Wood-look countertop for the kitchen: which one to choose, reviews

Hello! The topic of our conversation today will be a wood-look countertop for the kitchen. But other materials that can be used in the manufacture of such a structure will also be considered.

Tabletops are used as work surfaces. This is where we cut something, slice it, prepare food, lay out the washed dishes, knead the dough and carry out a whole range of other manipulations.

It is important to understand that constant and various loads act on the surface, including mechanical, temperature and water, let’s call them that. When organizing a kitchen space, special attention is deservedly paid to such components as the apron (wall panels along the kitchen work area) and the countertop. Before you buy and determine which design to use in your kitchen, you need to study the available materials.

Materials used

If you look at the photo, each imitation wood countertop looks great. And real wood is also not excluded from the list, despite its apparent shortcomings.

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Since there are a huge number of furniture and construction stores in Moscow, St. Petersburg, the cities of Ufa, Kyiv, Volgograd and others, there should be no problems with the assortment. Just look at the catalog and you will see a wide variety of models that imitate wood and more.

Some buy only material with an area of about 3 m2, and with their own hands they cut out the tabletop, areas for the sink and create kitchen furniture from scratch.

In such a matter as choosing a countertop, I recommend paying the main attention to the material used. Some of them perfectly imitate wood, while others have their own original texture, which provides certain advantages in the kitchen. And it doesn’t matter whether it will be white, or whether the base will use a gloss or matte surface. This is secondary. We start with choosing the material.

In total, the following options are offered:

[adv2]

solid wood;
MDF;
laminated chipboard;
stone countertop;
made of plastic;
stone;
steel.

The assortment is huge. And then you yourself understand that plastic countertops, products based on chipboard and MDF can imitate wood. The rest of the materials are not.

I propose to discuss each option separately. Moreover, we will do this in such a way that I will tell you about the main features of the material, and also name its strengths and weaknesses. Based on this, you can each draw appropriate conclusions for yourself.

Tips for choosing

Here are a few rules that, when choosing a wood-look countertop, will make your life much easier:

Decide on a shade - dark or light. Please note that a light countertop will make the kitchen appear lighter and more spacious. In addition, fingerprints and scratches are not so visible on it. Dark colors are more suitable for large rooms where you don't have to fight for every centimeter, and they will cause more trouble when cleaning. The most non-staining countertops are beige or gray wood.
This rule says: a second color of wood in a kitchen is undesirable, and a third is inappropriate. Therefore, consider what other elements of your kitchen are made to look like wood - facades, floor, table, chairs, apron.

Sometimes the facades and countertops look good in the same color - but only if not all the facades are made to look like wood!

Pay attention to the thickness of the tabletop. The standard thickness of the domestic product is 28 mm. However, the European standard is 38 mm. And it is precisely for this that hobs are often made.
Buy countertops only from manufacturers who provide a guarantee on their products.
Many companies offer a set - “wood-look countertop and apron.” If you want this option, but it was not offered to you, do not hesitate to clarify. This is truly a win-win design move.
Read also: How to restore and repair kitchen facades
If your countertop is not made using postforming technology, then be sure to choose a suitable edge to protect the ends.
The surface of the wood-look countertop can be matte or glossy. But matte options are more suitable for the kitchen. They look more noble, and abrasions and scratches are less visible on them.
When choosing a plastic countertop, pay attention to the plastic layer. Some manufacturers, in order to save money, use plastic with a thickness of 0.4–0.5 mm - however, a layer of at least 0.7 mm is considered stronger and more durable.
Pay attention to the presence of a drip tray - a special groove where water accumulates without coming into contact with the base.

MDF

It is also a finely dispersed fraction. The basis is a slab material, on top of which a high-strength laminate is applied, complemented by a protective coating. To extend service life, a layer of plastic is placed on top. It is he who can imitate wood and other materials.

The factor of using plastic leads to an increase in price. But the surface becomes more moisture-resistant, durable and visually attractive.

The advantages include:

affordable price;
environmental friendliness;
a wide range of;
the ability to imitate wood and more;
protection against fungus and other microorganisms.

But don't forget about the downsides. Here they are as follows:

low level of fire safety;
poor resistance to mechanical damage;
limited service life;
possibility of bloating.

Only if the material has undergone special processing can MDF be used in the kitchen as a countertop. Otherwise, the product will not last long and will quickly become unusable.

pros

The advantages of wood-look countertops include:

the price is 2 times lower compared to the array;
relative strength and resistance to temperature changes, moisture and sunlight, and mechanical stress;
accessibility and ease of selection and purchase, a huge range of colors, shapes, textures;
look natural and cozy , suitable for many interior styles: Scandinavian, Provence, country, classic;
Easy to care for - just wipe it with a cloth and a non-aggressive detergent in a timely manner.

Of course, all these advantages relate to high-quality countertops purchased from trusted manufacturers.

Chipboard

Also, countertops are actively produced on the basis of particle boards. The top is covered with plastic, and before that with kraft paper with synthetic resins. Everything ends with a decorative layer, where one of the options is imitation wood.

Photo gallery

Kitchen with milky-colored facades, a floral apron and a light wood-look countertop

White matte fronts and countertops imitating wood

Array

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When it comes to countertops, species such as oak, walnut, ash, maple, cherry and bamboo are suitable for such purposes. Wood does not like moisture or temperature changes and actively absorbs moisture.

To get rid of imperfections, wood is treated, impregnated and protected with special coatings. Even after this, you should not install it near the dishwasher or taps.

Strengths:

naturalness;
no need to imitate wood;
natural warmth;
environmental friendliness;
hygiene;
relatively good service life;
possibility of updating the appearance by sanding (multiple).

But let's not forget about the shortcomings.

Wood, as a material for making kitchen countertops, has the following disadvantages:

limited color palette;
danger of swelling at joints and cracks;
strict care requirements;
the need to remove any moisture;
weak resistance to fire;
low thermal stability;
Possibility of damage from dyes and acidic substances.

Not bad, but for those who constantly cook in the kitchen, this is not the best option. Plus it's too expensive for such shortcomings.

A natural stone

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Almost the most expensive option. The base is quartz, onyx, marble or granite. But it is recommended to install such countertops where they will not be exposed to frequent exposure and use.

Making custom countertops

Products made from acrylic composite last for many years. It is important to choose a design that meets all requirements. There may not be such an option in the range of finished surfaces. From us you can order a covering for your work area, dining table, bar counter. Acrylic composite is presented in a solid assortment and a wide palette of tones. The material is well processed, there are no restrictions on the choice of dimensions and configurations.

Custom made table top:

Perfect fit, easy to install;
goes well with other interior elements, maintains harmony;
has an optimal configuration, provides convenience.

ENOTSSTONE provides excellent opportunities to create stylish, beautiful designs. We will help you purchase countertops and sinks, buy window sills made of artificial stone in Moscow at a reasonable cost.

Stone, but artificial

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Furniture edges: types, which ones are suitable for gluing

This is a composite based on mineral components, coloring pigments and acrylic resin as a binder. The material is fixed on chipboard or frames, decorative borders and edges are mounted. In this case, you can create any shape.