Which is cheaper, a tile or glass apron? Glass, ceramics or plastic: choose a beautiful and practical apron for the kitchen. Determining the height and dimensions

A kitchen apron is an integral functional and at the same time decorative detail of the interior. In the modern market of construction and finishing materials there is a growing demand for kitchen plastic panels. It should be noted that materials with plastic, including laminated MDF, are in an affordable price category, while the performance characteristics have a significant advantage: acceptable moisture resistance. For optimal protection of kitchen walls, experienced finishers recommend materials made from tempered glass, which are in many ways superior to tiles. It should be noted that tempered glass is distinguished by its unpretentiousness and the ability to implement attractive design ideas. Below are experts' opinions on which apron for the kitchen is better to choose: plastic or glass. It will be useful for you to familiarize yourself with interesting facts.

How to make a professional kitchen apron?

Correct calculation of apron sizes

When marking the dimensions of the apron, you need to add a couple of centimeters in the right places. This approach is needed to ensure that the protective wall finish extends not only under the countertop, but also under the floor and wall-mounted kitchen cabinets.

Sealing seams

The kitchen apron should have a flat, smooth surface with no visible seams. The fact is that, as a rule, particles of dirt and moisture penetrate into the joints, and the cleaning process is quite labor-intensive. To prevent such problems, you should use a silicone-based sealant.

Adding a baseboard

The area where the backsplash and countertop meet needs proper protection. For this purpose, take a plinth, and in addition to it the above-mentioned silicone sealant. If you neglect this point, then water will inevitably enter the area where the floor cabinets are installed. The back walls of such furniture are usually made of wood-fiber sheets; in a humid environment, they tend to become overgrown with mold, become deformed, and swell.

Practical apron

The kitchen needs the right materials. Traditionally, when designing a backsplash, unglazed ceramic tiles and other porous finishing materials are immediately excluded. When selecting a material, it should be taken into account that fat and moisture are firmly fixed in the pores, surface care is difficult, and it provides a favorable environment for the activity of bacteria and dangerous mold.

Glass kitchen apron

Expensive tempered glass is a practical and aesthetically attractive material. This coating has a number of properties similar to time-tested tiles. The glass apron is extremely easy to clean from dirt; moisture accumulation and constant temperature changes do not damage the coating. Purchasing glass material will cost more than tiles, mosaic wall material, chipboard with plastic and MDF. When calculating the cost of an apron, you should also take into account expensive installation using special fasteners, a specific process for creating holes for rails and sockets.

The apron is ideally attached with fasteners specially designed for this purpose, without the need to level the wall or even remove the old tiles. If glue is used to attach the material to the wall, the wall will need to be leveled, the surface must be dry and clean.

Attaching glass material to the wall does not involve dirty work and is done quickly. You can begin installing the apron only after the kitchen set has been installed. The craftsmen carry out the work carefully; this usually takes 2 hours.

A glass kitchen apron has the following positive qualities:

• long-term operation without damage;
• excellent moisture resistance;
• easy care.

Quality material with UV printed image with good ink has a 5 year warranty. The complete opposite is the budget imitation glass coating, made of plexiglass with a pattern on the film. It is necessary to emphasize that grease and water stains and stains are hardly noticeable on a glass apron; in this regard, the material outperforms mosaic or regular tiles. A smooth surface without joints is easy to clean, which cannot be said about an apron with an abundance of seams.

Kitchen apron made of plastic

Description, surface preparation and installation of material

We continue to talk about which apron for the kitchen is better to choose: plastic or glass. Next, we describe the properties of the plastic finish. This option can be called economical. There are several types of material, the most popular are practical panels made of MDF, fiberboard or chipboard, coated with a layer of plastic. The surface imitates wood, mosaic tiles, stone surface. As an alternative, you can choose another type of plastic apron - polycarbonate. MDF boards, resistant to mechanical and moisture factors, are inferior to artificial or natural stone coverings, mosaic finishes, and ceramic tiles, but are sold at an affordable price.

Wood blocks act as the base of the apron; the panels do not adhere to the wall. From this it follows that surface leveling is not required.

MDF panels are easy to work with and installation is accessible to beginners. It is not difficult to create holes for roof rails and sockets.

Main characteristics of the material

A kitchen apron made of plastic panels has the following advantages:

• durability of the material;
• moisture resistance;
• easy care.

It has been noticed that high-quality material made of MDF and plastic can serve for several years without problems. True, the service life is shorter than that of glass and tiles. A plastic apron based on MDF is more resistant to a humid environment than chipboard panels, but in this sense it is inferior to stone, mosaic, tile and glass aprons. To avoid damage, it is worth thoroughly treating the edge and effectively hiding the joints with the tabletop using a plinth. Housewives note that the surface is easy to care for: the smooth and even apron has no joints and can be easily washed with a sponge or soft microfiber.

In addition to the considered options for finishing a kitchen apron, the following are common today: ceramic tiles, natural stone, natural wood, metal, artificial stone or marble, laminate panels, postformed sheets of chipboard and plastic, mosaic tiles, mirror material, plexiglass and panels with built-in lighting .

If you don’t know what is best to make an apron from in the kitchen, then this article is just for you. This room is one of the most important. It is used for cooking and eating, so the space should be designed accordingly. Cleanliness, order, and, of course, beauty - all these are mandatory attributes of the kitchen.

The part of the wall near the work surface, sink and stove gets dirty the fastest, so it is recommended to install a so-called apron here. If you choose the right material for its decoration, it will not only be practical, but will also become a kind of stylish highlight of the space. Let's find out what professional designers advise.

apron and what requirements it must meet

Before you decide what is best to make an apron in the kitchen from, you need to study what requirements are imposed on it and what it represents.

As a rule, such a room is arranged in compliance with parallel lines, that is, the horizontal lower and upper row of cabinets is taken into account. Between them a free wall space is formed, which is called a kitchen apron.

There are certain requirements for its finishing.

