The working surface of the kitchen table is most intensively used when preparing dishes. The best kitchen countertops must meet the requirements in many ways. Judging by numerous user reviews, coatings must be durable and reliable. Most often, surfaces are made in the form of monolithic slabs without joints, which reduce the functionality of the product. Plates made from various materials, glossy or matte, acrylic or plastic, fit harmoniously into the interior of the room. Cookers are often equipped with built-in hobs and sinks. Which design is best for a particular kitchen is always decided by the owner of the room.
Types of materials for kitchen countertops
The construction market offers a large number of materials for the manufacture of kitchen furniture. To find out what is the best choice for a kitchen countertop, you need to familiarize yourself with the existing options:
- Laminated chipboard (LDSP).
- Fine fraction (MDF).
- Acrylic, quartzite like artificial stone.
- Glass.
- Natural stone (granite, marble).
- Stone agglomerate in the form of tiny pieces sintered into a mass.
- Natural wood.
- Metal (stainless steel).
- Ceramic tiles.
Each type of material presented in the list has advantages and disadvantages. Moreover, all samples are used in the kitchens of apartments and private houses.
Is it true that granite is not worth the investment?
Granite countertops are significantly more expensive than countertops made from wood, plastic, or other materials. However, the idea that they are not worth that higher price tag is not true. If you plan to sell your home at any point in the future, granite products will not only increase the value of your home, but will also make it more attractive to buyers. Surveys show that 55% of home buyers are willing to pay more for a home with granite, meaning granite has a greater return on investment.
The best artificial stone countertops
Solid acrylic kitchen countertops are considered the best materials for countertops. Products made from artificial stone are environmentally safe. Acrylic surfaces do not react with fats, repel dirt, and do not absorb water. Such kitchen countertops are characterized by increased resistance to mechanical and temperature influences. They do not stain from coffee, iodine, solvents or other aggressive dyes.
Stone Hand
The company offers slabs with imitation of natural materials. Stone Hand countertops made of acrylic (cast) stone are made to look like marble. Kitchen products are made in different sizes and take any shape or configuration.
Pros:
- Mold, mildew and corrosion do not form under the sink.
- The acrylic tabletop does not swell with water.
- Monolithic slabs are made without seams or technological joints.
- There is no specific smell in the kitchen that is inherent in cheap analogues.
- Long service life.
- Increased hardness (cannot be distinguished from natural stone surfaces).
- Large selection of structures, colors, patterns.
Minuses:
- Relatively high cost.
Marble Ocean acrylic stone countertop
The working surface of the kitchen table is a solid monolithic slab that imitates natural marble. The material is in high demand among many fans of stone tables. The base consists of white clay and acrylic resins. This surface has no pores, and stains from red wine, coffee, tomato, and soy sauces do not remain on it.
Pros:
- Reasonable price.
- The durability of the material is at least 10 years.
- Large selection of colors and structures.
- Aesthetic appearance of countertops.
- The surfaces do not suffer from frequent maintenance using detergent solutions.
- Maintainability (accidental chips can be easily rubbed out and sanded).
Minuses:
- Subtle scratches and marks from sharp knives remain on the surface.
Tristone
Countertops made from South Korean artificial stone imitate natural marble, malachite, and granite. Table surfaces made of branded acrylic stone are highly resistant to negative external influences. The level of quality justifies the relatively high price of finished products.
Pros:
- Hardness of coatings.
- Durability, reliability.
- Duration of operation.
- Large selection of designs, colors and shades.
- The tabletop does not swell from water and does not deform.
- Unlike natural stone, the acrylic surface maintains room temperature.
Minuses:
- There are traces left from the knife and steel wool.
Help when choosing granite countertops for the kitchen
Before placing an order for the manufacture of a product from this rock, it is useful to ask the supplier whether the product has a quality certificate. Some types of natural stone have increased radioactivity. In order for the use of granite to be safe for health, the level of specific activity of natural radionuclides (Aeff) should not exceed 370 Bq/kg - this is the first class of material. During the dialogue with the supplier’s representative, it is advisable to clarify what cleaning and masking agents can be used for this category of granite.
