Ikea kitchen countertops 28mm: quartz, stainless steel, cast, acrylic, wide, custom 800mm, built into a kitchen set, how to install a stainless steel sink with your own hands, instructions, photos, price and video lessons

Ikea kitchen countertops are familiar to consumers in many countries. This is not surprising, because this corporation is a world-famous manufacturer. In this article, we will try to evaluate this product and compare it with its main competitors.

What is this trademark

One or another product should be analyzed starting with the manufacturer itself. This is exactly what we will do.

A bit of history

The Swedish corporation Ikea appeared back in 1943. Ingvar Kamprad became its founder. The company immediately won the recognition of consumers in many countries (Scandinavia, Austria, Czech Republic, etc.).

Interesting: Ingvar started selling at the age of five. He bought wholesale matches in Stockholm, and then sold them at retail in his home village.

The name Ikea is an acronym ("Ingvar Kamprad Elmtaryd Agunnaryd"), which is the name and the name of the founder, as well as the name of his native farm (Elmtaryd) and the village in which she was (Agunnaryd).

On January 1 of last year, IKEA Corporation decided to resell its brand. The cost of this transaction was $ 11.2 billion. dollars, and the buyer was a company owned by Kamprad. The goal of this strange operation was to simplify and consolidate the business structure.

Catalog

If you are interested in Ikea kitchen countertops, then by looking in the catalog you can find more than 50 different samples there. They differ in many ways, ranging from the materials used (chipboard, oak, larch, conifers, etc.), to the type of coating (laminated or ordinary).

Of course, depending on these parameters, the price of the countertop can vary significantly. For example, a sample made of natural wood with a laminated base will cost several times more than a table top made of pressed sawdust and with a conventional coating.

Product advantages and disadvantages

Speaking about any product, it is necessary to analyze its advantages and disadvantages.

This is exactly what we will do, starting with positive qualities:

• Warranty. A very long warranty period (up to 25 years) is provided for the lion's share of products. This means that the manufacturer is confident in the quality of his products.
• Quality. From the first advantage follows the fact that the quality of Ikea products is at the highest level. This made it possible for IKEA to become the world's best-selling furniture brand.

• Relevance. There are specialized stores of this brand throughout our country. This means that it will not be difficult for consumers to find even non-standard parts for this or that countertop.
• Functionality. The products of this company meet all modern requirements for kitchen furniture. For example, due to well-thought-out designs, it saves space.
• Endurance. As stated in the instructions, laminated worktops are able to withstand operation even in aggressive environments. This significantly increases the product's service life.
• The cost. Due to the fact that IKEA is engaged in a full cycle production (that is, from primary processing consumables, before the final assembly), it has the ability to install a fairly democratic prices. As a result, most of the furniture for a kitchen set from this manufacturer is much cheaper than that of its main competitors.

Analyzing anything without providing a list of flaws would be biased:

• Range. According to the recognition of many consumers, the products of this company do not have a very rich assortment. For example, stainless steel kitchen sinks are mostly of standard sizes, which does not allow people to add a touch of individuality to their interior.
• The complexity of the assembly. Prefabricated furniture from this manufacturer is very difficult to assemble. This often causes serious dissatisfaction among consumers.
• It was not possible to identify other noticeable shortcomings.

Read also the article on artificial stone countertops for the kitchen.

Overview of the most popular "myths" about Ikea products

Of course, when a particular manufacturer achieves popularity, a lot of criticism immediately appears in society.

In this regard, it is worth presenting to the attention of readers several not the most objective opinions that were born in society:

1. Frameless designs are not resistant to physical impact.

Ikea uses high-strength MDF facades, which are fixed with special dowels and screws. In addition, the back panels are made from special chipboard and are supported using fonts. The top cover is in most cases cast, which provides increased pressure resistance.

1. MDF is weaker than plywood.

The MDF used by this Swedish manufacturer consists of several layers of wood veneer, reinforced with a strong laminated film. As a result, this material complies with the E-1 standard.

