Apron for the kitchen: material comparison, designer tips

An apron for the kitchen is a beautiful and functional thing. It will protect work surfaces from dirt, and will also attract attention with a bright design or decorative elements. And what is important - such walls serve for a very long time.

“What is the name of the apron for the kitchen yet?” - you may come across the name “skinny”. This is a purely glass surface with a pattern, which opens up almost unlimited space for the implementation of ideas.

Determined with height and size

The standard height of the sleeve for the kitchen on the wall ends with 60 cm. This size is ideal for people of normal height and above. If the family is not high, then you can limit yourself to a distance of 45 to 55 cm. If there are door closers in the upper cabinets, the height of the panels is reduced further.

With the complete or partial absence of wall cabinets, surface dimensions are not limited to anything. The apron can be raised at the discretion of the owners to the ceiling or 3/4 of the wall.

If you have a gas water heater in your kitchen, then the apron will protect the area behind the exhaust pipe. And if there is a hood, the surface should be faced and behind it.

What they do: Popular finishes

At the moment, the choice of materials for aprons is very large and can satisfy any customer. We will talk about the most common.

Tile apron

Aprons for the kitchen under ceramic tiles - the most relevant and purchased. The tile is well washed, it serves for a long time, it is resistant to water, fire and acids. It is also cheap and has excellent performance. Smooth matte surfaces are much easier to care for than embossed.

Among the whole variety of tiles, you are sure to find the right one for yourself. It is easy to combine material with a table-top and to fit into any interior. Even laypersons will cope with laying tiles on their own. But the walls for laying should be perfectly flat.

The main disadvantage of ceramic tiles are its seams. The tile itself is very easy to clean, but on the grout all interventions are visible. Therefore, it should be updated periodically. It is better if the seams in the ceramic tile differ in color, since during operation they will darken anyway. It would be nice to use a special waterproof grout, as the most stable option.

Glass kitchen apron

Glass for an apron is used special, tempered. Skinalis are not afraid of aggressive detergents, scratches, fire, the sun or temperature changes. If the surface does crack after a strong blow, then the pieces will not be sharp, but smooth. The whole structure is mounted on dowels.

The surface of the required size is difficult to purchase in Moscow stores. More often they are made to order for specific measurements. And to trim the sheet during installation is almost impossible. It is best to entrust the skins to a professional, since the price for them starts from several thousand rubles per square meter.

Tempered glass can be installed on top of any finish. A common option is a photo collage or posters covered with a glass surface. And such an apron immediately becomes the center of attention and the main emphasis in the kitchen.

In addition to the whole sheet, tiles are found for sale that are stacked in random order, by mosaics or Christmas trees.

How to make photo printing on glass yourself

Decorating the apron in the kitchen with photo printing is a great option. Moreover, it is easy to do it yourself and much cheaper than in the cabin. And the result will look like an expensive design project. The drawing is applied to a special PVC film (transparent or matte).

1. The glass is degreased and wiped dry.
2. The drawing film is distributed and fixed with cork mounts.
3. Water from the spray gun moistens the entire surface of the film.
4. The protective film layer is removed. If necessary, another film is glued (for the background), already without water.
5. All excess edges are trimmed.

Apron from MDF and chipboard

Wood surfaces are impractical and expensive. But MDF or laminated particleboard are used much more often. The main advantages of these materials are: budget price, easy installation even on uneven walls, easy maintenance.

The thickness of the sheets ranges from 4 to 15 mm. Very often on sale there are already options for the same countertops and aprons.

The service life of the panels is at least 10 years, with easy replacement of any area. But MDF and chipboard are not suitable for washing and cooking areas due to combustibility and fear of water. They also do not like aggressive cleaning.

Most often, sheets are combined with glass or stainless steel inserts. Another drawback is the seam, which is closed with a corner or molding. This always complicates the care and does not look very aesthetically pleasing.

Made of plastic

Plastic - an option for budget repairs (in the country, in a rented apartment). With its help it is easy and inexpensive to transform the room. Pay attention to the double-sided kitchen screen sold in Ikea stores, the photo of which is in many catalogs. They are mounted in profile and according to the mood, such plates can be turned at least several times a day.

Washable material, easy to mount even on uneven walls. But plastic can not be placed in the area of ​​a gas stove. Synthetics are scratched, worn away and fade from the sun, and its service life is only a few years.

Made of stone and metal

Granite is often used, the so-called slabs (up to 2 cm thick). This is a very durable material, not afraid of temperature. Dirt and moisture do not leave their marks on it. Granite aprons can be of various colors, ranging from gray-pink to red and blue.

The price of granite is not cheap, more expensive than other materials. It is advisable to have certification for the stone, in order to avoid its radioactivity. And such a facing requires the services of a professional.

Marble is another beautiful stone, and domestic is cheaper. The downside is that it is a moisture-absorbing material. Grease and dirt are gradually absorbed and the stone shine goes away. But vegetable spots, for example, from beetroot juice will remain on it forever.

Replacement of marble and granite - agglomerate (artificial stone). It is very easy to care for, durable and seamless. It can be reconstructed. But any stone is more expensive than glass or ceramic.

A beautiful high-tech apron for kitchen comes in brushed or textured stainless steel. Such surfaces last a very long time. They are not afraid of scratches, cleaning products and grease. But on the metal panels there are fingerprints and a drop of water. And in a classic interior, this design will look rather strange.

Color Combination - Designer Tips

To design an apron in the kitchen there are a lot of options. Look at one of the most common - countertops and aprons for the kitchen photos made from one material.

1. A simple tiled apron will be bright and beautiful thanks to the decorative inserts. The panel in the form of a mosaic looks good, moreover, it is very convenient to lay it. You can build on the color of furniture facades, curtains or walls - as your imagination allows.
2. Catchy wall decoration accents well. But if your apron is the most colorful element of the room, then the rest of the interior should be neutral.
3. Remember that dark color is the most impractical. Dust, water and grease spots are visible on it. Warm tones (red, orange, yellow) are good in your appetite. But whether you need it - decide for yourself.
4. Using an apron, it is easy to expand the room. For example, horizontal lines (skinned stripes or ceramic tiles "boar") visually spaced the kitchen space. This can also be achieved using a mirrored wall panel (but such a surface is quite difficult to keep clean).
5. For a creative person, a black slate board based on plywood, particleboard or MDF coated with special paint will be a wonderful option. Depending on your mood, with bright crayons you can decorate the walls at least several times a day.

Video: kitchen apron design ideas