Kitchen decoration is the highlight. The kitchen is the place where we make delicious food, and it is also the place where the utilization rate is relatively high. The kitchen countertop is the "face" of the home. The cleanliness and wear of the countertop is a reflection of the quality of life. Before choosing a countertop, we need to fully understand the materials of multiple countertops, from the moisture resistance, durability, water resistance, stain resistance and so on of different materials of the countertop material. At present, the countertops on the market are roughly divided into marble, quartz stone, stainless steel, and wood materials. Which one to choose?
1.Marble countertops (natural stone) for kitchen countertops
a.What is a marble countertop?
Marble, also known as marble, is a recrystallized limestone whose main component is CaCO3. The main components are calcium and dolomite, with many colors, usually with obvious patterns, and many mineral particles. Limestone softens at high temperature and pressure and recrystallizes to form marble as the minerals it contains change.
b. What are the advantages of marble countertops?
(1) No deformation, high hardness, strong wear resistance and long service life.
(2)anti-abrasion, high temperature resistance, maintenance-free. Good rigidity, high hardness, strong wear resistance, small temperature deformation.
(3)Physical stability, meticulous organization, the impacted grains fall off, the surface has no burrs, does not affect its plane accuracy, and the material is stable.
c.What are the disadvantages of marble countertops?
(1)Natural stone has holes, it is easy to penetrate into the texture, it is difficult to clean, and it is easy to mold; the toughness is poor, and it is easy to break and break;
(2)Under the impact of gravity, the marble countertop is prone to cracks.
(3)Calcium acetate will react with vinegar, so dripping vinegar on the marble will cause the surface of the stone to change and become rough.
(4)Marble is easy to be stained, so use less water when cleaning, wipe it regularly with a slightly damp cloth with mild detergent, and then dry and polish it with a clean soft cloth to restore its luster. For minor scratches, special marble polishing powders and conditioners can be used.
(5) Some owners are worried about radiation problems. In fact, as long as they are produced by big brands and pass the national inspection of the radiation dose rate, the radiation can be ignored.
2. Stainless steel countertops for kitchen countertops
a.What is a stainless steel countertop?
The stainless steel countertop is smooth and bright, but the color is single and the vision is "hard". The high-quality stainless steel countertop is not pure stainless steel, but is based on a marine-grade water-resistant multi-layer board with a thickness of at least 15 mm, covered with stainless steel of more than 1.2 mm, and then subjected to wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant surface treatment.
b.What are the advantages of stainless steel countertops?
Green environmental protection, no radiation, waterproof and easy to clean, no oil stains, heat-resistant and wear-resistant, no cracking, durable, good antibacterial performance
c.What are the disadvantages of stainless steel countertops?
It is prone to scratches, and once it is knocked out of the pit, it is almost irreversible. The material requirements are high, and the general material is prone to uneven surface after use, rough appearance, and looks very low. A little pothole in the stainless steel will greatly reduce the effect.
d.Precautions for use
(1) For the kitchen environment, try to choose 304 stainless steel, and the thickness should be at least 1mm or more. The countertop should be used as the base layer as much as possible, and the base layer should be sealed and waterproof. The surface should be treated with anti-rust and corrosion-resistant fine treatment, and attention should be paid to the corners, and there should be no sharp edges with burrs.
(2) After each use, scrub with sponge (rag) and water for several minutes. Dry the stainless steel surface with a dry cloth to prevent watermarks. If there are dirt marks on the surface, use a little grinding powder (can be replaced by edible flour) on a dry table, and wipe it repeatedly with a dry rag to make it as bright as new. Never use a wire brush to clean stainless steel surfaces. Never leave a damp sponge or cloth on the stainless steel surface to avoid accumulation of stains.
3. Wooden countertops for kitchen countertops
a.What is a wooden countertop?
Wooden countertops The wood is simple, and with the natural texture, the wood countertop decoration has a return to nature effect. With beautiful wood grain and warm solid wood, even the modern and cool style kitchen decoration, because the addition of solid wood will give a warmer feeling. Therefore, wooden countertops are very popular in modern kitchen decoration. No matter what kind of decoration style, what kind of kitchen space, wooden countertops can be applied. Only in terms of corrosion resistance and service life, wooden countertops are not dominant, but careful care is not bad.
b. What are the advantages of wooden countertops?
Wooden countertops are warm and comfortable to the touch.
c. What are the disadvantages of wooden countertops?
It is easy to crack. If it cracks, it will hide dirt and dirt, and it is difficult to clean up. The threat of using it in the kitchen is the open flame of the stove. Either do not use solid wood around the stove, or change your cooking habits, switch to a medium-low fire or directly switch to an induction cooker. Don't buckle the hot pot you just took off from the solid wood, otherwise, a circle of charcoal marks will be sintered directly.
4.Quartz countertops (artificial stone) for kitchen countertops
a.What is a Quartz Stone Countertop?
80% of countertops in China are made of artificial stone, and quartz stone countertops are also artificial, which should be precisely said to be artificial quartz stone. Artificial stone countertops are hard and compact in texture, and have the characteristics of wear resistance, pressure resistance, high temperature resistance (quartz high temperature resistance, resin not high temperature resistance), corrosion resistance, and anti-penetration that other decorative materials cannot match. The rich combination of colors gives it the texture of natural stone and a beautiful surface finish.
b. What are the advantages of quartz stone countertops?
The quartz content of quartz stone is as high as 93%, and its surface hardness can be as high as Mohs hardness 7, which is larger than sharp tools such as knives and shovels used in the kitchen, and will not be scratched by it; it has excellent corrosion resistance to acid and alkali in the kitchen. , Liquid substances used daily will not penetrate its interior, easy to clean, and no special maintenance is required.
c. What are the disadvantages of quartz stone countertops?
Conjoined with seams, the price is high. The countertops of the cabinets should always be kept dry, otherwise they are prone to moisture.
After seeing so many choices of kitchen countertops, do you already have the answer in your heart?
Post time: Oct-14-2022
