The table top is the most important part of this product, since it is used for preparing food or for the process of eating it. It can be made of different materials, and can also have different parameters, shapes and sizes. A tabletop for a computer desk will be significantly different from an element installed on a kitchen product, a decorative structure in a living room, or even on a kitchen set, since each option is influenced by its own factors. That is why, before purchasing, you should find out what types of table tops are available and how they differ.
Chipboard and MDF boards
Today this is the most popular and accessible material. It is a regular sheet of chipboard covered with a layer of plastic and lamination. Thanks to this, it has high performance characteristics, and the manufacturing technology allows you to paint the surface in any color and apply designs to it.
And yet there are also disadvantages. This material is not resistant to aquatic environments. Gradually, saturated with moisture through micropores, the tabletop swells and loses its appearance. There is only one way out - replacement. Sharp and strong impacts and caustic dyes can also lead to this problem. Therefore, be more careful about your headset. And one more little tip. Look for a multi-colored or textured print. On it, minor flaws will be almost invisible, unlike a plain one.
Design finds in the interior
Here are the most striking design ideas:
| Photo | Model of furniture supports |
| Metal legs in the form of wheels. | |
| Thin steel posts, sharply curved towards the outer edges of the tabletop. They look like the limbs of a huge insect. | |
| Making dining tables, coffee tables, work tables and desks in the loft style makes them comfortable and original. Most often, their lid is made of wood, and the rough and simple frame with legs is made of metal. For example, a very interesting table is made of slab, equipped with high supports made of steel reinforcement. | |
| Italian designers have designed a table that looks like a folded piece of paper (origami). Although it is sheet aluminum, coated with powder paint. | |
| The legs made from steel pipes for water supply look very original. |
Impenetrable steel
This is a fairly rare material for use at home; it is usually used in professional kitchens. And for good reason – a steel countertop is characterized by increased wear resistance and ease of cleaning. Its production is quite labor-intensive: laminated chipboard sheets are sheathed with thin layers of stainless steel and the edges are processed. You won’t find it in mass production, but for individual assembly, please.
This surface is available in both mirror and matte versions; the second, by the way, is more practical. Scratches and dirt are not so visible on it. You can also find embossed material. But the mirror countertop will have to be polished often. By the way, although steel is a durable material, it still cannot withstand sharp targeted impacts.
additional characteristics
In addition to material and dimensions, there are other important parameters that affect the appearance and cost of the finished product.
- End Finishing – Standard edge finishing is included in the cost of the tabletop itself. But if you want a curly seal, you will have to fork out more.
- Connection of parts - fragments are combined by using a T-shaped profile made of aluminum alloy or joint-to-joint with or without a euro-cut tabletop. Each option has pros and cons, so you need to decide this issue for yourself “on shore”.
- Type and color of coating – a matte surface is more practical than a glossy one. This applies to any base. The dark color looks impressive, but is difficult to maintain on a daily basis.
- The presence of sharp corners - the fewer sharp protrusions, the more convenient it is to move around the room. This is especially true for a small area.
Wood
This is the most noble and capricious material. It can fit perfectly into any, even ultra-modern interior. But for such luxury you have to pay not only a significant sum, but also daily polishing and weekly application of special protective wax.
It is also worth remembering the following restrictions: you cannot place hot dishes on it, you must not wash it with caustic substances and under no circumstances allow contact with coloring elements. But if any of the troubles happen, you can simply remove the tabletop and send it for restoration.
But if you want your kitchen to be decorated with a wooden countertop, then it is best to choose Russian larch. This type of wood is ideal for use in the kitchen. It does not rot from high humidity and is practically not susceptible to mechanical shock. At the same time, the cost of larch is lower than other tree species.
Tips for choosing a product
In order to choose the right countertop, you need to consider the following points:
- Products made from natural stone are the most expensive and require more careful, regular maintenance.
- If your budget is limited, then you should opt for a plastic or steel countertop. They are quite practical and do not require special care products.
- It should be taken into account that on plain white or black products all stains are better visible. In this case, you will have to wipe the dark surface more often than the light one.
- It is worth choosing a tabletop with wall sides. They will decorate the work surface and prevent dirt and debris from getting behind the cabinet.
- The countertop is chosen based on the style of the kitchen. Wooden and stone surfaces are suitable for classics. A ceramic or wooden tabletop will fit into a country or Provence style interior. For a kitchen in a high-tech or loft style, steel and plastic products are relevant.
