Today, there are several types of countertops made of artificial stone, such as cast, quartz and acrylic.
Not all materials are good at the same time in terms of design and performance.
Artificial stone can contain 95% plastic or, on the contrary, consist only of natural components. In order not to stumble upon the poor quality of materials when buying, you should personally check the countertop for wear resistance.
This is easy to do, just ask for a sample and try to scratch or cut it, you can also bring a lighter to check the thermal characteristics.
If the sample proved to be good during testing, then you can be sure that the material will not let you down.
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Countertops made of natural stone
A great addition to the kitchen or bathroom is a countertop made of natural stone. Materials of this type include marble and granite.
A material such as granite is well suited for the kitchen room, as it is not afraid of high temperatures and any mechanical damage.
The marble countertop is perfect in the bathroom.
Features of stone countertops are:
- Thermal stability. Natural stone can withstand temperatures of 800C.
- Resistance to cold. In cold rooms and at low temperatures, no cracks will form on such a countertop.
- Not terrible mechanical damage.
- Easy to clean. To wash a countertop made of natural stone you do not have to buy detergents to care for and to eliminate fat, just wipe it once a day with a damp cloth.
Wood worktop
Such a countertop stands out from the rest due to its natural natural properties, this material is great for making furniture, and wood is an environmentally friendly material that will be relevant at any time.
A feature of wood material is the beauty and variety of textures, unlimited in the choice of the parameter (the tabletop can be given any shape or pattern), as well as ease of updating.
The disadvantages of wooden countertops include more thorough care compared to marble, they also require restoration after a certain time and some difference in price due to work with the material.
In order for the wood table top to serve you for a long time and at the same time remain as new, it is necessary to adhere to a number of rules such as: do not cut anything on the surface, do not expose the wood to thermal tests (as this may leave dark spots), do not wipe the surface with a wet with a rag (otherwise the material will begin to swell).
In order to find out if it is time to update the countertop, a few drops of water will help you.
Put them on the surface of the countertops and in the case when the material begins to quickly absorb water, you need to get a jar of oil. Next, just need to apply oil to the surface of a dry countertop.
A wooden worktop is an excellent solution for decorating a modern kitchen. This material will fit well with any design.
How to make a countertop with your own hands
First of all, it is necessary to determine what type of material will be used, it can be: concrete, stone or ceramic tile. The next step is to take measurements and begin designing.
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First you need to take measurements of all the kitchen furniture and the depth of the work surface, for a more visual example, you need to draw a plan on paper, taking into account the technical holes for pipes, sinks and stoves. Next, you need to assemble a full-size countertop layout from strips of rigid cardboard.
If the layout fits well, then further installation will pass without problems. Then, according to the created layout, the countertop itself is made.
For the manufacture of the layout is best addressed to a furniture factory. When ordering, be sure to indicate all dimensions of the shield and holes, as well as the color and material of the countertop.
We don’t have to additionally process it, we only need installation tools, such as a screwdriver, drill, screws, wood glue and sealant.
How to install a countertop with your own hands
First you need to install all the details of the countertop in their places, for example, install the sink closer to the sewer, and attach the cooking surface next to the outlet.
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Next, it’s worth going over the surfaces of the cabinets with glue, then installing the product in the right place, clarifying the location of the holes made and fixing the parts with screws.
DIY countertops photo
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