When making repairs in the kitchen, special attention should be paid to the area around the work surface, which is called the kitchen apron. This part of the kitchen should be not only beautiful, but also distinguished by increased practicality. Indeed, during cooking, various incidents happen: water splashes, fat evaporates during the frying of meat, flour crumbles if the hostess bakes something. Therefore, a kitchen apron is the place that is most polluted. After numerous cleanings, it should retain an excellent appearance.
Naturally, the question arises: what material should a kitchen apron be made in order not to be whimsical to care for, but also to have a stylish appearance and at the same time be inexpensive?
MDF kitchen aprons with photo printing meet these requirements. This novelty appeared on the market not so long ago, but due to its versatility and unusual appearance, it was widely used and a large number of positive reviews.
Let's take a closer look at this new product and try to figure it out.
What is it?
MDF is a fiberboard that has a medium density. The wood shavings are pressed together with special glue, acting on them using high pressure and high temperature. MDF boards made of high-quality material are much safer than particleboard, in environmental quality they are practically inferior to natural wood in no way.
Photo printing on an MDF board can be applied in one of the following ways:
- A film with a printed pattern is glued onto an MDF panel - this is the cheapest way to apply decor, but it is also the most short-lived option. Panels made in this way are afraid of moisture and temperature changes.
- The drawing is applied to acrylic plastic, on top it is covered with a layer of varnish, which protects the surface from damage. It is somewhat more expensive than the first option, and its quality is better than the previous analogue.
- The image is applied to the panel, on top it is covered with several layers of varnish, which has a high gloss effect. In the manufacture of such MDF panels with photo printing, the “hot cladding” method is used. A kitchen apron made of this material is durable and durable, but also has a higher price compared to the previous two options. An example of such panels from MDF for the kitchen can be panels from the famous manufacturer Albico.
MDF panels with photo printing for the kitchen can have a glossy, matte finish or embossing. An embossed coating imitating bamboo or made under wood or stone looks very natural and natural. The only drawback is that such a coating is quite difficult to clean from pollution.
Installation
Do you want to order a MDF kitchen apron with photo printing, but are afraid not to cope with the installation? Everything is extremely easy and simple. The panel is glued onto a flat wall directly using special glue (liquid nails), or they are used with a crate - wooden blocks that are installed on the wall, as a rule, they leave about 50 cm between the bars, the fasteners in this case are through screws or using a stapler.
Where to begin?
It is worth noting that there are not very many companies that manufacture aprons for kitchens from MDF using photo printing. We believe that this is due to the small demand for these panels for such purposes.
The search should begin with companies that manufacture various products from MDF boards: countertops, surfaces for bar counters, window sills, etc. As a rule, they can also make an apron panel for your kitchen.
The most important moment at the beginning of such cooperation is the knowledge of the dimensions of the future apron. What does it mean not only the standard length and width, but also necessarily the thickness of such a panel.
Thickness is important in those cases when the panel is installed "behind the collar" at the headset sections. In other cases, installation is carried out by conventional fastening of the panel to the wall.
From the foregoing, a logical conclusion suggests itself - it is highly desirable that the apron for the kitchen from MDF with photo printing be ready, delivered and installed before the installation of the kitchen unit begins. An ideal option would be if the panel is manufactured by the same company as the headsets.
Photo printing
The next important factor that you should find out from the manufacturer is the method of applying the image to the panel. There are only three of them.
- The first - the image is applied using special ink.
- In the second method, the picture is applied to the MDF by gluing the film with the desired image.
- The third and most expensive is the application of photo printing on an acrylic surface, which is glued to MDF. Such panels have the highest qualities of color preservation, are heat resistant and are not afraid of moisture.
Select a picture
As we noted earlier, in principle, it is possible to depict a variety of patterns on an MDF panel. You should ask the manufacturer for a range of capabilities.
Practice shows that you should not get too carried away when choosing an image for photo printing. It must be remembered that an apron is, first of all, a work surface. Accordingly, it is desirable to find a middle ground between beauty and practicality.
Let's look at these photos, which images and drawings other people choose for photo printing on an MDF apron.
Vegetables and fruits have long been the main "characters" in many kitchens.
Some people like the night city landscapes, especially American cities.
Flower fields and compositions are also very popular. This is due to the incredible brilliance and richness of such images.
Alternatives
In case of doubt, take a look at other options for decorating an apron in the kitchen.
The most common is the option of laying ceramic tiles. This solution has a number of undeniable advantages and almost no drawbacks. We have already written more about this in our review.
The second most popular can be called skinali - special glass surfaces on which the drawing of your choice is applied. Such panels look great, are great for modern interiors, but are expensive and require special care. All the nuances of such aprons were considered in the article on how to choose an apron made of glass.
If we talk about an alternative to MDF panels, based on the price-quality ratio, then the best replacement is an inexpensive tile. You will not be difficult to find a good tile in the budget segment. We recommend you take a closer look at Russian tile manufacturers, recently they have significantly expanded the range.
Against the backdrop of the rise in price of everything imported, domestic tile will save a lot without severe damage to quality. But you should immediately understand that if you want to lay out an apron with minimal costs, then you have to sacrifice quality.
