An apron for the kitchen is designed to protect the base from heat, grease and spray droplets from plant food, which means that certain characteristics should be taken into account when selecting material.
Criteria for choosing a material for a kitchen apron
An apron for the kitchen is designed to protect the base from heat, grease and droplets splashing from vegetable food, which means that the following characteristics should be considered when selecting material.
Dimensions
When determining the size of the apron, you must adhere to the following rules:
- the extreme points of the apron in height should overlap the lower and upper cabinets by 20-30 mm;
- the overall height of the apron is from 450 to 600 mm (depending on the height of the people who will cook in the kitchen);
- the width of the apron must necessarily overlap the working areas at the stove and sink. It looks beautiful when the protection covers the entire line of the headset;
- when installing an apron over a gas stove, you must consider the minimum distance from the surface of the stove to the hood (750-800 mm);
- if there are no upper cabinets, the wall protection should be brought up to the ceiling.
Colour
The color scheme of the apron should be in harmony with the overall decoration of the room and the color of the headset. Designer's advice comes down to the following recommendations:
- universal colors for the kitchen space are: white, beige and cream;
- it is undesirable to use shades of blue and purple;
- bright red and orange inserts will contribute to arousal of appetite;
- if the kitchen has a white suite, it is better to make an apron from dark or colored materials;
- gray design is recommended to be diluted with bright colored mosaic;
- dark-colored wooden furniture is diluted with light tones;
- in kitchen sets made of MDF for natural wood, aprons will also look good, also imitating wood, but by a tone or two lighter;
- for spaces that are poorly provided with natural light, you need to select light, bright colors.
Style
Material and texture should fit the general stylistic decision of the room and furniture. For certain styles and finishes, the following options are recommended for making an apron in the kitchen:
- ceramic tiles from Italy - the ideal solution for spaces in the loft style;
- mosaic tiles or glass will enrich the appearance of eclecticism;
- for kitsch it is recommended to use mirror tiles;
- Mediterranean color will allow creating panels on ceramics;
- stone (natural or artificial) will organically fit into the solemn Victorian style;
- metal and glass will find their place in high-tech.
Types of materials for the apron in the kitchen
Traditional materials and new products in the construction industry allow homeowners to choose their own custom solution for finishing the kitchen space. To find the optimal solution for specific operating conditions, it is recommended that you first study what manufacturers offer. So, what to make a kitchen apron on the wall?
Ceramic tile
The traditional and most familiar solution is ceramic tile. The characteristics of these products allow you to get reliable and beautiful wall protection, which is not susceptible to the main problems: high temperatures, humidity and stains of grease.
Modern industry offers many types of ceramic tiles, and therefore the owner of the apartment will not have problems finding the right solution for any style and design.
Pros:
- moisture resistance;
- easy to clean with ordinary detergents;
- fat does not penetrate the structure of the material, and odors do not impregnate it;
- low weight of one ceramic tile, which allows one master to work;
- excellent resistance to mechanical stress;
- service life not less than 25 years;
- immunity to heat from open flames;
- environmental Safety;
- Large selection of colors, patterns, shapes and styles.
Minuses:
- violation of the technological process during masonry can lead to the destruction of joints and the penetration of water under the coating, which causes the detachment of individual elements;
- improper grouting of the joints becomes the cause of foci of fungus and mold.
Considering possible problems, the customer should choose an experienced craftsman to install the tiles in the kitchen. The cost varies from 500 to 3500 per m2.
Natural and artificial stone
Plates made of natural or artificial stone give the interior status of the kitchen. Typically, porcelain tiles are used for an apron, natural polished slabs except marble (marble can accumulate moisture and odors), specially prepared tiles made of concrete or gypsum, large polished pebbles look original on the wall.
Pros:
- immunity to high humidity;
- easy to clean;
- long term of operation;
- attractive appearance;
- environmental friendliness.
Minuses:
- high price;
- difficult repair and restoration;
- complexity of installation.
It is recommended to apply design with natural or artificial stone in the interiors of the classical style. The cost is from 2500 to 8500 rubles. per m2.
Glass
Glass is a universal material that will suit any style of kitchen design. Particularly interesting are products with photo printing. To install an apron in the kitchen, you need to choose only durable heat-resistant glass.
Pros:
- moisture resistance;
- immunity to high temperatures;
- the possibility of applying different colors and patterns;
- glass does not absorb fumes and grease;
- universality in terms of design;
- environmental friendliness;
- long term of operation.
Minuses:
- high price;
- heavy weight of finished products;
- the need for pre-ordering sizes;
- ordinary glass of large thickness is not reliable enough - you have to order tempered and, accordingly, more expensive.