• Strength. Do not exclude the possibility of accidental damage to the surface of the apron.
• Moisture resistance. During cooking, the kitchen space is filled with steam, which significantly humidifies the air.
• Environmental friendliness. Harmful substances have no place in areas where people live.
• Hygienic properties. Due to the high level of moisture, fungi, bacteria and other microorganisms can multiply on the surface of the apron. To avoid this, it is better to choose durable materials with a special coating.
• Resistant to temperature changes. In the kitchen, the air either heats up, for example, when using the stove, or cools down, so it is impossible to avoid changes.
• Easy to care for. It is important that the surface of the apron is easily washed from contaminants such as soot, grease, splashes of water and others.
• Design. This criterion plays a purely aesthetic role, but its importance should not be underestimated. The surface design (pattern, color scheme) should fit harmoniously into the overall concept.

Selection of materials

For those who are planning to make their kitchen space beautiful and functional, it is important to understand that it must also be practical. This can only be achieved by choosing the right materials for finishing the main surfaces. So what is the best way to make an apron in the kitchen? First of all, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the entire assortment currently presented in specialized stores. There you can choose excellent options that will meet all your requirements. If the buyer is not limited in funds, then preference can be given to natural stone, mosaic or mirror tiles with bevel. For an average person, glass panels are suitable. They are presented in a wide variety of colors and decorated with all acceptable patterns. If the room is quite spacious, then artificial stone, which is an alternative to expensive natural materials, is perfect. And finally, a budget option is ceramic tiles and PVC panels.

In order to decide what is best to make an apron from in the kitchen, you need to consider each material in detail.

Natural or artificial stone

Stone finishing is ideal for decorating a kitchen apron in large rooms. Its rough, uneven surface will add a certain chic. Square or rectangular slabs are suitable for installation. Their dimensions will directly depend on the height of the kitchen apron. Laying stone on walls is carried out according to the same principle as laying ceramic tiles.

Let us highlight the features of this material.

• High level of moisture and heat resistance.
• Does not emit harmful substances.
• Maximum level of strength of natural stone.
• The artificial analogue, made on the basis of gypsum, is quite fragile.
• Difficult surface care. An uneven front panel is difficult to clean from dirt.

Mosaic

A mosaic kitchen backsplash is currently one of the most popular finishing methods. This was facilitated by the original design. Each drawing has no analogues, it is unique in its kind. Mosaic slabs can be made up of small pieces of glass, ceramics, mirrors, metal, and smalt. There are combined options. As a rule, they combine several different colors - three or more.

Let us highlight the advantages of this material. In addition to strength, resistance to moisture and temperature changes, mosaic allows you to create not only a wide variety of ornaments, but even a memorable photo. Also, this finish harmoniously combines with many interior styles.

If we talk about the disadvantages, then you should pay attention to the complexity of installing a mosaic from pieces of different sizes. It is unlikely that you will be able to cope with this on your own without certain knowledge and skills. You will have to incur additional costs by paying for the work of qualified specialists. It is a little easier to lay mosaics attached to the base. It is glued to the wall, and after drying the seams are treated with a special grout.

Mirror apron

If you need to visually increase the volume of the room, you can use a mirror to decorate the apron. Before installation, you will need to carry out preparatory work. This material is quite capricious: even the slightest unevenness can deform it. Kitchen interiors that combine mirrored and glass aprons look great. This allows you to give the room some originality. To decorate the wall, use mirrors in the form of panels, small tiles or mosaics. All these options look equally impressive.

It has a lot of undeniable advantages. These include the following:

• Visually increases the space.
• Not afraid of moisture.
• Environmentally friendly.
• Fits perfectly into any decor style.
• Doubles the light entering the room.
• Wide selection of finishing forms.

Unfortunately, against the backdrop of these advantages, there are also disadvantages. These, first of all, include the difficulty of caring for the surface. Traces of any dirt remain on the mirror, so the housewife will have to not only wash it every day, but also rub it until it shines. Also complicating cleaning is the fact that abrasives cannot be used. This material is sold at a fairly high price, which makes it available only to a certain category of buyers.

Glass panels

The glass apron for the kitchen has been used relatively recently. For finishing, a material with a thickness of about 8 mm is selected. It must be impact and heat resistant. The popularity of this finish is due to the wide choice of design options. There are options for sale with photo printing, plain, matte and transparent, with a 3D pattern. To apply the image, silk-screen printing or sandblasting is used. Often, in order to complement the interior, LED lighting is installed under the glass surface of the apron.

Let's consider the advantages of this type of finishing:

• When heated, it does not emit harmful substances.
• It has a long service life if handled carefully.
• Easy to care for.
• Resistant to temperature changes, does not absorb moisture.
• Does not deform over time.
• Installation does not take much time. If desired, it can be easily dismantled without damaging the panel.
• Possibility of partial replacement.

It is worth noting that this material also has weaknesses. Many housewives claim that they have to wash it often to keep the kitchen looking neat. The surface is easily scratched if not handled carelessly. When cleaning a glass apron from dirt, under no circumstances should you use brushes with hard bristles.

Installing a glass kitchen splashback

Installation of glass panels is carried out in two ways:

• bolt-on mounting;
• gluing to the wall with a special solution.

Before installation, you will need to carefully level the surface. Any difference, even the most insignificant, can lead to distortion, and the glass will simply crack. Masters do not recommend using canvases longer than two meters. It is better to create compositions from several panels. If the installation is carried out according to the rules, then their joining will not cause problems.

PVC panels

If you want to give your kitchen originality, but don’t have enough money for expensive finishing options, then make an apron out of plastic. You can find different reviews about this material. The reason for this is the insufficient level of resistance to mechanical damage. However, there are no restrictions in design. There are all possible options on sale: plain, colored, with a pattern. The advantages also include:

• Easy installation.
• Excellent for rooms with high humidity levels.
• All dirt can be easily washed off.
• Relatively low cost.

For wall decoration, you can choose panels of different sizes. For example, PVC lining is sold in strips. Their minimum width is 100 mm. Decorated with a pattern imitating the surface of wood. This material resembles an MDF apron, but is much cheaper.

You can purchase a wall sheet. Its minimum dimensions are 2.6 m - length, 150 mm - width. The panels also look quite nice. They vaguely resemble skinali. You can choose different sizes - from 80 cm.

Ceramic tile

The kitchen wall apron is often made of ceramic tiles. This material has long been used in rooms with high humidity. It has a high level of strength, is easy to clean, does not ignite when heated, and grease deposits do not eat into the surface. To finish the apron, you can choose any color scheme and size. Available in square and rectangular tiles.

