Glass countertop for the kitchen, the main advantages and disadvantages

The average woman spends a significant part of the day in the kitchen, therefore, in our time, special attention is paid to the kitchen design. Mistresses strive to make the kitchen zone of modern, comfortable and functional.

The kitchens are becoming more neat, more beautiful and airy. Apparently, therefore, such a curiosity as a glass countertop becomes more popular. But before, blindly following fashion trends, buy a glass countertop, you should thoroughly study the essence of the issue.

So, a glass countertop is several layers of laminated glass, where the upper layer is made of hardened glass. Such glass has another name - triplex.

Glass countertops: advantages and disadvantages

Let us analyze that you win by purchasing a dining table with a glass countertop, and what you risk.

Advantages

1. Originality. Agree that it looks very unusual and stylish in the kitchen with a round or hawste -shaped glass countertop. You can make a table of any other form on an individual order. That is, purchasing such a non -standard countertop, you make your kitchen different from those that your friends and friends already have.                                                                                                                                                         
2. Aesthetics.   No one will argue that the table with a glass countertop looks pretty, the kitchen becomes bright and neat.  This surface will be an excellent addition to the kitchen interior in any style. This is an ideal option for low -light premises. A glass countertop can be made to order, taking into account your individual preferences and taste. 
3. A variety of models.   The glass countertop can be transparent and matte, multi -colored, plain or with a pattern applied, with or without a ground. If you are confused by transparency, then you can buy a table with a matte glass countertop.  Then at dinner you will not have to see your guests. Today they practice lamination of glass countertops with a special film, which can be of different colors, with photo printing or with a pattern. The film with great success can imitate natural stone (under malachite, amber, granite, amber, etc.). Outwardly, glass surfaces differ little from stone, but are much cheaper. And the range of such interesting tables from glass is constantly expanding, thanks to the efforts of designers.                                                                                           
4. Strength.  Despite the visual lightness, glass countertops for the table are able to withstand significant loads. The thickness of such a countertop varies from 4 to 20 mm. The surface of such a table has a special film protective coating, which minimizes the effect of the fall of a heavy object.
5. Safety. Of course, if you try very hard, you can break such a strong surface. But, even if this happens, then a tabletop made of hardened glass will crumble into many parts without sharp edges.  Those. The danger of injury in this case is minimized. In addition, glass is completely harmless material in terms of environmental purity.
6. Resistance to moisture and temperature changes. Preparations of food in the kitchen are not complete without excessive humidity, something is heating up on the stove all the time, boils and splashes. Tempered glass does not swell from the water and will not melt from the hot.  Just what you need in the kitchen.
7. Durability. This quality floats out of the previous point. Glass - material with a whole texture, resistant to moisture, is not subject to rotting processes (like wood). Bacteria simply nowhere to multiply, since glass has no pores. It is not so simple to scratch the glass surface (like plastic). If you follow the simple rules for the operation of glass products, then such a countertop will serve you for a very long time “faithfully”.

Flaws

1. Fragility. Glass is glass, even hardened. It, of course, does not absorb moisture like a tree, and is not afraid of hot pots. But, it is worth appearing on the surface of a small crack, you will have to change the entire countertop. It will not work to restore it.                                                                                                                  
2. Asselo exposure. And acids in the kitchen are common.
3. Littleness and creak. Many are annoyed by a specific sound made by glass when contacting kitchen utensils. But it is quite easy to cope with this, using the stands for hot or napkins in various variations.
4. "Cooling" of the interior.  Yes, the glass is good in hot climates.  In winter, the cold surface will not add comfort.  But, in this case, it is worth compensating for this drawback by placing more “warm” objects in the kitchen: thick villing carpet or wooden chairs, a sofa with fabric upholstery.
5. The need for frequent washing and cleaning the surface. On the glass, spots are very clearly visible, which remain from water, fat fingers, dirty dishes, so you need to wash it often. If such a prospect does not suit you, then it is better to refrain from this purchase. Although, if you immediately wipe the pollution, then there is nothing complicated in this. After all, glass does not absorb pollution, everything remains on the surface, i.e. It is much easier to clean the glass countertop than, for example, a wooden one. To care for the glass surface, abrasive materials cannot be used so as not to scratch the glass. Use special cleaners.
6. High cost. Yes, a glass countertop is not a cheap option. And sliding or folding tables made to order are even more expensive.                                                                                                                                
   

When choosing a table, you should pay special attention to the quality of fasteners of a glass countertop, the stability of the structure, which is especially important for sliding and folding variations.