Choosing material for countertops: overview of options

September 17, 2021

Author of the article Fidrea Maria

The dining table consists of two parts - the base and the tabletop. The tabletop can be made of laminated chipboard, MDF, wood, glass, artificial or natural stone. And each of these materials directly affects not only your comfortable time at the table, but also how long this table will serve you.

But which countertop is considered the most reliable, durable and indestructible? Let's figure it out together! In this article we will look at all existing materials for dining table tops and find out which one is the most practical and durable. Enjoy reading!

Chipboard and MDF boards

Today this is the most popular and accessible material. It is a regular sheet of chipboard covered with a layer of plastic and lamination. Thanks to this, it has high performance characteristics, and the manufacturing technology allows you to paint the surface in any color and apply designs to it.

And yet there are also disadvantages. This material is not resistant to aquatic environments. Gradually, saturated with moisture through micropores, the tabletop swells and loses its appearance. There is only one way out - replacement. Sharp and strong impacts and caustic dyes can also lead to this problem. Therefore, be more careful about your headset. And one more little tip. Look for a multi-colored or textured print. On it, minor flaws will be almost invisible, unlike a plain one.

Chipboard - an economical option

Chipboard. Wooden sawdust and shavings are glued together with formaldehyde resins. Depending on the composition with which the chipboard is lined, there are 3 types: melamine, veneered, laminated.

pros

Minuses

Affordable price

Due to the resins contained in the composition, it may release formaldehyde, which is harmful to health.

Strength – holds fastening materials well

Possible swelling and deformation due to moisture.

Self-installation possible

Low temperature resistance

Short service life

Our advice. Protect the surface from moisture, wipe the joints dry, use a cutting board and hot mats - then it will serve you faithfully for a long time.

Impenetrable steel

This is a fairly rare material for use at home; it is usually used in professional kitchens. And for good reason – a steel countertop is characterized by increased wear resistance and ease of cleaning. Its production is quite labor-intensive: laminated chipboard sheets are sheathed with thin layers of stainless steel and the edges are processed. You won’t find it in mass production, but for individual assembly, please.

This surface is available in both mirror and matte versions; the second, by the way, is more practical. Scratches and dirt are not so visible on it. You can also find embossed material. But the mirror countertop will have to be polished often. By the way, although steel is a durable material, it still cannot withstand sharp targeted impacts.

Wood

This is the most noble and capricious material. It can fit perfectly into any, even ultra-modern interior. But for such luxury you have to pay not only a significant sum, but also daily polishing and weekly application of special protective wax.

It is also worth remembering the following restrictions: you cannot place hot dishes on it, you must not wash it with caustic substances and under no circumstances allow contact with coloring elements. But if any of the troubles happen, you can simply remove the tabletop and send it for restoration.

But if you want your kitchen to be decorated with a wooden countertop, then it is best to choose Russian larch. This type of wood is ideal for use in the kitchen. It does not rot from high humidity and is practically not susceptible to mechanical shock. At the same time, the cost of larch is lower than other tree species.

Natural wood

Wood is an eco-friendly natural material that adds a folk motif and a modern design approach to the interior.

There are two types of wooden countertops: solid and slab:

Slab

A piece of wood that has undergone processing: drying, sanding, varnishing, etc. It looks stylish, modern, relevant. But it is non-standard in size. This is more of a design accent than a practical element of a kitchen set. Typically, slabs are taken for the manufacture of dining tables, where the load and performance requirements are not so high.

Array

A covering glued together from individual pieces of wood of the same species. It is impossible to find a whole piece of wood of the required length and width in nature, so gluing technology is used. The heterogeneity of the bars in color and pattern is visible visually.

Even wood processed and made using all technologies remains a material that requires careful handling. It is strictly not recommended to place hot objects on them. When cutting food, you must use a board. In a room with a wooden tabletop, it is necessary to monitor the relative humidity and average temperature.

Wooden countertops are often installed in kitchens where cooking is not frequent. They create a special interior background and design approach rather than practicality.

Pros:

environmental friendliness, aesthetics, unique natural texture, pleasant to the touch.

Minuses:

low performance properties, high price.

Manufacturers of kitchen countertops offer different types of materials with their own pros and cons. With a huge selection of coatings, you can always find one that matches a specific kitchen set in appearance, wear resistance and cost.

Fake diamond

Another name for this material is acrylic stone, or Corian. It is very pleasant to look at and is versatile. Corian manufacturing technology allows you to create a cast - or at least without a rough seam - working surface. From a wide range of colors and textures you can create a unique design for any furniture or architectural form.

This wonderful material was created in laboratory conditions in the 60s of the last century, and in the 90s many related materials appeared, such as axilan, varicor and others. Thanks to their smooth surface, they are not susceptible to the harmful effects of moisture and fungus. Artificial stone can withstand impacts well, but is very sensitive to scratches and hot objects. Another significant advantage is easy restoration by an experienced craftsman.

Tips for choosing the size of the tabletop: length, width, thickness, height from the floor

Before calculating the amount of material, it is necessary to draw up a competent drawing taking into account the dimensions of the kitchen.