This material has practically no disadvantages. The only thing that can be attributed to them is the complexity of installation. The process itself is quite labor-intensive and time-consuming. Let's take a closer look at how ceramic tiles are laid.

Preparation for installation

Before decorating the apron, it is necessary to prepare the wall. Step-by-step description of actions:

• The height of the kitchen apron is determined.
• The old cladding is removed.
• If there are differences, they are leveled out.
• A shallow notch is applied using a puncher.
• The surface of the wall is treated with a primer.

How to post

• The tiles are laid only in the direction from bottom to top.
• The wall surface is treated with an adhesive composition.
• It's better to start from an open corner.
• Glue is applied to the tile. Furrows are made with a spatula.
• It is applied to the wall and aligned in parallel.
• Repeat the steps with the other tile.
• A special cross is placed at the joints to maintain the same distance.

It is important to choose the right not only the material, but also the design of the kitchen apron. Professionals recommend paying attention to some details.

• The stone apron is complemented by a tabletop made of the same material.
• Connoisseurs of bright accents will appreciate a finish of three or more colors. However, for the main background it is better to use a solid color design.
• Skinali look modern and original in the interior of the kitchen. They are ideal for rooms of any size.
• The unique design of the apron is created using mosaics.
• If the kitchen is large, then you can combine vertical and horizontal stripes.
• Don’t be afraid to show your imagination by combining different materials, for example, mirror mosaics with plain or colored tiles.

The current market for finishing materials opens up many possibilities for decorating the kitchen space. When selecting materials for finishing, owners of houses and apartments give preference to the most easy-to-maintain and durable materials that have excellent aesthetic properties. Most often, they are faced with the following question: what is better to choose, or tiles, since these are the materials that remain in excellent condition for many years. Each type of finish has its own advantages and disadvantages, which should be taken into account when making your choice.

Advantages and disadvantages

Glass kitchen aprons appeared not so long ago, but immediately became one of the most popular finishing materials. This is due to a number of their advantages:

• skinals can be made with various designs, have many storylines, so they can be used in rooms whose interior is decorated in almost any style;
• glass panels do not have jointing seams, which are subject to rapid contamination and become a source of mold formation;
• kitchen glass aprons are practical because they are easy to clean from various contaminants using any specialized means, and at the same time do not lose their aesthetic properties;
• Skinals are made from glass of the highest strength, due to which they are resistant to high temperatures and mechanical damage.
• a well-chosen kitchen glass apron will match any furniture, harmoniously complementing the decor.

Advantages and disadvantages of tiles

Ceramic tiles can be called a traditional material, which was previously most often used in the design of kitchen space. It is used to decorate walls and floors in the kitchen. The material is offered in a wide variety, which allows you to choose the most suitable option for a particular interior. Tiles have a number of other important advantages:

• the wealth of shades and textures of tiles offered on the market allows you to choose the most suitable room design style;
• the tiles are easy to clean from dirt;
• the material is resistant to high temperatures and mechanical damage;
• tiles can be of different sizes, which opens up great opportunities for creating original decoration of the kitchen space.

The main disadvantage of tiles is the difficulty in laying them. When purchasing material, the owner of the premises will have to spend time searching for craftsmen who will carry out the work efficiently. If you entrust the laying of the material to inexperienced people, this can cause rapid destruction of the finish due to incorrectly selected glue or the formation of large jointed seams, which will disrupt the aesthetics of the design. Also, the disadvantages of tiles include their high maintenance requirements.

What to choose for your kitchen

Every owner of a house or apartment wants to have a kitchen with an original, impressive design. This is why many people decide to buy skinals to finish the walls above the kitchen work area. Glass panels with original colors or unique patterns will effectively complement the interior or even become its highlight. Having made a decision, you can be sure that the design of the room will have a beautiful look, similar to the development of an experienced designer, which will not go unnoticed by your guests.

Typically, custom-made skins are installed by the company that created them. This is exactly the approach our company Skinali-Fresh provides when creating and installing them. Installation of the panels is carried out quickly, does not lead to severe contamination of the room, and therefore can be carried out even after the completion of the repair.

Order glass skins

For several years now the company "SkinaliFresh" successfully produces custom glass products.

An apron in a kitchen is a part of the wall between the upper and lower units, the main task of which is to protect against steam, grease and other contaminants. The harmonious design and convenience of the kitchen depends on it. That's why the leading selection criterion is practicality combined with aesthetic appeal. Below are the basic recommendations on how to choose an apron for the kitchen, taking into account the materials used to make it.

Tile splashback

In terms of price-quality ratio, ceramic tiles are the most popular type of kitchen backsplash. Its main advantages:

• easy to clean and resistant to moisture and fire;
• not affected by acids and alkalis;
• allows different installation methods;
• differs in different design and texture;
• fits into any kitchen design.

The main disadvantage is seams that are harder to clean than the tiles themselves. High-quality grouts eliminate this drawback. The most practical apron is made of matte tiles - it is more resistant to scratches, cracks and is easier to clean than those made of glossy or embossed ones. On glossy tiles, traces of grease are less visible.

It is worth buying tiles of the same tone and from the same batch, since the difference between the samples may be too noticeable when decorating.

A successful choice of ceramic splashback design will highlight the advantages of the kitchen design and hide its shortcomings. In a small kitchen, it is better to use rectangular tiles, laid out in a herringbone pattern or diagonally. Samples with horizontal stripes will visually expand the room, while those with vertical stripes are recommended for low ceilings.

A white tile backsplash will make a busy space feel a little more airy. In a small kitchen, it is better to avoid overly colorful colors and not use large tiles. A brightly colored apron is appropriate for a laconic kitchen design in neutral colors. The most practical color is beige-brown, and white tiles are universal.

Glass aprons

Tempered glass is a combination of beauty and practicality. It will not crack from fire ( can be placed with a gas stove), does not absorb fat, is easy to clean and safe to use. The main disadvantages are non-budget prices and the need for installation by a master.

Attention! A glass apron will fit beautifully into a modern interior, but is not appropriate for a classic design, in country and Provence style.

Glass panels can be installed on top of wallpaper, wood or brickwork, which will ensure safe use in the kitchen while maintaining its original aesthetic appeal. Glass is also convenient for photo printing. This design creates a feeling of exclusivity in the interior decor.

