When cooking, any work surface is important for the hostess. Of great importance is the type of material and the width of the countertops for the kitchen. It is constantly exposed to moisture, splashes of fat get in, it is exposed to high temperature and various chemicals. It should be not only functional and convenient, but also harmoniously fit into the interior of the room.
Choosing the perfect option for the kitchen is necessary according to certain criteria that suit all family members. First of all, it is necessary to determine its basic qualities.It should be durable and comfortable for all households. In order for the product to please and give pleasure every day, the following points should be taken into account when choosing:
Resistance to damage, impact resistance;
Water resistance;
Resistance to high temperatures;
Easy care, the ability to use chemicals;
Beautiful modern design;
Resistance to dyes and acids;
Possibility of repair;
The absence of harmful substances in the composition of the material;
Acceptable price;
Long term of operation.
Popular materials for countertops and their standard sizes
Simplifies the choice of countertops a wide variety of products intended for premises of the same layout. The standard surface sizes for work are length 100 cm, width 60 cm, thickness 2.8 cm. Custom kitchens with individual parameters are more expensive, but can go beyond the standards in any direction. The height of the kitchen set is adjusted to the height of the person.
The determining factor when choosing a countertop is the material from which it is made. Each option has its own qualitative and operational characteristics, positive and negative sides. Choosing your ideal product, you need to focus on functionality, personal preferences and requirements for the subject.
It should be understood that the service life of cheap wood-based panels will be short. Dense sheets, products made of natural stone are characterized by wear resistance, but also an impressive weight. To choose the right countertop and its size, you need to familiarize yourself with the popular options and their parameters for the work area.
Laminated particleboard and MDF
Products from wood-based laminated materials belong to the affordable price group. This is a chipboard bound with formaldehyde resins. The dimensions of a standard tabletop sheet are 60 cm wide, 350 cm long, and 2.8 cm thick.It is easy to reduce the size, but it will not work to increase the working area from such material. Suture joints will impede. Due to the absence of harmful substances in the composition of the material and the low price, such countertops are popular and in demand.
MDF and chipboard countertops have excellent performance. To extend their service life, they use cladding. Such furniture is divided into the following types:
Melamine. Coated with special resin impregnated paper. The product has additional resistance to chemical influences;
Laminated. With an extended service life, protects against moisture, eliminates the appearance of spots on the surface;
Veneered. Veneer fixed with varnish is not durable. The product is not suitable for frequent and intensive use.
The disadvantages of such working areas include the possible swelling of the material upon ingress of moisture, which occurs when the sink is inserted, and the joints are depressurized. Also, there is no possibility of restoration of damaged areas. The countertop will have to be completely changed.
Natural wood
The main advantage of the working area of natural wood is naturalness, attractive appearance. To extend the life of the countertop, it is varnished. But even with frequent processing, the array loses its attractiveness and quality characteristics in speed. The material remains noticeable marks from bumps and pressure. This countertop has low heat resistance, poor moisture resistance, loses hygiene during prolonged use.
Natural wood worktops are not suitable for daily use, as they are impractical, require careful handling and special care. More often such products are made to order. Each manufacturer sets its own parameters. Typically, the product is 60-100 cm wide, 100-300 cm long, and 4 cm thick.
Acrylic
Plastic material refers to artificial stone.Due to its properties, it allows you to create countertops of any shape and size. The manufacturing technology of acrylic from white clay, resins, dyes and polymers allows you to make narrow and overall working areas of any design and color. Ready-made acrylic plates are glued using two-component adhesive to the base of particleboard, foamed glass.
Acrylic countertops are environmental products that are resistant to shocks and chemicals. You can use several sheets to equip the working area. When installing the hob, sinks will not be visible joints. In the event of chips and scratches, the surface is easily repaired by pouring acrylic resin and subsequent grinding. The disadvantage is exposure to high temperatures.