When choosing a size, they are guided by the height of the person who plans to cook food on this countertop. It has been established that the distance from the elbows to the surface of the table should be 10-15 cm. For a person with a height of 150-160 cm, the height of the table top should be 82 cm, with a height of 160-170 cm - 88 cm, 170-180 cm - 91 cm. Optimal width – 60-65 cm. The distance to wall cabinets can be 47-50 cm.
If you can experiment with style, then definitely not with quality. When choosing a tabletop, you need to pay attention to its technical characteristics - strength, water resistance, heat resistance. Durable and wear-resistant products should be sought from trusted manufacturers. Our company produces kitchens for every taste. You can purchase goods from us without intermediaries and at affordable prices.
Fake diamond
Another name for this material is acrylic stone, or Corian. It is very pleasant to look at and is versatile. Corian manufacturing technology allows you to create a cast - or at least without a rough seam - working surface. From a wide range of colors and textures you can create a unique design for any furniture or architectural form.
This wonderful material was created in laboratory conditions in the 60s of the last century, and in the 90s many related materials appeared, such as axilan, varicor and others. Thanks to their smooth surface, they are not susceptible to the harmful effects of moisture and fungus. Artificial stone can withstand impacts well, but is very sensitive to scratches and hot objects. Another significant advantage is easy restoration by an experienced craftsman.
What materials can be used - choose the optimal one
A kitchen countertop is a surface that covers cabinets and appliances located on the kitchen floor around the perimeter, along the walls or in the center. On this canvas, food is cut up, prepared for cooking, food is often eaten, and compact household appliances, dishes and kitchen accessories are stored.
The tabletop also serves as a decorative element - it is desirable that its design and texture fit into the overall style of the interior, harmonize with the color scheme (or contrast with it - depending on the design intent).
Today, two main materials are used for the manufacture of kitchen countertops - stone and wood. Both materials can be artificial or natural. Kitchen countertops made of artificial stone or wood, in turn, also come in different types depending on the raw materials, manufacturing method, coating and a number of other factors. You can also very inexpensively buy countertops made of a metal alloy with a stainless steel coating or ceramics. Below are the characteristics of countertops from the 9 most popular and popular materials today.
Wooden tabletop Source stroy-podskazka
Quartz stone
Agglomerate is a transitional link from artificial stone to natural stone. Up to 90 percent of crushed quartz stone is added to its composition, thanks to which this material is very similar to natural stone to the touch and visually. But it is more resistant to the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation, hot surfaces and impacts.
However, if damaged, restoring or repairing such a countertop is almost impossible. And you can forget about the continuous surface of agglomerate. Today, a seamless surface can be no more than 3 m long, and the shape should be close to rectangular.
Dimensions
It is necessary to take into account the size of the surface and how much it should protrude above the facades.
As a rule, the width of the lid does not exceed 60 cm, while the depth of the cabinets varies between 56–58 cm. It turns out that the protrusion in front is about 3 cm, and in the back 1 cm. This is enough so that when working you do not touch the handles of bedside tables and protect communications carried out behind the furniture wall.
Of course, there are also non-standard solutions. For small kitchens, it is permissible to install narrower furnishings (from 46 cm), and then the lid is selected to match them.
The length of the surface can be different and depends on the dimensions of the set and the design of the room. There are projects in which the tabletop smoothly flows into a window sill or bar counter. So we can’t talk about any fixed values: even in standard apartments these indicators differ.
Natural stone
To create a truly luxurious and aristocratic kitchen interior, this material is best suited. Not only unsurpassed aesthetic qualities, but also an indecently high price confirm the elite status of countertops made of natural stone. The more common materials are basalt and granite; traventine and marble are much less common.
The stone, despite its solid reputation, is very capricious and does not have the lowest performance indicators. Therefore, it must be covered with protective solutions. Contact of such a surface with caustic and coloring substances is extremely contraindicated. They, like chips, cannot be restored. And one more important point is the large weight of the tabletop, which should be taken into account when designing the set.
Strained glass
Quite a rare and expensive material in our country, but very effective. Its surface can be either smooth or textured, glossy or matte, plain, colored or with an unusual print. Glass does not deteriorate from exposure to moisture, heat and fungus. It is very easy and pleasant to care for. But the fragile nature makes itself felt, so scratches and mechanical shocks are detrimental to such a tabletop - they are not masked or restored.
Types of countertops
Countertops are made from the following materials:
- steel;
- natural and artificial stone;
- solid wood;
- glass;
- Chipboard, MDF.
Let's take a closer look at each of them.
