What are the sizes of kitchen countertops?

Choosing a countertop for a kitchen is not so easy. It is as important a part of the decoration as the walls, floor or ceiling. In order not to be mistaken with the choice, it is worth focusing not only on the cost of products, but also on their practicality. Read about how to decide on the choice of countertops for the kitchen in our article.

First of all, the owners of the kitchen should decide how important the large size of the countertop is. The kitchen is not only a place for cooking, but also for meeting friends and family gatherings. It is important to preserve comfort and space here. The countertop is the space where food is prepared, the sink and stove are installed. There are certain rules here, including the observance of the parameters of the "working triangle" so that the hostess is comfortable cooking.

The dimensions of the countertop are just as important as, for example, the material for the floor. After all, this is a full-fledged work surface, near which the hostess spends most of the time.

It is easier and more affordable to choose a ready-made option. Also, you will know in advance how much space the surface will take and how it will look in your kitchen.

But is everything as good as it might seem at first glance? Standard sizes allow you to immediately get a picture of how your kitchen will look like, how much free space will remain, as well as how to place household appliances and various decor and general use details on the countertop. On the other hand, this is not always good for large kitchens.If you have an area and want to occupy it with something, then standard countertops will not be entirely appropriate here. Custom sizes allow you to use all your imagination.

MDF and chipboard countertops are most in demand among consumers. This is due to their low cost. But, in terms of wear resistance, they are inferior to other materials. Chipboard is compressed sawdust, which are combined with formaldehyde. In fact, this is the same tree, but it does not differ in practicality. And formaldehyde is bad for your health.

MDF is a more natural material, so the cost is slightly higher. Paraffin and natural resins are used for joining and pressing. There is also chipboard - this is a chipboard covered with a layer of laminated film, which serves as additional protection and increases wear resistance.

The standard dimensions of worktops made of this material have the following parameters:

• width (depth) 60, 92 and 120 cm;
• length 4 meters, but some manufacturers prefer 4 m 10 cm, countertops with a length of 3 m are also in demand;
• thickness from 27 to 40 mm.

Kitchen countertops are made from MDF and chipboard. These are the most budget materials, therefore they are most in demand. The advantage here is the variety of colors and patterns; you can choose a theme specifically for the kitchen.

A table top made of natural wood is not only a stylish solution, but also an environmentally friendly and safe material. Oak, pine, larch, beech and ash are used for these countertops. Manufacturers use the following parameters as standards:

• width - from 600 to 1000 mm;
• length - from 1000 to 3000 mm;
• thickness - up to 40 mm.

The most popular and demanded size is 3000x600 mm. It is convenient for any kitchen layout. A wooden countertop requires some maintenance - regular varnishing or rubbing in oil. If this is not done, then the wood will quickly deteriorate, losing its external data and practical properties.

Stone countertops are suitable for large and spacious kitchens. This material is very strong and durable. The tabletop looks expensive and presentable. The most popular size is 4000x600 mm. Standards that come with a stone countertop:

• width - 60 cm;
• length - 75/80/240/300 cm;
• thickness - from 40 mm.

The most commonly used countertops are granite or marble. Both materials are very durable, resistant to moisture and mechanical damage. Products are made to order.

Acrylic surfaces are considered to be artificial stones. Its composition is white clay, acrylic shavings and polymers. This material is also very durable and looks great. This countertop will feel warmer to the touch than stone. The size standards are the same as those of the stone, but the thickness is less. Sometimes it is only 12 mm. Due to this, the consumption of material is much less, and, accordingly, the cost will be lower. This thickness does not affect the strength and service life in any way.

Acrylic is a rather difficult material to work with. Its installation is quite expensive, but the result is pleasantly surprising. And special solutions help to qualitatively mask the seams, creating the effect of a solid canvas. Acrylic suffers from scratches quite often. Therefore, the material is not suitable for those who sometimes forget to use the board or have small children in the house. But if this did happen, then the scratches are easy to restore. Acrylic is not exposed to moisture, does not absorb odors. But, upon contact with acetone, it can be damaged.