The following variations exist:

• Regular glass without a pattern. – Can be transparent (convenient for visually expanding a small space) or matte (more elegant and popular).
• Apron made of painted glass. – It retains its original color well for many years, is highly durable and environmentally friendly. Plain panels are laconic but elegant.
• Skinali - panels with ultraviolet photo printing applied to their surface - is a popular type of glass aprons. The drawings are applied to the reverse side, so they are protected from damage. They are not afraid of humidity and temperatures up to 130 degrees. Such panels cost much more than regular ones.
• Glass splashbacks for the kitchen with vinyl film with a pattern are among the most budget-friendly in their category. But if the work is done poorly, minor damage may occur under the influence of high temperature.
• Panels made of multi-color glass, between the layers of which there is a film with a pattern, are considered the most reliable and safe. They will not break or become cracked. Disadvantages: high price and difficulty in making holes for sockets.
• Skinali with a mirror surface are the most luxurious, but the most expensive. Used to visually expand space.

Glass splashbacks are most appropriate in small kitchens. Their surfaces provide scope for creative ideas (from photo printing to drawing), which allows you to create original decor and give the kitchen a special atmosphere.

Attention! The optimal glass thickness for a kitchen apron is within 6-8 mm.

Plastic aprons

This is the most budget-friendly design option. This apron is easy to clean and does not require professional installation. It can be installed independently on any surface. Among the disadvantages is the inability to use in combination with a gas stove, as well as susceptibility to scratches and fading from sunlight. In a couple of years it will have to be replaced with a new one.

There are 3 main types:

• Made from ABS plastic. – It is often decorated with photo printing, which makes it a budget analogue of skinali. Durable and resistant to minor scratches. It is heat-resistant (withstands heating up to +80) and does not emit toxic substances, but is not suitable for a room with a gas stove. Due to its flexibility, it can be installed even on a wall with uneven surfaces.

The main disadvantage is When overheated for a long time, it is easily deformed, and with strong impacts a crack or chip may form. Does not withstand contact with solvents. Service life – 3-5 years.

• Made from acrylic glass. – This is an inexpensive alternative to tempered glass, characterized by lightness and increased impact resistance. Such an apron can be transparent (it can be used to protect wallpaper, posters) or decorated with photo printing. Installation is simple, but requires special care - the sheets may bend. This option is stronger than regular glass and cheaper than skinali, but among the types of plastic aprons it is the most expensive. The disadvantages include the impossibility of placement near a gas stove and the high price.

Acrylic glass panels must not be cleaned with aggressive cleaning agents!

• Made from PVC. – The most economical and fastest design option. Such panels are initially made with a pattern (often imitating various materials - brick, stone, leather). Disadvantage: When exposed to sunlight and detergents, they become unattractively yellow. PVC panels with a glossy finish are more wear-resistant than matte ones.

Poor quality panels can release toxic substances when heated. When purchasing, you need to find out about the quality certificate and make sure that they are suitable for kitchen decoration.

Metal and natural stone

Among the advantages of a metal apron are relatively budget prices, ease of maintenance and durability. The disadvantage is that the polished surface is impractical; stains, scratches and water stains easily remain on it. The surface must be cleaned every time after cooking.

Artificial stone is the most expensive design option for a kitchen apron, which is usually combined with a countertop made of the same material. Most durable in use. Microcracks may appear, but they can be easily restored. In terms of moisture resistance and degree of care, it occupies one of the best positions.

Apron size

The standard height is 60 cm. Such a kitchen apron is appropriate for a kitchen set without wall cabinets, and with them it is better to lower its height to 45-55 cm. The length usually does not exceed 2.5 m. For a large kitchen, you can choose a composite apron.

In a house or apartment, good owners have practically no “secondary” rooms, that is, those that you don’t need to pay much attention to the decoration. For example, the kitchen, although it does not belong to the living area, still tries to decorate it so that it is pleasant to be in it. And besides, in our tradition, the kitchen often becomes a “home club” or a place for receiving closest friends and girlfriends. So special attention is always paid to the decoration of this room.

One of the most “problematic” places in kitchen decoration is the wall along the working surface of the kitchen table, above the stove and sink. Most often it is decorated with a so-called apron, which can be made from a variety of materials. When determining the parameters of this zone and choosing material, it is necessary to adhere to certain rules. Therefore, when planning an event, many owners of houses and apartments often wonder what is best to make an apron from in the kitchen so that it fits well into the interior and is practical to use. Let's try to figure out this problem.

Criteria for choosing material for a kitchen apron

It is no secret that the finishing of the lower part of the wall along the work surface, sink and stove has various negative influences. These include high temperatures from the hob, steam, splashes of water, fat, juices from vegetables and fruits. Mechanical influences cannot be excluded. This means that the material for arranging the apron must meet a number of requirements.

Such requirements include the following:

• High temperature resistance, since the apron also runs along the hob or stove where food is prepared. Therefore, the heat comes not only from the stove itself, but also from the heated dishes.
• Moisture resistance of the material. Steam from cooking food, high humidity and direct splashes of water in the area along the kitchen sink - these factors should not be a problem for the finish that covers the wall.
• Easy to clean surface of the finishing material. As you know, the work area in the kitchen gets dirty very quickly, so you have to wash it quite often. To ensure that the cleaning process does not take much time and does not require much effort, it is necessary to choose a lining that will not absorb any substances, from fat to natural dyes of vegetables and fruits. In addition, it is easier to remove dirt and grease from a smooth cladding surface than from one that has a relief pattern, so you also need to think about this in advance.
• Hygienic cladding. This criterion includes both the environmental qualities of the material, as well as the ease of cleaning mentioned above and the absence of the possibility of accumulation of greasy and dirty deposits. The trouble is that these layers become a favorable environment for the proliferation of various microflora, including pathogenic bacteria that are dangerous to human health.
• Decorative finishing- this is also an important criterion for assessing the material for the apron, since it sets the design solution for the entire room. The first thing you pay attention to when entering the kitchen is the apron, as it takes up quite large area of ​​the wall located approximately at eye level. It is very important to think over the optimal color of the finish - it should not strain the eyesight, and the design on it, which will be pleasant, first of all, to the housewife, who spends more time in the kitchen than all other family members.

