Liquid stone countertop for the kitchen: characteristics, options, recommendations

The kitchen is a special room that creates a homely atmosphere, coziness and comfort. Here, a huge number of people relax after a hard day at work, enjoy the time spent with their family, here they invite relatives and friends for aromatic coffee and a delicious lunch. Therefore, this place is considered a sanctuary of the hearth, where housewives of any age create their culinary masterpieces. Therefore, many people try to equip this area in a special way, fill it with the most comfortable furniture and other similar interior elements. Technological progress does not stand still, new developments appear that help to equip our home in the best way. Liquid stone countertop is a modern solution that pleases with its accessibility and unique appearance.

Liquid stone countertop in the interior of the kitchen.

Characteristics of liquid stone countertops

The concept of “liquid stone” drives many people into difficult thoughts. But really, how is this possible? Indeed, in our usual understanding, a stone is characterized as a solid material, and it is extremely difficult to imagine it in a different state. But in fact, everything is quite simple, liquid stone is such a special composition. After application, it turns into a hard and durable surface. For countertops, such a component is used as a decorative component, due to its excellent operational parameters. For example, the finished product is resistant to high and low temperatures, low heat conductivity, and safety. The best part is the optimal price that is affordable for most people.

Due to the plasticity of liquid stone, the countertop can be given any shape.

Due to the plasticity of the material, countertops can be made of various shapes. At the same time, the uniqueness of the project depends only on imagination. The absence of pores in the structure contributes to the fact that the item of the kitchen wardrobe does not swell, does not crack. Therefore, scratches, stains do not appear on it, bacteria do not multiply and other negative consequences for the working surface are not terrible.

Liquid stone resistant to moisture and high temperature.

The material is smooth, and a seamless method is used in the production process, therefore the finished product comes out in a cast form. Outwardly, “liquid stone” is very similar to a granite surface or marble, so a kitchen with such a finish is filled with nobility and luxury.

What is Liquid Artificial Stone?

Liquid stone is an artificial substance that does not emit radiation waves. This means that the material is completely safe for use in a residential area. It began to be used for industrial purposes more than half a century ago. Manufacturing technology is based on a combination of stone chips and synthetic resin. The result of this combination is a material that is very similar to polished granite..

Liquid stone is a safe material.

Worktop in the interior

Stylists recommend choosing comfortable chairs, a seating area, and warm lighting fixtures for the kitchen. Always a special place in such a room was assigned to the countertop, because it was intended to accommodate electronic household appliances, cutlery, a cutting board, dishes.

Liquid Stone Kitchen Countertop Design.

For this reason, many housewives are very responsible in their choice, and prefer to make a liquid stone countertop with their own hands..

Benefits of using liquid stone countertops in the kitchen

The advantages of a work surface made of such material include:

purity and antibacterial properties are achieved through special processing;
ease of care, no stubborn marks remain;
resistance to mechanical damage. The stone is difficult to damage or spoil its appearance, the working surface also has such advantages.

Liquid stone is resistant to mechanical damage.

disadvantages

The disadvantages of using liquid stone for a kitchen product are:

use meat hammers or large knives in cooking with extreme caution;
high price.

compared to other types of countertops, liquid stone is much more expensive.

Varieties of liquid stone

Today, artificial liquid stone can be divided into two types – acrylic stone and quartzite. Let’s take a closer look at each type..

Quartzite (agglomerate)

Consists of quartz chips, coloring components, polyester resins in the form of a binder. During the process, high-temperature vacuum pressing of all components is involved. The result is a durable material that can withstand significant temperature fluctuations. This kind of kitchen surface is not made at home..

There are two types of liquid stone.

Acrylic Liquid Stone

The composition contains a sufficient amount of acrylic resin and a small proportion of mineral filler. Due to the acrylic component, chips do not form on the finished product, and minor damages are removed using sanding paste and polishing paper.

Liquid stone worktop is easy to match with any design.

Diy process of making liquid stone countertops

A step-by-step instruction on how to make a tabletop from this material by spraying with your own hands looks like this:

Preparing a chipboard shape.
Create an insulating layer on the inside with wax mastic.
Apply three coats of clear acrylic. Each subsequent one is applied only after the previous one has hardened..
Prepare the main component (three parts of acrylic, 1 part of mineral chips and the chosen dye). Be sure to rinse and dry the mineral crumb first. The hardener is added at the last stage..
Using a brush, the mixture is applied in several layers to the surface from the inside.
This is followed by the stage of reinforcement. Glass material is placed on the mold, glue and hardener are applied on top. Next, a workpiece made of chipboard and a load are placed on the form.
Apply glue with hardener again, leave for four hours to harden.
Then the chipboard is removed, the products are cleaned. The final stage is polishing.

Black kitchen cabinet design with liquid stone countertop.

Comparative analysis of liquid stones with acrylic

In addition to the composition, such varieties differ in the installation method. Also, “liquid stone” can be cast together with the sink, and for the acrylic variation you will need an overhead sink.

Both options are not very friendly with hot utensils, but acrylics can soften from such exposure. The situation is similar with steam and moisture. Liquid stone creates a shell that prevents the negative influence of moisture on the chipboard workpiece. Therefore, such a tabletop will serve for many years..

Acrylic countertop in the kitchen interior.

Useful and stylish countertops examples

The work surface made of this material has an attractive appearance, therefore it will become a highlight of any kitchen. The indisputable advantage of a liquid stone countertop is its operational parameters. Today you can find many stylish solutions for the execution of this piece of furniture..

Beige Kitchen Design with Liquid Stone Countertop.

Recommendations for the selection and care of the countertop

Care of the cast stone countertop is not pretentious. In order to remove dirt, you will need to use a microfiber cloth. Such a cloth should be soaked in warm tap liquid and use it to clean the work surface. There is an important rule that must be observed – in no case should abrasive preparations be used. These products can harm polish..

Sharp objects on stone countertops must be handled with great care.

It is easy to give a new look to an interior item; sandpaper and polish are used for this. To remove deep damage, you must use the service of a specialist who can spray the substance into the place with the defect, then polish the irregularities.

Manufacturers recommend using cutting boards and hot dishes. Try not to drop heavy and cutting objects, and then the tabletop made of molded material will serve for many years.