Requirements for apron material
When choosing modules in the catalog of kitchen aprons, you should pay attention to the characteristics of the selected material. The basis for creating a protective coating over the hob must meet a number of requirements:
- Strength of the material. The strong structure gives the material resistance to mechanical deformation.
- Moisture resistant. The presence of an apron requires frequent cleaning of the work area, and therefore the coating should not be afraid of moisture.
- High temperature resistance. The heat from the hob can damage some of the materials used to create backsplashes.
In addition, they pay attention to the appearance, presence of decor and environmental indicators. The manufacturing technology should not use toxic or flammable varnishes and paints.
What is a kitchen apron
A kitchen apron is a finishing material that protects part of the wall from the table to the upper cabinets (sometimes the height can exceed the height of the cabinets depending on the location of the cabinets) near the stove, sink, and cutting table.
This surface is constantly exposed to high temperatures, the adhesion of splashes of grease and steam, forming a coating, therefore special requirements are placed on the finishing of the apron.
Which apron to choose for the kitchen, what materials to choose, what to pay attention to when selecting and installing, how to properly care for it to extend the life of the coating.
Material for creating an apron
Today, any buyer has the opportunity to first familiarize himself with a photo of a kitchen apron, its main materials and properties. In construction supply stores, each client will be offered a huge range of products: any color and composition, texture and cost. The most common options are:
- Ceramic tile.
- Tempered glass modules.
- Plastic panels.
- MDF panels.
- Artificial or natural stone.
- Mirror panels.
- Mosaic covering.
It is worth noting! Gypsum panels or decorative plaster are very rarely used. Such materials can decorate any room, but they do not meet the requirements. Plaster and gypsum stucco are used only for decorative kitchen or dining areas.
Wood fiber materials
A common disadvantage of all types in this category is flammability. No matter how you treat chipboard, MDF and plywood with fire retardants, the material will burn, although reluctantly. However, if an electric or induction hob is installed in the kitchen, there is no such danger.
Chipboard apron
Chipboard and plywood are the most budget-friendly finishing options.
They, of course, do not live up to the standard of tiles:
- Chipboard is no less afraid of moisture than fire. With constant dampness, the material swells and warps, and near the stove and sink these factors are especially strong;
- the finish is lightweight and easy to install with your own hands;
- can have a variety of designs - laminated with film, most often imitates wood, but can also reproduce stone.
- A chipboard-based laminated apron is not durable.
The photo shows a chipboard finish.
MDF apron
MDF, compared to chipboard, seems to be a more practical option, since it is less afraid of moisture and has the same or even greater resistance to temperature changes. So the panels near the stove - even a gas one - do not need to be updated after a couple of years. MDF kitchen finishing standard is supported.
MDF is stronger and more varied in design. It’s hard to even list what options there are for an MDF apron.
- Laminated material most often reproduces the structure and color of wood with greater accuracy than chipboard. The same material for the worktop and kitchen apron looks interesting.
- MDF, coated with an acrylic film - matte or glossy, is the basis of most modern headsets. However, some effects – the same “chameleon” – are not available here.
- MDF with acrylic panels is a completely new material, as reviews confirm. Insensitive to moisture and steam and with rich decorative possibilities: bright gloss, pearl shine, chameleon effect, photo printing with any image - just a short list.
The photo shows acrylic panels with a “chameleon” effect. - Photo printing is also possible on the surface of both MDF and chipboard, but on acrylic panels it is, of course, more impressive and more durable. Installation of the material is very simple and can be done with your own hands.
How to install an apron made of a material such as MDF in the kitchen is described in the following video.
Unusual materials
The finishing material can be of very different types.
- Unusual for a kitchen backsplash is the solid wood finish. This option does not combine well with high humidity, steam and hot splashes. Solid wood products, of course, are protected with special varnishes, but this is still a solution for an induction or electric stove.
