Kitchen Countertops

High-quality kitchen countertops are one of the essential elements of a modern comfortable workspace where favorite dishes are prepared. What qualities should this item possess?

Requirements for Countertops

A kitchen with a countertop is a modern and convenient way to decorate the workspace. If you listen to designers, they will offer you plenty of ideas that suit any taste, even the most capricious one. 

Matching the countertop to the style in which the kitchen is designed is an important condition for creating a beautiful interior. However, there are also purely practical requirements for the working surface:

• durability;
  
• resistance to mechanical impact;
  
• longevity;
  
• resistance to moisture and temperature fluctuations;
  
• "tolerance" to regular cleaning;
  
• ease of maintenance;
  
• aesthetic appeal.
  

Considering the above requirements, one of the main factors influencing these requirements is the material of the countertop for the kitchen.

Wooden Solid

Wood is used that has good resistance to fluctuations in humidity and temperature. This includes ash, walnut, oak, bamboo, iroko. Despite high resistance to external negative factors, wooden countertops for beautiful kitchens are less resistant to high temperatures compared to other materials. The second drawback is the need for constant treatment with lacquering, antiseptic and antibacterial compositions. However, there are also advantages: wooden countertops give the kitchen a natural, rustic feel and guarantee positive tactile sensations. If the countertop has minor damage, it can be fixed by sanding and subsequent lacquering.

Particleboard (LDP)

Project author: Alexey Korchinsky

Kitchen countertops made of particleboard are a budget-friendly option. During production, the surface of the wood chip board is covered with a special plastic layer (HPL) under pressure. The covering is done using post-forming technology. As a result, a plate is obtained with low cost and fairly good technical and consumer characteristics:

• durability and resistance to scratches;
  
• ease of maintenance;
  
• a wide choice of shades (including wood or stone look);
  
• possibility of self-installation without involving specialists;
  
• affordable price;
  
• fast replacement capability.
  

The drawbacks include the formation of spots over time in areas where aggressive liquids such as juice, wine, coffee or unfiltered tap water regularly come into contact. Due to this, the surface color gradually fades. Another disadvantage is the formaldehyde resins used in production. It's just necessary to ensure that the countertop base (especially at the edges) is not exposed – i.e., the laminated coating should not be damaged. When purchasing, request supporting documentation: the emission class of the particleboard should not be lower than E1 (ideal – E0).

Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF)

This differs from the previous material in that its base is made of fine wood shavings and therefore has higher density, thus strength. Three additional advantages compared to laminated particleboard – better resistance to moisture, which is very relevant for the kitchen, absence of formaldehyde resins in the composition, and good resistance to microorganisms.

Artificial Stone

If you want your countertop for a beautiful kitchen to be made of this material, then the vast majority of manufacturers will offer you a couple of options to consider in more detail.

Acryl

An artificial material made of aluminum trihydrate (very fine mineral chips), acrylic resin, and pigments that provide the desired color. The last component allows to get not only white stone but any other color. The resulting mixture is poured into a mold that matches the size of the customer's countertop. Main advantages – monolithic structure, wide choice of colors (brown, gray, green, red, etc.), resistance to fading, ease of maintenance, no joints, and ecological safety. Main disadvantages – fear of scratches (compensated by the advantage of good repairability), sensitivity to acids, "intolerance" to high temperatures, and complexity of installation.

Agglomerate (Quartz)

It consists of 90–95% marble or granite chips. The rest is binding agents. Compared to acrylic, it uses real natural stone. This has determined the reliability and strength of quartz countertops, with a minimum service life of 10 years. The surface does not fade, has high resistance to wear and mechanical damage. The disadvantages include high cost and significant weight. The latter should be taken into account in advance, before installation. When purchasing, pay attention to the thickness of the countertop: the minimum value is 12 mm (the best option is 20 mm).

Granite

In terms of wear resistance, it is an ideal option: granite countertop, without which a beautiful kitchen is unthinkable, resists mechanical or acid attack, and is indifferent to temperature and moisture fluctuations. The drawbacks include high price, visible joints, and length limitation (maximum – 2.5 m). There are cases where granite has elevated radiation background: the parameter of "specific activity of radionuclides" should be asked from the seller. The characteristic should match the original class.