Made from natural stone
Countertops made of natural stone have a number of advantages:
- presentable appearance;
- unique texture formed by nature itself;
- moisture resistance;
- heat resistance.
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Such products also have disadvantages:
- high cost;
- heavy weight, requiring structural reinforcement;
- difficult care.
Countertops are made of granite, marble, quartz basalt. The thickness of the slab is 2-3 cm. The slabs are polished, given the desired shape, and holes are cut in them for the sink.
Basalt contains many carbon compounds. It is not afraid of mechanical influences, moisture and direct sunlight. It does not leave knife marks or stains from chemicals and products. The surface can easily withstand high temperatures. The service life of a basalt countertop exceeds 100 years.
The color range of basalt ranges from gray interspersed with green to black. A dark countertop will look especially impressive in a kitchen done in white tones. It is necessary to take care of the grouting of the seams. It is recommended to use a plastic composition that is not susceptible to cracking.
Granite is very dense, less hygroscopic than other rocks, heat-resistant, impact-resistant, and has a unique pattern. It cannot be broken or damaged. It is resistant to ultraviolet radiation, acids and oils, and requires minimal maintenance.
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Granite countertops look respectable. Such products are supported by excellent compatibility with other materials - metal, wood and glass. Granite has a wide palette of shades and a variety of textures.
A marble countertop will decorate any kitchen. In addition to its decorative properties, marble is valuable for its high strength and moisture resistance. One of the disadvantages is porosity. The material absorbs everything that comes into contact with it. Therefore, you will need special wax-based cleaning products. Sharp temperature changes are contraindicated for marble. Because of them, cracks may appear on it.
Quartz contains inclusions of natural stone. A product made from it costs less than one made from marble or granite. The quartz countertop looks beautiful, does not wear off, and is resistant to chemicals and dyes. It is hygienic and easy to clean. Ultraviolet radiation and high temperatures are also not scary for her.
The disadvantage of quartz countertops is that they are difficult to repair. It will not be possible to repair a chip or crack unnoticed. Products longer than 3 m will have joints, which does not make them attractive.
Made from artificial stone
Acrylic is an easy-to-process, lightweight, hard, moisture-resistant, easy-to-care material. In the production of acrylate, acrylic particles, pigments and mineral additives are mixed. The mixture is then poured into a mold where it hardens. Thanks to this, acrylic slabs are not only rectangular, but also streamlined or wavy. This technology allows you to make the product monolithic, choosing the desired configuration for any kitchen.
How to choose a countertop - 4
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The advantage of acrylic is the absence of pores and easy cleaning. Dirt does not eat into such a surface and stains do not form on it. Acrylic has two disadvantages: it cannot withstand high temperatures and is prone to scratches. Then sanding is necessary. Scratches are more visible on dark surfaces. When choosing built-in equipment, you can get a monolithic work area.
How to choose a countertop - 7
Ceramic, mosaic and tile countertops look beautiful, they are hygienic, very durable, chemical resistant and easy to clean. Ceramics tolerate high temperatures well. You don't even have to use hot pads.
Ceramic slabs are quite expensive. These are durable products; cracks and chips rarely appear on them, and the surface can only be scratched with a diamond. If one tile is damaged, it is easy to replace. Particular attention should be paid to joints and seams. They need to be regularly processed, rubbed, and also monitored for the accumulation of dirt in this area.
Plastic
Plastic products are the cheapest, but at the same time they look attractive and last a long time. Tabletops are made of chipboard or MDF and covered with HPL. Decorative plastic consists of sheets of kraft paper compressed and impregnated with resins.
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The presence of water-repellent components is indicated by greenish or blue shades of chips on the sections of the slab. However, the cuts must be sealed with an edge to avoid harmful formaldehyde emissions. When purchasing, you must require a certificate that confirms the safety of the product. For kitchen surfaces you can use chipboard of class E1 or E0.
To extend the service life of the product, the edges of the table must be treated with postforming technology, which provides a seamless finish. To protect the underside of the tabletop from liquid, a silicone drip tray is additionally installed.
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MDF countertops are more environmentally friendly. They use paraffin and lignin to glue wood chips, so there are no harmful fumes. Products made from MDF are more expensive than those made from chipboard.
MDF countertops can have different shapes and modifications. With their help you can create an exclusive interior in your kitchen. This is a softer material that can be processed well. You can experiment with texture and color by choosing imitation stone, wood or metallization.