The standard sizes of acrylic countertops vary significantly with the parameters of similar surfaces. Width - 80 cm, length - up to 300 cm, thickness - 3.8 cm. Due to its impressive weight, the material is difficult to process, which increases its cost. More often it is used to design work areas in rooms with a non-standard layout.
Agglomerate
Suitable for expensive headset headsets. The composition includes natural marble, quartz, granite chips, binders, which makes the countertop attractive and durable. The product has a long service life, a presentable appearance, quietly in contact with most aggressive chemicals.
Due to the properties of the material, you can create a countertop of any shape and length from several sheets. It is enough to fill the seam with special glue and wipe it well. In the same way, the product can be repaired.
The cost of the working surface of the agglomerate will depend significantly on the color. Plain products with small inclusions are the most affordable option, when as a countertop with a large pattern under a natural stone it will have a higher price.
Manufacturers produce sheets of agglomerate of standard sizes - 300 X 140 cm. For the manufacture of stone countertops, they are cut in length into two parts, so the width of the finished plate often does not exceed 70 cm, the length is up to 300 cm, the thickness of the finished product is 4 cm, where 1.2 cm agglomerate, 1.8 cm sheet of chipboard.
Marble and granite
A countertop made of such a material will be the most durable. The product will be able to survive more than one headset. Natural stone is moisture resistant, resistant to chemicals. Durable natural material is heavy, can not boast of a variety of colors and textures.
The disadvantages include instability to strong shocks, lack of repair, the difficulty of masking joints when connecting two plates. Marble countertops are not practical. The material immediately becomes covered with yellow spots in contact with hot objects, absorbs dyes that are difficult to remove.
Countertops made of marble, granite are always made to order. Product parameters are in a wide range. The blanks are cut from standard sheets 300 X 300 cm. The thickness of marble is 3 cm, granite - 2 cm.
To give the products the necessary height, a strip of natural stone of suitable shape and size is glued to the front side. This can be a regular, double-sided profile with a forward movement, at an angle of 45 ° C.
Steel
Steel products are characterized by high wear resistance. Surfaces are not made of pure material. The best option for the kitchen is a metal monolith. A sheet of steel is wrapped around a chipboard, MDF plate, flattened, sealed and polished. The resulting product is hygienic, easy to care for, is heat resistant, moisture resistant. Standard sizes - length 300-400 cm, width - 60 cm, thickness - 4 cm.
The disadvantages of steel surfaces include insufficient resistance to mechanical damage.Dents remain from impacts, pressure, scratches from a knife and sharp objects are very noticeable. To minimize visual unattractiveness and make cuts invisible, it is better to choose a steel tabletop with a matte surface.
Dimensions for the corner kitchen
Corner worktops are often installed in small kitchens. This is the optimal solution for miniature rooms. Such products perfectly increase the surface area. In order for the headset and other furniture to optimally fit into the interior and occupy a minimum of space, you must correctly select the size and shape of the product. It can be a surface of any color, but it is better if it does not differ much from the facades.
In pursuit of valuable square meters in a small kitchen, the width of the countertops is better not to reduce. Its standard size of 60 cm will be quite acceptable. In order to visually expand the space, the end parts can be made rounded, which in turn will facilitate free movement. The length of the product is often increased on one side or has equal parts with a sink embedded in the center.
Thanks to the special design of the corner tabletop, there is an excellent opportunity to visually divide the surfaces into parts. When one side will perform the functions of the working area, the other will become a convenient place for the location of household appliances and decorative elements.
Custom sizes - tips and rules for choosing
Many manufacturers of headsets do not use certain GOSTs for their products. Customized countertops are made to work with custom sizes. In linear planning, the work surface is along one wall. If the room is narrow and elongated, then the length of the countertop can exceed the usual 300 cm. The maximum figure is 500 cm. It is possible to produce such products without seams from certain materials.
For a small kitchen, you will have to choose from a standard corner countertop or order a linear type of product. Assemblers of kitchen sets often work with dimensions of 150 x 60 cm. But there may be any deviation of parameters. It will depend on the features of the room, the design of the kitchen, the material, the preferences of the owners.
