Copper as the Best Countertop Material

Important in various industrial applications, copper is also a wonderful material for decoration and covering. Although not frequently used as an ornament, it can go with major house furniture and structures for enhanced aesthetics, as well as for protection. Copper’s various properties give higher aesthetic value for covering countertops, like those used in the kitchen.

Copper is lighter than any other metal formed into sheets. It is specifically retailed according to its weight, which determines its basic physical properties. For countertop use, sheets are purchased in either 16-ounce or 20-ounce bundles. The latter is heavier, thus performs better and resists dings. Because copper is very soft and malleable, it can easily dingle. But with heavy weight, this property is reduced.

To prevent dings during installation, copper sheet should be installed on top of a flat solid substrate. If malleability can be a weakness when dealing with dings, this can be a strength in achieving easy installation. The flat sheet can be installed with adhesive on the recipient surface as simply as installing vinyl on a floor. Brass and bronze fasteners are normally used as a substitute for adhesives, except that proper spreading is required.

Sheets of copper come in various sizes according to use. For countertops normally measuring 24 inches deep, a larger 36 inches wide sheet is most applicable. A copper sheet with larger size is used for roofing and requires seams. A processed copper sheet is also measured according to its thickness, which influences its weight as discussed previously.

A copper sheet can be polished and kept shiny for long. All it takes is an adequate laminate of food grade sealer to buff from organic agents and polishing it with beeswax to shine and smoothen it. Although copper creates its own protective film in the long run, these polishing agents protect the surface from dents, scratches and punctures. The red surface is as aesthetic as the resulting green film when exposed to moisture.

Many households prefer copper covering on countertops because of the patina that forms on its surface as it ages. This is the green film that naturally protects the metal from further damage of climatic elements. Some do not provide proper finishing to a copper sheet to allow the patina to form over time. This surface is antimicrobial, allowing for easier cleaning compared with when the covering is well finished with additional coatings.