Kitchen countertop
Kitchen worktops serve as work surfaces and storage surfaces in the kitchen , mainly for preparing meals. Worktops are usually permanently installed and often also form the upper horizontal end of the base units in fitted kitchens . The depth of kitchen worktops is around 60 cm in the home, and 70, 80 and even 90 cm in gastronomy. In kitchen planning , 92 cm is often assumed as the standard working height . Depending on body size and the intended activity, the height can also be between 85 cm and 110 cm, with stoves tending to be a little lower and sinks a little higher.
While stoves, refrigerators and other devices were usually set up separately in the past and the kitchen worktop connected to them on the right and left, these are now often inserted under the continuous work surface as kitchen devices that can be built under. The lower edge of the worktop should be at least 82 cm high. Sinks and hotplates are fitted into cutouts in the worktop.
Typical worktops have to be supported every 60 to 90 cm in order not to sag in the long term. Larger spans can be achieved by doubling the plate.
Materials that are sufficiently impact-resistant as well as water, heat, abrasion and chemical resistant (primarily against acids and alkalis ) are suitable as worktops . Scratch-resistant and easy-care surfaces are preferable. Sensitive materials may be suitable after a corresponding surface treatment. Porous material should be impregnated if necessary .
Used material
Laminate and MDF panels
Laminates and coated MDF or chipboard are widely used as kitchen countertops.
If the plates are not coated on the underside to be water- and steam-tight, local protection against the water vapor escaping when the dishwasher is opened must be provided.
Laminate
Laminates such as HPL ( High Pressure Laminate ) are more dense and scratch, impact and abrasion resistant than wood surfaces and lots of limestone, but are still clearly surpassed by metal, ceramic and granite. They can withstand high temperatures for a short time (e.g. from cigarette burns and hot pot bottoms). However, if they are in contact for a longer period of time, hot cookware can be imprinted on the surface, so heat-resistant coasters should always be used
They are easy to care for and clean, heat and light resistant as well as odorless and insensitive to alcohol or organic solvents as well as the effects of steam and water.
They are offered with a wide variety of decors and differently structured surfaces. HPL surfaces are approved for contact with food in accordance with the Consumer Goods Ordinance.
Medium density fibreboard (MDF) and chipboard
Medium-density wood fiber boards (MDF boards) consist of finely fiberized, largely bark-free softwood, which is pressed with a binding agent to form a wood-based material that is equally homogeneous in the longitudinal and transverse directions.
MDF boards with a thickness of 2 mm to 60 mm with a density of 600 to 1000 kg / m³ are commercially available and, like flat pressed boards (chipboard), serve as a carrier material for laminates.
Wood
Solid wood panels are often used as work surfaces in private kitchens, either as mobile cutting boards or as continuous kitchen worktops. Hardwoods such as beech , oak , ash , maple and birch , which are now mostly offered as glued wood panels , are preferably used.
Raw wooden surfaces absorb liquids. As a result, they quickly discolour and bulge when absorbing moisture over a large area.
Traditionally, beer tables and counters in particular are regionally made from untreated maple wood, as this has a relatively dense surface. Regular treatment with soft soap and fine abrasive sand or rock dust clogs the pores and discolouration of the surface is washed out and bleached.
Other types of wood are usually impregnated with a wood oil. Oils only insignificantly strengthen the wood surface, but reliably prevent the penetration of moisture as long as they are drawn in deep enough and occasionally refreshed by simply wiping over them with oil. Resin-containing oils may offer better surface protection. Waxes only protect the surface if they are reapplied frequently, as they neither harden nor penetrate the wood.
Lacquers protect the wooden surface well, but are not suitable for work surfaces that often come into contact with dishes, cutlery and water. The moisture penetrates the wood at edges or fine cracks and infiltrates the paint.
Faucets and sinks that are used every day should not be placed directly in a wooden worktop, as standing water, regardless of the surface treatment, always causes swelling and discoloration of wooden surfaces in the long run.
Wooden worktops mounted above a dishwasher should be protected from the underside of the water vapor that escapes when the machine is opened. For this purpose, a 10 cm wide sheet metal strip can be attached to the wood. Alternatively, aluminum adhesive tape or other adhesive tapes that are resistant to hot water vapor can be used.
Natural stone
Natural stones are often used as kitchen countertops with a polished surface. Alternatively, satin (brushed), flamed or split surfaces can be used, which are matt (see stone surfaces ).
Natural stones are also used as floor and wall coverings.
In particular, slate , granite , gabbros , gneiss , quartzite and soapstone are generally insensitive to heat, moisture and chemical aggressions, provided that a professional selection is made.
Certain granites , basalts , basanites and most sandstones are porous, so stains can form on contact with grease and staining liquids.
Special care products and microfiber cloths are available for cleaning polished surfaces .