The best glossy countertops for the kitchen
LINNMON
Glossy white fiberboard worktop for the kitchen, manufactured by IKEA, country – Poland. It is recommended to care with a dry, clean cloth. Can be wiped with a damp cloth, if necessary, treat with a solution of detergent or soap. Beautiful surface with a unique shine. The table in the kitchen reflects the incident light.
Kronospan Shining Stone SQ
Polish countertop with a glossy finish that imitates black stone with shining inclusions. Material structure – SQ gloss.
SQ Kronospan marble
Glossy countertops in various colors. Chipboard slabs are decorated with natural marble (salmon, gray, beige, brown, moonstone, bright Venetian and other shades).
Price
Due to the strength of the rock, mining, cutting and processing procedures are quite expensive. The final price per linear meter of countertops is influenced by the following factors:
- The number of solid slabs that will be involved in the manufacture of the product. Remaining amounts are most often included in the price.
- The price of the rock, which depends on the place of extraction, the depth of the quarry and the rarity of the selected species.
- Method of processing end edges. The more complex the profile shape, the more expensive the order will be.
- Delivery of a heavy product including lifting to the floor.
A three-meter countertop with the simplest end and a thickness of 2 cm, which has standard holes for a sink, stove and mixer, can cost about 33 thousand rubles.
The best matte countertops for the kitchen
Hanex Duo
Tabletops made of artificial acrylic "Hanex" made in South Korea have a matte structure. The surface design is very diverse - from snow-white to deep black. The material has a unique plasticity. When heated, acrylic plates are formed into the desired shape, the ends are joined using special glue without the formation of seams.
Grandex
Environmentally friendly and safe countertops made of modern material – Grandex acrylic stone. The company from South Korea produces products that include six collections, collected according to the most popular colors. Countertops made of natural stone are most often made with a matte sheen. Buyers select the desired shade from the samples presented.
How to care for granite countertops
To maintain the working surface in its original condition on a daily basis, it is necessary to wipe the mineral stone with mild products containing glycerin. If a chip or crack accidentally forms on the countertop, you can mask the flaw yourself using special mastics and polishes. Professional effective compositions will get rid of fungus and mold, as well as remove rust.
Polished fabrics are the most demanding to care for. Interaction with abrasive pastes and creams, as well as powdered dry products, can adversely affect the appearance of the mirror plate. Excessive use of soap or detergents leaves noticeable stains on the gloss. To prevent the polish from tarnishing, you should avoid its contact with citrus juices and alcohol by using coasters under the vessels.
Which kitchen countertop is better to choose?
The countertop is most often used during cooking; it bears the main load. If, when arranging an apartment, the question arose about which countertop is best to buy for the kitchen, the owners will have to work hard to study the options presented.
According to many users, the best option for a modern kitchen is a Marble Ocean artificial marble countertop from the legendary company Tristone (South Korea). Kitchen products made from Staron stone retain their attractiveness and useful properties for several decades, which justifies the relatively high purchase price.
Is it true that granite quickly loses its shine and becomes dull?
It is true that granite products will become dull and worn if not cared for properly. Additionally, if you use harsh cleaners such as bleach and scouring powder, the surface of the granite will dull, and a rough or rough sponge or cloth may also leave scuff marks on the surface of the stone and remove its shine. However, if you clean your granite thoroughly with plain water, a mild granite cleaner or dish soap, and soft sponges, it will remain shiny and maintain its pristine appearance for many years.
Is it true that granite contains bacteria?
A well-made, well-treated countertop is impervious to bacteria because it is inherently non-porous. All you have to do to disinfect it is wipe it with soap and water or a special granite cleaner. If you're particularly concerned about contamination, such as after slicing meat on a granite counter, you can clean it with a mixture of half water and half isopropyl alcohol. Leave the mixture on for about three minutes, then wipe it off with a soft, damp cloth soaked in water.
Is it true that granite emits radiation?
The radiation comes from naturally occurring elements in rocks, including uranium, radium and thorium. There may be veins of these elements running through any stone, including certain slabs of granite. If present, these elements can release radon, a radioactive gas, into the air.
However, even if a rare slab of granite does emit radiation, the experts' position is that such radiation in building materials such as granite countertops poses no risk compared to that emitted from the soil under homes. The radon emitted by granite is diluted by ventilation systems, so its health effects are minimal, so radiation from granite will not exceed annual radiation doses above normal permissible levels.