Types of materials for kitchen aprons

Not so long ago, there was simply a special variety of materials for decorating the walls of the kitchen work area. As a rule, paint, wallpaper, or, at best, single-color ceramic tiles, which were in great short supply, were chosen for this purpose. Today, the range of finishing materials is so diverse that when you come to a specialized store, you can get confused when choosing the best option. Therefore, it is worth considering different types of finishes and analyzing their advantages and disadvantages.

Ceramic tile

Ceramic tiles have long been a traditional option for kitchen backsplashes. It has not lost its popularity today, especially since the range of tiles in specialized stores is constantly growing. The demand for this material is explained by its characteristics, which fully meet the criteria for choosing cladding for a kitchen wall.

The practicality of ceramic cladding is undeniable, as it has numerous advantages, the list of which includes the following:

• Moisture resistance . Ceramics has low porosity, so its structure practically does not absorb moisture - this explains the inertness of the material to the effects of water and steam. If moisture is not retained inside the material, it means that there is no favorable environment for the proliferation of various bacteria harmful to the human body.
• Easy to clean . The glossy surface of this finish does not retain dirt, the material does not absorb odors, fat, or natural dyes contained in fruits and vegetables. Therefore, you can wipe off drops of various substances that have fallen on the surface quite easily with using a regular damp kitchen utensil sponges. As a last resort, household chemicals can be used to clean the surface. The only substance that can damage the surface of ceramic tiles is hydrofluoric acid.
• Ceramic tile weight . The manufacturer calculates the weight of the wall tiles so that they can easily be held on a vertical surface using a special tile adhesive. Therefore, the process of laying the material is not particularly complicated, and even female hands can do it.
• Duration of operation . Ceramic tiles can be scratched or chipped only with considerable effort. This material will be destroyed only under a sharp mechanical impact, for example, from a strong accented blow from a metal object.
• Inert to high temperatures . Ceramic tiles do not melt or burn when exposed to high temperatures, which is especially important for placing them along the hob.
• Environmental friendliness . Even when heated, the material does not emit fumes hazardous to humans and the environment.
• Variety in color, pattern and linear dimensions . Today you can find tiles on sale in different sizes. Moreover, if you take the exact parameters from the wall surface, you can select the cladding in such a way that the amount of waste is minimal. In addition to sizes, you can easily choose the desired color, as well as the pattern and texture on the surface. As you know, tiles can be absolutely smooth or have a certain relief, but with relief, everyday care becomes much more difficult.
• Variety of styles . Modern ceramic tiles are produced for laying in rooms decorated in various styles. So pick her up by this criterion It won't be difficult either.

The material itself has few disadvantages, of course, if it is manufactured in compliance with all technological requirements. But improperly sealed seams between the apron tiles can cause moisture to penetrate under the cladding, which can lead to its detachment from the vertical surface. In addition, a poorly executed one will become a “shelter” for numerous bacteria, mold and fungi.

Therefore, when performing finishing, it is necessary to take a serious approach not only to laying tiles on the wall, but also to seal all the seams between them as efficiently as possible.

Now, having understood the advantages of the material, it is worth considering some nuances. It is better to do this using the example of ready-made aprons, equipped in different styles and from tiles of different sizes and colors.

Prices for ceramic tiles

ceramic tile

• An apron decorated with single-color ceramic tiles is a fairly popular option, as it gives the surface a neat appearance, does not require adjusting the pattern, and is suitable for any style of kitchen. Therefore, if you want to change wallpaper or kitchen furniture, the apron lining can be left intact if it matches the color scheme for the new design. Colors such as white, beige and black usually go well with any color of furniture and decoration of the rest of the walls in the kitchen.

The disadvantage of a one-color apron is that it is soiled, that is, even very minor dirt immediately appears on it. It will have to be wiped every day after cooking, since every drop will be visible on such a surface.

If you choose a tile of the same color, then it is better if its surface is smooth, otherwise, over time, it will accumulate in the recesses of the relief pattern. difficult to wash out dirt mixed with grease.

• Using several colors of tiles in the design of the apron is an equally popular option. However, in this case the task is complicated by the fact that the shades of the composition must be in harmony with each other. On light-colored tiles, just like on a single-color backsplash, all the drops that fall on the finish during cooking or washing dishes will be visible. If you do not immediately clean the surface of the apron, the drops will darken and dry, and subsequently the lining will look sloppy, and it will be more difficult to clean it.

• Tiles with a pattern traditional for stove tiles are perfect for those housewives who prefer to clean their backsplash once or twice a week, since small stains on such a finish will be almost invisible. However, this type of tile can have a smooth surface or a textured version. A smooth surface will stay clean longer and will be easier to clean.

Tiles decorated in this way will bring a special comfortable atmosphere to the kitchen, but will visually make the space smaller. Therefore, you will have to choose between a feeling of comfort and an optical “expansion” of space.

• Mosaic tiles have become an increasingly popular finish for kitchen backsplashes as well as bathrooms in recent years. This type of tile can be one-color, two-color, or multi-color, and cubes of different colors are usually located almost randomly on the surface of the canvas.

The popularity of this finish lies not only in its neat appearance, but also in the relative ease of installation. The fact is that, unlike traditional ones, mosaic panels have a certain flexibility, since small fragments are fixed on a fiberglass mesh or fiberglass. Therefore, gluing the material is done quite quickly, and can be done not only on flat, but also on curved surfaces, as well as on uneven walls, somewhat hiding their flaws.

The advantage of this tile option is that it does not have to be cut using any special tools. It is enough to have ordinary scissors on hand, since they can easily cut off a fragment of the required size from the main sheet, because you will have to cut not the tile itself, but the base on which it is attached.

After the mosaic tiles are glued to the wall, you need to wait for the glue to dry. After this, the seams between the mosaic elements are filled with grout of the selected color.

The mosaic option can be used to decorate the entire space of the apron or in combination with regular tiles, as a frame for a composition or interspersed with fragments of different sizes and shapes.

The obvious disadvantages of finishing of this type include a large number of seams, the sealing material of which becomes dirty quite quickly and is difficult to clean. When laying large tiles, this disadvantage is minimized.

Prices for mosaic tiles

mosaic tiles

• Finishing the backsplash with ceramic tiles and installing one or more thematic panels between them always looks elegant. The main thing is that the composition fits well into the overall design of the kitchen in terms of color, pattern and relief.

