sometimes find countertops with leather inserts along the edge of the table. In fact, the material used here is just a good imitation of leather, so it is very easy and simple to care for them.

When choosing a work surface for the kitchen, you cannot pay all your attention to color and what material will look best in a given room, it is also very important to choose the right design for this product. There are:

• Retractable (roll-out) table top. A retractable design can replace a table for a family of 2-3 people. It can also serve as a continuation of the work surface. A room with such a countertop will look more spacious.

• Variable height. You can easily customize it to fit your needs. Standing by such a product, you can simply change your position, which will relax your spine and give your legs a rest. Placing the raised work plane at the optimum level ensures a natural pose. There is no need to slouch or, conversely, stretch your neck. A spring-type gas-lift device, telescopic legs can act as a lifting mechanism.
• Rotating. Most often it is made of high-quality chipboard, covered on both sides with a melamine film imitating valuable wood species. A metal swivel mechanism connects the upper and lower countertops. Judging by the reviews of those ordinary people who used this modification in their kitchen, it allows you to delimit the active working area of ​​the main countertop from the area where, for example, some products can simply wait in the wings, which is very convenient for the hostess.

The choice of colors and shapes of the kitchen surface depends on the design of the room. The most original options are two-color countertops or decorated in the color of one of the fronts.

White is considered very popular. Snow-white glossy products can be chosen for both urban style and minimalism. They are in harmony with a contrasting or equally white room. A matte snow-white stone base will become an accent for a conservative kitchen.

The gray countertop can be matched to white or dark gray kitchen sets, it does not show the remnants of water splashes and crumbs.

The black countertop looks very stylish and is suitable for a medium-sized kitchen and a little more, visually dividing the upper and lower cabinets of the kitchen set. Red products are in perfect harmony with white and dark headsets. The red glossy surface can be repeated in the color of the dining table or floor tiles.

Brown colors - shades of cappuccino, chocolate, look great with flooring or a table of the same shades. Suitable for light kitchens as a bright contrast. An orange countertop in combination with a white set is suitable for a miniature room and will harmoniously look with brown furniture in a spacious kitchen.

The mirrored surface of steel will look great in a modern interior and will highlight all the advantages of a small kitchen.

The solid wood countertop will become a real decoration for a classic interior, giving it solidity and warmth.

A backlit glass worktop can turn your kitchen into a corner of quality rest and relaxation. If you add here a small dining table with the same effects, the kitchen becomes a real work of art.