Initially, kitchen aprons were made mainly from ceramic tiles; moisture-resistant paint was also used for this purpose. Currently, kitchen aprons made of glass, which have many advantages, are becoming increasingly popular. This material is practical, has visual appeal and fits perfectly into the interior of rooms made in a variety of styles.
Advantages and disadvantages
The main advantages of a glass apron:
- High hygiene due to the absence of irregularities, bulges and grout joints that tend to accumulate dirt.
- Huge selection of various design options.
- Easy to install glass panels.
- The ability of glass surfaces to visually enlarge the kitchen space and fill it with light.
- Aesthetic and attractive appearance.
- Possibility of installing additional lighting.
- Glass will reliably protect noble surfaces made of wood or natural stone from external aggressive influences, and at the same time will not hide their beauty and texture.
Disadvantages of glass panels:
- A glass panel in its finished form cannot be cut into pieces; it is impossible to drill additional holes in it and adjust its dimensions - this must be taken into account when arranging a kitchen splashback made of glass.
- The cost of a glass panel is quite high.
- In some interiors, a glass apron looks out of place (shabby chic, Provence, classic, country styles).
Despite the presence of some disadvantages, the advantages of installing a glass panel as a kitchen apron still prevail.
Using a glass apron in different interior styles
Thanks to the huge variety of ways to decorate a glass kitchen apron, it can be installed in a wide variety of interiors, both modern and classic.
High tech
Perhaps the most ideal option. When arranging such an interior, you can confidently use any glass: with photo printing, transparent, with a pattern. You should not use only frosted glass, giving preference to a glossy surface.
On the back of the panel you can apply a photo print or a design that matches the general theme of the interior - this could be an image of a night city, a complex geometric print, stripes, squares, reproductions of paintings by famous impressionists, and so on.
The ideal completion of the design will be lighting.
Minimalism
The interior in this style will also be decorated with a glass kitchen apron. A completely transparent panel will look original, demonstrating the natural surface of the wall. Or the glass can simply be painted in one single color that harmonizes with the overall decor of the kitchen. Photo printing, patterns or prints would also look appropriate.
Classic
When arranging an interior in a classic style, it is recommended to use frosted glass. An appropriate design can be applied to such a surface - it can be a delicate floral pattern, gilding, or even a reproduction of a classical painting. The main thing is that the panel fits organically into the chosen style and does not discord with it.
You should refrain from using glossy surfaces, since in this case they will not be entirely appropriate.
What basic qualities should a glass kitchen apron have?
The glass apron must completely match the shape and size of the surface on which it will be installed. In addition, it must be durable and reliable, so you should not save money and choose the cheapest model.
A glass kitchen apron of proper quality will last a long time without losing its functional and aesthetic qualities. When choosing a glass panel for installation in a small kitchen, preference should be given to a glossy rather than matte surface - it perfectly reflects light and makes the room more spacious.
Advantages of a matte apron
Let's look at the main reasons to buy a half-transparent glass frosted splashback for a modern kitchen:
- Durability - durable glass apron designed for the kitchen will serve you for decades.
- Resistance to mechanical stress – we make the apron from thick, tempered glass that can withstand severe mechanical loads.
- Practicality - glass is easy to clean. For cleaning, it is enough to use ordinary household cleaning products.
- Resistant to temperature changes.
- Environmental friendliness - glass is the safest material and does not contain harmful impurities.
- A large selection of glass design options, the ability to create an exclusive design using matting, photo printing and other methods.
Kinds
Modern manufacturers offer a large selection of glass splashback models made using advanced technologies. The most popular of them should be considered in detail.
Clear glass panels
They are matte or transparent. The advantage of a transparent panel is that it is practically invisible, it completely dissolves on the surface and is not noticeable. At the same time, such an apron perfectly fulfills its main function - it provides reliable protection from moisture and dirt to a wall covered with wallpaper, painted or decorated in any other way. Frosted glass does not create glare and looks more discreet.