The photo shows the kitchen trim with wood. - An interesting option made from cork. Corks are purchased from restaurants, cafes and other establishments, where they are simply thrown away, and fixed to the wall using ordinary glue. The plugs can be installed both vertically and horizontally. If there is a large quantity, corks can be selected according to size and shade to create a kind of mosaic. The material, of course, needs protection, so the plugs on top are covered with transparent tempered glass and fixed through the plugs to the wall. This option is made only with your own hands.
The photo shows a cork mosaic. - No less original than corks is a laminate apron. We use a waterproof laminate, selected according to color and structure. The material, by the way, can imitate both wood and stone. It is secured with liquid nails, and an aluminum profile is used for edging, ensuring the tightness of the joint between the apron and the tabletop. Installation is easy to do with your own hands.
In the next video you can see how a laminate apron is assembled.
Ceramic tile
Kitchen backsplash tiles are the best option for any interior style. A huge selection of materials differing in color, decor, shape, size and texture. In a hardware store you can find a kitchen model in a wide price range. Tiled modules are quite durable and resistant to moisture and elevated temperatures. It is easy to carry out wet cleaning and remove any types of dirt.
Ceramics are non-toxic and not dangerous to others. Due to its structure, it does not absorb unpleasant odors, and the appearance does not deteriorate during operation.
Plastic panels for kitchen
Kitchen aprons made of plastic are used quite often. The material is affordable and comes in a wide variety of colors and textures. The smooth surface and moisture resistance allow for wet cleaning as needed. The disadvantage of the practical use of a plastic apron for the kitchen is that the coating is easy to scratch, and some types of dirt cannot be erased.
Plastic panels
Polyvinyl chloride panels appeared on the market relatively recently, but have already earned people's love. Making a kitchen apron from plastic is quite simple, quick, and most importantly, you can fit into even the most modest budget.
However, it is worth immediately noting that this option is only suitable as a temporary one, since the operational characteristics of the material will not allow it to serve for more than 5 years.
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Apron made of MDF panels
The advantages of using this material are:
- Decorative appearance.
- Natural materials.
- Easy to install the coating with your own hands.
- Relatively low cost of material.
Unfortunately, in some respects, an MDF kitchen apron is inferior to all previous coatings:
- High humidity and high temperatures negatively affect the appearance of the coating. During operation, the material will lose its original original appearance.
- Due to the porous structure, the panels absorb odors, and greasy deposits and soot can eat into the surface layers of the material.
A significant plus is that the panels are easy to replace (they do not require preliminary leveling of the walls, and the price is affordable for the buyer).
Mirror panels for apron
To decorate the apron above the hob, you can also use mirror panels, which are durable and have a pleasant appearance. Thanks to glossy tints and original colors, they “refresh” the interior and highlight the decor of the kitchen set.
In addition, it has a smooth surface that is very easy to clean. The coating is resistant to moisture and chemicals (detergents), which greatly facilitates the cleaning process.
Tile kitchen backsplash
Since ceramic tiles are resistant to moisture, high temperatures and chemicals, they are durable and affordable. It is the most popular material for finishing a kitchen apron. The only drawback of this coating is the seams, which are capable of absorbing liquid and various contaminants. But special waterproof materials will help solve this problem.
Ceramic tiles can come in different colors and shapes. Modern kitchen design style involves the use of square and hexagonal models. In the classic design, more decorative options can be used.
The tiles are suitable for decorating an entire wall and combine well with other materials. Working with such material requires certain skills, and cladding work is a fairly messy process. You also need to take into account that updating the design of a kitchen with tiles often will not work. Therefore, you need to approach its choice responsibly.
Installation of a kitchen apron
The decision on the method of installation of the coating depends on the selected material:
- For coverings such as stone, decorative shawls or mosaic structures, you will need more than just the help of a specialist. In this case, a mandatory stage of repair work will be leveling and plastering the walls.
- For plastic panels, MDF and some types of tiles, pre-treatment is not required.
In other cases, the amount of preparatory work will depend on the quality of the wall coverings, the presence of construction defects, as well as the presence or absence of a complex pattern on the apron.
The apron above the hob is an extremely important element of the kitchen interior. Decorative coating not only performs a practical function, but also plays an aesthetic role, emphasizing the features of the style.
