6 best materials for countertops

Kitchen countertops are subject to increased loads, so when choosing, you first need to pay attention to their strength and durability. Now manufacturers offer users options from a variety of materials - expensive and cheap, reliable and not very. Outwardly, they all may look good, but each material has advantages and disadvantages. We invite you to familiarize yourself with the rating, which contains all the materials known for today for the manufacture of countertops.

Top 6 best materials for countertops

6 Glass

In recent years, wood tops have become quite popular. Previously, many were afraid to purchase them, considering the material is too fragile. But now manufacturers offer countertops made of very durable and thick tempered glass, which in terms of reliability and durability is comparable to metal and natural stone. The great advantage of this material is the ability to give it absolutely any shape. Manufacturers produce worktop fancy look of a variety of colors. Designers put on him photo printing, art painting, make blotches, divorces.

Despite the strength, strong blows should be avoided, metal dishes should be placed on the tabletop very carefully. If the glass is cracked, it will be possible to fix it only one way - a complete replacement. Another drawback - when washing on the glass surface can remain stains, it must be thoroughly wiped dry.

5 Tree

For tabletops solid wood is used - alder, oak, pine, needles, larch, pine. They are made in the form of a typesetting board consisting of wooden planks. Special processing helps to increase the strength and durability of the material. It looks very beautiful, fits perfectly into the interior of the kitchen of a private house with wood trim.Some manufacturers offer wooden countertops made of exotic wood (tropical, cork, red), but they are much more expensive.

Wooden countertops are beautiful, but capricious and not the most durable. For them to serve for a long time, you need to carefully handle the surface, monitor the humidity of the air, temperature. Do not use aggressive detergents, under the hot dishes you need to use coasters. Since the wood is soft, there may be traces of blows on it. But users in the reviews indicate that the wooden surface can be re-sanded and covered with special compositions.

4 A natural stone

Any artificial material in beauty and durability can not be compared with natural stone. Table-tops 2-3 cm thick are made from marble, granite and other noble rocks. In terms of performance, this is simply a great material - it is not afraid of high temperature, water, or shocks. It does not scratch, and the surface is smooth and pleasant. If over time the stone loses its luster, it can be re-sanded.

The benefits of a natural stone are many - it is beautiful, manufacturers offer a wide range of shades and natural patterns. This table top looks luxurious. But her price is also rather big. It begins on average from 20,000 rubles per linear meter, but is calculated individually, since making cuts for the sink, the cooking surface is associated with additional labor costs. Another disadvantage is that due to porosity the stone is prone to staining.

3 Steel

Metal is considered the most reliable and durable material. At the same time it is much cheaper than natural and even artificial stone. Although the cost varies in a wide range depending on the quality of the steel and the manufacturer. To reduce weight, they are made on the basis of chipboard - on top of the plate is covered with a layer of steel up to 8 mm, from the bottom - plastic.

Design options are few, often the surface is simply carefully polished to a mirror shine, but there are options with ornaments and stains. This is a fairly common solution for kitchens in modern style. Steel countertops - one of the best in terms of reliability - they are durable, can withstand any load, not afraid of hot dishes and water. In the reviews, users write that if small scratches appear on the surface, the product can be returned to its original attractive appearance by repeated grinding. Small flaws - fingerprints are very noticeable on the metal, with time it still dims and loses its luster.

2 Laminated chipboard

Countertops made of laminated chipboard, sometimes called plastic. They are produced by special technology - postforming. This is the most inexpensive, popular and most common option. The technology involves laminating chipboard with multi-layer plastic. Qualitatively made laminated chipboard is very practical, resistant to moisture, high temperature, mechanical damage. It is easy to clean, pleasant to the touch and attractive in every kitchen.

Among the advantages of buyers in the reviews indicate the affordable cost, a large selection of textures and drawings, good performance. There are really a lot of color options - imitation of stone, wood, monochrome surfaces. But there are also disadvantages - careless installation leads to a gradual swelling of the tabletop and the loss of its attractive appearance.This material can not be called the most durable.

1 Fake diamond

Those who would like to buy a tabletop made of natural stone, but cannot afford it due to the high cost of living, we can recommend acquiring analogues from its imitation. The artificial stone has an attractive appearance, increased strength, hygiene and is much cheaper than a natural material. It is made of a composite material consisting of a mineral filler (stone powder), acrylic resin and pigments. It turns out a dense non-porous surface, resistant to moisture, chemicals, mechanical damage. It is also not susceptible to the appearance of fungi.

Judging by the reviews, many users consider this material the best for the kitchen. In addition to high performance, it has another important advantage - it is very easy to maintain. Manufacturers offer two types of artificial stone - acrylic and composite. Acrylic material contains a smaller amount of the mineral component, therefore, by strength, it loses to the composite material (agglomerate). Of the shortcomings - only the high price.

Popular vote - which material is best suited for tabletops?
We vote!

Fake diamond

A natural stone

Glass

Tree

Steel

Laminated chipboard

Total votes: 2

Vote results