Acrylic countertop for the kitchen: pros and cons, the nuances of the choice and operation

There are special requirements for kitchen worktops - they must be durable, reliable and aesthetic. These criteria correspond to work surfaces made of acrylic. We will figure out what are the pros and cons inherent in these products, as well as how to choose the perfect solution for different types of kitchens.

Acrylic kitchen worktops are cast. In their manufacture, powdered white clay is used. The binders are polymers and acrylic resins. As a result of melting, a viscous mass is obtained, from which worktops of any shape and configuration are cast. The market offers a variety of color surfaces with a wide selection of textures.

Other advantages of acrylic polymer products include:

• hygiene - surfaces do not absorb odors;
• aesthetics - products made by casting do not have joints and seams;
• strength, comparable strength to natural stone;
• resistance to high temperatures (up to 150 degrees), due to which hot dishes are allowed to be placed on acrylic;
• resistance to humidity, due to which the products are not deformed during the entire period of operation;
• environmental Safety - countertops do not emit toxins harmful to health and other dangerous compounds;
• easy to clean - To maintain cleanliness does not require specialized expensive tools, a soft cloth, water and soap are suitable.

Countertops made of any materials have certain drawbacks, and acrylics are no exception.Their main disadvantage is weak resistance to mechanical abrasion, due to which scratches and abrasions can appear on the surface during intensive use.

The disadvantages also include high cost - the cost of acrylic countertops is comparable in price to products made from natural stones, such as marble or granite. Popular work surfaces made of chipboard or MDF are much cheaper. Another minus is the “fear” of hot objects, the temperature of which exceeds 150 degrees. If you put a hot product on an acrylic surface, there will remain “traces” on it, which can only be removed by grinding.

For acrylic countertops care should be taken with caustic acid formulations. Once on the surface, they can stain, so acid must be removed immediately.

Acrylic countertops can fit into any kitchen interior. Due to the abundance of geometric shapes and colors, it is possible to choose a product for any type of kitchen. Acrylic looks noble and luxurious, so you can translate any design ideas into reality. It can have a plain smooth glossy or matte surface, combine different interweaving tones, imitate granite or quartz.

Acrylic work surfaces blend perfectly with natural wood, MDF, particleboard, glass, plastic and metal. Due to this feature, countertops are suitable for kitchens decorated in classic and modern styles.

The choice of acrylic countertops is not an easy task, it requires knowledge of certain subtleties. Otherwise, there is a great risk of acquiring low quality goods, which may soon lose their aesthetics. You should be aware that there are two types of acrylic work surfaces.

1. Monolithic construction. Usually it is placed along several kitchen cabinets. Due to the absence of seams, such a product is characterized by increased strength.
2. Prefabricated product. Such a countertop is assembled from several paintings (usually from 2 to 4, depending on the size of the surface), glued together by specialized compounds. When drying, the joints are polished - due to such processing they become invisible.

The next factor worth paying attention to is acrylic layer thickness and type of substrate. Most typical tabletops have a thickness of 3 to 12 mm (the thicker the lining, the better). In these cases, a decorative acrylic layer is installed on a substrate that is made of plywood, particleboard or MDF. The plywood base is considered more reliable and practical.

The coloring of the design is also important. For example, dark glossy surfaces look elegant. However, they are considered impractical - the smallest scuffs and scratches will be immediately noticeable on such products. This will ruin the aesthetics of the entire headset, so experts recommend giving preference to acrylic countertops in light shades, made in white, gray, cream or beige colors.

Properly caring for the acrylic working area, you can extend its life and maintain external flawlessness for many years. Despite the fact that acrylic is easy to clean, there are some subtleties to its cleaning.

1. Any stains from the surface must be removed immediately, trying to prevent them from drying out. To do this, you can use any detergents, gels, soapy water or an ordinary damp cloth.
2. Dried stains should not be rubbed with a brush or metal sponge.In this case, scratches and abrasions will remain on the surface - you will have to resort to repairing the structure.
3. Do not use products containing abrasive particles in their composition - they can also leave “traces”. For the purpose of cleaning, it is not allowed to use chemically aggressive compounds based on acids and alkalis. And also oil or wax compounds will not work - in this case, a fatty membrane forms on the surface. Such a film will worsen the aesthetics of the product, moreover, traces of hands and kitchen items will be immediately visible on it.

Worktops should be handled with care. - when cutting meat or slicing products, you need to use cutting boards so as not to accidentally damage the surface.

See how to choose a countertop in the video below.