Panels with photo printing on glass
Such panels are called “skinali”. Any image that the kitchen owner likes is applied to the back surface of the glass, this is done using a special technology. The special ink used in this process does not fade in the sun, is not afraid of high humidity and can easily withstand temperatures up to 120 degrees. There is only one drawback of such a panel - the pattern can quickly get boring, and then you will have to completely reinstall the kitchen apron.
Painted Colored Glass Panel
This surface of the kitchen apron looks very bright and stylish. If desired, you can choose a color scheme that fits perfectly into the interior of the room. To make colored glass panels, the material stemalite is used, a pattern is applied to the inner surface of which, after which the glass is thermally treated. This surface will last a long time, remaining colorful and attractive.
Panel with a pattern printed on vinyl decorative film
This option is quite budget-friendly. A pre-prepared film with a pattern is applied to the inner surface of the glass panel. The disadvantage is that the film can fade over time, peel off or wrinkle. However, if you choose quality materials, this will not happen.
Panel made of triplex (tempered glass)
This kitchen apron is a structure made of laminated glass with different thicknesses. The pattern applied to it is perfectly protected from any external aggressive influence, since it is reliably “baked” in the middle of the glass “sandwich”.
It will be very difficult to break such a panel, because even with a strong impact it will simply become covered with cracks, but will not crumble. The disadvantage of this option for arranging a kitchen apron is the high cost of triplex and its impressive thickness. In addition, it is quite difficult to cut it to fit all the existing roof rails and sockets.
Mirror panel
This kitchen apron looks very aesthetically pleasing, and it visually increases the size of the room. Since not every person wants to admire their own reflection while cooking, mirror panels are not often installed in the kitchen.
What is this?
The apron was thrown off - wall panels made of glass, on which a drawing was often applied.
Glass kitchen aprons are a modern design trend that fits seamlessly into any kitchen space. The magnificence and uniqueness of the skin for decorating the work area is amazing. Glass panels are another design technique that allows you to move away from boring decor; they give the kitchen originality and uniqueness.
Often, individual decorative elements are installed on the skinali, which emphasize the design and beauty of the design. Spot lighting is a creative idea that can be used to not only highlight individual elements of a picture, but also highlight the composition in the right places. These aprons have a beneficial effect on people's emotional state. The design makes the kitchen beautiful and comfortable to stay in.
Application in classic kitchen
Skinali is a universal design. Although many designers advise using this element in modern design , it is worth noting that it is also great for a classic kitchen.
Nowadays it is very fashionable to use a mixture of styles. A glass apron can be an excellent addition to a classic interior , diluting it with a colored accent.
A skinali apron with a city landscape or night streets printed on it, with an image of a summer cafe or French buns, will fit perfectly into the classic style.
Many designers do not recommend using paintings or drawings with a lot of color on the skinali - there should be only three shades, otherwise the room will feel disorganized.
Using the backlight
Properly selected lighting will literally transform a glass kitchen apron and significantly increase its decorative value. Most often, an LED strip is installed inside such a panel, or along its perimeter, which not only provides effective illumination of the apron itself, but also well illuminates the entire work surface.
At the same time, apartment owners receive significant energy savings. If desired, and depending on the interior of the kitchen, you can use colored or white lighting.
In addition to back or back lighting, side or edge lighting is often used, when an LED lamp is attached to the ends of the panels using an aluminum profile of different colors (gold, silver, cognac shade, and so on).
This type of lighting looks original and is perfect for kitchens whose interior is made in modern styles.
Most popular sizes
There are standard sizes of glass aprons - their height can range from 40 to a maximum of 90 cm. As for the length of the panels, experts do not recommend installing structures whose length exceeds 2.5 meters. If the kitchen is spacious and the work surface is quite large, it would be wiser to use composite panels.
A good craftsman will make sure that the joints are completely invisible. Whatever the size of the room, choosing glass panels of the required size for it will not be difficult.
How to install glass panels
Installation of glass panels does not take much time; the entire process will take the master no more than two hours. This work is not dirty and quite simple, but it is still better to entrust it to a specialist.
