Which countertop to choose for the kitchen - a review and comparison of 9 options

Countertop to the kitchen

Countertop (top) - this is the most loaded and often the most expensive part of the kitchen. Choosing a great work surface is not that difficult. All you need is some information. In this guide, we studied the pros and cons of the most popular types of table tops, inquired about prices and manufacturers, picked up the most vivid photos and gave useful advice on choosing.

Compare performance

Take a look at the performance comparison chart for the 6 main types of worktops. The results may surprise you: it turned out that the most expensive option is far from the best, and the cheapest is one of the most practical.

If you look at the table on the smartphone, turn it to a horizontal position - so the whole table will enter the screen area.

  From agglomerate From acrylic stone From natural stone Plastic table top Wooden Stainless steel
Scratch resistant fine badly fine satisfactorily satisfactorily badly
Pollution resistance fine satisfactorily satisfactorily * Marble - bad fine satisfactorily Satisfactorily * There may be fingerprints, water stains
Resistance to cracking and chipping fine fine satisfactorily fine satisfactorily fine
Resistance to contact with hot dishes satisfactorily badly fine badly satisfactorily fine
Resistance to food acids fine fine satisfactorily * Marble - bad satisfactorily badly fine
Moisture proof fine fine satisfactorily Satisfactorily * But in the seams and joints - bad badly fine
Impact resistance fine satisfactorily satisfactorily satisfactorily satisfactorily fine
Color fastness fine fine badly fine satisfactorily fine

Review of 9 options for kitchen countertops

Now let's look at all types of countertops in more detail. If you are in a hurry, click on the top variant you are interested in:

Plastic worktop - economy version, but not second-rate

The plastic tabletop is a cute “workhorse”, which, despite the lowest cost, is much more expensive than wooden and even marble tops.

The plastic tabletop can be made on the basis of chipboard or MDF. Outwardly, they do not differ in anything, the only difference is that MDF is safer, since its production uses not toxic formaldehyde resins, but paraffin and lignin as a binder. In addition, MDF denser and stronger chipboard. For this reason, MDF tops are more expensive than chipboard tops.

Prices: 1000-4000 rubles per meter.

Possible design: The surface can be glossy and matte, smooth and textured, for example, imitating wood fibers. Most often, plastic countertops imitate wood and stone slabs, but there are also plain colored tops.

  • Plastic worktop LDSP
    Wood top in modern kitchen interior

Here is a small selection of photos of plastic stone tops.

Worktop from laminated chipboard under the stone

Stone countertop

Dark laminated chipboard worktop

Orange chipboard worktop

Colored chipboard worktop

Size range: Standard plate length - 4100 mm. The standard width (depth) of the slab is 60 cm, but it may be different, for example, 40, 70, 80, 90 and 120 cm. The thickness of the plates may be 38 mm or 28 mm, less often 40 mm.

  • A thick plastic tabletop is preferable, as it is ideal for the installation of hobs, and in general it looks nicer.

Manufacturers:

  • Russian factories: EuroChem-1, Odyssey, Skif, Soyuz.
  • European manufacturers: Egger, Westag & Getalit (Germany), Liri Industriale (Italy), Kronospan (Austria).
  • Also, their countertops produce some kitchen factories, for example, "Stylish Kitchen".
Plastic stone countertop

Sellers in the salons are often called the chipboard worktop in different ways: laminated tabletops, plates with HPL-plastic or high-pressure plastic. All these names mean the same material.

Benefits disadvantages
The lowest price. May swell from moisture accumulated in the seams or at the edge. Puddles on the tabletop itself are safe, but edges and joints should be kept away from water.
Impact resistance. The weak point of the LDSP / LMDF countertop is the edge. If it detaches with time, this in turn will lead to swelling of the plate and the release of formaldehyde.
Scratch resistant. The tabletop can be washed with light abrasives, the hard side of the sponge and brushes. The presence of visible seams in the corner tops complicates cleaning a little (dirt gets clogged in the gap), somewhat spoils the look of the kitchen (solid tables look neater) and makes the chipboard / MDF thickness vulnerable to moisture.
Ease of cleaning. Edge-free chipboard is toxic and releases formaldehyde.
The largest selection of colors and textures. The surface of LDSP / LMDF is afraid of hot dishes and maintains only short-term contacts with it.
It is relatively resistant to coloring pigments, weak acids, alkalis, alcohol and chlorine.  

