All about chipboard countertops in questions and answers

Chipboard countertops are the most popular choice today. They are the most budgetary, inexpensive, but at the same time quite attractive and durable. Our tips site will answer the most common questions regarding the selection and use of laminated particle board worktops.

1. Why are laminated chipboard countertops so popular? Primarily due to the price. If you decide to actually save on this important part of the kitchen set and ordering furniture for the kitchen in general, then you have no choice at all! All other materials for kitchen countertops are much more expensive. In addition, it is not difficult to find chipboard countertops, the choice is very large, it is an affordable material that is offered by almost all manufacturers of kitchen furniture;

2. What is laminated chipboard in general? This is just a chipboard, which is covered with decorative and protective layers on top, laminated. Covered by high pressure plastic (HPL) chipboard. The top layer consists of glued sheets of kraft paper for strength, decor and overlay, topmost protection. As a result, the chipboard countertop is not afraid of moisture, it serves for a long time;

3. What is the overlay responsible for, that is, the protective layer of plastic on the chipboard? For the fact that the tabletop will retain its original appearance for a long time. In addition, due to the overlay, the surface of the chipboard is not afraid of impacts, scratches, sunlight and cleaning agents. True, such a tabletop can withstand temperatures up to + 240 ° C for only 20 seconds. So we urge you not to put hot pans and hot pans on chipboard, use coasters;

4. What decorative possibilities does a chipboard countertop have? They are very wide. Manufacturers offer a range of colors up to 150 shades. Laminated chipboard can imitate wood and natural stone, look like a mosaic, or be decorated. With the help of digital printing, any pattern can be applied to your countertop, so that you can realize your fantasies and get a very original kitchen;

5. What is the weakest point of a chipboard countertop? Edge! This is where the layer of overlay, the protective plastic, peels off first. And if moisture gets on the chipboard without protection, the plate will simply swell, and your tabletop will lose all its qualities and attractiveness;

6. How do they protect the edge of the chipboard countertop? There are two ways:
   • Postforming. With this technology, HPL plastic is simply folded over the base. It is better if the bend angle is all 180 degrees, and not 90, as it happens. In the first case, the plastic is bent not only at the end, but also under the countertop, there is less chance that it will start to come off. Postforming will allow you to get a fairly reliable edge protection, without seams. The only drawback is that this technology can be used exclusively on worktops of a strict rectilinear shape;
   • If the table top is rounded, curved, of non-standard thickness, then edging is applied. That is, simply gluing a special edge, which goes separately from the main chipboard board. You can choose the edge to match the color of the countertop, but this is not necessary – you can always play in contrast to get a more interesting option. Edges are most often made from budget plastic, but you can choose acrylic stone, wood, and even aluminum. The disadvantage of edging is that there are seams, there is a greater risk of peeling over time. But you can change the edge if necessary;

7. What is the optimal thickness of the chipboard countertop? As the portal already wrote in an article on practical and durable kitchens, the best reviews from homeowners were 38 millimeters thick countertops. 28 millimeters – another standard thickness of a laminated chipboard tabletop – too small! There are also non-standard countertops that are made according to the customer’s sizes. They can be up to 100 mm in thickness;

8. What can be the depth of a chipboard countertop? The standard is 600 millimeters. Such a countertop is most often found in ready-made kitchen sets, it allows you to provide a fairly spacious and comfortable work surface. But you can also increase the depth to 650 millimeters so that the edge of the table top hangs over the handles of the bottom row of cabinets and you do not cling to them. Some manufacturers are ready to offer slabs up to 1200 millimeters deep if your kitchen is non-standard or, for example, the countertop will lie on a kitchen island;

9. How to care for a chipboard worktop? Remember this is a plastic surface. We do not recommend using abrasive and aggressive products containing acid, acetone, gasoline. Dishwashing detergents to remove grease, glass and floor detergents are fine. Choose soft sponges, and after wet cleaning, you should walk over the surface with a dry napkin.