There are several ways to attach a glass apron:
- Using special fasteners , the fixation occurs reliably, while the thickness of the glass and its dimensions do not matter. There is no need to prepare the wall and level it before starting work. If necessary, the panel can be quickly dismantled, tidied up and installed in place. The fastener can be hinged or walk-through.
- Using liquid nails or glue - before starting work, you must carefully level the wall, dry it and degrease it. The advantages of this method are that there is no need to fuss with fasteners and tools for drilling the wall. However, mounting on fasteners is considered more reliable.
Requirements for glass kitchen panels
The following requirements :
- The manufacturing material must have high strength.
- Characterized by high moisture resistance and not deformed by temperature changes.
- Caring for panels should take a minimum of time and detergents.
- Skinals must be resistant to mechanical damage, cracks and scratches.
- Have an aesthetic appearance.
- Be durable to use.
- Environmentally safe for humans.
- Be fire resistant.
When choosing such a design, you need to pay special attention to safety; upon impact, the flow should not scatter into many sharp fragments that can cause you to cut yourself.
How much does a glass kitchen splashback cost?
Glass panels offered by modern manufacturers can have very different prices. The price of such an apron depends on several factors: the method of applying the image to the glass, the type of glass itself, the chosen method of installing the panels, the type of surface on which they will be installed, and so on.
Most online stores that sell glass panels offer their customers online calculators that allow you to quickly calculate the cost taking into account all factors. However, please understand that this price will be approximate.
For example, a kitchen apron made of tempered glass with photo printing, the length of which is 250 cm and the height of 60 cm, will cost about 15 thousand rubles. The indicated cost includes all measurements and production itself.
The average cost of a tempered glass apron starts from 5 thousand rubles per 1 sq. m. meter, including fasteners. The cost of glass panels with 3D effect or photo printing is from 9.5 thousand rubles per 1 sq. meter. The minimum cost of tempered glass panels, without drawings and without photo printing, is from 3.5 thousand rubles per 1 sq. m. meter. Tempered glass costs approximately 50% more than so-called “raw” silicate glass.
If the panel is made to order, you will have to wait some time, usually from 10 to 15 days. You will have to pay extra for some additional services - such services include color proofing, apron fitting, creating a layout according to individual parameters, design processing of the selected pattern, installation of additional glass protection with a special film, and so on.
Art
To decorate the skinali, various techniques are used - drawings, photos, adhesive film, painting, dyeing, and so on.
Methods of applying an image
There are a lot of ways to apply patterns to glass panels, ranging from simple solutions to high-tech processes:
- Silk-screen printing is screen printing on glass. Special ink is applied to the stencil, which is subsequently transferred to the inner surface of the glass.
- Laser engraving – allows you to experiment with applying a design inside the glass. The laser machine leaves small grooves in the shape of a pattern on the surface.
- Film – the range of which is amazing in its diversity. Using vinyl, self-adhesive film, they create unusual designs. The disadvantage of this decoration method is its fragility - the film begins to peel.
- Painting – used for decorating glass panels with your own hands. To do this, simply apply a design to the back of the apron using brushes and special paints.
- Sandblasting technology is matting the surface according to a specific pattern.
Important! Often the skins crack at the ends - this is the most vulnerable point of the structure. It is the edges of the apron that are most often exposed to mechanical stress. Therefore, you only need to purchase a glass apron of good quality.
Photo printing
It involves applying photographs or drawings to panels, which are printed on a special printer. Thanks to this technology, it is possible to create deep, three-dimensional images that convey all the splendor of the drawing. The first step is to order the production of a canvas, which is applied with glue to tempered glass. It is worth noting that this decoration of kitchen glass aprons is very durable - the design does not fade or peel off.
Care
As already mentioned, glass kitchen splashbacks are very easy to clean. To keep such a panel clean, it is enough to use ordinary household glass cleaning products, which can be purchased at any supermarket.
They are sprayed onto the entire surface of the apron, after which the panel is wiped with a soft, dry cloth. This procedure should be repeated as the glass panels become dirty. Since the seams in such an apron are either completely absent or almost invisible, dirt does not accumulate on its surface, and the maintenance process does not take much time.