Corner Plastic Tabletop

The presence of joints is one of the main drawbacks of the plastic tabletop with an angular configuration

Our advice:

  1. Table top from chipboard must comply with formaldehyde E1 emission class. As a rule, countertops made in China do not have certificates confirming their safety.
  2. The thicker the plastic layer, the more durable the tabletop. Countertops made in Russia and Poland, most often, have plastic with a thickness of 0.4-0.5 mm. German, Austrian and Italian manufacturers make a layer of plastic thicker - 0.8 mm. Such a surface can withstand a hot frying pan just removed from the stove (temperature up to 230 ° C).
  3. Less likely to swell at the table type postforming. So called the technology of processing the top plastic, when it takes the form of a plate and wraps the edge, making it seamless, and therefore less vulnerable. It is desirable that the protective coating is bent on the reverse side of the table top (sometimes it only reaches the lower edge of the edge).
Countertop postforming with drip pan

Countertop postforming with drip pan

In other cases, the edges of the top are decorated with edges of melamine, polypropylene or acrylic. These options are also good, but have gaps.

Thick plastic worktop with contrasting hem

  1. Well, if the tabletop has a drip pan. If you spill water, the drip pan will keep it in itself and will not allow it to leak into the thickness of the chipboard / MDF. A drip pan in the form of a thin plastic strip is located on the back of the protruding edge of the table top (see photo above).

See also: 7 Tips for Choosing a Plastic Countertop.

Countertop made of artificial stone (acrylate) - seamless, but prone to scratches

Artificial stone is of two types: acrylic (acrylate) and composite (agglomerate).Outwardly, they are almost the same, but the acrylic stone, unlike the agglomerate, contains only 60-75% of the mineral component, all the rest is acrylic resin and pigments.

  • Acrylic stone countertops are cheaper and worse in quality - they are easily scratched and melted under hot dishes. But do not discount them, because acrylates have significant advantages (we indicated them in the table below).
Artificial stone worktop design

It is also important to understand that by “countertop made of artificial acrylic stone” is meant not a monolithic slab, but a construction made of a frame made of chipboard / plywood / MDF and “sheathing” of acrylate

By the way, there are many varieties of artificial stone, as each manufacturer manufactures it according to its proprietary technology and patents its own stone under a unique name. The most famous acrylates are: Corian (DuPont, USA), Montelli (also DuPont, but more democratic), Hi-Macs (LG, Korea) and Staron (Samsung, Korea).

  • Countertop, sink and window sill of acrylic stone Corian
    Monolithic countertop with sink and window sill of acrylic stone Corian

Price: from 8 to 19 thousand rubles per linear meter + price for installation from 5 thousand rubles.

Design options: Countertop made of artificial stone can be glossy, semi-gloss and matte. Depending on the manufacturer, you can choose one of 20-100 shades with a granite texture.

  • Countertop stone Antarrid
    Countertop stone Antarrid
  • White acrylic stone worktop
    The main advantage of artificial stone countertops - seamless and the ability to choose any shape

Dimensions: The length of one sheet of acrylic stone is 2400-2600 mm, but the length of the "monolithic" tabletop can be any, because the seams between the two plates are completely invisible. The width of the product can be 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 cm. The thickness of the acrylic table top is standard - 38 mm, but the thickness of the “stone” layer varies from 3 to 19 mm.

Benefits disadvantages
The price of acrylic countertops is lower than on countertops made of sinter or natural stone. More other countertops prone to scratches. It can not be washed with a brush and abrasives.
There are no visible seams, which makes cleaning easier and looks better. You can not put hot dishes.
It is possible to integrate a sink from the same material into a table-top. The result is a neat and unified design. More expensive wooden and plastic countertops.
The table top can be repaired and updated many times to perfect condition: scratches are polished, and cracks and chips are filled with special compounds.  
Impact resistance. You can not be afraid to drop on the countertop cast iron skillet.  
Chemical inertness (resistance to acids, alkalis, alcohol, vinegar, etc.).  
The surface of the countertop made of artificial stone has no pores, and therefore does not absorb dirt, water or odors, does not undergo the formation of mold.  
Acrylic top is nicer and warmer to the touch than sinter or natural stone countertops.  

Our advice:

  • The thickness of the acrylic stone does not affect the performance characteristics of the kitchen worktop, but the permissible number of grinding cycles (from scratches) depends on it, and therefore the durability of the top.
  • The most democratic in terms of price is a table top with a chipboard frame in lining with an artificial stone 3 mm thick.
  • The largest number of shades are presented in Corian and Montelli.
  • When purchasing a countertop with an integrated sink, discard the wing imitation adjacent to it (see photo below).In the grooves of such a dryer for dishes, water and dirt will accumulate every now and then.

