What are the sizes of kitchen worktops?

Choosing a countertop for a kitchen is not so simple. This is as important a part of the finish as walls, floor or ceiling. In order not to make a mistake with the choice, you should focus not only on the cost of products, but also on their practicality. About how to choose a countertop for the kitchen, read our article.

First of all, the owners of the kitchen should decide how important the large size of the countertops is. The kitchen is not only a place for cooking, but also for meetings with friends and family gatherings. It is important to maintain comfort and spaciousness. A countertop is a space on which food is prepared, a sink and stove are installed. There are certain rules, including the observance of the parameters of the “working triangle”, so that it would be convenient for the housewife to cook.

The dimensions of the countertops are no less important than, for example, the material for the floor. After all, this is a full-fledged work surface, near which the hostess spends most of her time.

Choosing a ready-made option is easier and more financially affordable. You will also know in advance how much space the surface will take, and how it will look in your kitchen.

But is everything as good as it might seem at first glance? Standard sizes allow you to immediately get a picture of how your kitchen will look like, how much free space will remain, as well as how to place household appliances and various details of decor and general use on the countertop. On the other hand, this is not always good for large kitchens.If you have the area and want to occupy it with something, then standard worktops here will not be entirely appropriate. Custom sizes allow you to use all your imagination.

Worktops from MDF and particleboard are most in demand among consumers. This is due to their low cost. But, here in wear resistance they are inferior to other materials. Particleboard is compressed sawdustwhich are interconnected with formaldehyde. In fact, this is the same tree, but its practicality is no different. And formaldehydes are unhealthy.

MDF is a more natural material, so the cost is slightly higher. Paraffin and natural resins are used for joining and pressing. There is also chipboard - this is chipboard coated with a layer of laminated film, which serves as additional protection and increases wear resistance.

Standard sizes of countertops made of this material have the following parameters:

• width (depth) 60, 92 and 120 cm;
• length 4 meters, but some manufacturers prefer 4 m 10 cm, countertops 3 m long are also in demand;
• thickness is from 27 to 40 mm.

Kitchen worktops are made from MDF and particleboard. These are the most budget materials, therefore, the most popular. A plus here is the variety of colors and patterns, you can choose the theme for the kitchen.

A natural wood worktop is not only a stylish solution, but also an environmentally friendly and safe material. For such countertops, oak, pine, larch, beech and ash are used. Manufacturers use the following parameters as standards:

• width - from 600 to 1000 mm;
• length - from 1000 to 3000 mm;
• thickness - up to 40 mm.

The most popular and sought-after size is 3000x600 mm. It is convenient for any kitchen layout. A wood worktop requires a certain amount of care - regular varnishing or rubbing oil. If this is not done, then the wood will quickly deteriorate, lose its external data and practical properties.

Stone countertops are suitable for large and spacious kitchens. This material is very strong and durable. The countertop looks expensive and presentable. The most popular size is 4000x600 mm. Standards that are at the stone countertop:

• width - 60 cm;
• length - 75/80/240/300 cm;
• thickness - from 40 mm.

For countertops, granite or marble is most often used. Both materials are very durable, resistant to moisture and mechanical damage. Products are custom made.

Acrylic surfaces are considered to be artificial stone. Its composition is white clay, acrylic shavings and polymers. This material is also very durable and looks great. To the touch, such a countertop will seem warmer than stone. Dimension standards are the same as for stone, but the thickness is less. Sometimes it is only 12 mm. Due to this, the material consumption is much less, and accordingly the cost will be lower. Such thickness is not reflected in any way on durability and service life.

Acrylic is a rather difficult material to work with. Its installation is quite expensive, but the result is pleasantly surprising. And special solutions help to qualitatively mask the seams, creating the effect of a solid canvas. Acrylic often suffers from scratches. Therefore, the material is not suitable for those who sometimes forget to use the board or have small children in the house. But if this still happened, then the scratches are easily restored. Acrylic is not exposed to moisture, does not absorb odors. But, on contact with acetone, it can be damaged.

