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Kitchen countertop – what material to choose?
The countertop is a very important element of our kitchen furniture. It should stand out aesthetically and match the interior design. It is important that it is durable and stain-resistant. Due to the fact that it is exposed daily to spilled liquids, wiping, cutting vegetables or meat, and the action of high temperature by placing hot pots on it.
The countertop must be non-toxic, as it is in frequent contact with food. Among natural countertops, we can distinguish mainly wooden countertops and stone countertops – made of gres, marble, and quartzite.
We have more and more available options on the market. This mainly depends on the client’s budget and expectations. Whether they prioritize price or durability and quality. Whether we prefer natural materials, or if it does not bother us that the countertop is partly made of plastic.
As we know, countertops made of hard materials are more expensive and heavier to process, which additionally affects the final price of the product. Undoubtedly, if you want to warm up the interior, a wooden countertop is ideal. If durability is your priority, it is worth using a granite countertop.
If we want to make the right choice, we should consider how much time we spend in the kitchen? How often do we cook? Do we like cleaning? Do we always clean the kitchen the same day after a party? To summarize – answers to these key questions will help us make the right choice.
This is the most popular type of kitchen countertop due to its low cost compared to other countertops. It consists of a thin top layer of laminate and a chipboard or MDF board inside. Laminate is a thin layer that also consists of several glued, pressed, and resin-coated layers. This makes laminate a durable material. As a result – the more layers it has, the better its quality. The standard thickness of laminated countertops is 38mm.
It can be made from a single piece of wood or from connected wooden pieces. After cutting the countertop, we have the same structure and color as on the top of the countertop. The key to the durability of a wooden countertop is proper surface protection; a raw countertop will not work in the kitchen at all. It must be properly protected with varnish or oil – intended for contact with food. It suits rustic as well as modern kitchens. It warms up and adds charm to the interior.
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This is a natural type of countertop, but very demanding. It is very important to properly protect and care for it before first use, but also to protect the countertop periodically during use. Marble is a natural material that has micropores, meaning that any liquids tend to penetrate deep into the stone. This can cause discoloration and stains. Regular impregnation effectively reduces the permeability of the stone and ensures the original appearance of the marble countertop throughout its service life.
This is a durable and natural countertop, with its own unique pattern. It looks very elegant in rooms. It suits both modern and rustic interiors. Working on such a countertop is a pleasure because it is easy to wipe and requires no special treatment.
This countertop is made from a mixture of crushed rock with added dyes and resins. It contains about 3–7% plasticizers (binders), so it is not 100% natural. Quartz is one of the hardest materials found in nature. The lower the percentage of binder, the higher the quality of the countertop.
A combination of natural rock mixtures and approximately 30% plasticizers, i.e., plastic materials. This makes the material less durable than countertops made of natural stone. Such countertops are becoming less and less popular due to their rapid wear and tear. Unfortunately, after some time, they begin to look unsightly.
It is created by mixing quartzites (approx. 20%), clays, granites, and slates. Occasionally, though rarely, plasticizers are used in production. It is colored using pigments. Due to the fact that it is very thin and may not visually appeal to everyone – it is possible to adhere it to particle board. Then the countertop will be thicker.
The color of the countertop should harmonize with other elements in the room, mainly with cabinet fronts, wall color, doors, windows, floor color, and texture. We can go for contrasts, i.e., dark cabinets — light countertop, and vice versa. If we want a more uniform kitchen, we can choose a countertop in the same color scheme as the kitchen cabinets. From a practical point of view, it is better to choose a non-uniform countertop with a delicate pattern, which will prevent crumbs and stains from being noticeable.
The countertop should always protrude from the furniture, regardless of what type and thickness of countertop we choose. The protruding countertop provides a larger working surface. Additionally, the protruding countertop protects the cabinet fronts from dirt or spilled liquids, which also makes cleaning the counter easier. Liquids spilled on a countertop that protrudes by a few centimeters will drip onto the floor, not onto the furniture fronts. It is generally accepted that the countertop overhang should be a maximum of 5cm.
If you are interested in the topic of general kitchen design, read the rest of our posts on kitchen furniture.
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