The worktop in the kitchen is an integral and important part of the furniture, as well as the main element of the kitchen interior and home design in general. At the same time, for her entire existence, she has to endure a lot of trials, we put hot and cold on the countertop, wash it a hundred times a day, touch it with sharp and heavy objects, and so on, you can't list everything. What kind of countertop to choose so that it meets all the criteria of the hostess?

The search for kitchen countertops is not only a choice of high-quality, beautiful and practical materials, it is a determination of its main functional features, in accordance with the preferences, style and lifestyle of each family separately.

It is important that the countertop becomes a single whole with the design and interior of the kitchen space, does not fall out of the overall harmonious picture and atmosphere of the room, be its decoration and highlight, and this is really art and real creativity.

Scientifically speaking, a tabletop for a table is its upper part, a surface that is a working and functional area, but nevertheless plays a decorative and aesthetic role.

The modern countertop is a kind of slab three or four centimeters thick, maximally protected from all sides. It is also called the furniture top of the kitchen. The length of the countertops varies from one and a half to three meters and depends on the shape and location of the kitchen unit. Its width is often standard - sixty centimeters, but it can be several centimeters larger, which is even more convenient for its further exploitation and use. It can protrude above the closet, cabinet, or be flush with them, it is up to the owners of the room to decide.

The top consists of a base, usually plywood or waterproof chipboard, and cladding, which directly affects the quality of the tabletop. The choice of countertops is huge, you just need to responsibly and carefully approach the issue of its selection, so that this important part of the kitchen interior will delight and inspire you for more than a dozen years, bring only satisfaction, and not everyday problems and everyday worries.

In today's environment, people prefer a single, holistic and continuous canvas of the countertop in order to minimize the number of its joints and connections. Household appliances, a hob, retractable sockets, a sink, and so on are usually built into the countertop. Since this is the main working area for the hostess, any tabletop must meet the following criteria and requirements.

Kitchen countertop requirements:

1. Resistance to moisture and temperature extremes;


2. Impact and heat resistance;


3. Resistance to mechanical damage and abrasion, odors, stains and dirt;


4. Availability and ease of cleaning, the ability to use chemical and abrasive household detergents;


5. Should not absorb grease and condensation;


6. Aesthetics, beauty and functionality, which are also important.

It also happens that countertops for the bar counter, the working area of ​​the kitchen and the dining table, as well as window sills are presented in the same style, it looks great, like one thoughtful and logical kitchen ensemble. The variety of modern and traditional materials determines the quality of the countertop itself, and today there are a great many of them, let's dwell on each in more detail.

Laminated chipboard table top (postforming)

The use of postforming, a special technology for laminating a sheet of chipboard with laminated plastic, is a very popular and demanded idea for the kitchen these days. This is the cheapest type of countertops that exist today, its price per linear meter starts from a thousand rubles.

Chipboard is framed on all sides by flexible and thin plastic on a paper basis according to a special temperature sequence. It turns out a durable chipboard, with a thickness of 0.4 to 0.8 mm, consisting of several layers protecting each other, one after the other. A decorative pattern is applied on top, coated with acrylic resin and laminated at high temperatures. All this makes postforming practical, resistant to moisture, shock, dirt, temperatures and chemicals, its surface is perfectly cleaned and washed, and also dries quickly.

This artificial surface is pleasant to the eye and to the touch, there is a wide choice of patterns, shades and textures, there are matte, glossy, mirror, rough and smooth options. From below, the forming-tabletop is pasted over with kraft paper, and the joints are protected with special rubber plugs and decorative plastic corners that prevent the penetration of liquid. A special edge is applied to the side part, giving it an aesthetic and complete look.

How to glue the edge on chipboard

Postforming is available for sale in the form of plates, which are cut out according to the corresponding sketch of the finished furniture and, in the future, are mounted to it using metal corners and self-tapping screws, and for reliability and special strength of the connection, they are additionally fixed with glue.

