The design and the final price of the future kitchen depends largely on the facades. Therefore, choosing a new kitchen in the salon, the first thing you need to pay attention to is the doors and only then the frame, the filling, the accessories, etc.
For those who are planning to buy a new MDF kitchen, we have prepared 10 main tips of its choiceA small selection of real photos that will help you navigate.
A bit of theory about the material
- Abbreviation MDF( MDF) - stands for Medium Density Fiberboard and in translation means "fibreboard medium density."In short, MDF is a material of compressed sawdust “bound” by resins.
- Kitchens MDF is more correctly called “kitchens with MDF fronts”, because its frame, shelves and walls are most often made of laminated chipboard and less often - from plywood and MDF;
How is MDF better than chipboard and wood?
- Variability of decoration and design( compared to chipboard).The basis of MDF can be: painted, enameled( matte / glossy enamel), covered with plastic film, veneer, patina( pictured below) and can even have a concave / convex shape and milling;
- Higher wear, heat and moisture resistance, tolerance to external influences. Wooden facades can be scratched, cracked, crack over time, and fasteners in the chipboard doors are quicker;
- Cheaper than wood.
Than MDF facades are worse than wooden and "chipboard"?
- MDF is more expensive than chipboard and weighs more, therefore, cases are rarely made;
- MDF is less noble and durable. The tree wins in environmental friendliness, “holds” fasteners longer and is subject to restoration.
The average life of an MDF kitchen is 10 years or more when used carefully.
10 tips for an
- buyer. The ends are the weakest part of MDF facades and the main indicator of kitchen quality. If its durability is important to you, then choose the facades in an aluminum profile or with an ABS edge( 1.2-1.5 mm).Furniture of premium class should be trimmed with veneer or wood, but the worst choice would be facades with edges of melamine.
- A set with straight facades, located in one row, will cost less than a corner with rounded facades by 10-15%.An example of kitchen design with curved facades is shown in the photo below( scroll to the right).
- When buying a headset, ask the seller what type of emission is MDF, or rather ask for certificates. Remember that the material class E1 - more environmentally friendly and high quality, but the MDF class E2 emits formaldehyde( in the open form) and is prohibited in the production of children's furniture.
- In the shops, you probably will like the facades with high-gloss finish, which is achieved in three ways:
- by painting the MDF board with colored enamels in several layers. MDF enamelled facades - the most expensive( sometimes more expensive than the kitchen of the array), becausevery thermo-, wear-and moisture-resistant, durable and amenable to restoration;
- coated with acrylic plastics. Minus - scratch, but at the same time they are amenable to restoration by polishing;
- is applied high gloss PVC film. This is the most affordable option, but more than any other subject to deformation from moisture and mechanical stress.
By the way, the most popular glossy cuisines from MDF are light shades: white, beige, cream.
- MDF facades, veneered from all sides with veneer( thin cut 0.2-1 mm thick) are outwardly indistinguishable from wooden panels, but more affordable. At the same time, they are more thermal and moisture resistant, although their surface also requires careful handling. This combination can be called one of the best. In the photo below is an example of a kitchen with lower facades painted with enamel and upper ones with veneer finish.
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Kitchen from MDF with enamel gloss finish and veneer walnut veneer -
Kitchen from MDF with enamel gloss finish and veneer walnut veneer
- There are two choices in the “Medium-priced” façade category:
- MDF products in MDF-coated foil case; - cost a little more than film facades, but also higher in quality, more moisture and heat resistance;
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Facades coated with paper-laminated plastic -
Facades coated with paper-laminated plastic
- products made of MDF in PVC film - somewhat lose in terms of operating characteristics of the first option, but cost a little cheaper and provides more opportunities for decoration and design. For example, you can choose classic facades with milling. Minus - they are afraid of high temperatures, for example, prolonged exposure to steam from a boiling kettle.
- And finally, the cheapest option is MDF fronts with paper resin film( photo below).Such kitchens are gradually losing demand and leaving the market because of very low quality - the coating quickly cleaves and swells from the water, but with the role of a temporary or country kitchen such headsets will cope perfectly well.
- Keep in mind that even though MDF is considered to be a mid-level material, the price of facades largely depends on the specifics of the finish. So, MDF panels with metallic, pearl, chameleon, and other effects are more expensive than natural wood facades.
- When choosing a headset, specify whether the company undertakes to manufacture facades of non-standard sizes or only standard formats are available( usually 30, 45, 60 and 90 cm wide) for the layout.
- And now a little about the manufacturers. Russian-made high-quality facades are offered by the well-known brands Maria, Kitchen Yard, Zov, Elt and Atlas-Lux. By the way, most professional designers work with these firms. The facades of European production are significantly more expensive, including because of their widespread fame. But we must pay tribute to them - the quality of not only the facades and their coatings, but also the chipboard frames they have is very high. Pay attention to the following brands: Italian Aster Cucine, Scavolini, Pedini, Snaidero, etc.( for lovers of classic kitchens), Czech Hanak( decent quality and relatively affordable prices), German ALNO( for those looking for facades with photo printing and unusual effects) and Nolte Kuchen( famous for their modern-style kitchens).
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