Benefits
Compared to other decor for the kitchen, MDF boards with photo printing have a large number of advantages that distinguish them from another wall covering:
- Easy and simple installation without the use of special tools. You can install MDF panels yourself, without any help.
- Protective coating on each panel.
- High wear resistance - MDF panels with photo printing are not afraid of temperature extremes, scratches and pollution. They are coated with a steady gloss.
- Do not fade in the sun, keeping for many years its original appearance.
- Quite affordable price compared to other materials that are used to decorate the walls. A kitchen apron from MDF with photo printing will cost you much less than a similar one made of ceramic tile.
- A huge selection of diverse textures will allow you to perfectly fit such a kitchen apron into a variety of interiors and interior design.
- MDF boards weigh slightly, for example, the same tile, much heavier than them.
- They do not cause allergies, since environmentally friendly materials are used in the manufacturing process.
When opting for a kitchen apron made of MDF with photo printing, give preference to the type that has impregnation from the fire-fighting composition. Thus, you will protect your kitchen from sudden fire.
What are kitchen skins (aprons)?
These are panels that protect the wall located between the upper and lower row of cabinets. When installing kitchen furniture and household appliances, usually there is a strip of free space on the wall - this is what it needs to be protected. From what? From splashes of water, drops of sizzling oil, hot steam and other "special effects" in the kitchen.
However, wall protection is not the only function of the apron. Skinali transform space, bringing bright colors to our daily lives. For the manufacture of aprons for the kitchen, full-color photo printing technology is used on the smooth surface of MDF. The result is excellent! Any drawing or photograph of your choice becomes part of the updated interior.
Making a kitchen apron
Obviously, the working space of the kitchen should be convenient and practical for the owner or hostess. Therefore, most people prefer to order a headset for a personal project. The same goes for the skinheads. With us you can buy an apron for the kitchen with individual parameters. We offer practical and affordable options from MDF. All of them are made to order. We will tell you more about this process.
Base material
MDF is a wood-fiber board that has been used by furniture factories for many decades. The chips remaining after processing the wood are combined with natural glue (lingin), after which this mass is pressed under high pressure and with exposure to elevated temperature. Then, a laminating protective film is applied to the surface, which significantly extends the life of the plates. The result is an environmentally friendly and safe material for furniture production.
Drawing
We offer you practical and beautiful aprons with photo printing. In our company you can choose a photo from a very large database. We offer a variety of themes and options: from abstract and vibrant drawings to landscapes, macro photography and modern graphics. The image is applied to a cut-to-size MDF panel using a large-format printer. High quality source file, coupled with professional equipment allows you to achieve amazing picture clarity and accuracy in the transmission of colors and shades.
Mounting skinheads for the kitchen
Method number 1. With the help of professional staff "liquid nails." The wall surface is pre-prepared, then a fixing profile is screwed on to simplify the task. On the "wrong" side of the apron glue is applied with a certain step, after which the panel is pressed against the wall. For some time you need to leave the apron in such a position that the composition “grabbed”.
Method number 2. Using self-tapping screws. Holes are drilled at the top and bottom of the panel. Then, screws are screwed through them, fixing the panel against the wall. So that the caps from the fasteners do not spoil the appearance, they are closed with special caps selected in the color of the surface.
Method number 3. Using aluminum profiles. A metal profile is screwed onto the wall, where an apron is then carefully inserted. This method allows replacing the panel with a new one as quickly and quickly as possible in the future.
The size
Standard material thickness - 6 mm. The most popular aprons are 600 (650) x 2800 mm. You can order a panel of any shape and size from us. Most often they are placed horizontally between the upper and lower row of cabinets, however, vertical orientation is also possible, for example, above the hob and under the hood. In addition, in our production, you can take into account any irregularities in the walls: niches and columns, corners and ledges. Our experts will help you make a drawing and do everything according to individual sizes.
Design
One of the main advantages of MDF kitchen aprons is their accessibility and ease of installation. It is very easy to transform the interior, while we offer you a large selection of photographs and graphics. Juicy and colorful photographs of fruits or a variety of dishes help increase appetite. If you follow the figure, it would be wise to place a natural landscape in the kitchen in calm colors: from the point of view of psychology, such a picture will help you to restrain yourself in food. A full-color photograph of a cup of cappuccino in the morning will certainly cheer up and give a good mood!
Whatever you wish, we will help you realize your plan. The company has a professional interior designer who will render the visualization of your future kitchen.
Operation and maintenance of MDF aprons
This material is very durable and not at all "moody." Any dirt can be easily removed with ordinary water, in extreme cases, you can use a mild detergent. Do not worry about the picture: if you follow our instructions, it will not lose brightness. The technology of manufacturing an apron for the kitchen allows you to admire a full-color image for a long time without scratches and clouding. After washing, it is better to clean the skin with a dry clean cloth to give shine.
Forbidden:
- Use abrasive powders and harsh detergents to clean the panels,
- Mount MDF panels on gas stoves.
The standard service life of an apron from MDF is 2-3 years, subject to the above conditions. It is also important to consider that the surface cannot be restored in case of damage with a sharp object.