The disadvantage of postforming is that careless installation of the countertop can lead to its slow swelling. Therefore, it is recommended to additionally treat all unprotected places, as well as joints and gaps with silicone sealant, this will extend its service life. The cheapness of the chipboard top is compensated by its fragility and the relative complexity of installation, as well as the strict observance of the temperature regime.

Very often I also trim the kitchen apron with postforming plates, it turns out a single continuous and harmonious composition, a very advantageous, budget option for the kitchen.

Steel countertops

Metal, which can be more reliable, durable, hygienic and stronger than it. At the same time, the price of a steel top is not much more expensive than laminated chipboard and much cheaper than natural stone, it is only one and a half, two thousand rubles per running meter, with all its advantages.

Stainless steel, about 80 mm thick, is attached to a sheet of high-quality chipboard by means of liquid nails, the edges are rounded, carefully welded and sanded. Such metal countertops are mostly straight, if an angle is needed, it is joined by a seam and sealed tightly, this is an additional and very laborious process that requires special equipment and skill. On a matte surface, the seams are practically invisible, and on a glossy surface they are very aesthetic and thin. There are few decor options for such a top, circles, stains, patterns and ornaments, or a glossy mirror surface, which is effective for high-tech kitchens. The lower part of the stainless steel countertop is framed with plastic, and the edge is folded up so that moisture does not get behind furniture and cabinets.

The metal surface will withstand any hot dishes, you can not be afraid to put hot pans and pots on it. And all scratches are removed by repeated grinding, which can be carried out from time to time, returning a completely new look to the top made of steel. But keep in mind that over time, the metal grows dull and tends to leave finger stains on itself, which looks very ugly, and this is a big minus.

Wood table top

For such countertops, only hard types of wood are suitable, for example, pine, alder, pine needles, oak, larch, birch, and so on. The price of a wooden top is two thousand rubles per meter and more.

It is a type-setting board glued from wooden planks. This technology allows you to obtain a durable and wear-resistant surface, spectacular and elegant, reminiscent of the marine deck of a ship. This is the best option for an eco-friendly, warm and cozy wooden house, where all the furniture is wooden or finished with natural veneer.

The edges of the top made of wood are carefully milled, the edges and surfaces are painted over with deep penetrating oil that protects against moisture, dirt and temperature extremes. Oil treatment is a complex process that requires knowledge, patience and skills, therefore the quality and durability of the countertop itself largely depends on the quality of production, and the price of the finished product increases accordingly. In some cases, this procedure begins at the factory and continues right at the customer's home. The production of solid wood countertops is based on both domestic and foreign materials, their price and quality are different, depending on the thickness and number of impregnation layers, the more there are, the better, as well as processing and design.

For especially capricious and picky buyers, there is an opportunity to order a top made of exotic woods, red, cork or tropical, the price of such a product will be appropriate. It must be remembered that a wooden countertop must be mounted only in a floating way, otherwise it may crack, in the same way household appliances and a sink are built into it.

When working on such a countertop made of solid wood, it is necessary to take into account the humidity of the air, observe the rules of the temperature regime and carry out timely, extremely gentle care. It is very difficult to restore the delicate gloss of wood, you need to professionally own a sandpaper and be able to grind, so it is better to use special coasters for hot and not put electrical appliances on it. A huge drawback of a wooden countertop is that it is the most delicate natural material that requires appropriate attitude, care, care and attention.

Glass top

Glass stands out from interesting materials for countertops, about the same price policy and category, along with metal and wood. The table with glass top is durable, resistant to many types of influences, in addition, it can be given an unimaginable shape and the most spectacular design. Glass tops are made of tempered factory glass, on which any drawing, pattern, ornament or art painting is applied, they bring in a variety of color blotches and stains, even photo printing can be applied to it. Today, such countertops are increasingly conquering the market, captivating the hearts of buyers and designers with their originality, grace, airiness and originality.