Summer Cottage: Architect, 1951

Marble

Compared to granite, this stone looks much more attractive due to its deep and unique natural texture. It is an aristocratic and solid material that gives a coolness in high temperatures. However, it should be remembered that marble does not like sharp temperature fluctuations and reacts negatively to stains from dyes – they need to be removed immediately. The cost of marble countertops also does not promote widespread use of the material.

Ceramic

This refers to tiles. It is a rather rare choice of material for the countertop of the most beautiful kitchen; however, there are followers. The role of the base is usually played by moisture-resistant types of particleboard. What are the advantages of countertops made from ceramic tiles?

• Original look: there is a possibility to alternate colors;
  
• High resistance to scratches and aggressive media: acids and alkalis;
  
• Affordable price;
  
• Wide color palette.
  

Disadvantages: poor resistance of joints (grout) to the effect of aggressive media, and difficulties in replacing broken tiles. The last point: the service life and reliability of the material depend to 90% on quality, i.e., the choice of manufacturer.

Stainless Steel

When mentioning this metal, associations with restaurants immediately come to mind. And it's not just like that: indeed, stainless steel has properties that meet the strictest requirements of sanitary hygiene. The steel is resistant to any aggressive compositions, insensitive to moisture and temperature fluctuations, and easy to clean. However, over long-term use, it may lose its original shine. Another disadvantage is strict adherence to style (preferably high-tech, minimalism, modern), otherwise the kitchen will look like a restaurant.

Project author: Alexey Korchinsky

Glass

Countertops made from glass are distinguished by exceptional strength, guaranteed by a triple-layer (triple) manufacturing technology. The result is a material with high resistance to moisture and high temperatures. It should be noted that glass countertops do not have to be transparent: they can be decorated with decorative film imitating granite, amber, marble, malachite. At the same time, the price of such a glass countertop is much lower compared to natural materials. The drawback is the need for regular cleaning: even small water spots become noticeable when they dry.

Design: Sergey Saragin

How to Choose the Size of a Countertop

The dimensions of your purchase for the most beautiful kitchen are directly related to the kitchen cabinet. In retail stores, there are usually not many options, typical sizes include:

• length 1.5–3 m;
  
• width (corresponds to the standard depth of the cabinet 0.6 m);
  
• thickness 3–7 cm.
  

When choosing, it is recommended to focus on practicality of the purchase: it is better if the width is 62 cm (so as not to catch on the protruding handles of the doors), and thickness is no less than 6 cm. For a spacious kitchen, the countertop width can be increased to 65 cm.

How to Choose the Color of a Countertop

The shade of the described item does not play any role in terms of resistance to scratches or temperature fluctuations, but it is extremely important in aesthetic terms. Several rules can be highlighted here:

• if the cabinet fronts are dark, it is better to choose a light-toned countertop;
  
• consider the color of the kitchen backsplash: it should either match the shade of the countertop or sharply contrast with it. Another point is that overall style will benefit if the backsplash and countertop are made from the same material (photos of beautiful kitchens – here)
  

Matte or Glossy?

A glossy surface is an eternal companion of glamour. If you want to make an effect, a glossy countertop for the kitchen will definitely help with that: such a surface is always attractive. But there is also a drawback: the need for regular cleaning. In addition, a glossy countertop is very sensitive to scratches that can be caused even by crumbs and sugar. That is why glossy countertops are often found in places where there is no need for frequent and constant cooking: at bar counters, dining tables.

A matte surface is distinguished by practicality: with proper material structure selection, its surface can hide not only dirt but also minor defects. However, care for such a countertop has its nuances: you cannot allow deposits of dirt to accumulate – they should be cleaned as soon as possible. For cleaning, regular soapy water is quite suitable, effectively removing greasy stains.

Stylistics

Design: Kamila Vagapova

Here it is necessary to refer to the overall design of the kitchen. If you have chosen a classical interior (the same applies to retro and Provence), it is preferable that the countertop be made of wood or natural stone. Of course (but not recommended), you can use laminated particleboard imitating natural materials. Otherwise, styles such as minimalism or high-tech, where the use of glass or steel countertops is welcomed.

When choosing a countertop and striving to make the most beautiful kitchen design, you should primarily focus on the practicality of the material, and based on that, always have the option to purchase or order an item that corresponds to the style you like.

Example: photos of countertops differing in style and color scheme.

On the cover design project by Evgenia Verevkina