In specialized stores you can find various options for such panels and tiles that go with them. It is much easier to install cladding purchased as a set, since the manufacturer provides all the dimensions of the necessary parts, so you do not have to cut an entire tile to fit it to frame the artistic insert. It is important to choose an option that will be in harmony with the chosen style for, only in this case, such a finish will look harmonious.

The panel and tiles for it can have both a smooth and embossed surface. When choosing a terrain, you need to be prepared to clean it from grease and dirt every day.

If you are thinking about just this option for designing an apron, then you need to inquire in advance about the prices for such artistic inserts. Very often they even exceed the cost of all other wall cladding.

The variety of options for ceramic tiles that can be found on sale does not allow us to cover all options in a description. Therefore, the design solution is usually chosen by the owner of the house. Well, the ease of use and cleaning, as well as all the “pros” and “cons” of this popular material, were indicated above.

Natural and artificial stone

Some homeowners, when planning kitchen design, prefer natural or artificial stone to ordinary ceramic tiles. This category of materials includes porcelain stoneware slabs, polished blocks made of natural rocks, gypsum or concrete tiles that imitate the texture and color scheme of natural stone. It should be noted that some of the options used for arranging the apron perform their functions perfectly, but some materials are not recommended to be used.

For example, porcelain stoneware, large pebbles polished in natural conditions, as well as clinker tiles, have a number of positive qualities, fully complying with the requirements for materials for arranging an apron:

• Resistance to high temperatures, as well as temperature changes.
• Moisture resistance - indicator moisture absorption is porcelain stoneware, 0.05%, clinker tiles, 0.2÷0.3%. Therefore, natural stone, as well as baked and glazed clay, is not afraid of either steam or water.
• The material is hygienic, since it is easy to clean; it does not create favorable conditions for the development of colonies of pathogenic bacteria.
• The durability of the stone finish - it will serve until the owner gets tired of it.
• The aesthetic appearance allows these materials to be used in various style solutions.
• Ecological purity of natural materials.

The few but important “disadvantages” include the high price of these finishing materials, low maintainability, and also the rather complicated installation of stone cladding.

But marble slabs, on the contrary, are not recommended to be used to decorate a kitchen apron, despite their visual appeal. External appearances are deceptive, and marble is a very porous material, so it will absorb moisture, kitchen dirt, and odors. Under the influence of a complex of negative influences, the facing stone begins to deteriorate, and its appearance loses its presentability.

Prices for porcelain stoneware slabs

porcelain stoneware

• Porcelain stoneware is an artificially created material from natural components with the use of some additives, thanks to which its strength is several times higher than that of natural granite. Porcelain stoneware is rarely used for facing aprons, since its price is quite high. In addition, slabs made from it have a very solid mass, which greatly complicates their installation on vertical surfaces. Therefore, most often when choosing this particular material for finishing, in the absence of experience, they do not carry out independent cladding - they entrust its masonry to experienced craftsmen.

• Material such as large pebbles that do not have sharp corners looks very interesting on the wall. If such cladding is used, then the owners have the opportunity to hide uneven surfaces of the wall, since the stones are embedded in concrete mortar or a cement-based adhesive composition. Technology arranging an apron made of round stone of this size- quite simple, and can easily be done by hand.

The process includes several stages:

— Cleaning the wall from old cladding.

— Applying notches to the cleaned surface so that the solution has increased adhesion to the surface.

— A treatment that will create good adhesion for materials and protect the wall from fungal attack.

— Applying mortar to the wall. It is best to use a ready-made adhesive composition used for laying tiles. The layer thickness should be about 10 mm.

— Stones are pressed into the solution, applied to a small section of the wall, so that only one side of the laid fragment remains on the surface.

— The stones are stacked tightly to each other.

— When the solution begins to set, its excess must be removed from the visible side of the stones with a damp sponge. The seams between them can be smoothed with a hand wearing a rubber glove, moistening it in water.

— After the glue has completely hardened, the stone apron must be primed again.

— Then the apron is coated with heat-resistant transparent or black varnish, which is used for painting metal stoves.

— Varnish applied to the pebbles will make its color more juicy, and will also significantly reduce the time it takes to clean it from grease and kitchen fumes.

It should be noted that natural stone can have different color shades, but they all combine perfectly with each other. Due to such harmony, the apron will look aesthetically pleasing and original.

If desired, tiles that imitate natural stone can also be used to cover the apron. This material is most often made of gypsum, which perfectly absorbs moisture. Therefore, when using such a material and trying to keep it in its original form for as long as possible, it is recommended to soak the tiles with a primer and then varnish them. In addition, it is best to protect the masonry from the hob with heat-resistant glass, which will be much easier to clean from greasy drops and fumes than artificial stone.

Glass kitchen aprons

A high-quality kitchen apron is often made from heat- and impact-resistant glass, which has big enough thickness. In recent years, glass has become increasingly popular for decorating the entire kitchen interior and splashbacks in particular. And this can be easily explained by the fact that this type of finishing combines all the qualities that are necessary for the specifics of the kitchen space.

The advantages of glass cladding include the following qualities:

• Absolute moisture resistance of the material.
• Ecological cleanliness.
• Heat resistance.
• Inert to temperature changes.
• Elegant and impressive appearance.
• Variety of designs and colors.
• The material is hygienic - it absolutely does not absorb odors, grease and dirt.
• Possibility to use the material in any from existing kitchen interior design styles.
• The durability of the material was protected from concentrated impact loads.

The disadvantages of this material include its high cost and fairly heavy weight, which significantly complicates the installation of the glass panel. To ensure that the work is carried out correctly and the apron is not damaged during installation, it is recommended to entrust this process to specialists.

In addition, panels are most often made to order. In this case, the craftsman must be provided with the most accurate parameters of the product, as well as information about what material the wall of the house is built from - this is necessary to determine the type and location of the apron. In the absence of correct data, during the installation work of installing a glass panel, considerable difficulties may arise.

Due to the fact that the aprons offered for sale are made of ordinary and tempered glass, this factor must be taken into account when choosing it. Products made from ordinary thick glass are less reliable, since the material can burst when heated to high temperatures. Tempered glass is designed specifically for high heat.

To ensure complete safety of the work area, a glass apron is most often made from a single piece of glass, which also requires certain skill during installation work.

