Types of tabletops for kitchen from MDF and chipboard: description, photo

In any house or apartment the most important and cozy place is the kitchen. This fact can be confirmed by men, as, as is known, the way to their heart lies precisely through the stomach. They can not pass by the kitchen. Confident of this fact, and women - they often spend a lot of time in the kitchens.

Each hostess has her own idea of the functionality, as well as the beauty of kitchen furniture. When it comes to choosing a countertop in the kitchen, the choice itself, for the most part, depends not only on the wishes, but also on the budget. Today, there are a variety of types of countertops for the kitchen. Let's try to find out which of them you can buy and how they differ.

What are the requirements for table tops

This part of the kitchen set performs an important task. It is cooking. On this basis, it must persevere with any impacts and serious burdens. This item is put on hot dishes, on it are cut various products, it is often washed.

The first and most important requirement is resistance to moisture and high temperatures. Then the table top should have high impact resistance. In addition, this part must be resistant to impact forces, various mechanical wear. Another requirement - the countertop does not have to absorb a variety of smells, oils, fat and everything else, which accompanies the cooking process.

Also, this element of kitchen furniture should be easy to clean with and without detergent compositions.

Today there are types of countertops for the kitchen from different materials. They meet these requirements to a greater or lesser extent. Consider what is popular in the modern furniture market.

Budget solutions to the kitchen issue

Most people do not have the opportunity to purchase expensive furniture. Therefore, many purchase inexpensive, but quite strong and reliable products. They meet all the requirements, and they are also tasteful.

Among inexpensive models - products from chipboard and MDF. There are several options for such countertops. All of them have individual characteristics. Dimensions and geometry are determined by the parameters of the kitchen set.

Products from chipboard: high quality at affordable prices

What is chipboard? It is a particle board. These materials are produced by pressing with the addition of formaldehyde resins. To produce countertops, not every chipboard is used, but only a special kind. It is a material with an increased level of moisture resistance.

In the process of manufacturing such waterproof boards, a special paraffin emulsion or paraffin in the molten form is added to the shavings before starting the pressing. Due to this, moisture resistance is increased.

But there is a DSP and a significant minus - the material releases into the air harmful to people formaldehyde. If we talk about the standards of ecology, then there are two classes of plates. The first - E1, which has a higher level of environmental friendliness - it practically does not release polymer resins into the air. E2 has a low class of environmental friendliness.

So, many types of countertops for kitchen from chipboard have high moisture resistance, strength, and also low price. In addition, as decoration, manufacturers trim the countertops with veneer, plastic or film. The most popular materials for finishing are still a PVC film and plastic.

Advantages and disadvantages of solutions from chipboard

So, the main advantage is the affordable price that manufacturers install on these models. But, despite the budget, they are reliable and durable products. Particleboard, which is covered with plastic or film, has a high resistance to abrasion. Also there are no joints. Here, take a look at what types of countertops for kitchens from MDF and chipboard can look like. The photos below will help you choose the right model. Now there is a huge selection of a variety of colors, as well as textures - buyers are available a variety of shades. On sale there are models in both bright and discreet colors. The surface of such a table top can be made with marble or under a tile, wood, stone or other materials.

Among the shortcomings - the moisture sensitivity of the material, no matter how hard they say about stability. If it hits the edge or into the butt, the plate begins to deform. Also the product is not too resistant to mechanical damage. And, finally, if the process of deformation has begun, then often such a countertop is no longer subject to repair.

Postforming: an advantageous solution

These types of countertops for the kitchen are all the same chipboard or MDF, finished with plastic. Produce details of the kitchen set by pressure and high temperatures. There is nothing surprising. The thickness of the plastic coating can reach several centimeters.

Postforming: advantages and disadvantages

The first plus is again an affordable price. So, manufacturers set the cost of such models starting from $ 30 per running meter. Products are resistant to mechanical impact, are protected from moisture, have heat resistance and resistance to ultraviolet. Often such solutions are used for non-standard furniture.

Among the shortcomings - visible seams at the joints of panels. It is also a disadvantage that this material is sold only for certain sizes.

Plastic - the most budget choice

Types of countertops for kitchen from MDF or chipboard have their own characteristics. As you can see, all solutions are similar to each other. The plastic that is used for finishing is actually a multi-layered paper that is impregnated with special resins and pressed under high pressure. In the process of exposure to high temperatures, a very strong surface is obtained.

The top layer is reliably protected by polymeric material, which is highly resistant to wear. Take a look at what some types of countertops look like for the kitchen. Photos of different models of different price categories of products can be seen below.

Advantages and disadvantages of plastic models

So, here is the most advantageous value among inexpensive analogues. In the process of production, the board can receive any coating, texture and color. You can also place a photo or an image. The price of the solution is only 15-30 dollars.

Disadvantages are also present. It is necessary to process the end part in addition. It is also necessary to treat the sealants with places that come into contact with the hob. If moisture gets to the unprotected part, the panel swells. If it will be seriously affected, it is better to look at the types of countertops for a kitchen made of stone. The price is much higher, but the resistance is close to the maximum.

Laminated models: high quality

The basis of these panels is postforming. Laminate is a kraft paper from several layers. It is impregnated with synthetic resin. Any surface can be applied to the surface, and then - a coating of melamine or acrylic resin is applied .

Among the advantages in the first place is the price. It is about 80 dollars per running meter. This surface is able to withstand the impact of scratches and non-corrosive substances. It's easy to take care of such models. The surface can imitate a variety of materials. These are the most popular types of tabletops for kitchens from MDF and chipboard. Organic and inorganic acids in a moment will make the decorative coating cloudy. This is the only drawback.

Laminated chipboard: a large selection of colors and textures

These working kitchen surfaces are manufactured by pressing wood chips with high temperatures. The protective layer is a melamine film. This material is as popular as laminated products. Plus, there will be a low price - from $ 60, high resistance to different cleaning compounds, a huge number of all kinds of textures and colors, durability.

Well, the minuses - without them. The panel is unstable to moisture and mechanical influences. It is very easy to scratch. Manufacturers do not produce these models of non-standard sizes. Well and one more essential lack is a complete unfitness to repair or restoration.

Types of tabletops for kitchen from MDF: reliability, time-tested

The basis is a wood-fiber board, where the wood fibers are connected by lignin or paraffin. These materials are safe and have long been used in the production of furniture products. These table tops can be made in completely any colors, and the price of these solutions is more than affordable.

On bright surfaces with time and in conditions of hard exploitation, ugly spots and scratches may appear. If the plate is glossy, then even the smallest damage will be clearly visible. These models, as, indeed, all other types of kitchen countertops , the description of which is given above, do not like strong moisture.

The price is formed based on the thickness. So, the tabletop thickness of up to 10 mm will cost from 30 to 40 dollars, a panel thickness of 16-18 mm - 16-45 dollars. Thick panels 25 mm are offered from 45 dollars.

All this - inexpensive and affordable for each family model countertops. Of course, they do not look as expensive and elegant as some types of countertops for kitchens made of artificial stone, marble or granite, but they have another niche. This is a fully budgeted solution.

If you carefully weigh the merits and demerits of each version of chipboard or MDF products, as well as financial opportunities, you can purchase a good inexpensive work surface.