Plastic Countertops For a Budget Kitchen – Advantages, Disadvantages, and Maintenance
With plastic countertops, almost anything is possible in terms of motifs or colors. So you can choose what exactly suits your kitchen best.
Plastic is also cheaper than other types of countertops, making this material suitable for all budgets. However, plastic is relatively easily damaged and can be sensitive to excessive moisture.
The plastic countertop is best known for its versatility. With a plastic kitchen top, almost everything is possible in terms of colors and patterns. These countertops are also inexpensive to purchase.
Structure of plastic kitchen worktops
The plastic kitchen countertop consists of several layers. The core layer is a sheet of chipboard or plywood on which the appearance-defining decor layer of the worktop is applied.
An almost wear-resistant and scratch-resistant plastic top layer is applied over it To protect the top.
A plastic countertop with the appearance of concrete or Belgian bluestone is currently very popular. If a wooden worktop is too laborious for you, then a repro version of wood in plastic is an excellent alternative.
Lovers of natural stone also regularly opt for a repro version in plastic. The wooden and natural stone designs can only be distinguished from real ones if you look at them very closely. Plastic kitchen tops give your kitchen a luxurious look for a lower price.
Repros in plastic countertop
A look-a-like of concrete or Belgian bluestone is currently in high demand Because a lot is possible in plastic.
For example, if a wooden countertop is too laborious, a repro version of wood in plastic is an excellent alternative. Lovers of stone also sometimes opt for a repro version in plastic.
Plastic countertop: versatile and practical
A plastic countertop is versatile and practical. In addition, a plastic worktop is available in a wide variety of variants and edge finishes.
Kitchen tops made of plastic can therefore be used endlessly in various kitchen styles. A plastic worktop is also very practical, and this type of worktop has many advantages.
First of all, a plastic worktop has a long lifespan because the top is provided with a wear-resistant HPL top layer. In addition, this top layer also ensures that the top is water-resistant and maintenance-friendly.
The possibilities with HPL
Most plastic countertops are made of HPL. But what exactly is HPL? HPL is the abbreviation for High-Pressure Laminate. This material consists of several layers and is compressed under very high pressure.
This makes the material very dense, hard, and dimensionally stable. Because of the very hard and thick top layers, the material HPL is widely used for kitchen worktops.
An HPL kitchen worktop does not retain dirt and is easy to clean. An HPL top is therefore ideal for hygienic areas such as the kitchen.
HPL as a top layer of a plastic kitchen worktop
A plastic kitchen top is very versatile due to the many design options of the HPL top layer. The basis of a plastic worktop is plywood or fiberboard, and it is always finished with a hard HPL top layer.
An HPL worktop is available in many colors and prints so that the worktop can be perfectly matched to your interior style.
How much does a plastic countertop cost?
Plastic countertop prices depend on some factors. You will, of course, pay more for a custom plastic worktop than for a standard size.
The price also depends on the finish and thickness of the countertop. Despite this price variation, a plastic kitchen worktop is a cheap option compared to almost any other material.
A plastic countertop is generally made of particle board or plywood.
Particleboard is made from compressed wood chips, while plywood consists of thin wood boards that are glued together.
Decor paper is then pasted over this base with the desired color and motif.
Finally, a top plastic layer is applied to protect the decor paper and make it fully waterproof. This can be, for example, a synthetic resin or HPL (High-Pressure Laminate) layer.
Because decor paper gives color to a plastic worktop, the possibilities in this area are endless. If it can be printed, it is also suitable for a plastic kitchen top.
Many options in colors and materials
With a plastic worktop, you can go in all directions. Customizing a plastic kitchen worktop is, therefore, no problem at all.
Are you in love with a real wooden kitchen or a natural stone or concrete countertop, but is this outside your budget?
The plastic worktop with wood, natural stone, or concrete look is a lot cheaper. Moreover, it is almost indistinguishable from the real thing. You can also easily determine the thickness of the blade yourself.