Prices for kitchen aprons

kitchen apron

There are several different types of glass aprons according to design:

• Clear glass . This apron option is protective and is used to cover the decorative trim of the wall located along the worktop. Thus, the wall cladding will be clearly visible, but protected from contamination. Glass that has the necessary tempering is quite easy to clean from any contaminants, except burnt sugar. Using this version of a glass apron, the wall can be decorated with any material, even paper wallpaper of your choice.

The advantage of a transparent glass panel is that the cladding located behind the screen can be changed during subsequent cosmetic renovations, changing the style of the kitchen interior. To do this, the apron is temporarily dismantled, the fasteners are removed, the wall is cleaned of the old coating, then the surface is covered with new material. After which the glass apron is returned to its place. And again, temporary dismantling and returning the panel to its place is best left to professionals.

If there is no desire or opportunity to install a transparent glass apron along the entire tabletop, then you can fix it only near the hob, since most of the greasy stains and fumes fall on the vertical surface of the wall during the heat treatment process. You can do the same in the area with the kitchen sink.

• Apron made of frosted glass , which is often called satin, can also be used in conjunction with wall cladding. But the base finish with this approach must have bright colors so that the outlines of its patterns appear through the glass surface. The outlines will be viewed unclearly, and thus the effect of soft blurring of the lines of objects depicted on the cladding will be created.

This kitchen apron looks quite original and aesthetically pleasing, so it can decorate any kitchen design.

If the space created between the glass and the wall allows, then small elements with bright colors can be placed in it, for example, artificial flowers or branches with bright colors. green or yellow leaves. In this case, discreet lighting, which can highlight the contours of decorative objects, would also be useful.

It is best to turn the frosted side of the glass towards the wall, as it is very difficult to remove dirty stains and drops of any origin from it.

The cost of frosted glass is approximately twice the price of its transparent version.

• Glass apron, one color. The color design can vary, be bright or “muted”, pastel - these characteristics are selected depending on the wishes of the customer and the intended design solution in the design of the kitchen room. A single-color version of the apron, especially if it is light in color, will visually expand the space of the room, since its surface will reflect part of its area and interior items.

Color decoration can be done using a film glued to the back of the glass or by painting it. Moreover, coloring is carried out using a special technology, which consists of applying special enamel to the glass, after which the panels are exposed to high temperatures, that is, a hardening process occurs. After undergoing this treatment, the glass becomes stronger and more durable. Colored tempered glass is otherwise called stemalite.

The disadvantage of this material is that all dirty and greasy drops will be clearly visible on it. Therefore, if you plan to maintain perfect cleanliness in the kitchen, then a single-color glass apron will have to be washed almost daily.

• Glass splashbacks with lighting - this is a spectacular design of the kitchen space. To illuminate a film with a selected pattern or photo collage glued to the back surface of the glass, LED devices specially designed for this purpose are used. They are built into profiles located at the top and bottom of the panel. Illumination creates the effect of expanded space and becomes a decorative element that attracts the eye. At the same time, all other surfaces with kitchen accessories located on them remain in the background and are secondary.
• In addition, it often creates particularly comfortable conditions for cooking work by illuminating the countertop.

Naturally, this option, due to the installation of electrical appliances, will have a higher cost.

• Glass aprons decorated with photo printing Yu. This option is one of the most popular, as it has a special aesthetics. And besides, many photos and drawings used to decorate the panels can visually expand the small space of the kitchen. The technology for designing transparent panels consists of gluing a film onto the glass from the back, that is, the side facing the wall, onto which the selected image is applied using special equipment.

The advantages of this option include the variety of choices of drawings and photographs, as well as the possibility of highlighting such panels, which will make them even more decorative.

The disadvantage of panels with photo printing is that if they are accidentally damaged, the entire composition will have to be changed completely. While when choosing a single-color option in a similar situation, the damaged part of the glass can often be cut out and replaced with a separate fragment of the same color.

• Mirror glass splashback can be equipped with large panels, mirror mosaic tiles, as well as medium-sized tiles of various shapes. The originality of this design is undeniable, but the mirror surface will have to be cleaned almost daily, just like transparent glass. Any dirt on it also gives a reflection, which aggravates the effect of sloppiness.

In addition, a reflective surface can be called an “extreme” option, since not every person’s psyche is able to withstand a constantly moving image, which will certainly be noticeable with peripheral vision.

However, thanks to the reflection of the entire room in the mirror, even a cramped kitchen will visually appear much larger than it actually is.

Aprons made of plastic panels

Recently, special plastic panels designed to create a kitchen apron have appeared in construction stores. They are usually made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Prices for plastic panels

plastic panels

On the market you can find panels that have one color, with a drawing or photograph printed on them, and also imitate mosaic tiles. In their original form, the panels look quite attractive, and due to their low price, they attract increased attention from consumers. But it should be noted that this is often a misleading impression, since this material has many disadvantages when applied to kitchen conditions. However, it is quite suitable for those home owners who are limited in funds or who like to frequently change the design of the premises of an apartment or house.

Plastic panels are produced in several forms. Firstly, these could be the special sheets mentioned above specifically for arranging an apron. Secondly, PVC lining can also act in this capacity, which many homeowners also use to decorate the wall of the work area. Whatever option of PVC products is chosen, it must be said that it will show itself over time, most likely not from the best side, simply because of its physical and operational characteristics.

To understand why experts do not advise choosing plastic for installation in the kitchen, and especially in the area of ​​the work table, stove and sink, it makes sense to take a closer look at their “pros” and “cons”.

So, in favor PVC panels, the following arguments can be given:

• The material has the most affordable price of all the named materials.
• Plastic panels intended to decorate the apron can be solid, that is, have no seams.
• Installation of PVC cladding is extremely simple, and any novice builder or the home owner can easily handle it. It couldn’t be simpler - the cladding is most often glued to the wall using “liquid nails”.
• Plastic is easily cut with a regular stationery knife with replaceable blades. Using pre-made markings, it will not be difficult to cut holes for an outlet or for exiting cables and pipes.
• A damaged panel can be replaced with a new one without much difficulty. To do this, when purchasing material, it makes sense to buy one extra product, since later you may not find the finish of the required color and pattern. Moreover, the price allows you to have more than one spare panel - if only there was a place to store them...
• All the material is very small.
• Plastic panels will perfectly hide all the unevenness and flaws of the wall. You can even hide the electrical cable behind them, securing it in the groove with the same “liquid nails”.
• The pattern and color of the panels are quite stable, so they can be wet cleaned using soft sponges or cloth.
• PVC is not afraid of moisture.
• A variety of shapes and design solutions allow you to choose the option that suits your specific style.
• PVC panels go well with transparent glass, which can be used for protection by installing it in the area of ​​the hob, as well as the sink, so that splashes do not leave marks on the surface of the finish.