The length of the product directly depends on the desired project and the area of the room: whether it will be a straight tabletop along the wall, a corner one that turns into a bar counter, or even a semicircular one. Its dimensions vary from 60 cm to 6 m.
The standard width of the stove, which will fit into both a spacious and narrow kitchen, is 60 cm, but housewives note that a working surface with a width of 90 cm greatly benefits in convenience. In exceptional cases, its dimensions can reach 140 cm.
The most popular product thickness: 28 and 36 mm. But there are also thin kitchen countertops made of ceramic, stone or frosted glass with a thickness of only 20 mm, as well as solid slabs up to 56 mm.
At what height to place the work surface depends on the height of the household, but there are general recommendations: the table top is comfortable if it is located at waist level or slightly below, and there should be a distance of 45 to 60 cm between it and the wall cabinet.

Quartz stone

Agglomerate is a transitional link from artificial stone to natural stone. Up to 90 percent of crushed quartz stone is added to its composition, thanks to which this material is very similar to natural stone to the touch and visually. But it is more resistant to the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation, hot surfaces and impacts.

However, if damaged, restoring or repairing such a countertop is almost impossible. And you can forget about the continuous surface of agglomerate. Today, a seamless surface can be no more than 3 m long, and the shape should be close to rectangular.

Dimensions

It is necessary to take into account the size of the surface and how much it should protrude above the facades.

As a rule, the width of the lid does not exceed 60 cm, while the depth of the cabinets varies between 56–58 cm. It turns out that the protrusion in front is about 3 cm, and in the back 1 cm. This is enough so that when working you do not touch the handles of bedside tables and protect communications carried out behind the furniture wall.

Of course, there are also non-standard solutions. For small kitchens, it is permissible to install narrower furnishings (from 46 cm), and then the lid is selected to match them.

The length of the surface can be different and depends on the dimensions of the set and the design of the room. There are projects in which the tabletop smoothly flows into a window sill or bar counter. So we can’t talk about any fixed values: even in standard apartments these indicators differ.

Natural stone

To create a truly luxurious and aristocratic kitchen interior, this material is best suited. Not only unsurpassed aesthetic qualities, but also an indecently high price confirm the elite status of countertops made of natural stone. The more common materials are basalt and granite; traventine and marble are much less common.

The stone, despite its solid reputation, is very capricious and does not have the lowest performance indicators. Therefore, it must be covered with protective solutions. Contact of such a surface with caustic and coloring substances is extremely contraindicated. They, like chips, cannot be restored. And one more important point is the large weight of the tabletop, which should be taken into account when designing the set.

Strained glass

Quite a rare and expensive material in our country, but very effective. Its surface can be either smooth or textured, glossy or matte, plain, colored or with an unusual print. Glass does not deteriorate from exposure to moisture, heat and fungus. It is very easy and pleasant to care for. But the fragile nature makes itself felt, so scratches and mechanical shocks are detrimental to such a tabletop - they are not masked or restored.

Ceramics

Tile is a wonderful material for decorating a countertop, which will help create an unsurpassed rustic interior or a romantic Provencal style. The main thing is that the selected tile is processed and can withstand mechanical shocks.

It is so light that it can provide an invaluable opportunity to independently design and manufacture a kitchen from available materials, such as laminated chipboard or furniture plywood. But the money saved will go towards paying the tilers, whose work is highly valued.

Concrete

Quite a popular material from European branded kitchen furniture manufacturers. But not only professional studios take on the production of such countertops - many craftsmen with certain skills can easily create newfangled work surfaces.

The best part is that you can do anything with concrete: add color at the pouring stage, paint, sand, pour textured models, and even dilute cold cement stone with colored glass and other decorative trinkets.

It is impossible not to note its high performance characteristics, which are expressed in excellent resistance to high temperatures, constant exposure to moisture, shock, scratches and caustic liquids. However, concrete can easily absorb dyes, so treatment with protective solutions is mandatory. Another difficulty is the installation of a massive countertop, which requires certain professional skills.

Knowing the characteristics of each material, you can easily choose the one that is best suited for creating a work surface. The main thing is to objectively assess your capabilities, priorities and attitude towards the ritual of cooking.

Types of table tops

The choice of this design is quite complex, since it is necessary to take into account what parameters it must have in order to cope with numerous influences. The main impacts include:

mechanical factors, since various food products are regularly cut on kitchen countertops or utensils may be placed with force;
temperature effects - often dishes that contain hot dishes are installed on products intended for the kitchen;
chemical factors - various solutions, such as vinegar or sauce, regularly fall on the bar countertop.

Thus, high-quality designs must be resistant to all possible factors, and they can differ significantly for a table installed in the living room, as well as for a design that will be used in the kitchen.

By material

Products intended for a dining table or a coffee table, as well as for the design needed by a child, may differ significantly. There are some materials that are most optimal for creating a countertop.

Laminated chipboard

The positive parameters of such products include:

high wear resistance;
resistance to fading, so if the product is constantly exposed to sunlight, it will not change its original color and parameters, therefore it is often used to decorate a window sill;
easy to clean with various cleaning products;
modern manufacturers have the opportunity to produce laminated chipboard countertops with unique patterns and colors, so a design is chosen that fits perfectly into the interior, and it can also imitate natural stone or other expensive and beautiful materials.

