The kitchen is the most visited place in the house. And it is important, even at the planning stage, to think about what this room will look like, including the materials used to make the main elements. Today, the most budget-friendly, functional and ergonomic option are plastic kitchen countertops, reviews of which are mostly positive. Let's consider the advantages and disadvantages of plastic directly for the kitchen, as well as the types and features of caring for this material.
What is a plastic tabletop?
The plastic tabletop is an economy class option. This material can be imitated to resemble marble, granite, wood, quartz, and the cost will be six times cheaper than artificial or natural stones.
The basis of tables with a plastic top for the kitchen is chipboard or MDF, which can be of different thicknesses. Chipboard material under high pressure (postforming method) is combined with a thin but durable layer of HPL plastic, which is a decorative option. At the same time, the edges are carefully bent over the edge, and a flat and smooth surface is obtained.
HPL plastic consists of several layers of kraft paper, which are pressed together under high pressure and impregnated with resins. Thus, the material is reliably protected from moisture, mechanical damage and burnout. The quality of the material depends on the manufacturing technology.
pros
Plastic countertops for the kitchen, photos of which are presented above, have many advantages in addition to their low cost.
The advantages of a plastic kitchen are as follows:
- affordable price - for example, the cost of a domestically produced laminated board measuring 60 x 24.5 cm and 28 mm thick can be purchased for 1,500 rubles, 38 mm thick and 3 m long - 4,000 rubles;
- a variety of colors, textures and decors from classic style to trendy high-tech;
- high-quality material lasts a long time, does not fade and is not subject to mechanical stress;
- the material is not afraid of high temperatures (you can even place hot dishes on it), is easily cleaned of dirt and does not absorb moisture or odor;
- plastic is resistant to chemical treatment.
Additional advantages include the fact that any design or even a photograph can be printed on the plastic surface.
Minuses
Despite the obvious advantages of a plastic-coated countertop, the material also has disadvantages.
Disadvantages of using plastic in the kitchen:
- in appearance this material is inferior to stone and wood, it does not look so natural and organic;
- chipboard material is not durable; under constant exposure to water, the plastic can become deformed and swell;
- the weakest point of such tabletop material is the joints, which should be further processed or seals attached;
- plastic cannot be restored, unlike artificial stone, scratches on which can be easily polished (it is better to use cutting boards on such a surface).
Brief overview of materials (+10 photos in the interior)
The countertop is not only an integral structural element of the set, but also an element of the kitchen design.
Some textures and colors are characteristic only of certain styles. For example, solid wood or laminated chipboard with a veneer top coating can often be found in Scandinavian-style or loft-style kitchens. Some ]IKEA[/anchor] countertops are made using this technology.
IKEA "Carlby", beech
A high-quality plastic countertop will look great in a kitchen in any modern style.
Types of plastic kitchen countertops
The plastic that is used for application to chipboard or MDF can be of two types: High Pressure Laminates (HPL) and Cotinuous Pressed Laminates (CPL). The first option is made under high pressure, during which several layers of paper are compressed; it is of higher quality and more durable. The second type of plastic is processed under low pressure, so its quality indicators are somewhat lower. When choosing, you should take into account the brand of plastic, which may affect the price of the finished product.
Also, plastic countertops can be of two types:
- from ready-made laminated boards of standard sizes of domestic or European production - the country of origin does not matter much here, since both Russian and foreign companies pay close attention to the quality of their products;
- A kitchen table with a plastic top can be made to order - this option will cost more, but you can choose the decor, finish, shade and other elements yourself.
The best matte countertops for the kitchen
Hanex Duo
Tabletops made of artificial acrylic "Hanex" made in South Korea have a matte structure. The surface design is very diverse - from snow-white to deep black. The material has a unique plasticity. When heated, acrylic plates are formed into the desired shape, the ends are joined using special glue without the formation of seams.
Grandex
Environmentally friendly and safe countertops made of modern material – Grandex acrylic stone. The company from South Korea produces products that include six collections, collected according to the most popular colors. Countertops made of natural stone are most often made with a matte sheen. Buyers select the desired shade from the samples presented.
How to choose and install
The Russian market has a fairly wide range of plastic countertops, both domestic and foreign. There are standard sizes of 60 x 224 cm and 62 x 305 cm. If necessary, you can choose the size yourself, which can vary from 2 to 4 m with a thickness of 28-38 mm.
The most budget option is a wood-look plastic kitchen countertop made of CPL (low-pressure plastic) material. Despite the affordable price, the quality indicators are low. It is better to choose HPL plastic. Although it is visually impossible to distinguish one option from another, only a specialist can do this. When choosing, you should pay attention to this most important indicator.
Installing a plastic countertop is not difficult, but for high-quality installation it is better to contact a specialist who will adjust the dimensions to those required for a particular room. To adjust it to size, MDF or chipboard is sawn, but if chips or cracks have formed in place, they cannot be eliminated, so such work should be carried out with special care.
How to install a plastic tabletop yourself?
- All kitchen elements must be level and positioned strictly horizontally. To correct the level, you can use spacers, wedges or legs if they are provided by the manufacturer.
- Markings, which include protrusions on the walls, are applied with a pencil or marker. The gap between the wall should be no more than 5 cm.
