If you ask a decoration expert which space is more costly when decorating your entire home? Then they may say the kitchen space. And the kitchen worktop is the focus of of kitchen space. Kitchen worktops are used frequently and must be selected well. So how to choose a kitchen worktop? what materials are available for kitchen worktops? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each of them? Which is the best material to choose?....
The range of artificial stone is relatively wide, commonly used in the kitchen worktops, mainly two kinds of quartz stone and acrylic.
Quartz stone worktops are artificially synthesized from more than 90% quartz crystals, plus resins and other trace elements.
The main advantages of quartz stone worktops is the high hardness, wear-resistance, durability, high temperature resistance and long service life with more than ten years under normal use. In terms of style, the choice of texture is also rich , incorporating the natural texture of natural stone. It is natural and environmentally friendly, easy to clean and cost-effective.
Of course, quartz stone worktops also have disadvantages like poor shaping ability and cannot be made seamless. Low density quartz stone worktops are prone to color bleeding, for example, if you accidentally spill soy sauce on the surface, and if you don't wipe it off in time, after a few hours, the soy sauce will bleed into the interior.
Therefore,when purchasing quartz stone worktops, the most important is to focus on the density. In general, the smaller the particles, the greater the number of crystals, the less miscellaneous color, the more smooth and delicate the surface of the quartz stone, the higher the density; and at the same price, the dark color is less prone to than the light color bleeding color.
Acrylic worktops are made of acrylic as the base material, using ultrafine aluminum hydroxide as a filler, commonly known as "plexiglass".
Acrylic worktops, like quartz stone worktops,are made of artificial stone , so also have the advantages of wear resistance, durability and high temperature resistance, but worse than quartz stone worktops. However, acrylic can do seamless splicing and shaped processing, so the ability to shape is better than quartz stone.
It is important to note that the price of acrylic worktops is not low, and the market is mixed. Acrylic composition is different, the quality is also different. The higher the acrylic composition of the worktop is closer to plastic, the milder; conversely, the lower the composition, the closer to stone, the colder, so pay attention to the distinction when buying .
The most common natural stone materials for kitchen worktops are marble and granite. They have a natural and beautiful texture, high hardness, wear resistance and high temperature resistance.
Marble worktops have inherently unique and beautiful texture as well as incredibly hardness. With marble worktops, you will undoubtedly make your kitchen a strong but beautiful castle. Marble worktops have outstanding heat resistance and good wear resistance.
Although the marble is hard, it is not flexible enough, so if it encounters heavy blows or sharp changes in temperature, cracks will appear and are difficult to repair. Due to the the length limitation, even if two pieces of marble spliced together can not be integrated naturally.
Granite worktops are dense, hard and have a very wear-resistant surface, which reduces the possibility of hiding dirt to some extent. Tests have proven that of all the materials that can be used for kitchen worktops, granite is better at resisting bacterial regeneration. But again, the length of natural stone like granite is usually not long, so to make a overall worktop, there will definitely be joints, and these joints are equally likely to hide dirt.
To stay close to nature, raw wood colors are often used to create a rustic look. Pure wood is also being used for kitchen worktops, which are processed and made into beautiful and different shapes. Some of the harder woods such as oak and quercus are the best choice for all kitchen worktops.
Wooden worktops have many advantages like natural texture, natural warmth and plasticity, making them very suitable for families with a taste for life.
However, we all know that wood is particularly expensive, not dirty and wear-resistant, not moisture and heat resistant, easy to crack by insects, but also often needs maintenance. Of course, if you really want to choose a wooden worktop , give preference to fire-resistant panels, do a good job of sealing antibacterial and moisture-proof treatment.
Stainless steel is the traditional raw material for household kitchen utensils, and as far as tableware and cabinetry are concerned, stainless steel is the best endorsement.
Stainless steel worktops consists of a high-density fireproof board plus a thin stainless steel plate. They are durable, easy to clean, and come with a three-dimensional one-piece effect. Among all materials, stainless steel has the best antibacterial properties.
However, stainless steel worktops are visually hard, giving people a cold feeling. And once the worktop is scratched by sharp objects then will leave irreparable marks.
If the budget is not enough, or want to create an industrial style kitchen, stainless steel worktops will be a good choice.
Sintered stone is a super-large new porcelain material made of natural raw materials through special process, pressed with the help from more than 10 000 tons and heated up to over 1200 ℃.It can withstand any cutting/drilling processes that are put upon it due to its durable nature.
Sintered stone worktop is the most ever-lasting kitchen surface you can get. The Mohs hardness of a sintered stone worktop is grade 6-7, which can resist scratching and trying to scratch.
The A1 grade fire resistance ensures that you never have to worry about your sintered stone worktop deforming in direct contact with high-temperature objects. It won't produce any physical changes or emit gas when coming into open fires above 2000 .
The sintered stone worktop is not only fire resistant but also corrosion resistant. It will stand up to a variety of chemicals, including solutions and disinfectants that would finish off any other material on the market.
The water absorbing capacity of sintered stone worktop is less than 0.05%, which means they can keep their dry surfaces all the time and are not easily polluted.
The sintered stone worktop can be used for all types of food preparation, and are 100% recycled material. They're also non-toxic or radiation free.
The sintered stone worktop is also light in weight.The 3mm sintered slab is only 7kg/㎡ and the 12 mm sintered slab ,30 kg/㎡.
Sintered stone kitchen worktop is the best choice for people with higher budgets. It has only one disadvantage - it's a little expensive- but you will find that this investment pays off in many ways, as the sintered stone surface provide all of its advantages plus some extra perks to make your cooking experience even more wonderful!
After reading our comparison guide, which material do you think you'll end up choosing for your kitchen worktop? Before you buy, we recommend that you consult a kitchen expert and tell them your actual situation and needs in order to help you choose the most suitable one.
And if you agree with me that sintered stone is the most worthy material to choose, then please contact us directly. Here at Sunvin Ceramics, we pride ourselves on being a leading provider of sintered stone worktops and can offer you a wide range of options to choose from.
If you have any specific requirements, we would be happy to discuss your project with you and offer you a bespoke solution. We are always available to answer any questions you may have about our products or services.We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Also read：
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