The kitchen is the most visited place in the house. And it’s important, even at the planning stage, to think about how this room will look, including the materials for the manufacture of the main elements. To date, the most budgetary, functional and ergonomic option are plastic kitchen worktops, reviews of which are mostly positive. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of plastic directly for the kitchen, as well as varieties and features of care for this material.
What is a plastic countertop
Plastic countertops belong to the economy class option. This material can be imitated under marble, granite, wood, quartz, and at a cost will come out six times cheaper than artificial or natural stones.
The basis of tables with a plastic worktop for the kitchen is chipboard or MDF, which can be of different thicknesses. Particleboard material under high pressure (postforming method) is combined with a thin but strong layer of HPL plastic, which is a decorative option. The edges are neatly bent over the edge, and you get a flat and smooth surface.
HPL plastic consists of several layers of kraft paper that are pressed together under high pressure and impregnated with resins. Thus, the material is reliably protected from moisture, mechanical damage and burnout. The quality of the material depends on the manufacturing technology.
pros
Plastic kitchen worktops, the photos of which are presented above, have many advantages in addition to low cost.
The advantages of a plastic kitchen are as follows:
- reasonable price - for example, the cost of a laminated plate of domestic production measuring 60 x 24.5 cm and a thickness of 28 mm can be purchased for 1,500 rubles, a thickness of 38 mm and a length of 3 m - 4,000 rubles;
- a variety of colors, textures and decors from classic to trendy high-tech;
- high-quality material lasts a long time, does not fade and is not subject to mechanical stress;
- the material is not afraid of high temperatures (you can even put hot dishes on it), it is easily cleaned of impurities and does not absorb moisture or odor;
- plastic is resistant to chemical processing.
Additional advantages include the fact that any pattern or even a photograph can be printed on a plastic surface.
Minuses
Despite the obvious advantages of plastic-coated worktops, the material also has disadvantages.
Cons of using plastic in the kitchen:
- in appearance, this material is inferior to stone and wood; it does not look so natural and organic;
- chipboard material is not durable, under the constant influence of water, plastic can deform and swell;
- the weakest point of such material for the countertop is the joints, which should be further processed or attached seals;
- plastic can not be restored unlike artificial stone, which scratches are easy to sand (it is better to use cutting boards on such a surface).
Varieties of plastic kitchen worktops
The plastic used for applying to particleboard or MDF can be of two types: High Pressure Laminstes (HPL) and Cotinuous Pressed Laminates (CPL). The first option is made under high pressure, during which several layers of paper are pressed, it is better and more durable. The second type of plastic is processed under low pressure, so its quality indicators are slightly lower. When choosing, it is worth considering the brand of plastic, which can affect the price of the finished product.
Also, plastic countertops can be of two types:
- from ready-made laminated boards of standard sizes of domestic or European production - the country of origin is not of great importance here, as both Russian and foreign companies pay close attention to the quality of their products;
- a kitchen table with a plastic worktop can be made to order - this option will cost more, but you can choose your own decor, decoration, shade and other elements.
How to choose and install
The Russian market has a fairly wide range of plastic worktops, both domestic and foreign. There are standard sizes 60 x 224 cm and 62 x 305 cm. If necessary, you can choose the size yourself, which can vary from 2 to 4 m with a thickness of 28-38 mm.
The most budgetary option is a plastic kitchen worktop for wood made of CPL material (low pressure plastic). Despite the affordable price, quality indicators are low. It is better to choose HPL plastic. Although it is visually impossible to distinguish one option from another, only a specialist can do this. When choosing, it is worth paying attention to this very main indicator.
Installing a plastic worktop is simple, but for a quality installation, it is better to consult a specialist who will adjust the dimensions to the required for a particular room. To fit the dimensions of MDF or chipboard, it is sawn, but if chips or cracks have formed in place, it is already impossible to eliminate them, so it is worthwhile to carry out such work with special care.
How to install a plastic countertop yourself?
- All elements of the kitchen should be aligned in level and stand strictly horizontally. To correct the level, you can use gaskets, wedges or legs, if they are provided by the manufacturer.
- Marking, which includes protrusions on the walls, is applied with a pencil or marker. The gap between the wall should be no more than 5 cm.
- The sawing of the plate is carried out by a jigsaw or hacksaw. For ease of use, a guide bar is used. You can avoid chips and cracks during sawing with the help of masking tape, which is attached along the line where the cut will be made.
- The cut place is processed by a file. Thus, all irregularities are removed.
- Silicone sealant processes the places of cuts and joints, if necessary, this is done using metal strips. The distance from the wall is closed by a plastic baseboard for kitchen countertops, which is selected according to the color and design of the furniture.
Experts note that the life of a plastic kitchen depends not only on the material of manufacture, but also on the quality of installation.
Plastic kitchen design
A plastic countertop for the kitchen (according to reviews) is the best option, since the range of products is so wide that you can choose a design at your own discretion. Facades from this material easily fit into any style.
Varieties of kitchen design made of plastic:
- Modern style. A kitchen with bent and framed facades looks best. It is such non-standard forms that can fit into the kitchen of an unusual layout. It is best to choose a plastic facade in the color "chameleon". It changes the color intensity depending on the lighting, the game of colors creates an unusual look for the room.
- Classic. In this design, it is better to give preference to natural materials or a plastic kitchen worktop for wood. There should not be metal inserts or gloss. Curly pens (brass or bronze) will look spectacular in such a visit.
- Modern. This style is not simple and cheap. It should combine clarity of form, harmony and grace. The best option would be corner plastic kitchens made of MDF and PVC film.
Operational Features
Plastic countertops require special care. Any contamination from its surface is cleaned with a damp cloth. You can use detergents, but without abrasive particles. It is worthwhile to refrain from using metal sponges or hard brushes that can scratch the surface. When cutting, it is worth using a board so that there are no scratches from the knife. With the formation of scratches, moisture penetrates into the particleboard layer and leads to its deformation or swelling.
The weakest point in a plastic kitchen is the joints, which must be treated with sealant. The baseboard is also important, especially at the junction of the countertop with the apron.
If you put a hot frying pan on a plastic surface, then nothing will happen. But with prolonged thermal exposure, the countertop can still be deformed. Therefore, it is better to use special stands for hot.
Plastic countertop for the kitchen: reviews
A plastic kitchen in reviews is presented as a budget and quite a good option for the home. Users note not only its low cost, but also the convenience and ease of installation, and a rather long service life with proper operation. Its low sensitivity to mechanical damage and thermal stability were also noted. But still, users are advised not to use the countertop as a stand under a hot or cutting board, since when scratched, the surface can not be restored.
In general, reviews about the plastic countertops for the kitchen are positive, but there are also negative reviews. Some users noted that the surface after a short time is deformed, there are places where the countertop has swollen. This is more likely due to improper operation, as well as the choice of the cheapest plastic brand CPL. It is inexpensive, but also short-lived material. Better give preference to HPL.
Conclusion
Summing up, it can be argued that a plastic kitchen with proper care can last more than a dozen years. Bribes that its cost is low, and there are many options for design and decoration. In general, plastic has a good value for money.