In any house or apartment, the most important and cozy place is the kitchen. This fact can be confirmed by men, because, as you know, the path to their heart lies precisely through the stomach. They cannot walk past the kitchen. Sure of this fact and women - they often spend a lot of time in the kitchens.
Each housewife has her own idea of functionality, as well as the beauty of kitchen furniture. When it comes to choosing kitchen worktops, the choice itself, for the most part, depends not only on wishes, but also on the budget. Today there are a variety of types of countertops for the kitchen. Let's try to find out which ones you can buy and how they differ.
What are the requirements for countertops
This part of the kitchen unit performs an important task. It is cooking.
Based on this, it must endure any effects and serious loads. Hot dishes are placed on this element, various products are cut on it, it is often washed.
The first and most important requirement is resistance to moisture and high temperatures. Then the countertop should have high impact resistance. In addition, this part must be resistant to shock, various mechanical wear. Another requirement - the countertop should not absorb various odors, oils, fat and everything else, which is accompanied by the cooking process.
Also, this element of kitchen furniture should be easy to clean with and without detergents.
Today there are types of kitchen worktops from different materials. They more or less meet these requirements. Consider what is popular in the modern furniture market.
Budget Kitchen Solutions
Most people are not able to purchase expensive furniture. Therefore, many acquire inexpensive, but quite durable and reliable products. They meet all the requirements and are also made with taste.
Among the inexpensive models - products from particleboard and MDF. There are several options for such countertops. All of them have individual characteristics. Dimensions and geometry are determined by the parameters of the kitchen.
Particleboard products: high quality at affordable prices
What is chipboard? This is a wood chipboard. These materials are produced by pressing with the addition of formaldehyde resins. For the manufacture of countertops, not every chipboard is used, but only a special type. This is a material with a high level of moisture resistance.
In the production process of such waterproof plates, before starting pressing, a special paraffin emulsion or melted paraffin is added to the chips. Due to this, moisture resistance is also increased.
But chipboard also has a significant minus - the material releases formaldehydes harmful to humans into the air.
If we talk about environmental standards, then there are two classes of plates. The first - E1, which has a higher level of environmental friendliness - it practically does not release polymer resins into the air. E2 differs in a low class of environmental friendliness.
So, many types of kitchen worktops made of chipboard have high moisture resistance, durability, as well as low price. Additionally, as a decoration, manufacturers finish countertops with veneer, plastic or film. The most popular finishing materials are still PVC film and plastic.
Advantages and disadvantages of chipboard solutions
So, the main advantage is the affordable price that manufacturers install on these models. But, despite the budget, these are reliable and durable products. Particleboard, which is coated with plastic or film, has a high abrasion resistance. Also there are no connecting seams. Here, take a look at what types of kitchen worktops from MDF and particleboard can look like. The photos below will help you choose the right model.
Now there is a huge selection of a variety of colors, as well as textures - customers are available in a variety of shades. There are models on sale in both bright and restrained colors. The surface of such countertops can be made marbled or under tiles,
wood, stone or other materials.
Among the shortcomings is the fear of moisture in the material, no matter how manufacturers say about stability. If it hits the edge or at the end, the plate begins to deform. Also, the product is not too resistant to mechanical damage. And finally, if the process of deformation has begun, then often such a countertop can no longer be repaired.
Postforming: a profitable solution
These types of kitchen worktops are all the same chipboard or MDF boards trimmed with plastic.
These details of the
kitchen set are produced by means of pressure and high temperatures. There is nothing surprising here. The thickness of the plastic coating can reach several centimeters.
Postforming: advantages and disadvantages
The first plus is the affordable price again. So, manufacturers set the cost of such models starting at $ 30 per linear meter. The products withstand mechanical stress, are protected from moisture, have heat resistance and UV resistance. Often, such solutions are used for non-standard furniture.
Among the shortcomings - visible seams at the joints of panels. Also a minus is the fact that this material is sold only in certain sizes.
Plastic is the budget choice
Types of kitchen worktops from MDF or particleboard have their own characteristics. As you can see, all solutions are similar to each other. The plastic used for finishing is actually a multilayer paper that is impregnated with special resins and pressed under high pressure. In the process of exposure to high temperatures, a very durable surface is obtained.
The top layer is reliably protected by a polymeric material, which is highly resistant to wear. Take a look at some types of kitchen worktops. Photos of various models of different price categories of products can be seen below.
Advantages and disadvantages of plastic models
So, here is the most favorable cost among inexpensive analogues. In the production process, the stove can get any coating, texture and color. You can also place a photo or some image. The price of the solution is only 15-30 dollars.
Deficiencies are also present. It is necessary to additionally process the end part.
It is also necessary to treat the places that are in contact with the hob with sealants. If moisture gets on the unprotected part, the panel will swell. If it will be seriously affected, it is better to look at the types of countertops for the kitchen made of stone. The price is much higher, but the resistance is close to maximum.
Laminated Models: High Quality
These panels are based on postforming. Laminate is a multi-layer kraft paper. It is impregnated with synthetic resin. Any patterns can be applied to the surface, and after that - a coating of melamine or acrylic resin is applied.
Among the advantages, price comes first. It is about $ 80 per linear meter.
This surface is able to withstand scratches and non-aggressive substances. It is very simple to look after such models. A surface can imitate a wide variety of materials. These are the most popular types of kitchen worktops from MDF and particleboard. Organic and inorganic acids instantly make the decorative coating cloudy. This is the only drawback.
Chipboard: a large selection of colors and textures
These working kitchen surfaces are produced by pressing wood chips using high temperatures. A melamine film is used as a protective layer. This material is as popular as laminated products. The plus will be a low price - from $ 60, high resistance to various cleaning compounds, a huge number of various textures and colors, durability.
Well and cons - without them in any way. The panel is unstable to moisture and mechanical stress.
It is very easy to scratch. Manufacturers do not release these models of custom sizes. Well, another significant drawback is the complete unsuitability for repair or restoration.
Types of kitchen worktops from MDF: time-tested reliability
It is based on a wood-fiber board, where the wood fibers are connected using lignin or paraffin. These materials are safe and have long been used in the manufacture of furniture products. These countertops can be made in any color, and the price of these solutions is more than affordable.
On bright surfaces, ugly spots and scratches may occur over time and under harsh conditions.
If the plate is glossy, then even the smallest damage will be clearly visible. These models, as well as all other types of
kitchen worktops described above, do not like strong humidity.
The price is based on the thickness. So, countertops up to 10 mm thick will cost from 30 to 40 dollars, a panel from 16-18 mm thick - 16-45 dollars. Thick 25 mm panels are offered from $ 45.
All these are inexpensive and affordable for each family models of countertops.
Of course, they do not look as expensive and elegant as some types of kitchen worktops made of artificial stone, marble or granite, but they have a different niche. This is a completely budget solution.
If you carefully weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each option of products from particleboard or MDF, as well as financial capabilities, you can get a good inexpensive work surface.