Kitchen in modern life occupies a leading position among the premises of your house or apartment. This place is not only for eating, and where a woman spends her main time. This is the heart of the home, where the whole family gathers, a place of communication with relatives. For this reason, the kitchen should be cozy, bright, be like a hearth, spreading its warmth and positive atmosphere throughout the house.
A variety of materials for countertops
Every detail in the kitchen should be carefully thought out and matched to the individual style of the kitchen. The countertop plays a significant role in creating this style, the comfort and life of this room also depend on it to a greater extent.
In the modern market there are many types of countertops, the main materials for their production are:
- Chipboard.
- Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF).
- Array of wood.
- Glass.
- Fake diamond.
- Natural marble or granite.
- Stainless steel.
Fake diamond
From the many choices - the best reviews about countertops made of artificial stone. Its performance characteristics are in no way inferior to natural stone, granite or marble, but much cheaper. Properties such as:
- strength;
- resistance to mechanical damage;
- moisture resistance;
- immunity to chemical aggressive drugs (acids, dyes, etc.);
- resistance to thermal effects on the melt
make these countertops almost eternal.
The countertop made of artificial stone, according to reviews, is full of positive characteristics from ordinary housewives who decided to install it in their apartment. You can cut food on it or chop meat without a cutting board, there are no scratches on the surface from such procedures.
A variety of types of artificial stone can satisfy any skeptical customer. They differ in mixtures of mineral fillers, the main of which we will consider below.
Acrylic Artificial Stone
Artificial stone countertops, according to consumer reviews, is the most popular type of surface. Manufacturing technology includes the connection of the smallest crumbs of aluminum trihydrate (ATH soft filler) with a colored acrylic resin pigment.
This composition provides a homogeneous, cast structure of a stone without pores, which compares favorably with natural material. An artificial stone countertop with a sink, according to reviews, has hygienic properties, does not get wet, is resistant to mold and the development of microbes. Under the influence of water and household chemicals do not leave any traces.
The main advantage of an acrylic plate is its flexibility, which allows you to give any shape. In combination with the absence of any limitation in the size of the canvas, it is possible to produce a combination of an acrylic table with an artificial stone worktop, the reviews of which are presented in this article. The use of such material contributes to the realization of the most extravagant ideas of designer kitchen.
Polyester Artificial Stone
The countertop for the kitchen made of artificial stone, according to reviews from customers, has a lot of advantages. In its composition, the polyester is similar to acrylic stone, only polyester resin is used as a binder component in the production. It is this difference that significantly affects the popularity of polyester stone, since the resin used is much cheaper than acrylic, therefore, the entire price of the product is more affordable for the general population.
The countertop made of polyester resin has excellent strength characteristics, has a respectable appearance.
The disadvantages include the following:
- The stone is cold enough to the touch.
- The surface is subject to mechanical damage, unstable to scratches.
- The most important thing is that for a rather long time the component of the polyester resin (styrene) gives off a specific smell, which is rather uncomfortable. Over time, the smell disappears, but for this you need to wait.
Quartz Agglomerate
The main difference from acrylic is the predominant use of natural stone, the proportion of which is reached up to 90-95%. The main components are fine-grained quartz, crushed granite or marble can also be used. Particles of these components are bonded using high quality polyester resin.
Reviews about the countertops made of artificial stone of this type are rather mixed.
From the positive impressions, it is noted that:
- This material is significantly stronger and more reliable in comparison with acrylic material.
- There is a maximum imitation of a monolithic stone, giving an expensive presentable look.
The negative properties include:
- The material is unpleasant to the touch, because the cold is constantly felt from it.
- To avoid scratches, it is not recommended to cut food directly on the surface of the stone.
Despite all these differences, quartz agglomerate is in great demand among consumers, its characteristics are superior to acrylic material.
Marble injection
Countertops made of artificial stone, according to reviews of people who appreciate real beauty, have exclusivity and high quality. Due to its excellent decorative properties, marble has always been in great demand in construction.
Molding marble is made from 80% marble chips, which is mixed with a binder resin. The top layer is covered with a gel-like composition, a decorative-protective coating, which may consist of liquid glass. According to its strength characteristics, cast marble is superior to natural material, and the first option is much cheaper.
The working range of using cast marble is from -50 to +80 ° , in comparison with acrylic stone from +5 to +180 ° . It is preferable to use it in non-insulated rooms or on the street.
Final arguments
Studying reviews of which artificial stone is best for countertops, it is safe to say that any of the listed types will find its consumer, even among a wide budget circle of the population.
From the luxury item of only rich people, it has become an affordable thing for everyone. And in the best colors it emphasizes the status of an ideal hostess at home.
For the functional use of countertops made of artificial stone, so that it fully fulfills the tasks assigned to it, it is necessary to properly care for it. The best worktop care tips are listed below.
Daily care
Daily care for an artificial stone countertop, according to reviews, does not require much time, the material is unpretentious in maintenance. You will not feel any difficulties. This is predetermined by the uniformity of the texture of the material, the absence of connecting seams (the main place of accumulation of dirt and the growth of bacteria).
With daily care for cleaning from dirt and greasy stains, it will be enough to wipe the surface with a soft cloth dipped in water or a damp cloth. For more bulky and complex stains, it is advisable to use various liquid detergents or soapy water.
To remove dried and hard-to-remove stains on a matte surface, you can resort to the grinding method using a dry cleaning powder or sandpaper. After removing the stain, subsequent polishing of the surface is necessary, for which you can use abrasive polish, a fabric-based sandpaper or toothpaste.
On glossy surfaces, to avoid the formation of small scratches, it is necessary to clean very carefully and use only helium household detergents and polish.
Features of white table top care
The white countertop made of artificial stone, according to reviews, requires more thorough daily care. Modern shades of white is a bright, energetic, weakening color. White is perfect for housewives who prefer a strict classic style. Such a countertop is able to visually expand the space of your kitchen, it does not look bulky, light and elegant.
The main disadvantage of white color is the difficulty in maintaining natural whiteness. And the hostess will have to devote more time to caring for the white surface compared to the countertop shade darker. The main rule for caring for a white countertop is express cleaning, it consists in wiping with a damp cloth the fresh stains that appear immediately during cooking.
The main enemy of snow-white artificial stone is water with a high salt content. If a yellow coating forms, it is advised to use a chlorine solution in a proportion of 1 to 1 water or a vinegar solution in a ratio of 1 to 2. To soak, the mixture is poured onto the surface of the countertops and, after at least 15 minutes, thoroughly washed with a warm soapy solution.
It is necessary to provide for the protection of the white surface from direct sunlight, which blur the initially sparkling white surface in yellow. This can be prevented by curtains or blinds, which will be a barrier to sunlight.
Some tips to extend the life of your artificial stone countertops
Not forgetting the proverb: “A drop sharpens a stone not by force, but by the frequency of its fall”, you must adhere to simple rules that allow you to enjoy for a long time the nobility and natural purity of your countertop:
- It is necessary to abandon the use of potent household chemicals - solvents, acetone or acid cleaners for the metal. It is better to use toothpaste or toothpowder.
- Avoid using the surface of the countertop as a cutting board.
- Use thermal padding for hot pans and pots.
- To prevent the occurrence of cracks or chips, it is necessary to avoid strong and sharp impacts on the countertop of hard and sharp objects.
We hope that our information will help you choose a countertop for your kitchen, and care tips will provide a long and faithful service for many years.