A first-rate element in the kitchen, the kitchen worktops meets both practical and aesthetic criteria. Fortunately, today the choice is vast. There are as many countertops as there are styles and uses.
The worktop must adapt to the needs of the kitchen and its configuration. Usually placed against a wall, it accommodates, in particular, the hobs, the sink, and the small appliances and offers a space to prepare good meals. It can also be installed in a corner, be independent in the central island format, or even as an American kitchen counter. You can cook, eat, and even just meet there to chat.
This is a simple and classic configuration. The straight worktop is placed against the wall, usually between two kitchen units. Its open edge is covered with a song. The other sides can be cut without the need for finishing.
The corner worktop
Very practical, the corner element allows you to connect two straight worktops installed at a right angle, without having to make any cuts.
The “snack” worktop
Less wide and provided with edges on each side, the snack plan can be installed independently, in an American-style kitchen that opens to the living room, for example. It can also be used as a straight worktop for a small kitchen.
What dimensions for its worktop?
A correctly dimensioned worktop is the guarantee of comfortable use, offering sufficient working space and optimal comfort of use.
The tailor-made worktop
The worktop can also be made to measure to suit all kitchen configurations.
The thickness of the worktop
The choice of the thickness of the worktop will depend on the type of hob you want to fit into it (check the instructions for your appliance), but also on your decorative inspirations. If the thick worktops remain symbols of robustness and tradition, a trend appears, favoring thin models which are not less solid. A finesse that is more suitable for modern-style kitchens. The worktops are available in thicknesses of 16, 26, 28, 36, 38, 42, and 58 mm.
The height of the worktop
Usually, a kitchen worktop is placed at a height of about 85 cm from the floor. However, as the population tends to grow over the generations, it is not uncommon today to make poses 90 or 95 cm from the ground.
It is important that the worktop is comfortable to use. In order not to have to constantly bend over at the slightest manipulation, it must be at the waist height of the person who is going to cook there most often. Another advantage of placing a worktop a little higher: a certain space-saving in drawers and low furniture.
The depth of the worktop
The depth ensures a certain comfort of use. Deeper, the work surface offers more surface for cooking and for placing small appliances (blender, toaster, etc.) as well as utensils.
A great depth also allows having free space behind the furniture (low cabinets) to pass the water drains of the sink and the dishwasher. On the other hand, in small kitchens where every centimeter counts, a reduced worktop will be preferred.
What worktop material to choose?
Laminate worktop
The laminate worktop is the star of its category. Relatively light, it can be adorned with different coatings which will give it a marked appearance: wood, concrete, stone, etc. With excellent resistance over time, its water-repellent surface is easily cleaned with a sponge.
Chipboard worktop
The chipboard worktop is chosen above all to receive a specific coating, and particularly tiling.
Wooden worktop
Noble material par excellence, wood naturally finds its place in the kitchen. Warm and authentic, however, it requires special attention when it comes to its maintenance.
However, the traces of cuisine acquired over the years ultimately contribute to its history and charm.