Kitchen furniture
Worktop is a surface covering floor-standing cabinets and serving as working plane for a cook. In spite of its functional designation, a worktop is also a decoration item that has a great effect on aesthetic perception of the whole kitchen suite due to its area.
Artificial stone worktops
Nowadays natural stone has almost completely disappeared from use at manufacturing of kitchen worktops and is being displaced to the section of expensive exclusive kitchens.
On the one hand, this is related to disadvantages of natural stone; it is fragile, heavy, very expensive, jointless surfacing is impossible, it has a limited color range. On the other hand, natural stone with its disadvantages is being replaced with artificial materials.
1) Acrylic stone worktop is a composite material of chippings, acrylic resin and a pigment that penetrates deep layers and is not subject to discoloration. Acryl does not emit toxic substances.
Acryl has a number of advantages:
- use efficiency,
- no shearing at mechanical effect,
- antibacterial properties - no mold or fungi,
- resistant to absorption of outside smells and moisture,
- resistant to decay and corrosion,
- smooth surface without pores,
- easy elimination of small defects by polishing and grinding
A wide variety of advantages and the option to manufacture products of non-standard shapes and colors allow to use acryl for design of bar counters for homes and restaurants. Resistance to deformation due to temperature difference, durability and delicate appearance can be used for manufacturing of window sills and even some types of furniture. Plastic properties of Acryl allow any configuration or relief for a product. There are no limits in terms of dimensions, since the use of special glue makes places of joints invisible. By its physical and aesthetic properties Acryl is no worse than natural stone - often it is even better - and less expensive.
2) Quartz is a solid and rather strong new-generation material without pores. It is supplied in plates and has a wide application range. Quartz agglomerate is 93% of natural quartz distinguished by its strength and resistance to temperature difference.
Quartz has a number of advantages:
- high resistance to moisture absorption,
- resistance to various stains,
- strength and long lifetime.
Quartz is the most suitable materials for manufacturing of a stone kitchen worktop. A Quartz kitchen worktop is easily cleaned. All you have to do is just wipe it with damp cloth once in a while. Besides, it can be cleaned with detergents.
Plastic-faced chipboard worktop
This is the most widely-used material for manufacturing of worktops combining a relatively low cost with good functional qualities. A worktop is manufactured from moisture-proof chipboard the surface of which is covered with plastic. Worktop thickness is usually 28 or 38 mm.
Advantages of plastic-faced chipboard worktops:
- low price,
- wide color range,
- easy installation,
- easy cleaning and resistance to aggressive detergents.
Disadvantages of plastic-faced chipboard worktops:
- low moisture resistance (it is recommended to apply sealing compounds to joints),
- impossible to combine several worktop panels without a joint, usually worktops are linked up with a connect beam,
- impossible to repair worktops in case of damage,
- manufacturing of rounding surfaces.
Ceramic tiles faced worktops
This is a relatively rare coating type for a worktop. However, by its physical properties such worktop is not worse than worktops manufactured from other materials. This type of worktops is usually manufactured from ceramic tiles sized 10x10 or 15x15 cm which are placed onto base of MDF, chipboard, plywood, moisture-proof drywall.
A worktop faced with ceramic tiles is best suitable for country-style kitchens.
Advantages of ceramic tiles faced worktops:
- durability and resistance to mechanic damages,
- resistance to moisture,
- resistance to contact with high temperature and coloring products,
- resistance to aggressive detergents,
- option to create a unique design,
Disadvantages of ceramic tiles faced worktops:
- numerous joints between tiles cause certain difficulties for cleaning,
- due to joints between tiles the surface is not smooth,
- regularly grouting of joints between tiles,
- difficulty of worktop tiling, handwork.