The table top is the top of the table. Today, these structures are made from various materials and have the most diverse form. Special attention deserves such products made of stone, since they have a significant amount of positive characteristics.

Criteria for choosing countertops from natural stone

1. When choosing a tabletop from a natural stone, first of all, you need to pay attention to the evenness of the edge. It is this element that will carry out a significant role in the design of the room, as it introduces harmony to the kitchen design.
2. Choosing the color of the table top, you should consider not only your own preferences, but also the color of the facade of the kitchen headset. This will help more harmoniously arrange the room. The product color is determined by minerals included in the stone from which the countertop is manufactured. Quartz gives the product gray, mica - black, field spat - pink or white. And the divorces, splashes, nodules, seventaries create original drawings on each product.
3. The structure of table tops from granite, diabase, balsata and diorita is of greater strength. Similar products made of marble are more delicate and require more careful circulation.
4. You can diversify the interior with a refined element by choosing a stone countertop with a polished surface. At the same time, it is not necessary to fear the peculiarities of care, since modern means allow you to maintain the glitter of the product for many years.
5. If you wish to buy a stone countertop with a mosaic, it is worth considering that such a product belongs to the category of expensive materials. However, its appearance and the effect that is achieved when interior design, justifies all expenses.
6. For the furnishing of the bathroom or bedroom, a tabletop from marble is suitable, since the color range of this material is the most diverse. This allows you to choose a marble surface with almost any interior.
7. For the kitchen, a tabletop is suitable from granite, as this material has greater durability. Granite is successfully combined with wooden and metal interior elements, so it will be profitable to look at the kitchen head.

Criteria for choosing countertops from artificial material

Now consider the features of the choice of table tops from the stone of artificial origin. It is customary to distinguish between two main types of such products:

• agglomerate;
• acrylic countertops.

They are distinguished by the ratio of the binding resins contained. In the process of choice, such subtleties should be taken into account:

1. It is recommended to give preference to kitchen stone table tops of light shades having large and medium fractions. In the event of such a surface of scratches, they will be less noticeable.
2. It is also recommended to take into account the price category to which products relate. The stone countertop, the price of which is in the low range, is usually made from fragile and less plastic materials, which will continue to affect the quality of the product.
3. The inexpensive artificial stone is the material for the manufacture of mostly direct countertops, since it is almost impossible to make curved forms from it.
4. It should also be remembered that the thickness of the ceaseplate is also affected.
5. Another important point that needs to be considered when choosing surfaces is the lack of joints. Their presence suggests that the manufacturer has made a product for savings, without compliance with the necessary technical requirements.

Advantages and disadvantages

To make the optimal choice, you need to familiarize yourself with the advantages and disadvantages of each material. Consider the characteristics of products from a natural stone. The following positive parties can be distinguished:

1. First of all, these durability strength - a natural stone countertop for a kitchen will retain its appearance for decades.
2. Also, the material is resistant to high and low temperatures, humidity and exposure to warm steam.
3. Marble products are less durable than granite, but differ in greater attractiveness, as granite countertops look somewhat rude. But by installing a tabletop from marble material, it should be remembered that it requires special care:

• it is impossible to put hot objects on the surface;
• in the event that there were sheds of coffee or wine, the surface must be immediately wiped, otherwise the stain will remain;
• in addition, the marble surface can be damaged by the shedding of vinegar or putting a piece of lemon - the acid will destroy polishing. During operation, special protective compounds should be applied for marble.

4. Sandstone products have the most affordable cost among the stone range, but do not inferior on the operational characteristics of more expensive table tops. They are also durable and have good strength.
5. Onyx products have a fairly attractive appearance, but not so resistant to different impacts.

The material from natural stone has such disadvantages as:

• significant mass;
• high price;
• duration of installation;
• installing the table tops from this material will require an appropriate interior design.

The stone of artificial origin consists of mineral fillers, dyes and mixtures of polymers. A similar composition makes such a stone visually similar to natural material. He also possesses the same advantages as natural stone, but at the same time significantly cheaper. Do not fear the environmental indicators of this material, since it does not contain malicious components.

You can distinguish such advantages of artificial material over natural as:

1. Smoker surface.
2. It is more convenient when designing the room, since its structure is distinguished by plasticity, which makes it possible to give the product any form.
3. The manufacturing technology also allows you to get a product that will not have a single visually noticeable seam.
4. Composite material has a smaller mass than natural. Also, if necessary, you can cut.
5. These nuances make the installation of composite material significantly easier.

Stone table top photo:

Installation technology

Installation of stone countertops - a sufficiently troublesome, but the middle process . Step-by-step instructions of actions look like this:

1. To simplify the installation process, you should pre-make a drawing in which you need to provide for the form and dimensions of the future tabletop, as well as the place where the installation will be installed. The most suitable place for installation is considered the maximum area of \u200b\u200bcontact with a support.
2. Before embarking on the installation, you need to set all the interior items in the room in accordance with one level. To perform this task, you can use a construction or electronic level.
3. At the preparation stage, it is also important to provide for the joints of the joints. The most common option is to install in such a way that the joints are located at the place of the cooking surface or fastening the washing. If you wish, the junction can be made completely invisible. For this seams need to be filled with a selection corresponding to the color of the stone. In the place where the docking with the wall will take place, it is necessary to make a depression using a hammer or chisel.
4. At the next stage you need to prepare a stone. In accordance with the drawing, it is necessary to measure the size of the product by adding the protrusions.
5. After that, we cut off everything excess with the help of a diamond tool.
6. Next, with the help of a jigsaw, we make the opening on the template attached to the sink kit.
7. Complete the preparation of the stone by performing polishing.

Important! In some cases, the material for the manufacture of countertops is divided into several parts. This is necessary if the room has a non-standard form, as well as in the case of the design of certain original interiors.

8. For mounting a stone countertop, it is recommended to use a sealant on silicone basis. Unlike glue, it will damage the tabletop fragment to perform a replacement or restoration. At the same time, the base of the kitchen furniture will not be damaged.
9. After installation, fill the seams with two-component glue.
10. At the end of the installation, you need to install onboard plinths. It is recommended to choose product data in accordance with the color gamut of the table top.
11. To attach this element, you need to apply glue throughout the perimeter of the product and press the base well.
12. It should also be removed from the tabletop protective film and treat the surface with a special composition for stone products.
13. Montage of stone countertops is completed with their own hands.

Conclusion

Stone countertops are distinguished by a number of positive qualities. This refers to products as made of natural material and from artificial. This is strong, durable products that are not afraid of the effects of aggressive substances and mechanical damage. A variety of forms and color schemes will allow you to choose a surface for any interior, regardless of the functionality of the room. When choosing a stone countertop, take into account the reviews, operational parameters and the organic design with the common interior of the room.

Features of mounting countertops can be seen on the video: