Contents
- №1.What materials can be used to finish the apron?
- №2.Ceramic tile: the immortal classic
- №3.Mosaic: space for fantasy
- №4.Glass: unusual and spectacular
- №5.PVC panels: cheap and practical
- №6.PVC film - a temporary solution
- №7.MDF panels: a budget and practical option
- №8.Natural and artificial stone
- №9.Mirror: original, but troublesome
- №10.Metal: ideal for high-tech style
- # 11.How to originally organize a kitchen apron?
- In conclusion,
The apron protects the walls around the sink, stove and work surface in the kitchen from splashes of grease, water, dust and other negative influences. The working wall extends a number of requirements, incl.high strength and practicality, ease of care, the ability to withstand the effects of moisture and high temperatures. In addition, the apron must have good external data, as it occupies a significant part of the kitchen. What materials can be used to finish the working wall in the kitchen, what are their main advantages, and what else should be considered when choosing a finishing material?
# 1.What materials can be used to finish the apron?
It is worth adding to all the requirements for kitchen apron material described above that it should have as smooth as possible and be slightly porous with .Due to this, the material's ability to absorb moisture decreases, and ease of care, on the contrary, increases.
Today, uses the following materials to organize the apron:
- ceramic tiles;
- mosaic;
- glass;
- PVC panels;
- natural and decorative stone;
- MDF panels;
- metal;
- plaster, paint and other materials.
Each of these materials has its own advantages, disadvantages, and features, and further we will focus on the characteristics of each of them.
№2.Ceramic tile: the immortal classic
Most of us still choose ceramic tiles for finishing a kitchen apron, and for good reason. This is the one of the best and practical options for the , and the has the advantages of weight:
- high strength;
- heat resistance;
- ease of care;
- huge range: you can choose tiles of any size, color and with any pattern;
- is a relatively simple installation, which with a certain skill can even be done independently.
Using a tile, you can create a variety of effects, for example, select a zone with a material of a certain color: with a decorative tile, you can select a zone near a plate or sink, and lay out the rest with tiles. It should be noted that dirt can accumulate in the relief ceramic tile and in the tile joints, therefore it is better to choose the smoothest material and make the seams thin or varnish them. When combining tiles above the working area and other types of finishes in other parts of the kitchen, it is better not to stop at one color. It is better to separate the working area by color from the dining area in the kitchen , thus performing spectacular zoning.
№3.Mosaic: space for fantasy
With the help of mosaic you can create the most inconceivable patterns and even whole pictures. Kitchen apron can be a real work of art, and the performance characteristics of the mosaic are very good. Among the main advantages worth noting:
- moisture resistance;
- heat resistance;
- ease of care and hygiene;
- strength;
- wear resistance and durability;
- unique appearance.
These are all common characteristics of a mosaic, because it can be of different types and be made of different materials:
- ceramic mosaic repeats all the characteristics of ceramic tiles, only here you can lay out any patterns of tiles measuring 2 * 2 cm;
- glass mosaic perfectly shows itself in operation, as it is completely inert to the effects of moisture and fire. In addition, this material may slightly change color depending on the lighting conditions, which gives it even greater uniqueness;
- mosaic made of stone is quite rare due to the high price, and care for it is difficult;
- metal mosaic is quite durable and practical, only here we can not hope for a variety of shades and colors.
Of the minuses of the mosaic can be noted the complexity of the installation process and in some cases the cost. You need a perfectly flat surface, and grouting should be treated very carefully so that they do not accumulate dirt. Otherwise, it is an excellent material for finishing the apron in the kitchen.
№4.Glass: an unusual and spectacular
Glass is used to finish kitchen aprons not so long ago, but in vain. This is an excellent material that meets all the requirements for this area. Glass panels with a pattern printed on them are also called skinali .They are made of thick tempered glass and decorated in various ways: by sandblasting, placing inside a 3D polycarbonate material, or using ultraviolet printing. Sandblasting involves exposing the surface of the glass to small abrasive particles under high pressure, as a result of which you can get a relief volume drawing, and for an even more effective result, some areas can be painted with colored enamels. With the help of UV printing you can also get realistic beautiful images, and to put on the glass any ornaments and colors.