The standard is averaged values ​​that do not take into account many factors, including the wishes of the consumer. In order to make a countertop that differs from the standard one, you will have to look for a company that deals with individual orders. Sometimes interior design involves a countertop along one wall. The size in this case will be long. But still, do not forget that the countertop must be commensurate with the area of ​​the kitchen, otherwise you risk losing a significant part of the space. The maximum length that manufacturers perform is 5 m.

For a small kitchen, it is better to choose a size of 1800x600 mm. This is the best option, but it is also made to order. Isn't it a dream to get a kitchen that will be made according to a project you personally developed. Custom made countertops are more expensive than standard countertops. It all depends on your taste and financial capabilities.

Choosing a countertop is not an easy task. A huge number of factors play a role here. The key ones are:

• material;
• method of fastening and installation;
• sizes;
• compliance with the general stylistic solution;
• ease of use.

The material is the determining factor. The service life of the product depends on what material will be used. Thickness is also important. Thin materials are not always able to withstand stress. Thick boards, such as chipboard, are also not a guarantee of a long service life. If you choose natural materials - wood or stone, then you should not make a countertop that is too thick.

It all depends on the choice of floor pedestals or brackets, whether they will be dimensional or not. In the first version, the tabletop is installed on the pedestals and attached directly to them. The load is distributed evenly. It is important to calculate everything correctly. If you are not confident in your abilities, then seek help from professionals. If you choose mounts for brackets, then the thickness of the tabletop should be taken into account. It is necessary to choose the most reliable materials and the optimal thickness.

• Length. It all depends on your wishes, but you should be guided by the standard length parameters: 1000, 1260, 2460, 3050, 3500 and 4100 mm. Also, be guided by the area of ​​\ u200b \ u200bthe room.
• The standard width or depth of products is 600 mm. But this does not mean at all that you have to have just such a tabletop. If you are the owner of a huge kitchen, then you can make the work surface wider. And if, on the contrary, every centimeter is important, then it is quite possible to reduce the size to 51 cm. Or maybe you want to divide the space into zones and make an island in the center? This will also require additional measurements. And more often than not, standards are inappropriate here.
• Thickness. It also has its own standards. 27-38 mm are the parameters of solid wood and MDF. But stone and acrylic can be thinner, it all depends on what kind of load your table should withstand. Don't forget to take into account the aesthetic appearance as well. The tabletop should harmoniously fit into the interior without weighing it down.

This point should be paid attention to even during planning. It is necessary to measure the area of ​​the kitchen and the perimeter, as well as each wall separately. This is necessary in order to determine not only the width and length of the worktop, but also the height of the upper cabinets. Now it is important to decide on the location of the stove, sink and equipment, if it is built-in. It is worth determining what kind of kitchen set will be - with a right angle or beveled. Or maybe you will have a headset along one wall - linear, and as an addition - a bar counter or an island in the middle.

Now it's worth looking at the color. Manufacturers often offer countertops in different shades. The widest assortment is for MDF and chipboard. Wood is always chic and expensive, and natural structure is always stylish. The color should be chosen very carefully.

Finally, it is important to decide whether your kitchen is practical or not. Do you like everything about it, or maybe you should add some details or change the dimensions. It all depends on your taste and wishes. Remember that standard countertops are a significantly more profitable option in terms of finances, but is it right for you? Such surfaces can be installed and, if necessary, repaired on their own. That is, you do not have to look for a specialist and waste money.

A worktop ordered according to your individual drawing is original and stylish. Nobody will have that. You will enjoy every stay in the kitchen. But the cost is often very biting. This largely depends on the material. Also, when installing a non-standard countertop, you will need to contact a specialist who will competently perform the installation, depending on the distribution of the load. Whichever option you choose, weigh the pros and cons and find the one that works for you. And the tips from our article will surely help you with this.

How to choose a kitchen countertop is described in the next video.