With a natural stone or concrete look countertop, a thick top provides an even more realistic finishing touch.
Choose the desired color and shade yourself, and let the plastic worktop fully match your interior style.
Combination options
A plastic kitchen top can be endlessly combined in various kitchen styles. In addition, a plastic worktop is available in many variants.
You can choose from an enormous color palette, but you can also opt for a stone or wood structure.
For example, choose a plastic worktop with a wood pattern if you want to create a rural atmosphere in your kitchen.
By choosing a stone pattern, you create a more modern or classic atmosphere in your home.
The many possibilities of a plastic countertop mean that every desired style can be brought into your home.
Plastic countertops in different styles
With a plastic countertop, you can go in all directions. Various versions are possible so that you can find a plastic worktop that meets your wishes.
Do you like a rustic effect in your kitchen? A wood-look plastic worktop emphasizes the natural atmosphere in the room.
Prefer a tougher look? Then take a look at a concrete-look plastic kitchen worktop for an industrial effect. For an elegant look and a chic appearance, a marble-look plastic kitchen countertop is recommended.
Do you want to know more material for the kitchen countertops?
Maintenance
A plastic worktop is virtually maintenance-free; it is usually enough to wipe it with a damp cloth and mild soap.
However, use a cleaning product without aggressive ingredients. Then dry the blade and the area around the sink with a clean cloth.
A plastic countertop is not resistant to heat, sharp objects, heavy blows, and excessive moisture.
So pat the countertop dry immediately if a glass has been touched, use coasters, and always cut on a cutting board.
Benefits of a Plastic Countertop
- Plastic countertops are cheaper than other materials
- Requires little to no maintenance
- Easy to keep clean
- Because it is a produced sheet, almost all motifs and colors are possible
- Not a porous material. In combination with a good finish, this means that the top is generally waterproof
Disadvantages of a Plastic Countertop
- Very sensitive to scratches.
- Despite the water resistance, it is not good to leave moisture, which can cause irregularities in the blade. If moisture gets between the layers of chipboard, the countertop will become unusable.
- It can be damaged by hard blows or knives. Therefore, always use a cutting board on these blades and be careful with heavy objects.
- Not heat resistant. A hot baking dish can tarnish the color or even melt the top layer. Therefore, always use a coaster with these sheets.
- Do you want the advantages (easy to keep clean, relatively maintenance-free) and a stronger blade? Then a composite countertop is a good alternative.
Plastic Countertop Cleaning – Tips to Safely and Quickly Clean Your Plastic Kitchen countertop
Cleaning and maintaining a plastic countertop in the right way ensures good hygiene and a longer lifespan.
But what is the right way? And what can you better avoid to prevent damage?
Cleaning Plastic Countertops – Do It Right
You can clean a plastic worktop quickly and efficiently with the following steps:
Daily Cleaning
Remove loose dirt with a damp cloth.
Then wipe the kitchen countertop with soapy water from an all-purpose cleaner or dishwashing liquid. Green soap is also an option.
For an extra and especially natural cleaning, you can also spray some apple cider vinegar on the leaf.
Stubborn Dirt Removal
Stubborn stains can be tackled with a soft scouring pad. Note that it is a fine, soft scouring sponge. Coarse structures can damage the wood; Water and baking soda can also be used for this.
Let the stains soak with the mixture for a while, and then wipe with a damp clean cloth.
Plastic Countertop Cleaning – Don’t
Be careful with cleaning agents such as bleach or other heavy chemical products.
Should the leaf come into contact with this, rinse immediately with sufficient water and pat dry.
It would be best not to use coarse scouring pads or steel wool because these can damage the blade. Invisible damage can also cause stains to penetrate the leaf and thus shorten its life.
Do not leave the blade unnecessarily wet. This can damage the layers of the kitchen worktop, causing them to expand or loosen.
Do not use boiling water to rinse the leaf.