The main advantages of this method of finishing:
- high strength, because it is used tempered glass, which is difficult to break, and even with a strong blow it can not hurt anyone, because it shatters into fragments with blunt edges;
- practicality and ease of care, resistance to aggressive detergents, while the appearance of the surface remains unchanged for many years;
- absolute seamless coating that provides excellent hygiene, because the seams will not accumulate dirt and microorganisms develop;
- has a unique appearance, because you can apply absolutely any image: even fruit, even a picture, even your own photo.
As you can see, glass panels, or skinali, are distinguished by high operational and external characteristics, but are not used so often due to for the high cost of material and work on the organization of the apron in this way. Although the glass apron and just wash, but it will have to do regularly, because on its surface all splashes and stains of the are clearly visible. If you wish, it will be very difficult to change the image, and you will have to completely think through the interior beforehand, because if later it turns out that you need to organize a railing in the area of the working area, then this will not work. But the glass apron can be very efficiently illuminated, and it will acquire a 3D effect.
№5.PVC panels: cheap and practical
The use of plastic panels for finishing a kitchen apron is , one of the most cost-efficient ways for the to organize working area space. In addition to the price, this material has a lot of other advantages :
- ease of installation , because almost everyone can cope;
- ease of care , the panels are very easy to clean and withstand even the effects of aggressive chemicals;
- moisture resistance ;
- durability , and plastic over time does not lose its original appearance;
- 's ability to withstand temperatures up to 1150C , but before buying it is important to ask about the fire resistance of the material;
- the seams between the panels can be decorated with special corners , which can even be chosen to match the railing or kitchen furniture.
A variety of colors plastic panels do not shine: you can choose the right material for the kitchen interior, but it will be far from unique, and it is quite possible that you will find exactly the same in the neighboring kitchen. But it is not so scary. It is much worse that plastic panels are easily scratched by , so you need to be careful when handling them.
№6.PVC film - a temporary solution
If you need to make a quick and inexpensive temporary repair, it makes sense to look at the PVC film. For a while, just before you do a normal repair, she is able to serve normally. Its main advantage is the low cost of the .In addition, the range of colors of such films is huge: natural materials, landscapes, ornaments, etc. You can cope with the sticking of such material independently, the film is resistant to mechanical damage, but at that its advantages come to an end.
This material can gradually burn out under the influence of sunlight, it is afraid of high temperatures, and if damaged, it can not be restored. You can use it as a temporary kitchen finish, but it is not suitable for permanent use.
№7.MDF panels: a budget and practical option
You can make a kitchen apron from MDF panels: it will be inexpensive, but it will be much more practical than finishing from a film or PVC plates. The main advantages of of this method of finishing the working wall:
- moisture resistance and strength ;
- fast production of , because, as a rule, such an apron is created together with a kitchen set;
- easy installation .The walls do not need careful preliminary preparation, and the panels can be fixed either on the frame or with the help of liquid nails. If you need to replace the apron, you can make it very simple - you do not even need to remove the furniture;
- seamless coating , and this is important in the conditions of the kitchen work area;
- beautiful appearance : such panels can imitate ceramic tiles, stone, wood, brick, and recently a bright pattern is applied to the material so that the apron becomes a real highlight of the kitchen.
But the material, unfortunately, has drawbacks:
- use to clean the surface can be far not all detergents .Too active substances can adversely affect the material, spoiling its appearance and performance;
- combustibility is , therefore it is better to use MDF panels only in those kitchens where an electric or induction stove is installed.
No. 8.Natural and artificial stone
Natural stone for the organization of the apron is used very rarely, but if used, it is often granite. Although the material is moisture resistant, withstands high temperatures, it is heavy and expensive, and requires special care. Often a stone apron is created in continuation of the stone worktop.
An alternative to natural stone - is an artificial analogue of , which is second only in terms of strength, and wins over all other characteristics. Artificial stone can imitate any breed of natural, it looks great in the interior. In addition, it is moisture resistant, withstands high temperatures, fat stains and various products will not leave a trace on it, and in terms of care, it is quite simple. At the same time, the price and weight of it are significantly lower than those of a natural stone, therefore, the can safely finish the working wall in this way.
