For cladding horizontal working surfaces of kitchen furniture, countertops from chipboard are used. Thanks to the decorative properties of laminated material, they become an important element in the design of the kitchen. A rich selection of design of kitchen countertops is able to transform the appearance of the most ordinary kitchen beyond recognition, and their quality and functionality meets the main consumer requests.
Content
The main varieties of kitchen countertops
Most kitchen countertops are made of wood-based (chipboard) with a decorative coating. Other practical materials are also used to facing the working surfaces of kitchen furniture. But countertops from a laminated chipboard are most widespread, although decorative layers of other materials of a certain size are successfully used for the same purposes. Kitchen countertops in the variety of decor meet the needs of the most demanding customers. As for the material, they are:
- acrylic;
- artificial stone;
- natural craftsman;
- natural marble or imitation;
- solid tree with an oiled surface;
- stainless steel;
- with cladding of chipboard mosaic ceramic tiles;
- glass countertops (colored, matte and transparent crystal).
However, the price of DSP has more acceptable, and in terms of quality, decorative properties and practicality, they are almost not inferior to more solid facing materials. The noble appearance of the DSP-Stores, offered by manufacturers in a huge assortment, makes it possible to choose an imitation of any expensive material.
Facing kitchens with stainless steel, glass, stone, ceramics and wood are less popular, but they also have their adherents. The countertop chipboard is much more accessible, buy or cut them to obtain an unusual shape of surfaces is quite affordable. The decorative wood-bruise with lamination remains the main offer for mass consumption.
Consumer requirements for countertops
If earlier, for the convenience of configuration in a small room, the kitchen set was made from individual items, today designers offer built -in furniture under the common surface. A single countertop combines several floor cabinets, which minimizes the number of joints of the end surfaces, which are less protected from water.
The main purpose of the kitchen countertop is the working surface for cooking, so the basis of the material must meet the main requirements:
- practicality;
- moisture resistance;
- simplicity of cleaning and cleaning;
- the stability of the surface to chemicals and abrasive detergents;
- strength;
- hygiene;
- lack of toxic fumes;
- resistance to loads and influences;
- the ability to withstand the temperature of hot containers.
Kitchen countertops from chipboard consist of 7 layers, so that during operation, compliance with the above indicators is guaranteed. The decorative layer is protected by plastic from burnout when direct sunlight, mechanical influences and damage, the occurrence of spots and scratches. The countertops withstand short -term contact with hot objects up to 240 ° C - about 20 seconds without the destruction of the laminated layer.
Other panels of similar decor are usually offered to countertops from laminated chipboard or MDF, which can be used for wall decoration and kitchen furniture. Often other surfaces are made of one material, which gives a special chic kitchen. In the combined countertop, holes are cut for a gas stove, washing, a horizontal refrigerator or a washing machine.
Among the shortcomings of chipboard can be indicated:
- when the excess moisture is penetrated under the laminated layer, there is a probability of deformation of the plate;
- mandatory waterproofing of joints and end parts;
- impeccable operation about 10-15 years with the subsequent replacement.
Tip: In order to save money, you can purchase a tabletop of small thickness, about 28 mm, with a matte layer of laminate. But the more durable will be countertops from a moisture -resistant chipboard, about 38 mm. The smooth shiny surface of varnish plastic should not be cleaned with abrasive substances, otherwise it will lose its “lacquer” properties over time.
Choosing countertops from chipboard selection
A countertop is not only a working surface for cutting food and cooking, but also an important decorative element of kitchen furniture. Despite the pure functional purpose, the countertop from chipboard affects the aesthetic perception of the entire interior of kitchens.
Most counters from chipboard excellently imitate natural materials, for example, the texture of elite wood or gem stones. Today, the most common drawing of countertops:
- crystal;
- melange;
- marble;
- graphite;
- metlosh;
- "Sahara";
- fahrenheit;
- jurassic stone;
- salmon;
- tavetin;
- rose root;
- inko;
- shells;
- jeans;
- salt and pepper;
- parquet;
- onyx;
- malachite;
- granite;
- imitation of natural wood (in the assortment).
In addition, the colors of the chipboard counters of any listed texture give the widest possibilities for the selection of the necessary palette for the design of the kitchen. However, the surface covered with a protective layer of transparent plastic is much more practical. Natural white marble, for example, is unstable to some spots - circles of tea, traces of food dyes can remain on its surface. But it is much easier to maintain in perfect purity laminated surface of the chipboard of a white “underwear”.
In the catalogs of online stores, you can find any name of the decor. For example, marble or wenge are offered in different versions of the color palette. Unlike stone, this material does not form cracks and chips from a sharp blow. The material is quite practical, unlike some of its natural analogues, and its joints are filled with silicone - for tightness.
