Attractive countertops for the kitchen of artificial stone are increasingly becoming an attribute of modernity. They are made from acrylic polymers with the addition of mineral crumbs, dyes and are an excellent analogue to expensive granite, marble, which used to be an incredible luxury.
Table top made of artificial stone - pros and cons
From a synthetic stone make magnificent table-tops and kitchen sinks which on appearance and characteristics differ nothing from natural analogues. Benefits of the material:
- The polymer is beautiful and similar to the natural analog, thanks to the color variations even surpasses it in terms of decorativeness.
- Plastic. Stone top can be given any shape with a minimum of stitches.
- Light weight. In contrast to the present analog, the synthetic weighs less.
- Hygiene. The material has no pores and does not absorb liquids, bacteria and unpleasant odors do not appear in it.
- Ease of care. The material is easily laundered with a detergent.
- Durability. The polymer is strong and lasts up to 30 years.
- Affordable price. The material costs two to three times less than the natural counterpart.
Countertops made of artificial stone - cons:
- Intolerance to high temperatures. On this table you can not put very hot items - just a boiled kettle, a hot frying pan or a pan.
- Surfaces are hard, but scratches can form when strong friction or abrasive scourers are present.
Material for the table-top made of artificial stone
Before you buy an item, it's important to know what makes an artificial stone for countertops in the kitchen. This material is a mixture of mineral fillers and pigments combined together with a high quality polymer resin. From what types of polymers and colors are used, the appearance of the finished product and its some technical characteristics depend.
Types of artificial stone for countertops
To date, there are several varieties of countertops for the kitchen of artificial stone:
- Acrylic , based on white clay powder. The tables are strong, represented by a wide range of colors, seamless surfaces.
- Agglomerate. In the table top made of artificial stone for the kitchen is a natural crumb - granite, marble, quartzite. The agglomerate is the most similar to natural stone, is wear-resistant, withstands high temperatures. The disadvantage is the presence of barely noticeable seams.
- Liquid. The composition contains colored granules of different sizes and polymers. Products have a rich palette, pleasant to the touch.
Table top weight of artificial stone
The weight of the countertop for the kitchen from artificial stone is several times lower than the natural one. It depends on the thickness of the substrate (chipboard, plywood, MDF) and mineral layer, table dimensions. How much does the countertop made of artificial stone for the kitchen can be calculated, if we take a model of medium size. The product with a base of plywood and a mineral layer of 2-3 mm has a mass of the order of 10 kg / running meter. The maximum weight can reach 65 kg / running meter. The exact mass of the product you need to know in order to think through a reliable table support.
How to choose a countertop made of artificial stone?
Before choosing countertops for the kitchen from a modern artificial stone, you need to pay attention to their color, style solution, compliance with the parameters of the room. In order not to do a lot of table repair, it is better to prefer light colors and a matte surface. It is desirable that the stone countertops of artificial stone for the kitchen had small inclusions of minerals, since on a uniform surface or a dark texture, dirt and scratches are more visible.
Marble Countertops
Marble decoration has always been considered a sign of high status. Kitchen countertops made of artificial stone made this luxurious environment more accessible for most owners. Marble attracts a unique pattern with characteristic divorce, depth, soft radiance. The palette of the material is wide, you can choose black, gray, green, pink, beige, brown tone and their shades.
Unlike natural marble, synthetic has less porosity and practically does not absorb liquids, which is its advantage. The plasticity of the stone is an excellent opportunity to make a table of any shape with intricate bends and carved edges or strict geometries that will suit different interior - from classics to minimalism.
Table top made of artificial stone - black
Stone countertops of artificial black stone look impressive and elegant, with them the furniture looks more compact. They perfectly match a white, beige headset or a pedestal with bright doors. Black countertops for kitchen from an artificial stone underline cleanliness of facades, add contrast in design. An apron for this interior is better to make light, to emphasize the severity of the outlines of furniture.
Black material is presented in a wide palette of colors - from a muted graphite to a saturated anthracite. It is found to be monophonic, can have a grainy picture, a rich "stone" texture, interspersed with a different color. Polymer surface is made different, you can choose a mirror-glossy smooth texture or velvety-matte.
