When it comes to the design of the kitchen, the first thing that residents think about is the facades for the kitchen. And it is not surprising: this furniture set is defining in the mood of the entire kitchen, it represents her face, as well as the face of her owners. The point is not only in the external aesthetic factor, kitchen facades are an expensive thing, so it is worthwhile to approach their purchase thoroughly. In this article, we will talk about what kitchen facades are and how to choose your right one.
What properties should kitchen fronts have?
An ideal facade should be durable and strong, resistant to temperature extremes and high humidity, and easy to maintain. In addition to being resistant to the above factors, it should be comfortable and practical, as well as unusual enough for all your guests to be pleasantly surprised. The main qualities that the facade should have:
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- Resistant to moisture. This point includes not only dampness and direct contact with water droplets from the sink, but also exposure to hot steam.
- Resistant to dyes. Liquids such as coffee, tea, vegetable and fruit juice, wine are very quickly absorbed by the porous material, and removing stains is a difficult and time-consuming process. The correct material should not be porous.
- Resistant to high and low temperatures. Areas near the hob, oven, refrigerator and freezer are particularly at risk.
- Resistant to oil and grease. No cooking is complete without splashing or dripping. The surface should be easily cleaned of oily liquids without unnecessary streaks.
- Hygiene. Dampness and high temperatures are favorable breeding grounds for bacteria. We need material that will not allow the reproduction of microflora, and itself will not rot and mold.
There are many types of kitchen facades that differ in material and cost.
Natural wood facades
The best are the facades made of natural wood. This material is of the highest quality and most reliable, it can serve for a long time if it is properly looked after. Under no circumstances should harsh chemicals be used during cleaning, as this will corrode the surface. Wood can only be wiped with a soft sponge using water and a small amount of detergent.
It should be understood that a wooden facade will not fit into a modern or futuristic interior; rather, it is the choice of people who decorate a room in a classic, retro or country style. The price of the facade depends on different species of the massif (pine, oak, ash, ebony), but in general it is higher than that of all other options.
Pine
It is relatively inexpensive to purchase a facade made of pine. There are reasons for this: the tree is easy to process and does not show itself very well in operation. Pine is very soft, when compared with other species, scratches quickly and imperceptibly appear on it from a kitchen knife or the bottom of a dish. Therefore, it would be best to decorate with pine not the outer side of the furniture, but the inner one. For example, the pine finish of the cabinet from the inside will delight the eyes of the owners, serve for a long time and regularly.
Ash
Ash is much stronger than pine, and therefore almost three times more expensive. This tree is hard and resistant to mechanical damage, has a long service life. Drawing on this material is simpler than on oak, but it is ash that is perfect for a Scandinavian-style kitchen, where the natural texture and pattern on the surface of furniture is appreciated. The matte beauty of real wood is admired by true connoisseurs of naturalness.
Bottom line: pros and cons of wooden facades
So, having considered the types of kitchen facades made of wood, we can draw certain conclusions.
Pros:
- look solid, expensive;
- can serve for a very long time with proper care;
- wood is an imperishable classic that will look stylish many years later;
- material and production are environmentally friendly;
- restoration of surfaces is possible;
- many decorative details.
Minuses:
- very high price, because of which not everyone can afford this pleasure;
- specific care requirements;
- a special box made of wood is required to purchase so that it supports the entire structure;
- after a few years, the tree may begin to absorb water and odors, and also fade when exposed to direct sunlight.
Metal facades
If we talk about which kitchen facades are the most practical, then one cannot fail to mention the metal ones. They are not afraid of temperature extremes, mechanical damage, moisture, heat, steam. They are easy to care for, just wipe the surface with a soft cloth. But it is worth remembering that on a glossy surface, any dirt is striking: drops, stains, fingerprints. Therefore, you will have to clean up often.
The cost of such a set will be rather big, and the comfort in the room will not be added. A metal facade will look perfect in a loft or minimalist kitchen.
Aluminum
Compared to stainless steel, aluminum is lighter and cheaper. The material is soft, therefore susceptible to mechanical stress, easily scratched. You should not try to save money on this option, it is better to take a thicker sheet of metal, then it will be stronger, leaving a dent will be more difficult.
Metal looks stylish, lasts a long time. Disadvantages: high price and scratches that are difficult to restore. Also, if you are an awkward person, there is a high probability of constantly bumping into sharp corners of the structure.
