The countertop plays an important role, if we are talking about the functionality of the kitchen. It must meet all the requirements: be moisture-resistant, heat-resistant and shockproof. But that is not all. Primarily working The surface should be beautiful and delight the eye of the hostess, then the food will always be obtained, and the pies will be delicious and lush.
What it is?
The tabletop from tile or mosaic to the kitchen choose those who are characterized by creative thinking. In addition, this type of tabletop has A number of advantages that are peculiar to natural stone, But the consumer is much cheaper. On this surface, it is possible to install hot objects without fear (boiled kettle, a saucepan with fresh borsch and so on). It is quite easy to wash and has a bright look.
By the way, the variety of shades amazes imagination, you can always choose exactly the one that is suitable for your interior.
The kitchen surface must withstand a variety of loads. Therefore, a ceramic or stone tile is taken for her cladding. Consider options in more detail.
- Ceramic tile It is manufactured by special technology using high temperatures. It is used to lay out the surface of the table top. You can use the tile (it has a porous structure). Lay out this material the surface is not difficult. It is enough to lubricate the tile surface with a special adhesive solution and gradually lay it out in a certain order. Seams need to be seen by a special substance (sold in the same stores, where the tile is sold).
You can connect the apron and the surface of the table top with the same material. The price of one square of ceramic tile ranges from 1000 to 4000 rubles. This also includes the installation price.
- Marble and granite - This is the components of the stone tiles for the table top. Mainly use squares with a size of 30x30 cm, and a mini-plate - 45x45 cm. The seams should be invisible, so that the countertop looks like a solid material. Cost together with the installation will be from 2000 to 5,000 rubles.
- Mosaic coating has the following categories:
- Smalt tile (reliable and high-quality, but rather not budget);
- Glass (the most common material, its main advantages - low cost, execution variability: transparent, matte, silver and gold and so on);
- Metal mosaic;
- Stone Mosaic (Jasper, Lazurit, Marble, Travertine);
- Ceramic (made of porcelain stoneware, ceramic tiles).
Definitely, there are other types of material that are used for the manufacture of table tops. We list them so that you can compare and conclude:
- wood (eco, fashionable, beautiful, inexpensive);
- Chipboard and mfd (available, inexpensive, there is a lot of different options);
- acrylic (beautiful, there are no problems with creating any form, firmly, but expensive);
- Plastic or glass (Futuristic, easy to care, it will easily fit into the interior, but expensive);
- agglomerate (high strength and flawless in operation, but is not subject to repair, has a high price);
- stainless steel (capricking in care, is subject to scratches, a frequent polishing is needed).
Advantages and disadvantages
Democraticity and durability - these advantages of ceramic tiles are indisputable. So, consider the following best sides.
- can mock yourself;
- fast production time;
- Independent design - your requirements (size, height, shape and thickness) will be fully fulfilled;
- This surface is not afraid of scratches, unpretentious, it is easy to clean, cannot be chemically influence;
- This material is not erased and does not fade over time;
- impeccable moisture resistance, not prone to swelling;
- easy to wash and care for;
- very large selection of various options;
Can always be repaired if there are damage.
Of course, ceramic tile, nevertheless, has its own flaws, namely:
- Squares on the edge of the countertops are quite a big problem, but if you are neat, it is not worth worrying;
- with poor care and after quite a lot of time the appearance deteriorates;
- Contamination of interputric seams.
Another material that can compete ceramics is mosaic. Its in the same way as a tile, laid on a substrate from chipboard, MDF or plywood. Mosaic is practically no different from the ceramic tile and has the same advantages with it, as well as disadvantages. The only differences may be the originality of the performance and a thinner texture in a visual plan. However, according to specific consumers, it becomes clear that This material can satisfy the whims and the needs of any person.
People who have already tried the ceramic tiles or mosaic coverage in the case, even give the following novice tips:
- Tile can be separated by the floor, but on the table the dirt is less than on the floor, which means and the care of the worktop will not be difficult;
- White seams are undesirable to do, use the simplest plasticizers, then the seams will be less polluted;
- Do not use the grouts that contain silicone;
- If after some time you decide to update the decoration of the kitchen space, you can simply change the toned tile on a new, more modern; With a lack of funds, just set the seams with the new grout.
Another material is Stone tile. It is distinguished by durability. Neither moisture nor fungus is terrible. There are glass tiles. She is very effectful. Its structure is transparent and color.
What to stop the choice?
Countertop in the kitchen Should cover outdoor cabinets. The optimal option will be a cladding that does not have joints. Carved holes for the sink, the cooking panel and so on should be equipped so that moisture penetrates inside. Of all the materials under consideration, the countertop, Finished with ceramic tiles or mosaic, has the greatest number of advantages.
- This is the price side. This material can afford anyone who wants to beautifully and correctly update the kitchen space.
- This is the satisfaction of all the requirements that can be submitted to the quality of the coating. It is the intensity of operation and put forward these requirements. And how do we know, a penny ruble takes.
- A table top made of natural or acrylic stone will seem more respectable, but the price will cool the dust. Ceramics and mosaic can replace natural coating and will not give him to quality.
- The working area with a high-quality countertop can be made by himself.
Cash will only spend on materials.
It remains to choose - ceramics or mosaic. Both covers belong to wear-resistant. They easily withstand a high temperature blow, the differences, the spill of various aggressive liquids. These coatings are identical in quality. But their differences lies in completely different causes.
- Ceramic tile - It has long and well-known material. Production of this material has long been established. Therefore, there is practically no marriage in production. The same applies to the so-called concomitant materials: adhesives, grouts, putty. In addition, this material is placed by experienced masters, which have long been "wrinkled" and fulfill all the work qualitatively.
- Mosaic more graceful . It is convenient to accumulate any, even the most complex surfaces, such as columns, arches, and, of course, kitchen tables and countertops. The side of the plates (they have either a square or round shape) is 13-20 mm. And this means that you can postpone the most difficult vigation, without even resorting to the tile. Mosaic components twice thin tiles. And this plus also plays a role in ease of installation.
The ceramic tile itself has already proven as a reliable material, and the mosaic is only gaining momentum. This promising material allows you to make such surfaces that look very rich and exquisitely. New people appear every day, perhaps the mosaic soon will cause its popularity in full. It is worth noting that there is still little competition in the mosaic market, so it is twice as expensive than the tile.
Grout for tiles will cost cheaper than grouting for mosaic. No wonder. Mosaic seds require more comprehensive material. However, ceramic tiles and mosaic can be perfectly combined with each other.
The ideas of design countertops from tile are looking in the following video.