Porcelain stoneware top: a reliable cover with your own hands

Porcelain tile is one of the most popular materials in construction and repair. Excellent technical properties, a variety of color palette provide the material wide application in various fields. Today it is especially popular in the production of kitchen countertops.

Porcelain tile is a budget option., rather than granite, while having a high level of durability and reliability, not at all inferior to natural stone.

Porcelain stoneware top will be appropriate in any kitchen. This is a practical and durable element of the working area that every hostess will like. A wide color palette, a variety of textures of the coating allows you to choose the perfect option for decorating the kitchen.

Porcelain tile has a number of advantages:

• Strength. Solid, but not heavy material allows you to install countertops of any, even very large sizes. Due to the relatively low weight, the tabletop will not “press” on the bearing surfaces, which will allow avoiding deformation of the structure.
• Wear resistance. The countertop of porcelain stoneware is not “afraid” of chips and cracks, you can safely cut on it without using a chopping board. The material does not absorb moisture, it does not harm the fat, oil, paint. Any liquid in contact with the surface can be easily removed.

• Heat resistance. Porcelain tiles tolerate high temperatures, so countertops made of this material can be installed near the kitchen stove. In addition, they are resistant to thermal and chemical effects. This means that steam, moisture, hot objects will not cause any harm to the tabletop.
• Structural solid surface. The table top does not break even after years of operation.
• Security. Porcelain stoneware is absolutely harmless material, it does not emit toxins and other hazardous substances. This tabletop is protected from the proliferation of bacteria and microorganisms.

It should be noted that porcelain, like any other material, is not without flaws. The main one is quite complicated processing.

Of course, the lining of the kitchen work surface can be entrusted to a specialist, but with the skills to work with tools, it can easily be done independently.

This will help avoid distortion and movement of the base during operation.

For the manufacture of a strong base, you can use wood, metal, high-strength plastic, concrete.

The base of the metal must be treated with special solutions, after which the steel mesh is applied, to which the tile adhesive is applied. After processing, the surface must be properly dried, and only after that you can begin laying tiles.

In plastic kitchen worktops, MDF or chipboard is used as the base. Such designs are distinguished by quite high strength and are able to withstand the weight of ceramic granite sheets.

In this case, the preparation can be carried out in two ways:

• using mesh fixing;
• by bonding tiles with silicone.

Wood surfaces are less durable than metal or plastic. They can "play" under the action of high temperatures and moisture, so the preparation of the base involves careful fixation. Strength can be achieved by fixing thick birch plywood in two layers.

Laying porcelain stoneware occurs on the finished base with the help of "liquid nails" or tile glue.

There are several styling methods:

• diamond;
• herringbone;
• in rows;
• ornament.

The next stage is grouting. It is better to use moisture resistant epoxy grout.Plain cement mixture needs extra protection. Next, the countertop should be treated with special impregnation.

This material provides a wide palette of colors, so that for each interior there is the best option for ceramic granite sheet. For example, an imitation of natural stone (marble, granite) would be appropriate in any kitchen interior.

The working area, made of porcelain stoneware, in many ways surpasses that of natural stone similar to it. Its manufacture will cost much less. Artificial stone is inferior to porcelain stoneware in strength properties. Therefore, choosing the material for the design of the kitchen space, porcelain tile will be the best option in terms of price-quality ratio.

The standard sheet of thin wide-format porcelain tile is 1000x3000 mm. If you want to make a tabletop, the size of which exceeds the parameters of these parameters, then the laying of two sheets occurs at the joint.To do this almost imperceptibly, the joint must be carefully pierced.

Standard edge width (or tabletop thickness) reaches 20 mm. Making the countertop with your own hands, the thickness can be made of any kind.

With self-made worktops, there are many nuances, knowing that standard errors can be avoided:

1. Over time, grouting can lose its whiteness and get a dirty gray tint. This can be fixed only by refreshing the seams with a new grout.
2. Porcelain tile possesses high strength properties. For cutting sheets used diamond disc. High-quality cutting of the material comes with experience, so when you begin to create your own table-top with your own hands, be prepared for the difficulties at this stage.
3. To create a working area in the kitchen will suit any kind of porcelain. It is recommended to purchase smoother sheets, since dirt and particles of products will accumulate on an uneven surface.

The table-top from this material does not need careful leaving. Rubbing the tabletop 1-2 times a day with warm water or treating with a special tool, you will provide it with beauty and shine for many years.

Despite the fact that porcelain is a durable material, one should not abuse abrasive cleansers based on acids.

It is important to carefully handle the surface, because repairing damage or chipping will require significant costs.

Almost all holders of porcelain stoneware worktops agree that today it is difficult to find material more practical and more profitable.

Porcelain is also loved by the variety of textures and colors. A long service life will provide the functionality of the kitchen area for many years.

Modern porcelain stoneware countertops are mostly monolithic,creating the effect of a single space. However, not less interesting in the interior look countertops "under the tree" or with a marble pattern.

You can set the style for the whole room and select the working area in it using only one tabletop.

It is worth noting that a massive work area would be appropriate in a large room with high ceilings. But for the arrangement of the kitchen a small square is better to use a small countertop.

Finishing with sheet wood-like granite will add warmth and comfort to the atmosphere. Tile under the clinker will look good in the room, made in a strict minimalist style. Covering polished or glossy tiles in any interior looks elegant and beautiful.

Particularly original look dining tables with a surface of porcelain. Moreover, modern manufacturers offer a wide range of such tables: compact and massive, with a square, rectangular or oval shape.

Porcelain tile - a unique material, experimenting with which you can create a unique kitchen design.

For information on how to properly lay a porcelain stoneware, see the following video.