1. Drawers are made from cheap metal and plastic.

In furniture from the IKEA company, Blue tandemboxes are used, as well as guides made to individual orders. This can significantly increase the service life of these elements.

1. Plastic legs are short-lived.

One such leg is able to withstand the whole up to 125 kg. As a result, a weight of about 500 kg can be placed on a standard kitchen table.

1. All Ikea products are presented only in a modern style.

This kitchen furniture is subdivided into four stylistic groups: modern, youth, country and Scandinavian. For example, acrylic countertops are sold that have a typical Scandinavian style.

1. Inexpensive furniture means bad.

The relatively low cost of the products of this brand is due not at all to mediocre quality, but by other factors. This is due to the competent consolidation of all components of the business structure (in particular, the company is engaged in absolutely all stages of production: from processing materials to implementation).

1. Only a professional can assemble such furniture.

Of course, this opinion is partly true, because the assembly of furniture is a rather complicated matter. However, if you approach it with the proper level of responsibility, it can succumb even to a beginner in this matter. You can watch the tutorial video at the end of this article, which will help you understand all the nuances of the assembly.

Read also the article "Kitchen countertop: colors and rules for their selection."

Ikea's main competitors

Now it's time to consider other brands popular in this segment. There are three of them today.

Luxform countertops

Luxeform is a trademark that dates back to 2002. The main idea of ​​this manufacturer is post-forming technology. It meets all modern quality standards.

High-tech equipment from leading European companies is used to carry out the production process. As a result, the resulting products are reliable and safe in operation. According to the assurances of experts, the technologies of this company are the most modern today.

Thanks to the competent distribution of pressure over the entire area of ​​the tabletop, high-quality adhesion of the finishing material is ensured. As a result, even wide samples have an even coating. In addition, these technologies provide increased resistance to all types of external influences (moisture, temperature extremes, acidity, etc.).

Ligron worktops

Ligron kitchen worktops are a very competitive element in the modern furniture market. Due to the presence of high-tech workshops, the company is constantly improving technology. This allows her to always delight her customers with new furniture designs.

Tip: if the outlet is located near sources of moisture, it is better to put on a special nozzle on it. This will prevent moisture from entering.

It is customary to make quite serious demands on countertops regarding durability. After all, various manipulations are performed on them that are capable of destroying any coating. With all this, they must maintain their appearance, because the kitchen is the face of the home.

Ligron worktops have the following features:

• Wear resistance;
• Environmental Safety;
• Increased strength of working surfaces.
• Wide range of different models. So, they differ from each other in such parameters as the materials used, overhang, coating of the working surface, etc.

The most significant parameter is the type of materials used.

So, in ascending order of cost, they can be as follows:

• Laminate. The cheapest option, while it does not burn and is quite resistant to physical and chemical influences.
• Natural wood. This option seems to be the most traditional. It allows you to create a cozy atmosphere in the room, because wood seems to convey some special warmth to the interior.
• Artificial (acrylic) stone allows you to create an unusual structure that is characterized by increased strength. Besides, with its help seamless joints of surfaces are obtained.
• Tempered glass from decorations is undoubtedly the most interesting option. These amazing countertops will create a stunning expressive ambience in the room. Perhaps the only drawback of this type of countertop is that it is rather difficult to install them with your own hands.

Slotex countertops

Slotex worktops have recently become a significant element in the furniture market.

However, they immediately declared themselves publicly, so it would be correct to highlight their main features:

• Moisture resistance.
• Ease.
• Strength.
• Environmental friendliness.
• Possibility of ordering non-standard models (the width can be up to 800 mm, and the length is practically unlimited).

Conclusion

The purpose of this article is to analyze the modern countertop market. Based on the above information, the reader will be able to draw certain conclusions for himself that will help in the selection process.

Chipboard worktop for the kitchen - see here.