Countertops in interiors style
When choosing the material of the countertop, its texture and shade, it is important to consider the compliance of the main color scheme and the style of the kitchen:
- stainless steel surface for high-tech styles, avant-garde, techno;
- an array of expensive wood - country, Provence, Retro, Grunge, English classics and eco -style;
- artificial stone-FUZHN, Art Deco, Art Nouveau, neutral modern design;
- imitation of bamboo in laminated chipboard - Japanese and Chinese style;
- jeans or imitation tightening with another fabric - kitsch, vintage, pronounced youth design;
- imitation of the shell - marine or Mediterranean style;
- natural marble or imitation - empire, classic, gothic, antiquity, palace style, baroque and rococo;
- sugar (sand imitation) - African, Moroccan and Egyptian style;
- the monophonic matte surface - minimalism, postmodern, functionalism, Scandinavian style;
- fantasy decor - constructivism, expressionism.
In catalogs, you can choose exactly what is the most corresponding to the designer’s idea or the wishes of the client - countertops from chipboard as much as possible.
From the general material, you can make not only working surfaces of kitchen furniture, but also combine the table and the windowsill of the kitchen with the common plane. From the same material with the same decor, if the dimensions of the chipboard tabletops allow, they also do:
- bar;
- shelves;
- apron;
- washing;
- the sides of the soft corner for the kitchen and other surfaces.
The main characteristics of the chipboard countertops
Kitchen countertops are most often made from chipboard or MDF, and their decorative cladding is covered with several protective layers. They are mounted on the working surfaces of the kitchen headset for subsequent installation on the sink countertop. This is a convenient and practical plane for cutting products, cooking, placing basic kitchen accessories at hand. That is why they are more appreciated by consumers for convenience and practicality, and their excellent decorative properties recede into the background. Plastic counters have long gained popularity among domestic consumers.
The countertops are mounted on the end parts of the kitchen cabinets, attached to the binding crossings with self -tapping screws. Decorative laminated plate of chipboard is considered the most affordable material used in the production of countertops. Their edge happens:
- with a rubble;
- with a bevel;
- with a slope.
Foreign and Russian manufacturers of facing and building materials came to the domestic market with a large assortment. Their products are almost no different in quality, but the cost depends on:
- stove thickness;
- protective properties of laminated plastic;
- decor features;
- moisture resistance indicators.
Tip: the main indicators of the material should not be saved, since this part of the kitchen set is quite difficult to change. However, if it is necessary to replace the countertops and other finishing surfaces, we do not recommend purchasing the first first.
Pay attention to the thickness of the chipboard, moisture resistance and decor. Italian countertops are considered the most expensive. When using a whole countertop in the kitchen, it is important to carefully process the rear end of the laminated chipboard - it will serve the same way as moisture resistant.
The shape of the tabletop profile varies, so it is possible to choose the most suitable:
- direct profile without rounding;
- 1 inclined (office) bevel;
- 2 inclined bevels from opposite sides;
- with 1 blockage (cut);
- with 2 rubble from different sides;
- with 1 slope (rounding);
- with 2 guns (from opposite sides).
The rounded laminated edge is more convenient for the working surface, and straight, without rounding is suitable for ending. Cestroat ends are carried out:
- the design of the edge in the same plastics as the working surface;
- pVC processing with an edge;
- the post -forming method.
For the design and protection of the end surface of the kitchen furniture, the edge is used to the tone of the countertops, its dimensions are 32 mm and 42 mm. Special corner compounds are also used in the form of a T-shaped bar:
Casters from chipboard for kitchens are produced in different thicknesses:
- 28 mm;
- 38 mm;
- 50 mm.
Length:
- 3050 mm;
- 4100 mm;
- 4200 mm.
The standard width of kitchen countertops is 600 mm, but you can also find layers of a larger laminated chipboard, they are an order of magnitude more expensive than usual. Moisture -resistant countertops are the most expensive, practical and durable, in the section they have a greenish tint, thanks to special waxy impregnation of wood chips.
An important addition to countertops is a small side or a recess along the edge of the lower front of the countertop, called the “capblemer”. The device collects drops of water, preventing its drainage under the inner surface and kitchen cabinet. But in the countertop with a rounded downward, lamination goes to the back of the working surface, which excludes swelling. This type of countertops is the most practical.
Tip: it is most practical to install a whole countertop on all the cabinets, and if one of them is slightly lower, under the legs or end parts, additional foundations can be made. On such a countertop without joints and it is more convenient to work, and looks more aesthetically aesthetically pleasing, and leakage is minimized. The main thing is the most thoroughly process the end parts, and if their tightness is in doubt, you can additionally treat with sealant or silicone.
Cut the countertops
At home, it is impossible to cut the countertop qualitatively, and high -quality cutting is ordered in carpentry and furniture workshops on special equipment. Stone and porcelain tile are cut by the hydro -carbrane method specialized companies, metal - on milling or universal CNC machines.
Experts will not only make countertops of any size that the leaf of the laminated chipboard allows, but also cut the holes of any configuration. Neat cutting and ending of the countertop from any material - a guarantee of aesthetic appearance of not only the working surface, but the entire kitchen.
