Glass worktop: practicality and shine

Among the variety of materials for the manufacture of countertops, glass deserves special attention. Modern processing methods allow the use of this seemingly fragile material for the manufacture of an interior element that is subjected to frequent and severe impact.

Glass elements fit easily into any setting. Especially if it is supplemented with other glass parts: shelves, an apron over the work surface, glass panels for walls and others.

Advantages and disadvantages of a glass work surface

One of the main advantages of a glass countertop is its exclusivity and the atmosphere that is created in the kitchen thanks to this detail. This design solution perfectly combines the aesthetic component with practicality.

Since all furniture items in the kitchen are subject to increased requirements, the glass top is endowed with the necessary level of strength. This property prevents rapid wear and premature aging of the material. Glass is protected from temperature changes, from splashes of grease and resists the destructive effects of chemical cleaners.

Glass eliminates the common problem associated with tiled surfaces. There are no seams where dirt can remain and mold will appear. This will be an important factor for people who are allergic to mold or the chemicals necessary to eradicate it. Tempered glass with a thickness of 6 mm is able to withstand mechanical stress seven times greater than ordinary glass. For an additional increase in strength indicators, you can use triplex - laminated glass with a layer of a special film.

Usually, natural substances are used to make glass for countertops: quartz sand, lime, soda. Due to this, special surface care can be excluded from the list of disadvantages. The countertop will be hygienic and easy to disinfect.

In addition, a variety of shades and textures, which can be achieved by different processing technologies, can be attributed to the advantages. The glass surface may look like metal, stone or wood.

Despite the high requirements for impact resistance, the glass top may break or crack. Despite the fact that the manufacturers made sure that the fragments were thick with blunt edges, they can still be injured. A simple chip or crack cannot be repaired. Therefore, there is a need for a complete replacement of the entire canvas. This suggests the need for certain safety measures in the use of glass surfaces. Hot dishes should be placed on a special stand, and heavy objects should be lowered gently so as not to damage the countertop.

The issue of profitability cannot be considered unambiguously as an advantage or disadvantage. By itself, such an element of decor is more expensive than any other modern material. However, it does not require additional coating or processing. It is also durable. This means that during the period of operation of the glass countertops, it will be necessary to change a single countertop made of wood or plastic.

For safety reasons, the corners of the countertops are rounded. Possible hazards and injuries of structural elements are minimized. This is especially important when there are children in the house.

Using glass worktops for a kitchen interior

One of the reasons for the huge demand for glass countertops in modern kitchen design is the variety of assortment and design technologies for such an element of decor.

For example, a glass countertop with photo printing will allow you to place your favorite photos in a prominent place separately or in collages. This advantage is mainly characteristic of triplex. This material assumes the use of:

• color film;
• films with photo printing;
• film with drawings.

And also with other decorative elements placed between two glasses.

This countertop looks extremely impressive in the interior of any kitchen. An unusual solution can be imitation on glass of marble, amber, malachite and other natural stone. The edge of the glass can be processed using the facet technique with a given frame width.

The tabletop can also be made of mirror glass. Subject to production technology, such a surface will be especially resistant to scratches, and its decorative role in the interior of a kitchen can hardly be overestimated.

The easiest way to apply a picture to glass is to use a decorative film. With its help, you can give the countertop the desired shade, apply the necessary pattern or decor. This is a relatively inexpensive design option. More complex and expensive will be UV printing. This pattern will last without visible distortion for a longer time. In addition, it is not affected by heat near cooking surfaces.

The triplex-laminated image is protected from the damaging effects of the environment from all sides. This is the most rational way of applying the pattern, since its damage is impossible.

If the back side of the glass is painted in one tone, then this technology will be called stemalite. For this method, pigment is used, which is mixed with molten glass. The resistance of this color is at a high level due to the baking of all glass at a temperature of 700 degrees.

With the help of sandblasting, glass can be turned into a matte finish, and also apply all kinds of patterns on it. Such an ornament will look fashionable and suitable for a kitchen designed in any style.

The backlight plays an important role in the appearance of glass elements. A play of rays can turn an unremarkable cover into a magical find from a fairy tale. The combination of lighting with sandblasting makes the countertop sparkle with new colors. In addition, LED elements are used with scattering film. This will create additional lighting in the room.

It is important that the countertop is combined with other interior details. It can be shelves from the same glass or an apron above the work surface. In addition, using drawing technologies, you can repeat the pattern of curtains or wallpaper on the countertop. This will give the kitchen a special harmony and help achieve the perfect combination of objects.

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