Sink from an artificial stone

  • Installation of countertops made of acrylic stone is approximately 10% of its value. However, some companies offer this service for free as part of a promotion or an additional bonus.
  • As a rule, after the second polishing acrylic table top scratched less.

Sinter tabletop (composite) - perhaps the best kitchen tabletop

Agglomerate is, as we have said, the best version of artificial stone and ... perhaps the best material for the kitchen countertop in general. Even natural stone largely loses its agglomerated counterpart. Agglomerate is of two types:

  • Quartz agglomerate. Its composition contains more than 93% of quartz chips, polyester resin and modifying additives. Thanks to this composition, the tabletop of quartz agglomerate is stronger than the slab of natural quartz.
  • Quartz agglomerate table top
    Caesarstone quartz agglomerate table top
  • Artificial granite. In the artificial granite, the mineral component is slightly less - 80-85% (granite chips), respectively, the proportion of polyester binder - more. For this reason, a composite granite tabletop is slightly more scratch-resistant and less heat-resistant than a quartz agglomerate top.
Benefits disadvantages
Unlike natural stone, the composite tabletop does not require any maintenance due to the lack of pores. You can pour beet juice, and then wipe the puddle after a couple of hours in full confidence that there will be no stains. The price is higher than the acrylic stone countertop.
Scratch resistant. If you wish, you can cut products right on the tabletop without a board. Composite worktop can not be repaired and polished. However, she almost never needs it.
The shape of the countertops made of artificial stone can be any. The artificial origin of agglomerates for someone can be considered a disadvantage. However, this is a plus - the design of the tabletop will be completely predictable.
You can come to the store, choose your favorite sample and be sure that the finished tabletop will turn out exactly the way you planned. Sinter table top is very heavy, so its installation and transportation is expensive.
High temperature resistant. Most "stone" countertops withstand temperatures from 230 to 280 degrees. For comparison: a frying pan just removed from the stove has a temperature of 230-250 degrees. However, putting hot dishes on a composite worktop is not recommended.  
Chemical inertness The desktop can be washed with almost any cleaning agent.  
Environmental friendliness and absolute safety of the material.  

Price: The cost of 1 running meter of kitchen countertops made of quartz agglomerate 30 mm thick (depending on the manufacturer) varies from 15 to 80 thousand rubles. The most popular tops of "stone" worth 15-25 thousand rubles. per meter

Possible design: Sinter quartz can be similar to marble, granite, sandstone.

  • Dark color quartz agglomerate table top
    Countertop and apron from quartz stone Cambria Hollinsbroo (Crystal Stone)

Manufacturers: In Russia, you can buy a countertop of agglomerated stone from many manufacturers, for example, Caesarstone, Quarzelan (Ligron), Cosentino (Silestone), Quarella, Radianz (Samsung), Cambria, Han Stone, Plaza Stone, Santamargherita, Technistone, etc.

Our advice:

  • It is desirable that the brand of composite stone be known and have an official representation in Russia. Brand awareness is, one can say, quality assurance, when you can be sure that the manufacturer conducted control of raw materials and compliance with the manufacturing technology of the “stone”. Little-known firms often use dust instead of stone dust, and instead of safe resins - analogues of dubious quality.
  • To make sure that before you is not an acrylic stone, but a composite, simply touch it with your hand.A true agglomerate should be cold to the touch, and acrylate should be warmer.


Wooden tabletop - the most beautiful

Traditional wooden kitchen table top, though not the most practical, but durable, pleasant to use and just beautiful.

White kitchen with wooden countertop

Interior of modern kitchen with wooden countertop

The wooden tabletop fits well not only in classic but also in modern interiors

Wooden table top can be of two types:

  1. On the basis of a chipboard or MDF with a top layer of veneer (a common option);
  2. Typesetting of connected wood bars.

Both types of worktops have their pros and cons. The veneered top looks no different from a fully wooden one, while it costs two times less, it tolerates temperature changes and increased humidity in the room more stably. But he has a weak point - the edge, which can come off / damaged. In addition, such a tabletop can be restored a limited number of times, because the thickness of the veneer is not more than 3 mm. The tabletop is good in that it can be sanded and restored countless times, and its front edge can be milled in any way. However, the wooden top is less tolerant of temperature fluctuations and can be arched due to the unfavorable climate in the kitchen.