To the points in which PVC panels lose Most finishing materials include:

• A very short service life, which in the best case is no more than five years. Although some manufacturers inform customers about ten years, it is necessary to take into account that the appearance of the material after the first few years of use in the kitchen becomes very unpresentable and differs significantly from new panels.
• The material is significantly inferior to its “competitors” even in its original condition. It should be noted that the panels look much better in the photos in the brochures than in real life. “As long as they look and cost, they are as durable” - this is what honest sellers of this product often say.
• It is not recommended to install any PVC panels near the hob without protection with heat-resistant glass. Everything is very simple - when heated above a temperature of 70–80 degrees (and this is quite a bit), they simply become deformed.
• Plastic is not a strong enough material, and it can be damaged mechanically simply by careless movement.
• Paint and patterns are easily erased if you use hard brushes or detergents containing abrasive additives when cleaning the panels.
• Due to the fact that the panels do not fit tightly to the wall surface, this gap creates very favorable conditions for the formation of mold colonies, especially in the sink area.
• If separate panels are used for finishing, rather than a solid sheet, then when exposed to moisture, their edges may simply begin to peel off from the wall.
• When heated (and this is inevitable in the kitchen), the material can release fumes into the surrounding air that are harmful to humans and the environment.
• Plastic absorbs both odors and greasy fumes. Over time, a yellowish discoloration that cannot be removed may appear on it.

Knowing all the “pro” and “contra” arguments regarding PVC panels regarding their use on a kitchen apron, you can easily draw conclusions for yourself whether you personally need such a finish.

Steel kitchen aprons

Arranging a kitchen apron with embossed steel sheets is rare. The cost of such finishing is quite high, and, frankly speaking, not all housewives like it. However, it should immediately be noted that such an apron goes well with the hob and other kitchen accessories made of stainless steel.

Many people think that steel surfaces are only suitable for modern minimalist, techno or hi-tech styles. This is not entirely true, and the illustration below can serve as proof of this. Steel panels for splashbacks can have various relief patterns, which can be selected in accordance with the chosen design style of the kitchen.

If desired, steel surfaces can be combined into different styles by combining them with some furniture and decorative accessories for the room. In addition, this material has excellent performance characteristics that fully meet the finishing requirements in the kitchen.

• The material is not afraid of high temperatures, does not deform and does not burn out.
• Steel does not absorb any substances that may get onto the apron during cooking and does not accumulate odors.
• The panels are easy to clean with water with or without household chemicals.
• The material is inert to moisture. Once on the apron, the drops simply flow down.
• Steel sheets have high strength, so it is quite difficult to damage the lining through negligence.
• Regular maintenance will never create a favorable environment for pathogenic bacteria or mold on the surface of steel panels.
• Perhaps the steel surface, in the opinion of many, cannot be called aesthetically pleasing enough, but its appearance cannot be reproached for its sloppiness.

Disadvantages steel panels include the following factors:

• Apron, this material cannot be cleaned metal kitchentough washcloths, as you can scratch the surface. It is also not recommended to use detergents containing abrasive ingredients to clean polished stainless steel.
• High price for steel panels.

MDF panels as a kitchen apron

MDF panels are widely used in the design of kitchen interiors. But it’s worth taking a closer look at how suitable they are for arranging a kitchen apron.

This type of material imitates natural wood and looks quite presentable on the wall, especially in cases where it is in harmony with other surfaces and accessories in the room. The panels are suitable for almost any style - it is only important to choose the desired color shade.

Like all materials, MDF has its positive and negative sides, which you must know if you decide to decorate your kitchen backsplash with these panels.

Prices for MDF panels

mdf panels

So to merits This material has the following qualities:

• Strength of the material. It is very difficult to damage the integrity of the panel by accident, since they are not afraid of mechanical stress.
• If the panels are carefully cleaned every day, then maintaining them will not become burdensome.
• The surface of the material has good moisture resistance.
• Easy to install panels on the wall.
• With proper use of MDF and in the absence of any emergency circumstances, the finish will last for many years.

The disadvantages of this cladding include the following points:

• MDF panels cannot be called a completely environmentally friendly material, since in its production most manufacturers use formaldehyde resins, which emit fumes throughout the entire period of operation of the finish. Such emissions are especially active when the material is heated, and in the kitchen it is almost impossible to avoid this.
• MDF boards have a fairly high degree of flammability, so they require additional protection from high temperatures that inevitably arise near the hob.
• MDF consists of compressed cellulose fibers. Therefore, if moisture gets on the end of the panels that are not protected by a special film, the material may begin to warp and delaminate. In addition, the humid environment of wood is quite capable of creating a favorable environment for the appearance of mold or mildew. This often leads to the appearance of entire affected lesions, which begin to spread to other areas of the finish.
• It is not recommended to clean MDF with a hard wire brush, as stripes will certainly remain on the surface of the material.
• Panels with an acrylic coating are more resistant to external influences, however, they quickly lose their original appearance.

Find out with step-by-step guidance from our new article on our portal.

Summing up the characteristics of this cladding, we can come to the conclusion that it is not the best option for arranging an apron. However, if you have the desire and financial ability to change the finish to a more reliable one at any time, then you can try lining the wall with MDF along the work area.

In conclusion, I would like to note that the apron is made not only from ready-made panels, tiles or stone. Some craftsmen prefer to approach this process creatively and use available materials. For example, bottle caps made of natural material or ordinary plastic ones of different colors are used, which are embedded in the solution on the wall. In general, if you want to save money, your imagination often comes into play, and if there are no problems with finances, then the material for the apron can easily be selected at a hardware store. In this case, it is important to take into account all the recommendations and take into account the characteristics of the finish, which must meet the criteria presented above.

At the end of the publication, we invite you to watch an interesting video review with examples of kitchen aprons made of various materials. Perhaps this will help you make the right choice

Video: Kitchen apron - a key area of ​​room decoration