The times when each individual cabinet had its own countertop are long gone. Nowadays, countertops that combine all the cabinets at once are becoming popular.
They are made of durable material and are very practical to use. The countertops are made in such a way that they increase the entire surface, making the work area larger.
Due to the material they are made of, the countertops will last you a very long time, as they are considered waterproof.
This article will help you choose a countertop for your kitchen and how to fit it into the interior.
Chipboard work surface
A kitchen countertop made of laminated chipboard is one of the most popular options today. A melamine (plastic) protective coating is applied to the chipboard. The greater the thickness of such a slab, the higher its cost will be. The fullness size varies from 20 mm to 80 mm. The reliability of such a tabletop directly depends on the thickness of the melamine layer.
The thickest layer can be found from European manufacturers (80 mm). Melamine tolerates high temperatures well, does not absorb foreign odors, and this coating can be cleaned with any household chemicals. This working surface is moisture-resistant and impact-resistant. Installation and installation of such a coating is possible with your own hands.
However, such countertops have a short service life. When caring for such a surface, you must adhere to some rules:
- Stains should be removed immediately using a soft, slightly damp cloth.
- Clean matte surfaces only with liquid cleaner.
- Removal of fat using solvents of natural origin only.
- Do not allow moisture to get into the seams.
- Protect the coating from mechanical damage.
Argillite
Mudstone is a natural material formed under the influence of many factors. Hard rocks are compressed, fused and formed into amazing patterns, which is why mudstone is so highly valued in the market.
The key advantage of such countertops is the characteristic vein pattern. It is extremely difficult to recreate such an ornament in artificial conditions. This is why countertops made from real argillite are considered very prestigious.
Fake diamond
A mixture of natural stone particles, acrylic resins and natural pigment is called artificial stone. It is used to produce artificial countertops for the kitchen. These coatings are highly durable, easy to maintain and have a long service life.
The acrylic artificial stone coating is absolutely seamless. But acrylic is highly susceptible to mechanical stress. It is very difficult to use.
The production of artificial stone alomerate occurs on particles from the stone. Vacuum pressing technology ensures high strength and resistance to mechanical damage and temperature changes.
Alomerate countertops are produced only in standard sizes, which is not at all suitable for creating a custom kitchen. They look very solid, but they also have a decent price.
Selection of auxiliary accessories
In furniture stores, apartment owners need to choose not only the tabletop itself, but also various auxiliary accessories:
- Skirting boards for kitchen countertops, the main role of which is to protect wall panels from dirt and greasy deposits getting into the cracks between the joints.
- Protective films and stands for hot dishes.
For expensive, decorative countertops, you can stock up on care products, for example, for surfaces made of decorative stone. You can buy inexpensive kitchen countertops and additional products for them in large furniture and accessories stores, for example, IKEA.
A natural stone
The beauty of natural stone cannot be compared with anything. Stone countertops for the kitchen are always impressive and unique. Each coating has its own individual pattern, created by the hand of nature. This material requires some care.
Not every stone is suitable for a kitchen worktop:
- Porosity and soft structure do not allow the use of marble and onyx.
- The most suitable stone for countertops is granite.
Materials
Here is a list of the main and most popular materials that are used for the manufacture and finishing of countertops:
- laminate;
- artificial stone with acrylic or quartz filler;
- solid wood of different types;
- natural stone;
- stainless steel;
- glass;
- ceramic tile.
Wood table top
Historically, countertops were made from wood. Today it is luxury. Preservation of the original shape is possible only by maintaining an optimal level of humidity. Wooden surfaces require careful care.
Whatnot
A real trend that has become widespread abroad is the use of multi-tier fruit racks for purposes other than their intended purpose.
They place small pots with house plants on a three-story tray, decorate it for the holidays, decorating it with candles, Easter eggs and sweets, and also set up a tea station, displaying aesthetic mugs and various types of drink. The priority, as usual, is wood and metal.
Metal and glass
Sometimes traditional solutions are not at all suitable for creating a unique interior. For a high-tech kitchen, you can purchase a metal countertop. It is distinguished by its resistance to dirt and high temperatures. It is not difficult to keep such a surface clean; to do this, you only need to clean the surface on time.
Tempered glass is used to produce glass countertops. This is a very expensive and rare material. Most often, countertops are made with only small decorative inserts. They look great, but are high maintenance.
Laminate
We are talking about chipboard countertops covered with a layer of plastic with a thickness of 0.8 to 1.2 mm. However, this coating itself consists of several layers; moreover, it is impregnated with various mastics and processed under high pressure.
The top layer, consisting of a polymer substance, determines the appearance of the countertop. The main advantage of this material is the variety of options for its execution: it can be of any color, matte or glossy, and also imitate wood or stone.
Choosing a color
A kitchen with a dark countertop is always elegant and incredibly beautiful. All attention is focused on this surface. Dark colors are suitable for modern kitchens with a large area. Any housewife will like such a work surface. When making such an accent in your kitchen, do not forget about the harmony of the color of the countertop with the facade of the furniture.
A kitchen with a light countertop is beautiful and effective. A light countertop will perfectly complement a white or beige kitchen set.
The option of black furniture with a light countertop looks very chic. The contrast of white and black always looks stylish.
Skirting for the kitchen as the final touch when choosing a countertop
The renovation is complete, the kitchen set with the countertop is installed - it's just a matter of small things. All that remains is to select the baseboard.
In appearance it resembles a floor-standing analogue. And its functions are as follows:
- closes the joint between the countertop and the apron;
- prevents dust, moisture, and pieces of food from entering the technological gap;
- plays a decorative role.
As a rule, the kitchen plinth is selected so that it is in harmony with the countertop. Ideally, it should be made of the same material.
Wooden models perfectly complement a tabletop made of solid oak, alder, or walnut. MDF plinths are a little more capricious in operation than wooden ones. It is better to choose an option covered with a thin layer of lamination.
Models made of artificial or natural stone look like a plank leaning against a wall. They serve for years without losing their presentable appearance. One of the disadvantages is that they do not allow you to hide the electrical wiring.
The width of the plinth is selected individually. It is important that it completely covers the gap.
Various forms of skirting boards are available:
- triangular;
- rectangular;
- rounded;
- curly;
- flat.