Benefits disadvantages
Natural warmth and beauty of the tree. A wooden tabletop can swell, arch or crack due to moisture, temperature extremes.
The wooden tabletop is versatile. Especially good in interiors in classical style, country, Provence, etc. Requires careful handling.
The price is lower than the top of artificial and natural stone. Demands leaving - processing by oil or wax 2 times a year.
The ability to update and repair (remove scratches, dents, chips, stains, etc.). Maybe rot.
Natural wood exudes phytoncides useful for humans. Does not tolerate contact with hot dishes.
You can change the shade of the tree. Scratched by a knife.
Durability.  
Ease of installation.  
Due to the antistatic properties of wood, dust does not accumulate on the tabletop.  

Prices: from 4 thousand rubles per linear meter for a table top made of chipboard with veneer from an array. The type-setting table-top costs from 8 thousand rubles per linear meter.

Size range: Depending on the type of wood, the thickness of the table top can be 32-42 mm, width - 600-630 mm, maximum length - 4100 mm.

  • Oak veneer table top
    Ikea table top with oak veneer (Mellekull model)

Our advice:

  1. Oak and larch are best suited for kitchen countertops, other deciduous species such as birch, beech, alder, and walnut will work well. The most inexpensive and also the softest and most durable countertop is made of pine.
  2. Cheap solid wood tops are presented in Ikea, Leroy Merlin and ob.
  3. More photos and information on how to choose and properly use a wooden kitchen countertop can be found. in this article.

Natural stone countertop - luxurious, timeless, but not perfect

Agglomerates are better than natural stone in almost everything, but in one they are exactly inferior - in the natural beauty and uniqueness of the design and shades.

Prices: From 25 to 100 thousand rubles per meter. The cost of the finished tabletop depends largely on the complexity of processing the stone, its deposit, the value of the rock itself, its color and pattern.

Dimensions: The plates have a thickness of 20 or 30 mm, a length of 1.5-3 m. Most often, the length of kitchen countertops made of stone rarely exceeds 2.4 m.

Granite

Granite is one of those stones that are well suited to the work surface. It is fine-grained and dense, and therefore very practical and durable. Granite is supplied in slabs. In addition, the palette of shades of granite is very extensive. However, the more beautiful the color of the stone, the more expensive the tabletop will cost, which is even very expensive even in the most ordinary shade.

  • Granite Countertop
    For the manufacture of this countertop used the lightest granite, which can only be found in nature. This type of granite is called "Kashmir White"

Marble

Marble countertops (especially white Carrara marble) are perhaps the most beautiful of all.

Marble tabletop in the interior of the kitchen

Marble tabletop in the interior of the kitchen

But, unfortunately, the most capricious - because of its porosity and friability, it quickly absorbs moisture, dirt and grease, does not tolerate acids and impacts. For example, if spilled coffee is not wiped away immediately, there is a risk that the stains from it will remain forever.

Also, the marble top requires special care - every 1-2 months it is necessary to rub special protective compounds into it.

Our advice:

  • Buy a worktop only from reputable manufacturers who guarantee the neutrality of the radioactive background of the stone (especially granite) and confirming this with appropriate certificates.
  • When choosing a natural stone countertop, keep in mind that the samples presented in the store's interior will differ slightly from the finished product in terms of shade and pattern of veins and specks. If possible, slab for the manufacture of countertops must be chosen personally.
  • If you really want a marble worktop, but doubt about its practicality, we advise you to pay attention to the quartz agglomerate. It can be very similar to Carrara marble, but it is much more wear-resistant than it.
Quartz agglomerate table top

Quartz agglomerate table top can successfully replace moody marble.


Steel top - the most durable and unusual

Stainless steel worktop is the most durable on our list. If you cook very often or your kitchen is designed in a modern style (for example, it can be high tech, Scandinavian style, loft and so on.), we advise you to look at this option.

Worktop made of steel in the Scandinavian style kitchen

Steel worktop in the Scandinavian style kitchen

  • At the heart of the countertops are stainless steel chipboard or MDF. The metal coating itself has a thickness of 0.7 mm to 1 mm.
  • The metal tabletop can be near-wall and central, radial (see photo below) and angular (without seams), with or without sides.
Radius stainless steel worktop

Radius stainless steel worktop

Price: from 6 to 12 thousand rubles per meter.

Design: Metal table top can be smooth, waffle or matte. It can also have a built-in sink with ribbed drying and steel sides.

Steel table top with sides

Steel table top with sides

Dimensions: The length of one seamless steel table top can be from 2 to 3.7 m (depending on the manufacturer).

Manufacturers: Reginox, MM Industry (Russia), Blanco (Germany).