A non-standard modern solution is to increase the width of the countertop to 1 meter. Such a product will be appropriate in a spacious kitchen, will make the working area more convenient, will allow you to use the space against the wall for arranging decor, additional accessories, household appliances.
How to take sizes correctly
For an accurate calculation of the parameters of the future countertops, it is necessary to take into account many factors. If you already have a headset, then just prepare the measured surface, freeing from unnecessary items. For a unit of measurement, you can take millimeters or centimeters. In the latter case, rounding cannot be performed. Correct measurement is as follows:
Length measurement. The simplest task, especially if the product is located along the wall, is not interrupted by household appliances and a sink. You can measure the distance with a tape measure or take data from the data sheet of the room. It is necessary to take into account the thickness of the wall decoration, especially if it is drywall or other bulk materials.
Measurement of the built-in equipment. Often the countertop is interrupted by a gas stove, sink. Such devices must be measured on one side and subtracted from the length of the panel. For vibrating devices, leave a margin. Furniture and household appliances, for example, a washing machine, dishwasher, cabinets, racks, the upper part of which is closed, do not participate in the measurements. They will simply be covered with a countertop on top.
Countertop depth. This parameter cannot be less than 40 cm. It is determined solely from personal preferences and ideas about convenience. In the presence of built-in devices, it is necessary to build on their dimensions.The countertop will look better if among several household elements there will not be large differences in depth. If this cannot be avoided, one should be guided during the measurement to the deepest insertion.
Measurements of island countertops. For products that simultaneously act as a kitchen table and work area, the depth and length must be determined based on the square of the room, the convenience of households. The island countertop should be comfortable for work and seating. Recommended width is 80 cm.
The use of special solutions to mask joints
The ideal plane for a kitchen set is a solid countertop. It is guaranteed to last longer than prefabricated elements. But there are times when it is not possible to install such a product, then you have to assemble it from several segments. This arrangement option has to be used when installing corner kitchens.
You can join segments of any shape, the main thing is that they fit perfectly in size. To do this, use special plastic, aluminum trims. For some materials, you will need to install threaded ties. A special two-component adhesive is applied to the combined edges of the panels in the color of the surface and pulled together. The compound will strengthen the joint and mask the seam. When tightening the screeds, part of the glue will protrude along the joint. It must be evenly distributed and allowed to dry. Then grind and polish.
To close the junction of the countertops against the wall, use a special baseboard. It simultaneously covers the gap and allows you to give the product a finished look. Skirting boards come in various shapes and designs. There is no minimum size.
Conclusion
The work surface is one of the most vulnerable places in the kitchen. It is not installed for one year, and should not lose quality characteristics and attractiveness over a long period of operation. When choosing a material, many factors must be taken into account, since each has its own characteristics.The ability to cut the product according to individual sizes, join segments will depend on the parameters and type of the main plate.
When cooking, any work surface is important for the hostess. Of great importance is the type of material and the width of the countertops for the kitchen. It is constantly exposed to moisture, splashes of fat get in, it is exposed to high temperature and various chemicals. It should be not only functional and convenient, but also harmoniously fit into the interior of the room.
Content
What should be a countertop
Choosing the perfect option for the kitchen is necessary according to certain criteria that suit all family members. First of all, it is necessary to determine its basic qualities.It should be durable and comfortable for all households. In order for the product to please and give pleasure every day, the following points should be taken into account when choosing:
Popular materials for countertops and their standard sizes
Simplifies the choice of countertops a wide variety of products intended for premises of the same layout. The standard surface sizes for work are length 100 cm, width 60 cm, thickness 2.8 cm. Custom kitchens with individual parameters are more expensive, but can go beyond the standards in any direction. The height of the kitchen set is adjusted to the height of the person.
The determining factor when choosing a countertop is the material from which it is made. Each option has its own qualitative and operational characteristics, positive and negative sides. Choosing your ideal product, you need to focus on functionality, personal preferences and requirements for the subject.