From ceramic tiles or mosaics

In the realization of the miracle tiled countertop, you can show all your imagination and imagination. It is quite possible to independently come up with an original pattern or ornament, or ask for help from a designer, as well as a master tiler. It is better to take small ceramic tiles for the countertop, or use glass mosaics that look bright, original and effective, easy to use and install. For greater strength and reliability, the tabletop is reinforced with a metal or wooden frame, which is subsequently pasted over with tiles. You can make such a festive top with your own hands, but remember that such a surface requires more careful and timely care, you cannot put too hot or cold objects on it, monitor the amount of contaminants and their content, do not abuse chemicals and abrasive detergents. And the grout between the joints requires constant restoration and thorough washing.

Artificial stone countertop

These tops combine the charm, monumentality and beauty of natural stone with the unrivaled durability and impeccable hygiene of an artificially crafted countertop material.

On the modern market there are domestic and foreign manufacturers of this popular material, but, one way or another, the stone composite consists of seventy percent of a mineral filler, the rest is a coloring pigment and a binder - acrylic resin. Acrylic stone is a product with a non-porous structure, therefore, it does not absorb liquids, including solvents, dyes and chemicals, is not subject to bacteria and fungi, which means it is safe for health and environmentally friendly, not afraid of aggressive environments. Even with severe pollution, the artificial stone does not require particularly careful maintenance, its surface is wiped with a cloth moistened with soapy water and that's it.

This material is resistant to household chemicals and tobacco tar, but you shouldn't put hot pans and pots on it. Composite is an excellent alternative to natural stone, but cheaper than it, it is wear-resistant, impact-resistant, easy to care for and can be restored, if necessary.

The artificial stone countertop is warm to the touch, moderately rough and slightly silky, which cannot be said about its natural counterpart, which is cold and rough when touched. Artificial stone composite is a real find for designers, the slabs are glued together, and the seams are sanded so that they become almost invisible. Externally, the tabletop looks like a single and homogeneous array. A stone product of any shape will look like a cast, tempting, isn't it ... And the richness of textures and shades will amaze even the most discerning buyer, from traditional, granite, marble, quartz, sandstone, to the most amazing and original, with light green, neon , pink and lemon shades and blotches.

The disadvantage of this artificial stone perfection is only the high price of the material - from eight, nine thousand rubles per square meter, the thicker the sheets of the countertop, the higher its cost. The thickness of the product varies from three to twelve millimeters. A thin acrylic plate is fixed on a chipboard sheet, thick on a metal frame, a wall side and a decorative border are attached using a special seamless technology.

Natural stone as a kitchen countertop

In terms of its splendor, strength and durability, no material can be compared with natural stone. The natural stone countertop is undoubtedly the queen of the kitchen, which sets the tone for the entire home interior. Marble countertops, granite and any other, are made from a stone slab two to three centimeters thick. This is an excellent material for the kitchen, which is not afraid of moisture and temperature changes, resistant to abrasion and scratches, impacts and stains, there is the possibility of grinding to return the stone countertop to its original appearance and color.

The stone top is easy to clean, it is environmentally friendly, filled with live energy and warmth, such a tabletop evokes delight and admiration, even a piece of nature right at your home. It is clear that you have to pay for luxury, this pleasure is not cheap, you will have to pay about ten thousand for a running meter of natural stone countertops. The price for a marble countertop will be slightly lower, seven to eight thousand per shoulder, due to the relative impracticality of marble stone, compared to granite, for example. But believe me, this price is equal to the content, the stone is special, individual, characteristic and beautiful.

The stone-processing production using a special technology gives the finished product a finished look, grinds the surface, rounds the edges, grinds the seams, joints and so on, as well as additional openings for built-in appliances and sinks are cut out in the countertop. All operations are very laborious, so the final cost of the finished product is calculated strictly individually, in accordance with the complexity and volume of all work. The slightest inaccuracy of the master's actions can lead to a chip, and this is already a marriage in the work, which will cost the author dearly.

Among such a variety of types of materials for countertops, everyone can find an option for their taste, desire, preference and the size of the family budget. And, in order not to be mistaken in your choice, read on for practical tips and valuable recommendations on the selection of the perfect countertops for your favorite kitchen.