How to choose the kitchen countertop

Tabletop, apron, facades, color ... The head is spinning when you search for a kitchen set. But all these details are important, without their careful selection, the kitchen of your dreams will not work.

Suppose that now you have not the best time to buy new furniture, but there is a need to change something in the interior of your kitchen.

Resistance to short-term exposure to high temperatures.

Protection against scratches and abrasion.

When choosing a kitchen countertop, you should not forget that, first of all, it is a work surface, attention should be focused not only on the texture or color, but also on the functionality. Here, in addition to the main criteria, physical parameters, such as width (depth), thickness (height) and length, are also taken into account. Only in the aggregate of all factors, the kitchen will be pleasing to the eye and will be convenient to use.

A new kitchen countertop will change its style beyond recognition.

Resistance to light.

Easy to care.

Worktop dimensions

Conventionally, the listed headset values ​​can be divided into two large groups.

1. The standard dimensions of the kitchen countertops are 60 cm wide, 3.8-4 cm thick, the footage can be arbitrary, depending on the customer's wishes, but an average of 120 cm. A surface with such characteristics will be standard. Many materials for kitchens have such parameters, it allows you to simplify the production of furniture and preserve the quality characteristics of the lower cabinets.
2. Non-standard (unusual) will be those countertops that differ from the specified values, both in large and in the smaller side.

In principle, the table top made of any material will update your kitchen table.

Overheating protection.

High hygiene performance.

In economy class kitchens, only chipboard, lined or laminated, is used to avoid damage and formaldehyde emission.

Worktop Materials

Today, the range of raw materials for countertops is diverse. The most common are the following.

1. Laminated chipboard (laminated chipboard)

This material is most often used for kitchens. There are several reasons for this. First, because of the ease of manufacture, it is relatively inexpensive, and, consequently, the cost of the entire kit will be acceptable. Secondly, attracts a variety of pattern (decor). And, thirdly, it will not be difficult to choose various configurations (rounded, U-shaped, L-shaped and others). The width of the sheet is 60 cm, but there are other options: from 40 cm to 120 cm. Length from 230 cm to 350 cm. The average height is 2.8-3.8 cm.

2. Artificial stone (acrylic and agglomerated)

It is also popular in work, since it has a similarity to nature and is characterized by excellent qualities. The parameters for such a tabletop will be: depth from 60 cm to 80 cm, footage to 3 m, thickness from 1.2 cm to 3.8 cm.

3. Tree.

The dimensions of the wooden table tops can be: depth from 40 cm to 100 cm, length up to 300 cm, height up to 6 cm. Such a working area has the main advantage - the natural origin of the material, but at the same time it will require additional maintenance.

4. A natural stone.

In the creation of kitchen surfaces are rarely used because of its high prices, heavy weight and difficulty to install. Dimensions for this type of material: depth - 60 cm, length from 100 cm, height - from 2 cm.

Glass, natural or artificial stone, an array of natural wood, laminated chipboard - a variety of countertops for the kitchen.

Mid-level tops are more durable, environmentally friendly and beautiful, but require care and careful handling.

Despite the huge selection of countertops on the modern market, the materials from which they are made are few: particleboard and MDF, natural wood, artificial stone, natural stone, glass, metal, ceramic tile.

Countertops from the massif of a tree also belong here.

And some more tips

If the kitchen has sufficient space, then with the selection of the table top there will be no obstacles, and you can give your preference to the standard one. But most Russian apartments have modest spaces, and narrow countertops will be useful here. They will allow to leave the same functionality and not reduce the already limited work area.

Resistance to daylight and UV rays.

Protection against scratches and abrasion.

At the time of choosing a kitchen countertop, you should not forget that, above all, it is a work surface.

When choosing a tabletop you need to take into account many parameters, and if the budget is limited, then the task is many times more complicated.

Having decided on such a tabletop, people already face other problems: how to fit household appliances, such as a stove, at that width?

Resistance to chemical and mechanical stress.

Tabletops of premium class, as a rule, are deprived of this disadvantage - they are not only beautiful, eco-friendly and durable, but also do not require special care.

Only in the aggregate of all factors, the kitchen will be pleasing to the eye and will be convenient to use.

In addition to the aesthetic, a good tabletop also has a hygienic function: it reliably closes joints between pieces of furniture, preventing the development of harmful bacteria, which is especially important for the area around the sink.

Successful solutions for placing a bit:

• install induction hob, as it has less burner compared to gas and electric;
• reduce the number of burners and arrange them along, but this is not very convenient for a family with more than three people.

Resistant to stains from coffee, tea and red wine.

Many tests come to the tabletop: food is cut on it, heavy appliances are moved, hot and dirty dishes are put.

With all this, the tabletop should be beautiful, if necessary, it is easy to take a festive look and serve faithfully for as long as possible.

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