Hard rocks - granites, gabbros, gneisses, quartzites
Hard stones are easy to care for and clean, heat and light resistant, odorless and insensitive to cleaning agents, alcohol, solvents and the effects of water vapor and water. Stone surfaces of hard stones are scratch-resistant compared to the kitchen appliances normally used in kitchens. Hard stones can be selected in a wide variety of colors, textures and haptics .
Granites , which have a grainy structure, are available in almost all colors (except blue: this is extremely rare and very expensive, and black). They are among the densest stones with little water absorption.
If dark surfaces are preferred, dark gabbros , so-called "black granites", which have granite-like properties, can be selected.
Gneisses offer more colorful, lighter colors.
Quartzites are among the hardest rock families ever. They have a high scratch resistance and hardly absorb any water.
More natural stones
Other rocks are used less often in Germany. Sometimes hard and dense sandstones (e.g. Ruhr sandstone ) are used.
Limestone such as marbles are also attacked by acids (such as citric acid , acetic acid and fruit acids ), so that with frequent contact a polished surface appears dull and further changes to the surface may occur.
In southern countries such as Italy, kitchen worktops made of Carrara marble are often used. Matt surfaces and a slight blotchiness due to contact with grease may be accepted. Grease stains can be reduced by an impregnation and will also fade over time. Alternatively, the surface can be oiled or greased preventively. Carrara marble work tables are often used in pizzerias and in the confectionery industry. Hardly any ingredients are used here that can discolour the marble, and the natural stone keeps dough and buttery masses cool.
In countries like the USA, soapstone has traditionally been widely used to make sinks and work surfaces in kitchens and laboratories. Soapstone is dense and insensitive to fats, acids, alkalis and discoloration. Harder stones are used than for sculpture. However, scratches that occur in frequently used surfaces level out by themselves over time or can be removed by sanding the surface.
Repulsions and scratches can occur, especially on the edges, which stonemasons can grind out. Polished stone surfaces can be cleaned with microfiber cloths .
Quartz material
Countertops made of quartz composite , an artificial stone , are pressed from quartz granulate, color pigments and synthetic resin in a special vacuum and vibration process under high pressure. They can be made with different colors and with iridescent and glittering components on the surface and are solid panels that are processed like natural stone (see above). These worktops can be produced individually in any color. Glittering effects of minerals, which are found comparatively in certain natural stones (e.g. Spectrolite , Star Galaxy ), can be mixed in.
Lately, anti-bacterial quartz kitchen worktops have been offered that contain the substance triclosan . According to a study by a group of US researchers, "Triclosan could be more harmful than previously known".
Mineral material
The worktops, which are manufactured and designated as mineral materials, consist of a mineral component ( aluminum hydroxide ) and an acrylate or polyester resin, which are manufactured in industrial chemical processes as plates with a thickness of a little more than one to three millimeters or in full plate thickness. Basically, they are composites that coat other materials. Mineral materials in the thickness range from 1 to 3 mm are applied directly to the carrier material (mostly chipboard); in the thickness range 6–24 mm, a carrier material (chipboard, MDF ...) is subsequently built underneath, depending on the application. In the higher thickness range (18–24 mm), no carrier material is required. They are quite chemically resistant and can be processed using the technology of hardwood processing. These worktops are warmer and softer to the touch than stone or steel and more durable than wood. In the kitchen area, it should be noted that, according to the manufacturer, the heat resistance only extends up to 180 °, so it may be necessary to work with coasters.
Mineral materials are homogeneously colored, have a pore-free surface and can therefore be re-grinded and revitalized. In addition, there is a very high chemical resistance, which makes the mineral ideal for use in the kitchen, bathroom and laboratory.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel , chrome-nickel steel (trade names also: Cromargan or Nirosta ) is food-resistant, scratch-resistant and heat-resistant and is supplied with different surface structures, for example with honeycomb or diamond embossing. For reasons of robustness and hygiene, stainless steel surfaces are the standard in commercial kitchens, although usually only low quality surfaces are used. Stainless steel worktops are glued to a carrier plate, usually made of a wood material , for reasons of stability .
In private kitchens, stainless steel worktops are more likely to be found in the upscale segment.
Stainless steel is insensitive. Scratches can be ground out, a matt surface can be repolished. Microfiber cloths and special stainless steel cleaning agents are available for cleaning.
Steel worktops are often earthed to prevent electric shock from fault voltage .
concrete
For the production of concrete slabs , the concrete is mixed liquid, optionally dyed and in a form cast.
In order to avoid discolouration, damage from contact with acids and grease and the penetration of liquids, the mixture is either provided with an increased synthetic resin content or the finished workpiece is protected by oils or another type of impregnation . To close the superficial pores, the visible surfaces can be treated with hard wax, which also creates a matt shine.
Concrete is heat-resistant. The corners and edges of a concrete kitchen worktop should be chamfered or rounded so that they do not flake off when subjected to impact.
