A kitchen is, first of all, a room for preparing food. Before serving food, you need to prepare the food, cut it, and cook it in the right mode. The main load falls on the worktop, which covers the bottom row of kitchen cabinets. Often its continuation is bar counters and built-in tables. Separate areas for cooking or serving ready-made dishes are also popular - kitchen islands and peninsulas.
In addition to practical functions, countertops carry an aesthetic and protective load. They protect the facades of the lower row of cabinets from drips of various liquids and splashes. Correctly selected slabs become a bright, stylish accent of the interior. With their help, you can emphasize and enhance the impression of the chosen style, or create a sunny, carefree mood.
To ensure that the process of working in the kitchen does not cause discomfort, and that the countertop lasts as long as possible, its choice is approached responsibly and thoughtfully.
It is necessary to choose the right material, not to make mistakes with colors and sizes, and think through many little details, from the location and type of sink to original solutions in the form of height differences and built-in additional surfaces.
Features of pricing for kitchen countertops
The color and texture of the kitchen working surface, its durability and price largely depend on the material. As a rule, products made from natural stone or wood are more expensive than artificial ones.
If you order a countertop of a non-standard shape, with rounded corners, height differences, a bar counter or a built-in table, and increased thickness, then such a model will cost significantly more. A simple, straight granite countertop will be cheaper than a complex acrylic piece.
The type and method of processing edges and ends affect the appearance of the product and its cost. They can be plain and contrasting, simple, rounded and curly, with a drain and a side. Complex design increases the overall cost of the product.
When choosing ready-made countertops or placing an order for custom-made ones, you should listen to the recommendations of specialists. They will suggest the optimal combination of length, width and thickness, and help you choose a configuration and material that meets the customer's requirements and interior style.
What to look for when choosing a kitchen countertop
Material is not the only important parameter when choosing a countertop. It is necessary to pay attention to the quality of processing of the ends and edges, as they determine the durability and resistance of the slab to moisture and mechanical damage.
If the ends are glued carelessly, water will get into the joints, which will lead to swelling of the wood and the proliferation of bacteria.
What you need to know about edges:
Products made of metal, natural and artificial stone, glass, steel have a solid structure. Their end parts are cut and ground or formed at the factory. Such edges are most resistant to various negative factors.
The edges of wood countertops can also be solid, sanded or milled. Or covered with veneer. In the latter case, there is a risk of chipping and peeling.
A budget option for processing the ends is to use acrylic, polypropylene or melamine. It all depends on the integrity of the furniture factory. If all the nuances of the technology are followed, the coating is reliable at a low price. Otherwise, it quickly loses its appearance and protective properties, and is deformed under the influence of heat and water.
A high-quality countertop, with a lovingly selected color and texture, is the decoration of the kitchen. It is an accent element of the furniture set, harmoniously combined with the apron and facades. It is pleasant and safe to cook on such a surface.