The choice of countertops in the kitchen

Kitchen worktops are an integral part of the interior of the room. They are intended not only for working with products, but create the completeness of design ideas and the overall picture of the image. But how to make the right choice of countertops in the kitchen, and what can be the positive and negative sides of various materials. Consider this issue in more detail.

First, let's figure out what materials are used to create countertops. They are of the following types:

• Chipboard - is a chipboard based on wood shavings coated with special plastic;
• MDF - plate with HPL laminate protective layer;
• Granite - a natural stone;
• Agglomerate - stone chips with various kinds of coloring pigments and a binder;
• Acrylic - acrylic resin with coloring pigments and minerals;
• Marble - a natural stone;
• Tile - some types of strong tiles;
• Wood plate - some types of strong wood;
• Steel is ordinary stainless steel.

Main selection criteria

Since the countertop has a large functional accessory in the kitchen, it should be selected according to the following criteria:

• Good indicator of moisture resistance;
• Good resistance to external aggressive chemical influences (cleaning products, food, etc.);
• Good resistance to external mechanical influences (bumps, scratches, etc.);
• Good resistance to thermal stress and sudden temperature changes;
• The surface should be easy to clean from all sorts of contaminants;
• The surface should be as resistant to abrasion, direct sunlight and fading;
• The surface should have an attractive appearance.

Important points

When making a choice of countertops, be guided by the quality of the kitchen set. If it is made of ordinary plywood and has a low cost, then there is no point in purchasing an expensive granite or marble countertop.

It is best to choose the matte surface of the countertops, they are most practical. Light colors are ideal for inexpensive plastic surfaces.

When using stone countertops, do not perform any manipulations on them related to heavy and strong mechanical stresses (beating or chopping meat, etc.).