Ceramics
Countertops made of ceramic and ceramic mixed materials are used in thicknesses from 3 mm and connected with a carrier material. Ceramic plates in thicknesses of 10, 12 or 20 mm can do without a carrier material. There are ceramic worktops in different colors and with surface designs (rough, polished, matt, structured). High-fired ceramic is also suitable for outdoor use. The surfaces are very scratch and acid resistant.
Ceramic is characterized by a high level of heat resistance. The liquid absorption of (fine) stoneware is very low. However, the edges of the brittle material are sensitive to impact and shock. During the firing process at approx. 1200 degrees Celsius, slight, barely visible unevenness can arise due to production. Ceramic worktops can be cleaned with common solvents, disinfectants and cleaning agents.
Mosaic tiles are preferably glued to a cement board. Alternatively waterproof floor plates or impregnated with a can liquid gasket provided OSB be used.
Glass ceramic
The glass-ceramic kitchen tops, which are known in the trade as glass tops, are shatterproof, heat-resistant and scratch-resistant material. This material has been used in kitchens for hobs for a long time. No liquid penetrates the glass ceramic. With a special screen printing process, the undersides of the kitchen countertops can be designed as desired with print motifs. Glass ceramic is produced in different material thicknesses.
Ecological aspects
The lowest energy consumption in production occurs with the worktops, which are made of natural materials (wood, natural stone and the panels made of these materials made of concrete and coated wood). The entire manufacturing process for these materials is characterized by low energy consumption. Ceramic, stainless steel, glass ceramic and glass are manufactured at high temperatures and correspondingly high energy consumption.
As with furniture made of wood-based materials, the amount of pollutants generally plays a not insignificant role. If not just a plate, but also an entire kitchen is made of the appropriate materials, compliance with limit values is of little help, as the amount of material used is large and the pollutants contained can degas. Worktops made of natural wood can be disposed of as bulky waste free of charge and in an environmentally friendly manner.
Natural stone, concrete and ceramics can be disposed of in an environmentally friendly way, as they either consist of natural material or are composed - like natural wood. Natural stone, mineral ceramics and concrete are disposed of in building rubble landfills. The acceptance in landfills is chargeable. These substances produce in the disposal of any emissions , wood products, however, already, since they are burned.
Glass ceramic is disposed of in a separate route via recycling yards.
The recyclability of stainless steel is good and disposal does not result in any emissions that are harmful to human health. However, the first time stainless steel is manufactured, high energy consumption occurs, as does when it is remelted. Stainless steel panels that are lined and glued with chipboard are problematic. The different materials are difficult to separate from one another.
Reusability
Kitchen worktops with cut-outs for sinks or stoves are less easy to reuse than continuous worktops. If the cut-outs are provided with the same edge spacing at the front and back and all edges are processed in the same way, the possibility of reuse is improved, since the panel can then also be mounted the wrong way round. This also applies if both the top and bottom of the worktop are provided as the visible side instead.
Solid wood worktops can usually be adapted to the situation in a new kitchen on site by the carpenter. With worktops made of laminate as well as natural stone and composite materials, adjustments are usually only possible in the workshop of the respective specialist company.
See also
literature
- Thomas Hausberg, Steffen König, Silvy Hörner: Kitchens. Kitchen planning manual. Rudolf Müller Verlag, Cologne 2007, ISBN 978-3-481-02241-9 ; 2nd, revised and expanded edition 2014, ISBN 978-3-481-03082-7 .
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ The manufacturers of kitchen worktops made of mineral sheet material occasionally also refer to washstands for bathrooms as worktops.
- ↑ A doubling is usually done by gluing with a second, underlying coarse chipboard or better plywood board . If glue is not to be used, a screw connection with at least 20 screws with a diameter of 6 mm per square meter is recommended. For spans of up to 1.1 m, the support on the rear edge can also be sufficient.
- ↑ Everything about stone selection, sampling, measurement, production, impregnation, cleaning , on natursteinonline.de, accessed on December 15, 2014
- ↑ Disinfectants could damage muscles , on Süddeutsche Zeitung , August 12, 2012. Retrieved September 7, 2016
- ↑ Concrete kitchen worktops on wohnatelier.de ( Memento of the original from January 29, 2012 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link has been inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. . Retrieved February 16, 2010
- ↑ except against hydrofluoric acid
- ↑ Technical features . accessed on March 17
- ↑ Material information : Kitchen worktops , accessed on March 17, 2014
- ↑ Material information : kitchen worktops on kuechen-atlas.de. Retrieved October 18, 2014
- ↑ When the new fitted kitchen stinks to heaven http://www.badische-zeitung.de/ Retrieved on December 12, 2014
- ↑ Crystal clear matter - glass recycling ( Memento of the original dated December 14, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. from the Schleswig-Holstein waste management site, accessed on December 14, 2014