Aluminum frame
This option is perhaps the most convenient. Only the frame is made of aluminum, and any material can already be inserted into it. The choice, of course, is yours, but you should take into account that the metal looks modern, which means combining it with wood is not the best combination. Aluminum + MDF, aluminum + tempered glass or aluminum + plastic will look most advantageous. If you want your kitchen to look unique and unusual, you can put a stained glass window in the frame, which will shimmer beautifully in direct sunlight.
Acrylic in a metal frame
The acrylic board is formed into aluminum, which is designed to protect the edges from damage. Such a frame, however, will not be able to protect even a thick sheet of acrylic from damage - it can crack from a strong impact.
Acrylic (plastic) facades
Acrylic is one of the most modern materials used for kitchen decoration. In simple terms, acrylic is an ordinary polymer with a smooth, mirror-like surface. Gloss makes furniture visually attractive and pleasant to the touch, looks bright.
Acrylic does not differ in plasticity, therefore, furniture with curved shapes from this material cannot be found. Usually all corners are straight and even, it looks stylish, minimalist. Practicality depends on the type and characteristics of different acrylic boards.
Acrylic based on MDF board
The design is based on MDF (Medium Density Fiber Board). A thin layer of acrylic is applied on top of it, which performs a decorative function. Such a coating has all the properties of an MDF facade, that is, it quickly absorbs liquid and swells. Even a tiny piece of acrylic that has broken off helps moisture penetrate into the sawdust layer. As a result, the entire surface will fall apart.
Overall, acrylic looks trendy and modern. I am pleased with its cost, which is much lower than that of wooden and metal options. This material can be difficult to care for, and you must remember to be careful so as not to leave dents and scratches on the surface.
Painted MDF
The main advantage of MDF is that a kitchen with such a facade looks homely and cozy, the cheap impression of plasticity disappears. It is necessary to take care of painted MDF very carefully, since too aggressive action with a rag can erase the top coating, stains will appear that spoil the entire appearance of the furniture. Do not worry, the surface is easy to restore, you just need to sand the facade, and then laminate, that is, apply a fresh coat of paint.
Facades from MDF
Facades made of MDF are the most demanded. Most kitchens are designed using this material. It lasts longer than chipboard (particle board), and also has a wide range of colors, allowing you to choose from graphite to bright pink.
The main advantage of MDF facades for the kitchen is the low price, hence the great popularity. Various designs allow you to decorate the room in an interesting way, make it unique and inimitable, play with colors and shapes. It is easy to maintain such a coating, but the service life is poor. After 5 years, chips are guaranteed to appear at the edges, and through them water and dirt will penetrate into the material, causing swelling.
The popularity of MDF is also due to the peculiarities in the manufacture. The structure of the board is as homogeneous and dense as that of natural wood. From here it becomes possible to create complex patterns on the panel, and then cover it with a thinner protective material.
MDF covered with PVC film
This option looks a little cheap, but cleaning is not terrible for him. Even aggressive abrasives will not damage the surface. It is necessary to be careful with heavy mechanical stress - it is very easy to put a dent or scratch on such a facade, but it is already impossible to restore it.
Veneered MDF
Veneer is made of fine wood shavings. This coating looks very natural, only a professional can distinguish it from a real tree. It is rarely used, it is considered exclusive due to its eco-friendly production. The disadvantages are that in practice the veneer layer does not perform better than the PVC film. It is softer, which means it is even easier to leave noticeable scratches on it.
Particleboard facades
Facades made of chipboard are objectively considered the worst. The only reason to buy this facade is its low cost. The base is very weak, the hinges begin to loosen after a few years of service, doors and drawers hang down. Pits and chips form on the surface, the edges swell from moisture, the whole structure falls apart right in front of the inhabitants. If you want to save money on the kitchen facade, it would be better to purchase the MDF version, as it is quite a bit higher in price.
So which kitchen facades are the best in the end?
Summing up all of the above information, we can conclude that metal and wooden facades remain the ideal option. If they hit the wallet hard, then it is worth stopping at the product made of MDF. This material is the most practical, which is proved by numerous samples of kitchen facades, photos and customer reviews.
When choosing a kitchen façade, it is important to consider your cooking and cleaning habits. For example, pay attention to whether you use harsh cleaning products, frequently rub your furniture with kitchen utensils, or spill liquids on the surface.
Samples of facades for the kitchen are widely represented in stores in Moscow and other large Russian cities. Don't jump to conclusions based on just reading a few articles. It is better to make a final decision after you have seen and touched all the options. Live interaction speaks much more eloquently than subjective customer reviews on the Internet.
Photo: facades for the kitchen in the interior
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