Ceramic countertop for the kitchen: features, pros, cons, how to do it yourself.

The ceramic kitchen countertop is the best choice for the hostess. The durability of its use will allow you not to think about replacing for many years, and a beautiful surface will give the kitchen a unique design.

Ceramic kitchen countertop is the best choice for the hostess

Composition of ceramic surfaces

All ceramic products are made from natural materials such as clay, sand and feldspar. The difference between ceramic tiles and porcelain stoneware countertops is in different temperatures during firing and finishing of products. Porcelain stoneware is manufactured at higher temperatures and has a higher resistance to mechanical stress. Ceramic tiles are covered with multi-colored enamel, and a coloring pigment is added to the artificial stone, which is polished. Therefore, a beautiful and multi-colored texture is obtained..

All ceramic products are made from natural materials – clay, sand and feldspar

The main advantages of ceramic surfaces

The unique properties of this material make it possible to manufacture not only furniture and its coatings, but also more complex forms of products for the kitchen, for example, a sink for washing dishes, which, complete with a ceramic countertop, will look very organic.

The main advantage of a ceramic countertop made of artificial stone is the strength of the stone and a fairly low price, so it is very popular with housewives..

The main advantages of ceramics:

– beautiful appearance, texture and a variety of colors, which will allow you to choose the material for any kitchen set;

– a resistant surface to any mechanical stress, which is important in the kitchen;

– moisture resistance of the working area in the kitchen;

– the heat resistance of the stone allows you to install the product next to the stove and put hot pots on it;

– environmentally friendly material that does not emit harmful substances when heated;

– long service life, the tabletop is practically not subject to scratches and chips during operation;

– easy to clean and washable with any detergent;

– ease of installation, suitable for any surfaces made of wood, metal and plastic;

– ease of repair if necessary.

Disadvantages of artificial stone

With a lot of advantages of this material, it is worth noting three significant disadvantages:

– when installing tiles, seams are formed that periodically require repair, but when choosing a high-quality sealant, you will reduce repair work to a minimum;

– the surface of the table must be regularly washed and covered with polish so that it does not lose its shine;

– the stone does not tolerate an acidic environment, be careful when choosing cleaning agents.

Choice of porcelain stoneware

When choosing, you should pay attention to several main characteristics:

– the thickness of the product is from 10 to 30 mm, the thicker the tile, the stronger your coating will be;

– type of surface: polished product is more beautiful, but requires constant maintenance, matte surface is not demanding for maintenance;

– product sizes: you can buy a solid array, which is cut to the size of your table or small tiles, from which the mosaic is laid out.

For small rooms, it is better to choose small sizes 10×10 cm or 5×5 cm – such a mosaic will visually expand the room.

Small porcelain stoneware tiles cost less, but it may be necessary to repair the seams during long-term use.

DIY installation rules

This material is easy to cut and install, so you can cover the table with porcelain stoneware with your own hands. The technology is no different from laying ceramic tiles.

The main stages of installation:

– prepare a flat surface, if the base is old and uneven – apply a layer of putty;

– lay the tiles with minimum gaps, the maximum joint size is no more than 2 mm;

– use a building level to align the joints;

– when gluing the ends of the countertop, fix the tile with tape until the glue is completely dry;

– fill the joints with grout.

Sink selection

Choosing a sink for the kitchen is a very important task, because it is most often subjected to cleaning and mechanical stress. Ideal if you buy a one-piece worktop with a built-in sink in the same material, but it would be a very expensive purchase..

Ideal if you buy a solid piece of countertop with a built-in sink in the same material, but it would be a very expensive purchase..

Manufacturers now offer many budget options from the materials available:

– stainless steel, such a sink is cheap, and not light weight makes it easy to put it in place;

– cast iron, which is covered with enamel of various colors, will allow you to choose the tone of the sink as close as possible to the color of your countertop;

– artificial stone, will allow you to choose one color scheme and texture of stone with a countertop, but this material is short-lived;

– porcelain stoneware, the sink will look perfect with your countertop and will last for many years.

Ceramic countertop design

A large selection of stone textures and color range of material will allow you to choose porcelain stoneware for any kitchen set and design of your kitchen.

Manufacturers offer options for such a tile with a pattern, and you can choose the material for the work area, the backsplash in the kitchen and the tabletop of the dining table and arrange it all in one design. If you want to cover not only the countertop, but other surfaces in the kitchen, consider the options for the collections that are offered in stores – this will allow you to create an original design and a cozy atmosphere in the kitchen..

Useful Tips

When choosing, it is worth remembering that if you have a small kitchen, choose light shades of products of a small size and with a glossy surface – this visually expands the space. Solid colors, especially dark ones, require daily maintenance, and scratches and scuffs are immediately visible on the coating. Multicolored tiles are less demanding to maintain and do not need to be polished all the time.