Table top made of particle board - inexpensive and practical

When buying a headset, most people are faced with a difficult problem of choosing countertops. The main criteria for this element of furniture are strength, moisture resistance, hygiene and the ability to withstand mechanical damage. The worktop made of chipboard not only fully meets these requirements, but also fits perfectly into the overall design of the kitchen. In other words, an ideal option, combining high quality and affordability.

General idea of the material

The technology of lamination of wood-particle boards was developed in Germany in the middle of the last century. The main goal of the creators was the invention of a heat-resistant and wear-resistant material. Gradually adopted the method of processing wooden surfaces have been used in most of the world's furniture factories.

As a rule, kitchen countertops made of chipboard are made of laminated chipboards, the thickness of which is about 3-4 cm. Their shape is determined taking into account the appearance of the entire headset. The length of the table top varies within 1.5-3 m, and the width corresponds to the depth of the cabinets.

Table top made from particle board: classification

Modern technology allows you to produce embossed, glossy and matte surfaces. The use of plastic coating makes it possible to produce plates of any color. The choice of the consumer offers a variety of options for decorating the kitchen countertop. Especially organically fit into the interior of the surface with a pattern that mimics natural materials (sand, leather of exotic animals, wood or stone).

For the manufacture of countertops made of particleboard for granite or marble, a plate with a thickness of at least 38 mm is needed. In this case, the finished product will have a natural and rather impressive appearance.

Advantages and disadvantages of worktops from particleboard

Like any other material, wood chipboards have their own disadvantages and advantages. The main advantages of the chipboard tabletop include long operating life, hygiene, good heat resistance, increased resistance to mechanical factors and ultraviolet rays, a wide range of colors and an affordable price.

One of the most significant disadvantages of such surfaces is poor resistance to moisture, acid and alkali. In addition, in recent years, there has been a lot of talk about the fact that wood chipboards emit formaldehyde and are therefore harmful to human health. In connection with this, a lot of research and measurements were carried out, which proved the safety of this material.

Table top made of particle board by hand

Before you begin to work, you need to remove the exact dimensions of the future surface and correctly calculate the number of necessary materials. You can use a stapler to fasten individual parts. According to the measurements taken, it is necessary to cut out workpieces from chipboard and sheet plastic. The contour of the hole, intended for the shell, is cut with an electric jig saw. All joints, which has a worktop made of particle board, are carefully processed using sandpaper. Cut out with a small allowance plastic is glued to the main surface. After that, silicone is carefully applied to the ends of the workpiece. Qualitative processing of the edges protects the plate from moisture and prevents its possible swelling.

How to join the countertop with adjacent surfaces

Owners of spacious kitchens often face the need to combine two closely spaced elements of the furniture set. As a rule, a special aluminum or plastic profile is used to mask the points of convergence of structures. Of course, it is preferable to choose the first option, because it is more durable and durable.

It is desirable, that the increase in length of a table-top and registration of the formed corners was engaged by the professional. In this case, the customer is guaranteed to receive smooth, reliable and almost invisible seams. To join the two table tops, a T-shaped profile is used. Only a person with certain skills will be able to perform such work independently. The newcomer is unlikely to be able to cope with such a responsible task qualitatively.

Before turning the locking mechanisms, cut the plates according to the existing patterns. In the process of installing the table top, the sheets are fixed using a special screed. All joints are carefully treated with silicone. In the completion of work, it is necessary to carefully remove excess sealant. You can do this with rags. According to experts, to obtain subtle seams, it is recommended to give preference to dark countertops.