It should be understood that the service life of cheap wood-based panels will be short. Dense sheets, products made of natural stone are characterized by wear resistance, but also an impressive weight. To choose the right countertop and its size, you need to familiarize yourself with the popular options and their parameters for the work area.
Laminated particleboard and MDF
Products from wood-based laminated materials belong to the affordable price group. This is a chipboard bound with formaldehyde resins. The dimensions of a standard tabletop sheet are 60 cm wide, 350 cm long, and 2.8 cm thick.It is easy to reduce the size, but it will not work to increase the working area from such material. Suture joints will impede. Due to the absence of harmful substances in the composition of the material and the low price, such countertops are popular and in demand.
MDF and chipboard countertops have excellent performance. To extend their service life, they use cladding. Such furniture is divided into the following types:
The disadvantages of such working areas include the possible swelling of the material upon ingress of moisture, which occurs when the sink is inserted, and the joints are depressurized. Also, there is no possibility of restoration of damaged areas. The countertop will have to be completely changed.
Natural wood
The main advantage of the working area of natural wood is naturalness, attractive appearance. To extend the life of the countertop, it is varnished. But even with frequent processing, the array loses its attractiveness and quality characteristics in speed. The material remains noticeable marks from bumps and pressure. This countertop has low heat resistance, poor moisture resistance, loses hygiene during prolonged use.
Natural wood worktops are not suitable for daily use, as they are impractical, require careful handling and special care. More often such products are made to order. Each manufacturer sets its own parameters. Typically, the product is 60-100 cm wide, 100-300 cm long, and 4 cm thick.
Acrylic
Plastic material refers to artificial stone.Due to its properties, it allows you to create countertops of any shape and size. The manufacturing technology of acrylic from white clay, resins, dyes and polymers allows you to make narrow and overall working areas of any design and color. Ready-made acrylic plates are glued using two-component adhesive to the base of particleboard, foamed glass.
Acrylic countertops are environmental products that are resistant to shocks and chemicals. You can use several sheets to equip the working area. When installing the hob, sinks will not be visible joints. In the event of chips and scratches, the surface is easily repaired by pouring acrylic resin and subsequent grinding. The disadvantage is exposure to high temperatures.
The standard sizes of acrylic countertops vary significantly with the parameters of similar surfaces. Width - 80 cm, length - up to 300 cm, thickness - 3.8 cm. Due to its impressive weight, the material is difficult to process, which increases its cost. More often it is used to design work areas in rooms with a non-standard layout.
Agglomerate
Suitable for expensive headset headsets. The composition includes natural marble, quartz, granite chips, binders, which makes the countertop attractive and durable. The product has a long service life, a presentable appearance, quietly in contact with most aggressive chemicals.
Due to the properties of the material, you can create a countertop of any shape and length from several sheets. It is enough to fill the seam with special glue and wipe it well. In the same way, the product can be repaired.
The cost of the working surface of the agglomerate will depend significantly on the color. Plain products with small inclusions are the most affordable option, when as a countertop with a large pattern under a natural stone it will have a higher price.
Manufacturers produce sheets of agglomerate of standard sizes - 300 X 140 cm. For the manufacture of stone countertops, they are cut in length into two parts, so the width of the finished plate often does not exceed 70 cm, the length is up to 300 cm, the thickness of the finished product is 4 cm, where 1.2 cm agglomerate, 1.8 cm sheet of chipboard.
Marble and granite
A countertop made of such a material will be the most durable. The product will be able to survive more than one headset. Natural stone is moisture resistant, resistant to chemicals. Durable natural material is heavy, can not boast of a variety of colors and textures.
The disadvantages include instability to strong shocks, lack of repair, the difficulty of masking joints when connecting two plates. Marble countertops are not practical. The material immediately becomes covered with yellow spots in contact with hot objects, absorbs dyes that are difficult to remove.