Table top artificial stone - brown
Deciding how to choose a countertop made of artificial stone for the kitchen, and which color to give preference to, many owners stop at the traditional version and order a warm brown tone. The material is found in different shades - from light to chocolate, in any case, such furnishing helps to decorate a pleasant kitchen in neutral natural colors.
A brown table top can be completed with a beige or light kitchen set, furniture in the color of wood. It will shade the facades and make them creamy or woody shade more pleasant. And on the contrary, it is better to combine dark doors with a light top. With a brown or cream top is perfectly combined and a suite of saturated colors - orange, yellow, red.
White table top made of artificial stone
Snow white tone is best for a headset with a dark bottom and white top, so you can achieve harmony in the interior. A light tint visually increases the dimensions of the furniture, and the kitchen makes it more elegant. The white tone is perfectly combined with gray, black, "wood" facades of all shades. The apron in this case should be made if not contrasting, then at least stand out against its background.
The material for the countertop of artificial white stone for the kitchen is better to choose the most durable and non-porous. There are fewer spots on it, the most suitable is the anglomerate, quartzite. The white countertops for the kitchen from artificial stone with imitation of marble, granite with impregnations of mineral crumb of various sizes will look good, they are more practical and require less cleaning.
Table top with a sink made of artificial stone
Plasticity of the material makes it possible to give the product any shape. The table top made of artificial stone with a sink is a single whole, looks monolithic due to a seamless transition between parts of the product. The model can be ordered in any size, straight or angular, its configuration helps to use space advantageously. The form for washing can be different:
- square;
- round;
- rectangular;
- oval;
- with corrugated wings or without;
- the product may have several bowls.
In most cases, such models are made to order, so that they fit harmoniously into the interior of the kitchen. At the final stage of production, the sinks with the top are covered with a special compound that makes the surfaces smooth and free from pores. Due to the protective layer, they are less exposed to pollution, do not deteriorate under the influence of household chemicals.
Round table top made of artificial stone
Original round kitchen countertops of artificial stone - perfect for a small table or the original island . They can be installed on one support, a figured tripod, several legs or a large box with boxes. The advantage of such models is a small size, due to this they are made from a solid sheet and have no seams.
Especially beautiful look products with asymmetrical shapes, carved or radiused edges, the round configuration makes the table safe, you can install it anywhere in the kitchen. Island countertops can be supplemented with a poured sink, corrugated surfaces. Popular are models with rounded one edge, the second side of this table can be attached to the wall and get a bar in the kitchen.
Dining table with a table top made of artificial stone
The incredible decorative features of the stone made it popular for making and dining tables for the kitchen. The advantage of the material is a presentable appearance, the ability to choose textures and colors - from white to black, monophonic or interspersed, polished or with a matte surface. Popular versions of light tables with various impregnations - they are less visible pollution and scratches than on a dark surface.
A table with a table top made of artificial stone can be made in any shape. Universal is a square or rectangular model, it can be put both in the center of the room, and move it to the wall. For a small kitchen, you can make a wall-mounted dining table in the form of a semicircle. When determining the dimensions of the product, the dimensions of the room and the number of occupants are taken into account.
How to care for the countertop of artificial stone?
The material requires systematic care to maintain a beautiful appearance:
- Do not expose the product to the action of chemical aggressive substances. If the solvent, acetone, acidic or chlorine compounds hit the surface, they must be rinsed immediately with a large amount of water.
- Always use protective pads for hot pots and kettles.
- For cutting meat and other products, you need to use cutting boards.
- Abrasive sponges are not used, water from the surface is wiped off with a dry towel, small spots are washed out with detergents.
- For cleaning stubborn stains useful sponge green Scotchbrite.
- To improve the shine, you need to use a non-abrasive polishing paste, after the surface is wiped with a paper towel.
- The countertop with a sink made of artificial stone is periodically cleaned with a solution of water with bleach. It is poured into a bowl, after 15 minutes washed and wiped it.
- If the surface is damaged, specialists can re-sand the stone and remove scratches.