When choosing a kitchen headset, special attention is paid to the tabletop - this is its main working surface. It is exposed to the greatest load in the active activities of the hostess. In addition, the countertop is considered a "face" of the kitchen, its shape and colors must correspond to the interior of the room. Models from artificial stone are in great demand - they have all the properties necessary for the working surface and look great in any interior design.
Content
Artificial Stone Countertops
Countertop made of artificial stone or top kitchen furniture - stove, fixed on floor modules headset. It happens both monolithic, uniting tables and courses and consisting of several elements.
The thickness of the top depends on the desire and financial capabilities of the kitchen owner. It varies within 2-13 cm and its cost depends on this parameter. Buy a tabletop of an artificial stone of a small thickness, does not mean to purchase a product of poor quality. In this case, the stone is glued to the substrate from MDF or plywood and the main thing is the reliability of the frame and the strength of its compound with the facing.
The width of the product usually corresponds to the parameters of the modules, but can be ordered a worktop, protruding outside the facades of the kitchen headset.
There are two types of composite materials:
- acrylic stone;
- agglomerate.
Acrylic stone
Acrylic stone is made from natural mineral filler. The binding material is acrylic resin. About 2/3 of the total composition of the stone occupy Mineral Fillers.
For the first time in the market, the acrylic stone appeared in 1966. He was released by the company "DuPont" and many years the right to manufacture material belonged only to her. Mark "Corian", under which an artificial stone was produced is considered the most famous and in our time. Sometimes people believe that this is called any acrylic stone. But there are already many other manufacturers and, accordingly, other items of this material: Staron, Bitto, Montelli, Tristone, Hi-Macsb, Diamant, etc.
In our country, kitchen countertops made of artificial stone are relatively recently, but the material of domestic manufacturers is characterized by a more democratic price. In quality, it is not inferior to foreign counterparts.
Like any materials, the acrylic stone has certain advantages and some disadvantages.
Advantages
- Strength - tops from acrylic composites are durable and withstand active operation without special negative changes in appearance.
- Strams resistance.
- Ease of care - the countertop is perfectly mounted with soapy solution.
- The structure of the material is a non-porous surface of pleasant and heat to the touch, does not absorb liquids and oils.
- Large color gamut tops.
- The ability to restore countertops - scratches and small chips are easily polished even by conventional shallow sandpaper. More serious damage is also easily repaired at home. For this, the grinding and polishing machine is used.
- The flexibility of acrylic stone. Under the influence of heat from the material create a variety of tabletops models.
Despite the fact that the dark shades of table tops look stylish and richly, they are more noticeable defects that have appeared during operation. On bright products, scratches are not so quickly manifested, especially if the products have a drawing of a large and medium fraction.
disadvantages
- Scratches, with the active use of the tabletop.
- May receive the following from the very hot dishes - Acrylic Stone negatively reacts to heat.
- Applying too hard sponges and abrasives threatens scratches on the product.
Table tops from agmiterat
Agglomerate, in comparison with acrylic stone, is much closer to natural material. Its filler takes 90% of the total composition of the material. As the basis, there is a crumb of natural stone, and sometimes even its pieces. It may be marble or granite, but a quartzite is most often used for the manufacture of kitchen tops. The 10% component of the agglomerate occupy dyes and polyester resins. Externally, it looks like a natural stone.
The advantages of agmiterate
- Strength - agglomerate countertops are more reliable than natural material and are able to serve for a long time with the most intensive use.
- Strams resistance.
- The surface of the countertop does not absorb oils and water.
- Heat resistance (up to 150ºC).
- No consequences transfer the use of abrasive tools.
- The appearance of the agglomerate resembles a natural stone.
Disadvantages of agmiterate
- The length of the solid top is a maximum of 3 meters. It is possible to manufacture a worktop of artificial stone larger, but it will be with seams. It should be noted that they are almost not visible - the joints close are very good.
- The material is not amenable to restoration.
- At the touch, the countertops are as cold as natural stone.
- Tops of agglomerate heavy acrylic products.
- The material does not have flexibility. It limits its application in exclusive projects.
- The price of the agglomerate tabletop is above its analogues made from acrylic and natural stone. This is partly due to its more expensive installation in comparison with the acrylic product.
The undoubted advantages of artificial stone of any kind refers hygienicity. The smooth surface does not allow to take off the bacteria and mold - contamination from it is easily removed by soapy water.
Made from artificial stone washing countertops not only organically fit into the general view of the headset, but also help keep the ideal order in the kitchen. This contributes to the absence of seams and smooth transitions. They are perfectly cleaned, completely silent and resistant to corrosion.