Countertops made of marble, granite are always made to order. Product parameters are in a wide range. The blanks are cut from standard sheets 300 X 300 cm. The thickness of marble is 3 cm, granite - 2 cm.
Steel
Steel products are characterized by high wear resistance. Surfaces are not made of pure material. The best option for the kitchen is a metal monolith. A sheet of steel is wrapped around a chipboard, MDF plate, flattened, sealed and polished. The resulting product is hygienic, easy to care for, is heat resistant, moisture resistant. Standard sizes - length 300-400 cm, width - 60 cm, thickness - 4 cm.
The disadvantages of steel surfaces include insufficient resistance to mechanical damage.Dents remain from impacts, pressure, scratches from a knife and sharp objects are very noticeable. To minimize visual unattractiveness and make cuts invisible, it is better to choose a steel tabletop with a matte surface.
Dimensions for the corner kitchen
Corner worktops are often installed in small kitchens. This is the optimal solution for miniature rooms. Such products perfectly increase the surface area. In order for the headset and other furniture to optimally fit into the interior and occupy a minimum of space, you must correctly select the size and shape of the product. It can be a surface of any color, but it is better if it does not differ much from the facades.
In pursuit of valuable square meters in a small kitchen, the width of the countertops is better not to reduce. Its standard size of 60 cm will be quite acceptable. In order to visually expand the space, the end parts can be made rounded, which in turn will facilitate free movement. The length of the product is often increased on one side or has equal parts with a sink embedded in the center.
Thanks to the special design of the corner tabletop, there is an excellent opportunity to visually divide the surfaces into parts. When one side will perform the functions of the working area, the other will become a convenient place for the location of household appliances and decorative elements.
Custom sizes - tips and rules for choosing
Many manufacturers of headsets do not use certain GOSTs for their products. Customized countertops are made to work with custom sizes. In linear planning, the work surface is along one wall. If the room is narrow and elongated, then the length of the countertop can exceed the usual 300 cm. The maximum figure is 500 cm. It is possible to produce such products without seams from certain materials.
For a small kitchen, you will have to choose from a standard corner countertop or order a linear type of product. Assemblers of kitchen sets often work with dimensions of 150 x 60 cm. But there may be any deviation of parameters. It will depend on the features of the room, the design of the kitchen, the material, the preferences of the owners.
A non-standard modern solution is to increase the width of the countertop to 1 meter. Such a product will be appropriate in a spacious kitchen, will make the working area more convenient, will allow you to use the space against the wall for arranging decor, additional accessories, household appliances.
How to take sizes correctly
For an accurate calculation of the parameters of the future countertops, it is necessary to take into account many factors. If you already have a headset, then just prepare the measured surface, freeing from unnecessary items. For a unit of measurement, you can take millimeters or centimeters. In the latter case, rounding cannot be performed. Correct measurement is as follows:
The use of special solutions to mask joints
The ideal plane for a kitchen set is a solid countertop. It is guaranteed to last longer than prefabricated elements. But there are times when it is not possible to install such a product, then you have to assemble it from several segments. This arrangement option has to be used when installing corner kitchens.
You can join segments of any shape, the main thing is that they fit perfectly in size. To do this, use special plastic, aluminum trims. For some materials, you will need to install threaded ties. A special two-component adhesive is applied to the combined edges of the panels in the color of the surface and pulled together. The compound will strengthen the joint and mask the seam. When tightening the screeds, part of the glue will protrude along the joint. It must be evenly distributed and allowed to dry. Then grind and polish.
To close the junction of the countertops against the wall, use a special baseboard. It simultaneously covers the gap and allows you to give the product a finished look. Skirting boards come in various shapes and designs. There is no minimum size.
Conclusion
The work surface is one of the most vulnerable places in the kitchen. It is not installed for one year, and should not lose quality characteristics and attractiveness over a long period of operation. When choosing a material, many factors must be taken into account, since each has its own characteristics.The ability to cut the product according to individual sizes, join segments will depend on the parameters and type of the main plate.