# 9.Mirror: original, but troublesome
Mirror apron will be a real highlight of any kitchen. It is capable of visually increasing the room of the visually, so this is a good option for the smallest kitchens. The mirror is not afraid of moisture , and high temperatures, drops of fat, detergents are not able to cause him harm. This is a very original way of finishing that will transform the kitchen.
The drawbacks of a mirror apron are probably more than the advantages of , although the issue should be considered individually in each particular case. The ability to reflect and double the area of the room can play a cruel joke: the amount of dirty dishes will also be doubled .In the kitchen, humidity is often high, so the mirror can fog out the , and its appearance deteriorates. But much worse will look like a mirror when it gets sprayed with water and fat. Of course, to wipe it and put in order is easy, but such a procedure with active cooking will have to be carried out constantly.
# 10.Metal: ideal for high-tech style
. The metal apron will fit only into the interior in the modern style .The advantages of such a solution are: durability, resistance to fire and water, chemicals .At the same time, it is necessary to put up with the fact that all spatter, stains and spots are clearly visible on the metal. They will need to be wiped regularly to provide the coating with a perfect appearance, but it is not that difficult, especially since you can get rid of dirt pretty quickly.
The main minus of the of such a finish lies in its cold appearance, and there are very few possible colors. It is important to think very well about the interior of the kitchen so that such an apron looks really organic and stylish. Moreover, this material very well reflects the light, so you need to think about the lighting system so as not to get a room with an abundance of glare and sunbeams.
# 11.How to originally organize a kitchen apron?
can be finished with paint or plaster with , of course, with maximum water resistance, but if you cook something more or less often, then this option is not suitable, especially when it comes to light-colored finishes.
In addition to all the ways described above to organize a working wall, there is also a lot of unusual, creative options , which will emphasize your individuality and make the kitchen unique. Here are just some of them:
- use broken and whole pieces of ceramic tiles and utensils. You will first need to lay out all the fragments on the floor or on the table, and then carefully mount them on the wall. Comes out stylish and original;
- remnants of parquet can also come in handy. It is fixed on a sheet of moisture-resistant chipboard, for example, a herringbone, and near the cooking surface an additional panel of transparent tempered glass is mounted on top to protect the material in the most critical area;
- wine corks is a great way to organize the space of a kitchen apron, however, you will need a lot of them - about 1000 for an apron, 2 meters long. They can be cut along in half in order to be used more economically, and it will be easier to fix them this way. You can cut the cork in the cross, and also get the original effect. It is better to glue them not on the wall, but on a sheet of moisture-resistant chipboard, in order to further facilitate the dismantling process. They cover such an apron with hardened glass so that, with the original appearance, they retain the performance characteristics necessary for the working area. Finding such a number of traffic jams is not as difficult as it seems: you can ask around in bars and restaurants or even search on the bulletin boards;
- pebbles is a great alternative to granite and other rocks, however, the installation process is quite troublesome, because each pebble will have to be wiped out manually;
- wallpaper .Using wallpaper in the working area of the kitchen seems wild, but if you cover them with a glass panel, then everything falls into place. You can use any wallpaper, and the removable glass panel can be periodically removed and changed the coating: the kitchen interior can be updated very quickly. In the same way, a piece of fabric can be hidden under the glass, which also looks very original;
- slate paint is great for the kitchen area, because you can wash it as much as you like, remember school boards. Slate paint can be painted part of the kitchen apron or completely all. In any case, in addition to a practical solution, you also get the original interior, because on this surface you can write recipes, reminders, draw pictures, etc.
Everyone, if he thinks a little, will be able to offer his own original finish for a kitchen apron, but the main thing is to make this zone not only pretty, but also practical.
At the end of the
, the kitchen apron is regularly exposed to negative influences: splashes of water, drops of grease and various foods, high temperature, frequent washing. All this makes the search for the most practical and resistant to all this material. Everyone wants the kitchen to be also pretty, stylish and harmonious, therefore another requirement is put forward to the finishing material - a pleasant appearance. In addition to ceramic tiles, there are plenty of other ways to decorate the working wall of the kitchen: when choosing one or another option, it is important to relate all the pros and cons, consider how the material fits into the conditions of the kitchen, and only then decide.