- The slab is cut using a jigsaw or hacksaw. For ease of use, a guide bar is used. You can avoid chips and cracks when sawing by using masking tape, which is attached along the line where the cut will be made.
- The cut area is processed with a file. Thus, all irregularities are removed.
- The places of cuts and joints are treated with silicone sealant; if necessary, this is done using metal strips. The distance from the wall is covered with a plastic plinth for kitchen countertops, which is selected according to the color and design of the furniture.
Experts note that the service life of a plastic kitchen depends not only on the material of manufacture, but also on the quality of installation.
Main criteria
Furniture for any purpose is selected in accordance with several criteria:
- Room area. It is important that the furniture does not clutter the space and that there is enough space around the furnishings for free movement. If you have your eye on a large laminated chipboard dining table for five or more people, you need to correctly calculate its location. The table should be in such a place that it is convenient to use it, but the furniture should not interfere with the passage around the room.
- General design. The dining group is a fairly large composition that will attract a lot of attention. The table should match the style of the interior and be in harmony with other furniture in the room. The ideal solution is to choose a table in the same color as the fronts of the kitchen unit.
- Material of manufacture. The table must be strong and stable, so you cannot save on such a purchase. However, hardwood models are not affordable for everyone, but you can purchase an inexpensive set made from MDF or chipboard.
- Table dimensions. This criterion is the main one, but do not forget that guests can always come to you, and it is better to choose models for a larger number of people.
A beautiful and practical dining table made of laminated chipboard is one of the main decorations in the kitchen, so you should be careful when choosing such a piece of furniture. You can look at photos of various models on the Internet and decide on the main points before going to the store in order to narrow the range of models under consideration. The optimal solution is offered by the furniture store "Comp-Lex", whose catalog presents an extensive line of tables of different sizes and styles. Instead of wasting time in the shopping center, you can choose a stylish dining table made from chipboard in the online catalog and order it delivered to your home. The offered products consist of the most popular models from different manufacturers, so there is a solution for any interior.
Plastic kitchen design
A plastic kitchen countertop (according to reviews) is the best option, since the range of products is so wide that you can choose the design at your own discretion. Facades made of this material easily fit into any style.
Types of kitchen design made of plastic:
- Modern style. A kitchen with curved and framed facades looks best. It is these non-standard shapes that can fit into a kitchen with an unusual layout. It is best to choose a plastic facade in a chameleon color. It changes color intensity depending on the lighting, the play of colors creates an unusual look for the room.
- Classic. In this design, it is better to give preference to natural materials or a plastic kitchen countertop with a wooden look. There should be no metal inserts or gloss. Curly handles (brass or bronze) will look impressive in such a visit.
- Modern. This style is not simple or cheap. It should combine clarity of form, harmony and grace. The best option would be corner plastic kitchens made of MDF and PVC film.
Choosing a plastic table shape
Before making a purchase, think about what shape and color of the kitchen table you want.
And also what exactly do you expect from the table: what capacity should it have, whether it will be sliding or monolithic.
Also, a mandatory selection criterion will be the ability of the kitchen table to organically fit into the overall design idea of the room in which it will be placed.
If you have no ideas, look at photos on the Internet.
The shape of the tables is round (circle, oval) and with corners (square and rectangular).
Round tables, such as the one in the photo, take up more space than corner tables.
Their place is in the spacious kitchen.
However, if you have small children in your home, perhaps you can sacrifice square meters by choosing a round or oval table - after all, it will not have sharp corners that are dangerous for the child, which can injure him.
Features of operation
A plastic tabletop requires special care. Any dirt from its surface is removed with a damp cloth. You can use detergents, but without abrasive particles. You should refrain from using metal sponges or hard brushes, which can scratch the surface. When slicing, you should use a board to avoid scratches from the knife. When scratches occur, moisture penetrates the chipboard layer and causes it to deform or swell.
The weakest point of a plastic kitchen is the joints, which must be treated with sealant. Also important is the plinth, especially at the junction of the tabletop with the apron.
If you place a hot frying pan on a plastic surface, nothing will happen. But with prolonged thermal exposure, the tabletop can still become deformed. Therefore, it is better to use special hot mats.
Plastic countertop for the kitchen: reviews
A plastic kitchen is presented in reviews as a budget-friendly and quite successful option for the home. Users note not only its low cost, but also its convenience and ease of installation, and a fairly long service life with proper use. Its low sensitivity to mechanical damage and heat resistance were also noted. But still, users advise not to use the tabletop as a hot plate or cutting board, since if scratches form, the surface cannot be restored.
In general, reviews of plastic kitchen countertops are positive, but there are also negative reviews. Some users noted that the surface becomes deformed after a short time, and there are places where the tabletop has swollen. This is most likely due to improper operation, as well as the choice of the cheapest CPL brand plastic. It is an inexpensive, but also short-lived material. It is better to give preference to HPL.
Which kitchen countertop is better to choose?
The countertop is most often used during cooking; it bears the main load. If, when arranging an apartment, the question arose about which countertop is best to buy for the kitchen, the owners will have to work hard to study the options presented.
According to many users, the best option for a modern kitchen is a Marble Ocean artificial marble countertop from the legendary company Tristone (South Korea). Kitchen products made from Staron stone retain their attractiveness and useful properties for several decades, which justifies the relatively high purchase price.
