How to choose the thickness of your kitchen countertop?

The worktop is the main work surface in the kitchen. It is exposed to various mechanical influences, as well as temperature extremes, so it is important to choose the right type of coating for a kitchen set.

Choosing this coverage, it is important to know that the standard thickness is 40 mm. However, it is possible to find worktops with a thickness of 28 to 100 mm. To choose the thickness of the product you need, you need to build on what influences it will be exposed to.

Important when choosing is the size of the room for which you need a tabletop. In small kitchens of solid thickness, the countertop will look terrible.

The method of attaching the product to the kitchen set and the general aesthetic appearance of the structure are also important. In addition to the fastening method itself, you should pay attention to its weight.

Modern kitchen countertops should be:

• moisture resistant;
• shockproof;
• comfortable;
• heat resistant.

The width of the countertops is usually 60 cm, but in some individual orders it can vary from 80 to 120 cm.

The dependence of the thickness of the product on its price is directly proportional, but the thicker the countertop, the stronger it is.

The most popular and widespread are chipboard and MDF. Tabletops made of such materials are usually made with a thickness of 38 mm and 28 mm.

Laminate boards come in a variety of colors and textures, but they are not as durable as wood, for example. However, the cost of countertops made of them is much lower than that of natural wood. Moreover, even in cases when they are made to order. The maximum length of the laminated board is 3000 to 3500 mm. The width of such countertops is usually limited to 600 mm, therefore, it is worth remembering when ordering an individual kitchen project that products made from this material cannot be increased.

MDF countertops will not work if your kitchen is angular and there are joints, since when such a surface is combined, the junction is very noticeable and will be the weak link of the countertop. If moisture gets on the joint, it will begin to swell, which will lead to deformation and replacement of the table top.

Wooden countertops are usually made from the following tree species:

• oak;
• beech;
• larch.

The wood is covered with special water-repellent agents to prevent it from swelling from moisture. However, such a product requires special care, but it is forbidden to use household chemicals when cleaning. The standard thickness of a wooden countertop is usually 20 mm, in some cases 40 mm. Sometimes, due to the nature of the kitchen, the countertop needs to be thinner. In this case, it is possible to make a product with a thickness of 18 mm.

When choosing a countertop made of natural stone, you should understand that it has a rather large dead weight, therefore, the frame of the kitchen table, cabinet or base cabinet must be strong and withstand loads of up to 80 kg per square meter. m. The advantage of such countertops is their uniqueness in terms of drawing.... The raw materials for the products are usually marble or granite. Usually, thickness varies from 20 to 30 mm for marble and 30-50 mm for granite. For marble countertops, the standard thickness is 26 mm.

The disadvantages of stone material include:

• high price;
• the formation of chips and small cracks;
• difficulty in leaving;
• inability to get rid of some types of contamination.

An excellent alternative to natural stone countertops will be products made of artificial stone. By its nature, artificial stone is a liquid polymer with various inclusions of colored granules. Due to the fact that it has a liquid base, it is used mainly in those places where rounded corners or a curved view of the countertop are needed.

Algomerate will become another cheaper substitute for natural stone. Its base also consists of liquid polymers, but it contains chips from natural stones such as quartz or border. By its properties it is practically not inferior to natural material - only in terms of hygroscopicity. But at the same time it is a more durable material.

You can stop your choice on an acrylic tabletop. One of its advantages is that the joints between the parts of the headset are invisible. Such a product has no size restrictions, therefore when using this material, you can embody any idea of ​​the designer and the customer. The standard sheet thickness of such countertops is 12 mm, therefore, to give greater strength, it is built up with plywood or chipboard.

In some cases, the choice of kitchen countertops is quite unusual, for example, you can find the following materials:

• glass;
• stainless steel;
• ceramic tiles.

Choosing such a coating for a kitchen unit, you can save money, but at the same time not lose in the strength and durability of the product. Stainless steel products do not absorb grease and dirt, making them easy to clean. The surface of such a countertop is glossy, which, if the lighting is placed correctly, will create a brighter kitchen - this will help the reflection of light from the steel.

Often this coating is used in professional kitchens, due to the ease of maintenance and durability. When using such countertops in apartments, it is recommended to dilute the interior with natural wood to soften the overall atmosphere.

Pros of stainless steel products:

• durability;
• do not require special care;
• withstand mechanical stress well;
• safe.

Glass countertops are rarely used, but they create a special style in the interior. Their thickness must be at least 16 mm.... Such products are made of durable tempered glass. Sometimes a backing is used to provide strength. A glass worktop can be an excellent highlight of the interior, since it becomes possible in the kitchen to make a whole composition in glass. In addition, the tabletop can become an additional light source if you attach an LED strip to it.

Another option is to put a photo print on the glass. This will make the interior more original and unique.

Product advantages:

• safe;
• wear-resistant;
• easy to clean;
• resistant to temperature extremes.

The complexity of such a countertop is that it can be difficult to find the right size tiles. Chipboard surfaces are usually faced, therefore, for better adhesion, a primer is used, and then tile adhesive is applied. It is possible to use such a countertop already 12 hours after laying the tiles. But experts recommend waiting a day for better drying of the glue and adhesion of surfaces.

If you are the owner of a large and spacious kitchen, then you should opt for granite or marble countertops.... Such a thick worktop will give the kitchen a noble look and will be an excellent addition to interior styles such as hi-tech or modern.

For interior in style country a product made of natural wood will be an excellent addition, as it will emphasize the naturalness and authenticity of this style. Plus, it is an environmentally friendly material that is welcomed in this interior design. In some interiors, designers leave the raw edge of the wood as an addition to the style.

Unusual countertop materials - such as glass or stainless steel - complement styles such as loft or scandinavian.

For chipboard, it is better to choose a dark color and a matte surface. Indeed, over time, water stains appear on the product, and this color will help to hide them. In addition, scratches and scuffs that occur over time are not so noticeable on it.

When using an artificial stone, it is better to choose one in which the inclusions were made with smaller crumbs, since damage is practically invisible on such a surface.

In the video, you will receive useful tips when choosing a countertop.