Benefits disadvantages
Heat resistance. Only on a stainless steel worktop can you put hot baking trays and hot pans. There may be stains from hard water, as well as fingerprints.
The possibility of seamless integration with the sink (seamless or welded). The price is higher than the countertop from chipboard.
There are no stains in the steel. The “laboratory” type of tabletop, on the one hand, is universal, but on the other hand, it requires a certain taste in interior design.
Impact resistance. The tendency to scratch, which, fortunately, is easily removed by grinding.
The metal surface absorbs neither fat, nor dirt, nor odors, nor coloring products pigments.  
Steel countertop can be washed by any means - from chlorine to solvent.  
Durability.  
Environmental friendliness and absolute safety of the material.  
Stylish look. The steel surface gives a beautiful soft glow.  

Our advice:

  • For kitchen countertops, steel AISI304, which is not afraid of acids, does not corrode and rust, is more suitable. Such steel is used in medical institutions. There is another steel - AISI430. It costs about 20% cheaper and is widely used in professional kitchens.
  • However, due to prolonged contact with water, increased humidity, as well as cleaning with alkaline agents, rust spots can form on it. Outwardly, these two types of steel are the same; a magnet will help distinguish one from another - the 430th should be magnetised.
  • It is desirable that the sheet of steel was planted not on silicone, but on high-quality two-component glue. Silicone from heat exposure (for example, from hot dishes) loses its adhesive properties.
  • The steel surface is able to “grow old” beautifully, eventually becoming scratched and acquiring a “lively” look that designers and professional chefs appreciate.
  • To keep fingerprints and other contaminants on the worktop less, you can treat it with special polishes for stainless steel.

How to choose the design and size of the countertop for the kitchen

  1. The standard width of the tabletop is 60 cm. But, if you can, you should choose a top of an increased width - 62-64 cm. So it will be more convenient for you to cook without kneeling on the lower cabinets and their handles.
  2. The dark tabletop is super-effective, but, unfortunately, impractical - even the smallest drops of water, dust and stains will be very noticeable on it. If you still want to buy a dark tabletop, choose the one that has light blotches or streaks.
Dark plastic tabletop

Oddly enough, the dark countertop has to be cleaned twice as often as the light

  1. Special attention should be paid to the choice of decorative processing ends. They can be straight, rounded, milled (see photo below), with colored or contrasting wooden / stone / melamine edges. As a rule, the more complicated the design of the ends, the higher the cost of the table top.
Quartz agglomerate table top

Quartz agglomerate table top with milling

  1. It is desirable that the tabletop has wall bumpers that will not only prevent moisture and dirt from entering behind the pedestals, but also decorate the work surface.
  2. The worktop should fit into the interior of the kitchen in style and color. For example, in the classic kitchen It will look good wooden top (or wood), as well as stone (stone). AT country style interior or provence A wood or ceramic worktop fits perfectly. In the modern interior will be appropriate table top made of steel, artificial stone or wood. In choosing the shade, texture and material of the top, you can navigate to the apron, fronts, the countertop of the dining table, window sill or kitchen floor trim.

Plastic top to match the headset

Kitchen worktop to tone the table

Kitchen worktop to tone the table

  • Acrylic Stone Yellow Top
    Yellow table top made of acrylic stone to match apron and window sill
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (Rate the material! Already voted:26 average rating: 4,69 from 5)
Loading...

See also:


5 Comments

  1. Kira says

    I think that countertops made of composite materials (made of artificial stone) are by far the best that can be used. The only thing to consider is the color. Too dark will sometimes have to be sanded, as some scratches will still be visible. Best of all - beige with a light pattern. And she will not be demolished!

  2. Victoria Luzgina says

    My countertop is made of artificial stone Antarrid, light, looks like a natural stone from fine chips.Fine material, no problem washes, durable enough, withstands our acts of vandalism, such as a hot pan with scrambled eggs, scratching with a knife, accidentally, but nonetheless. And how much we exploit it, never polished, there is simply no such need.

  3. Sergei says

    Very useful article! My wife and I carried out repairs in our kitchen, chose a suitable option for a long time, and finally settled on an offer from Poligranit.

  4. Olga says

    Only Grandeks do not put, bullshit stone .... It will not be enough for a long time, it will be covered in scratches, it will burst at best, at worst, it will burst.

  5. Sergey Ivanov says

    No worse and no better than others. Any composite will scratch if you fidget on it all in a row down to the knives. If the tabletop bursts, then the point is not in the material, but in the curved hands of the “masters”.

Add a comment

Your email will not be published.