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Continuing our efforts to educate our customers, we built this knowledge database so that you can gain a better understanding of glossary related to natural stone products that we offer. Materials comes from the Wikipedia - the free encyclopedia. We hope you find this tool useful in your research.

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CountertopEncyclopedia Index

Countertop (also counter top, countertopping) usually refers to a horizontal worksurface in kitchens, other food preparation areas, and workrooms in general. It is frequently installed above and supported by cabinets.

Kitchen countertops

When installed in a kitchen, countertops are usually about 635 mm (25 inches) from front to back and are designed to slightly-overhang standard kitchen base cabinets. This allows a convenient reach to objects at the back of the countertop. They often contain some sort of integrated backsplash to prevent spilled liquids from falling behind the cabinets and the face of the countertop may be decorated in ways ranging from plain to very elaborate. They may be cut away to accommodate the installation of sinks, cooktops, complete ranges, or other accessories such as integrated drain boards and cutting boards.

Materials

Countertops can be made from a very wide range of materials and the cost of the completed countertop can vary very widely depending on the material chosen. The durability and ease of use of the material often rises with the increasing cost of the material but this is not necessarily so; some very expensive materials are neither particularly durable nor easy to use, just stylish. Some common materials are as follows:

Natural materials:

GraniteLimestoneMarbleSoapstoneWood and butcher block

Synthetic materials:

Pre- and postformed high-pressure decorative laminates such as Wilsonart Laminate, Formica (plastic) and ArboriteSolid-surface acrylic plastic materials such as Corian and Wilsonart Solid SurfaceSynthetic stone (quartz crystals contained in a plastic substrate) such as SilestoneConcreteTerrazzoTileRichliteStainless steel