Plastic countertops have a number of advantages:
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- The color range of laminated countertops is the most extensive, because you can print any design or photo on paper, imitate the surface of wood, leather, stone or fabric. It is possible to choose the color you like when making a custom-made tabletop.
- Products do not deteriorate from moisture provided the top layer is intact.
- The design does not fade in direct sunlight.
- Plastic countertops are relatively heat resistant. Plastic can withstand short contact with hot dishes. Depending on the thickness of the top layer, the temperature can range from 180 to 230 degrees.
- The plastic is resistant to mechanical stress and can be rubbed with a brush. He is also not afraid of chemicals.
The only downside is the presence of seams when joining the slabs.
Wooden
Wooden surfaces harmonize the interior, making the kitchen environment more comfortable. Durable wood species are used to make countertops - oak, walnut, ash, cherry. The surface of the wood is coated with special compounds to provide protection from moisture, fungus, mold and increase resistance to mechanical stress.
Wooden table top
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Wooden countertops are environmentally friendly, aesthetically pleasing and expensive-looking, can withstand aggressive substances, and are easy to care for. But they do not tolerate high temperatures and are easily flammable. They need care - regular varnishing, timely cleaning using mild detergents.
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It is recommended to choose products with a thickness of 4-5 cm. They are easy to install. To return the tabletop to its original appearance, it is enough to sand it.
Glass
Tabletops are made of tempered glass. These are lightweight, durable, moisture-proof and heat-resistant products. The color palette of glass tabletops is quite wide. You can also find products with interesting textures and patterns. The only negative is the need to completely replace the countertop on which a crack has formed.
Glass table top
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A glass table will fit most harmoniously into a modern interior.
Steel
A stainless steel tabletop is the most wear-resistant, impact-resistant, durable, environmentally friendly, and heat-resistant. No substances or odors are absorbed into the surface. The design allows for seamless insertion of the sink. Metal tables can be wall-mounted, central, corner or radius, with or without sides. The metal can be smooth, with a waffle or matte surface.
Kitchen countertops are made from two main types of steel:
- AISI304 - more expensive, not damaged by acids, does not corrode;
- AISI430 is cheaper, but with high humidity, prolonged contact with water or after cleaning with alkalis, rust may appear on it.
You can distinguish one from the other using a magnet. Cheaper steel is highly magnetic.
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The steel work surface can be washed with any means, but if scratches appear, sanding will be required.
Ceramics
Tile is a wonderful material for decorating a countertop, which will help create an unsurpassed rustic interior or a romantic Provencal style. The main thing is that the selected tile is processed and can withstand mechanical shocks.
It is so light that it can provide an invaluable opportunity to independently design and manufacture a kitchen from available materials, such as laminated chipboard or furniture plywood. But the money saved will go towards paying the tilers, whose work is highly valued.
Table legs
To complement the design of the tabletops, frame legs are available, made from the following materials:
- metal;
- durable glass;
- wood (boards);
- untreated solid wood, etc.
They are installed in standard quantities or individually, based on the shape of the product. Sometimes wooden models are equipped with only one leg. The supports are decorated with openwork carved patterns and have a matte or shiny tint.
Concrete
Quite a popular material from European branded kitchen furniture manufacturers. But not only professional studios take on the production of such countertops - many craftsmen with certain skills can easily create newfangled work surfaces.
The best part is that you can do anything with concrete: add color at the pouring stage, paint, sand, pour textured models, and even dilute cold cement stone with colored glass and other decorative trinkets.
It is impossible not to note its high performance characteristics, which are expressed in excellent resistance to high temperatures, constant exposure to moisture, shock, scratches and caustic liquids. However, concrete can easily absorb dyes, so treatment with protective solutions is mandatory. Another difficulty is the installation of a massive countertop, which requires certain professional skills.
Knowing the characteristics of each material, you can easily choose the one that is best suited for creating a work surface. The main thing is to objectively assess your capabilities, priorities and attitude towards the ritual of cooking.
Marble
Undoubtedly, one of the most aesthetic materials for interior decoration. A marble countertop will give the entire kitchen ensemble a nobility and respectable appearance. Marble does not tolerate significant temperature changes. This is cold material. It is not recommended to place hot dishes as they will leave stains on it. The porosity of this material ensures instant absorption of coloring pigments from coffee or carrot juice spilled on the countertop. A trace of a marker left by a child that cannot be removed from the surface of the marble can ruin your mood for a long time. If marble still captivates you with its beauty, we recommend regularly using special wax-based protective products that retain moisture and protect the product from various contaminants.