However, products formed from laminated chipboard are not without significant disadvantages, which include the fact that if moisture constantly gets into a certain area, it will swell.

MDF

In the production process of such products, wood is used, and the wood fibers are combined with paraffin or lignin. Their advantages include the following:

safety of use due to the fact that no hazardous components are used in the production process;
There are many colors in which these countertops are produced, so you can create a unique interior in a certain color scheme;
this material can be used for a window sill, and it makes a unique tabletop;
Product sizes may vary.

However, there are also some disadvantages of MDF:

if you choose a glossy slab, then all imperfections and cuts are clearly visible on it;
It is easy to create a scratch even with minor mechanical impacts;
Constant exposure to high humidity, which leads to swelling of the material, is not allowed.

Products made from MDF are considered an excellent choice for a small budget. They can be used for tables where children sit, as they do not contain harmful substances.

Steel

Making a stainless steel countertop is not easy. The material is difficult to process, however, some companies offer these products to customers. The advantages of the products include the following:

high moisture resistance;
it is possible to make large and wide tabletops without joints, which are considered the most vulnerable areas of these products;
the designs are practical.

The disadvantages include the fact that it is almost impossible to choose a steel product of the right size, so you have to order it, for which the size of the table is taken into account.

Solid wood

Wooden tabletops for tables are quite an interesting solution, and their advantages are:

it goes well with other materials;
natural material is used - wood, which ensures that such a table cover will never cause an allergic reaction;
oak table tops have a beautiful appearance, so they fit into any interior;
an ideal and comfortable atmosphere of coziness is formed in the kitchen, and approximate photos of such finishing can be viewed on the Internet;
A wooden countertop, made using the right technology, will last a long time, and will also be resistant to various mechanical influences, which are certainly encountered in the kitchen.

However, the oak element also has significant disadvantages:

significant cost, which does not allow everyone to buy it;
even a thick wooden tabletop will not be resistant to temperature changes;
When using this product, it is important to constantly use different stands when placing hot dishes;
a wooden lid loses its attractiveness after a short period of use, as it leaves a lot of scratches.

Thus, wood products are considered beautiful and natural, however, expensive and have many disadvantages.

Acrylic stone

The advantages of using such a product include:

stone can be used for window sills, which allows you to save space and effectively use areas that are usually furnished without use;
acrylic stone produces a seamless lid, so it can have different shapes and sizes, and it is possible to make a unique and attractive rounding;
resistant to moisture, various chemicals or bacteria;
photos of acrylic stone products prove that it is truly bright and attractive;
If necessary, such products can be easily restored and repaired.

However, they cannot withstand high temperatures and are also easy to scratch. When caring for them, it is not allowed to use hard sponges or abrasives.

Agglomerate

This material is considered excellent for creating a high-quality countertop. Products made from it have certain advantages:

easily withstands high temperatures;
their size may vary;
can be used to create a high-quality and beautiful window sill used as a tabletop.

However, agglomerate has disadvantages, which include the inability to make a single long structure. It is impossible to carry out the restoration procedure, and the products are cold. The table top can only be transported vertically.

A natural stone

These products are very beautiful and bright. They serve for a long time, as a result of which there is no need to regularly update the appearance of the table. You can choose granite structures or basalt products. Depending on the choice of a specific stone, the appearance and other parameters of the countertop are determined.

Often stone elements are used to convert a window sill into a countertop. The disadvantages include the difficulty of processing the material.

Glass

The glass tabletop fits perfectly into different types of interiors. Glass products have an interesting appearance. Tempered glass is used in their production process, so the structures are durable and resistant to various influences.

The choice of glass for a table is usually made by wealthy people, since the products are expensive. Glass tables require specific and complex care.

Other materials

Also, table tops can be made from other materials:

stainless steel - products made of plastic or chipboard are coated with steel, and the surfaces are matte or glossy;
concrete - structures are created from a mixture that contains sand and cement. The resulting object is sanded and then covered with a solution of cement and acrylic. At the end of production, a primer is applied in several layers, which is polished after hardening;
ceramics - a frame is initially formed, for which metal or wood can be used. Next, ceramic tiles are laid on it;
plastic - this material is considered fragile, and due to the inevitable constant mechanical impact, a not too long service life of products made from it is guaranteed. Therefore, the base is chipboard, which is coated with acrylic.

Concrete Ceramics Plastic

By shape

Different types of tabletops differ in shape. This parameter depends on what material is used in the production process. Photos online show different unique configurations.

The most popular are rectangular designs, and they can be made of glass or any other material, since they are considered the simplest. Also, tabletops can be round, oval, semicircular or shaped.

Tabletop shapes

By purpose

The tabletop performs several important functions, and depending on the purpose, one or another type is chosen. The main purposes of its use include:

as a work surface on which the cooking process is carried out;
desk tops are used for work or study;
for the location of equipment or other simple and not heavy objects;
as a table at which people eat;
to decorate a room, and most often products made of glass or natural stone are used for this.

The lid can perform several functions simultaneously.