The cost is from 500 to 2500 rubles. per m2.
Plastic panels
To equip the apron, manufacturers produce special panels made of polyvinyl chloride with a width of 450 mm, but it is also possible to install standard panels or PVC lining. This material attracts consumers with the possibility of a large selection of colors, low price and ease of installation, but when using PVC panels in the kitchen, their shortcomings and advantages should be taken into account.
Pros:
- affordable price;
- You can choose panels without seams;
- simple installation and low weight of the material;
- if the panel is damaged, it is easy to replace;
- the material is resistant to moisture;
- a wide variety of patterns and colors.
Minuses:
- service life no more than 5 years;
- appearance does not always correspond to advertising materials;
- it is impossible to mount the panels near the hob without protecting the surface with glass;
- the surface of PVC is easily damaged by mechanical stress;
- panels should only be cleaned with liquid products without abrasives;
- molds and fungi may form in the gap between the wall and the inner surface of the panels;
- PVC emits fumes when heated;
- fat is poorly removed from the surface and the panels turn yellow over time.
The option of finishing the PVC apron is suitable for equipping the kitchen space in the economy segment, for example, when renting an apartment (inexpensive material is easily mounted and, if necessary, simply replaced).
The cost is from 140 to 550 rubles. per m2.
Metal
Equipping metal aprons with stainless steel sheets in the kitchen is not the most popular solution, but for rooms designed in hi-tech or techno style, this option is considered the most suitable.
For design, sheets with a smooth and corrugated surface are used, which allows you to choose the best solution for any type of interior.
Pros:
- metal is resistant to high temperatures;
- does not accumulate odors;
- does not absorb fats;
- not afraid of moisture;
- easy to wash;
- high strength.
Minuses:
- it is possible to clean metal sheets from dirt only with liquid products and a soft sponge;
- high price.
Cost from 5500 rub. per m2.
MDF
Due to the wide variety of colors and textures, MDF panels can be selected for any interior and design. The material looks especially good in combination with wood furniture or its imitation.
Given the low cost and ease of installation, MDF panels are often used in country houses.
Pros:
- the material is not afraid of mechanical stress;
- with daily care, the material retains its original appearance for a long time;
- MDF surface is resistant to high humidity;
- fastening the panels is not difficult, a beginner will also cope with the task.
Minuses:
- when heated, the material emits the evaporation of formaldehyde resins;
- the material is flammable; it cannot be fixed in close proximity to a gas stove;
- water falling onto an unprotected film surface contributes to the swelling of the material and the formation of mold or fungus;
- do not use abrasive products to clean the panels;
- MDF with an acrylic protective film quickly lose their original appearance.
This material is suitable for the equipment of the kitchen area in the country, since it can be purchased quite cheaply. Compared to other materials, this is the most budgetary solution. Cost from 300 rub. per m2.
Material Comparison
What is the best way to make an apron? Does the owner of a house or apartment decide on the basis of financial opportunities and tasks that need to be solved? A table will help you figure this out, where all the strengths and weaknesses of the materials reviewed are summarized, as well as short recommendations for those who do not like to leaf through material for a long time in search of an answer.
Material | Practicality | Heat resistance | Moisture resistance | Easy installation | Life time |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ceramics | + | + | + | - | + |
Mosaic | - | + | + | - | + |
MDF | - | - | - | + | - |
Glass | + | + | + | - | + |
Plastic | + | - | + | + | + |
Mirror | - | + | + | - | + |
A rock | + | + | + | - | + |
Metal | - | + | + | - | + |
Laminate | + | - | - | + | - |
The best option for value for money
The most inexpensive solution for wall decoration will be MDF or plastic panels, which are easy to mount with your own hands. The most expensive option would be to use natural stone or expensive tile with panels.
Glass will cost a lot, while due to photo printing on the wall you can create the most fashionable and unique design of the space.
It is most beneficial to combine different materials to protect individual areas in the room. For example, for the eating area, you can use cheap plastic panels, and for the cooking place, use standard tile or decorative stone.
What can be done instead of an apron
If it is impossible to equip the apron with traditional methods, it is recommended to protect the surface in the following ways:
- Paint the surface with waterproof glossy paint. Pre-align the wall and finish with a suitable primer.
- Stick wallpaper based on materials resistant to moisture (non-woven, vinyl). It should be remembered that the wallpaper can easily ignite if they are located close to the gas stove.
- Plaster. For surface finishing, you should choose mineral or synthetic materials with the addition of pigments that are suitable in color to the kitchen set.
- Use special resistant paint for slate boards.