The standard is averaged values ​​that do not take into account many factors, including the wishes of the consumer. In order to make a countertop that differs from the standard, you will have to look for a company that deals with individual orders. Sometimes interior design involves a countertop along one wall. The size in this case will be long. But still, do not forget that the countertop should be commensurate with the area of ​​the kitchen, otherwise you risk losing a significant part of the space. The maximum length that manufacturers perform is 5 m.

For a small kitchen, it is better to choose a size of 1800x600 mm. This is the best option, but also made to order. Is it not a dream to get a kitchen that will be executed according to a project you personally developed. Individual worktops are more expensive than standard worktops. It all depends on your taste and financial capabilities.

The choice of countertops is not a simple matter. A huge number of factors play a role here. The key ones are:

• material;
• mounting and installation method;
• sizes
• compliance with the general stylistic decision;
• ease of use.

Material is a determining factor. The life of the product depends on what material will be used. Thickness is also important. Thin materials are not always able to withstand the load. Thick plates, for example, chipboard, are also not a guarantee of a long service life. If you choose natural materials - wood or stone, then you should not make too thick a tabletop.

It all depends on the choice of floor stands or brackets, they will be dimensional or not. In the first version, the countertop is mounted on the cabinets and attached directly to them. The load is distributed evenly. It is important to calculate everything correctly. If you are not confident in your abilities, then turn to professionals for help. If you choose mounting on brackets, then it is worth considering the thickness of the countertop. It is necessary to choose the most reliable materials and the optimal thickness.

• Length. Here it all depends on your wishes, but you should focus on the standard length parameters: 1000, 1260, 2460, 3050, 3500 and 4100 mm. Also be guided by the area of ​​the room.
• The width or depth of the products as standard is 600 mm. But this does not mean that you should have just such a countertop. If you are the owner of a huge kitchen, then you can make the work surface wider. And if, on the contrary, every centimeter is important, then it is quite possible to reduce the size to 51 cm. Or maybe you want to divide the space into zones and make an island in the center? It will also require additional measurements. And most often, the standards here are inappropriate.
• Thickness. Here, too, have their own standards. 27-38 mm - these are the parameters of solid wood and MDF. But the stone and acrylic can be thinner, it all depends on what kind of load your table must withstand. Do not forget to take into account the aesthetic appearance. The countertop should harmoniously fit into the interior, without weighing it down.

This item should be paid attention to when planning. It is necessary to measure the area of ​​the kitchen and the perimeter, as well as each wall separately. This is necessary in order to determine not only the width and length of the countertops, but also the height of the upper cabinets. Now it is important to determine the location of the stove, sink and equipment, if it is built-in. It is worth determining what the kitchen will be like - with a right angle or beveled. Or maybe you will have a headset on one wall - linear, but as an addition - a bar or an island in the middle.

Now it’s worth looking at the color. Often manufacturers offer countertops in different shades. The widest assortment of MDF and particleboard. A tree is always chic and expensive, and a natural structure is always stylish. Color should be chosen very carefully.

Finally, it is important to decide whether a practical kitchen will work out for you. Do you like everything about it, or maybe you should add some details or change the dimensions. It all depends on your taste and wishes. Remember that standard countertops are a much more profitable option in terms of finance, but is it suitable for you? Such surfaces can be mounted and, if necessary, repaired independently. That is, you do not have to look for a specialist and spend money in vain.

The worktop ordered according to your individual drawing is original and stylish. Nobody will have such a thing. You will enjoy every stay in the kitchen. But the cost is often very bites. This largely depends on the material. Also, when installing a non-standard countertop, you will need to contact a specialist who will correctly perform the installation depending on the load distribution. Whichever option you choose, weigh all the pros and cons and find what suits you. And the tips from our article will surely help you with this.

How to choose a countertop for the kitchen is described in the next video.