Space above kitchen worktopsshould be effectively tiled in order to complement the design of the room. In this article we will talk about the kitchen apron from MDF and learn about the qualities of this material.
Choosing an apron, we study the shortcomings andthe advantages of certain materials, we start from their characteristics and features, we evaluate the visual data, in addition, we combine them with the style of the room. This list may include plastic panels, ceramic tiles, artificial stone, glass, but now we will focus exclusively on MDF.
Description of the material
Before you start discussing the features and benefits of a kitchen apron made of MDF panels, it will not be superfluous to deal with this material in more detail.
For its production, the basis is shredded wood chips. This raw material is extruded with high temperature and high pressure.
Why is MDF called a natural material?The use of dry wood dust does not guarantee the naturalness of the resulting plate. This is explained by the fact that for its manufacture not glue or synthetic resins are used, but lingin is a natural substance, which is a polymeric natural compound, one can say, wood glue.
In general, MDF is a well-known chipboard created using modern technologies and having acquired ecological purity.
This material has significant advantages. Among them:
- constant geometry (it is difficult to break due to the high adhesion strength of the fibers);
- excellent resistance to water and moisture (its material is reported by lingin, a wood polymer);
- a variety of formats of finished plates, allowing you to create and kitchen apron made of MDF (plate thickness - 4-22 mm, and this makes it possible to use them in the widest building spectrum).
With its operational durability and strengththe plates respond well to processing. Consequently, there are excellent opportunities for fantasizing if you want to make something more difficult out of it than a simple rectangular kitchen apron made of MDF. The dimensions of the slab can be adjusted to suit your individual needs.
Properties of the apron from MDF
There are no perfect materials in which wewe are convinced whenever we are planning new renovations in the premises, especially if this happens in the kitchen. At this point, you need to pay attention to a huge number of specific requirements, and they will help you to place the necessary accents.
Advantages
We can not say that the kitchen apron from MDF, pricewhich starts from 1,500 rubles per square meter, is considered the most popular, although it occupies one of the leading places of applicants for finishing the working surface of the kitchen. So, the advantages that this material has:
- you need to understand, intending to install a kitchen apron made of MDF - installing it will not require professional tools and special skills from you;
- MDF is an affordable material;
- installation of panels is made on any, including the surface which was not prepared initially;
- under the apron, you can always pave the communication, in addition, sew soundproofing and insulation in the wall;
- a kitchen apron made of MDF can be very quickly corrected, dismantled, some parts replaced if it is defective or damaged.
disadvantages
Comparing MDF with the other finishing materials intended for the kitchen, unfortunately, you can find some drawbacks:
- кухонный фартук из МДФ очень быстро может быть spoiled by the impact of the kitchen space environment. Splashes of grease and water, odors and wet vapor evaporate very quickly into the material, leaving traces on it;
- material is toxic when burning and fire hazard;
- Such panels are not strong enough, therefore, they can move away from the wall or bend even without the use of physical effort, only on time, humidity and temperature.
Kitchen apron from MDF: installation
Несмотря на то что форма такого фартука в mostly rectangular, manually or using a jigsaw can be made into a complex configuration. But after cutting it will be necessary to fasten it carefully, just how to do it? Below is a simple instruction:
- Mark and cut the kitchen apron from the panelsMDF or solid sheet. It will not be superfluous to sketch the surface in order to reduce the number of scraps to the minimum possible (it is often possible to cut it in the workshop or in the store itself).
- Purchase an assembly bar and fixing materialsfor MDF. It should be borne in mind that the bar should be twice the length of the entire working space. In this case, the fastener is either complete or purchased at the rate of a pair of pieces per one meter of the panel. Again helps sketch, which also will be depicted wooden frame, designed for mounting sheet MDF. Here we buy a special kitchen plinth and slats for decorative design.
- Installation begins with preliminary preparation.Walls with its problems: sticking nails or rods, scraps of wallpaper and other things that can become a hotbed of microorganisms and moisture. It will be important antiseptic treatment mounting rails and walls.
- Marking the position of the rails and indents of the frame:from the wall cabinets and work surface retreat by 15 cm, while the distance between the rails of the frame is up to 45 centimeters. Horizontal marking is checked by level.
- Reiki necessary length cut and to the wallthey are fastened with dowels in such a way that the dowel passes through the rail; moreover, it enters the wall to the full thickness of the rail, preferably 5 centimeters. Then screws with special decorating plates (they are selected in a contrasting color or the color of the panel) fasten the apron itself. In addition, it is possible to fasten on the markers or "liquid nails."
- Mounting a solid apron will require an assistant, andeven two is better, but if it consists of panels, then the grooves for fastening are mainly cut in them. Then you can do it yourself, starting from some one edge. In this case, the groove is inserted into the groove tile by tile in a locking manner, after which they are fixed in the chosen manner.
Interesting fact
The choice, purchase of material, as well as the markup takes a day, while the installation takes only two hours, even if you do not have such experience.
Decorative finishing
After the apron is installed, workyou seem unfinished. Actually, this is actually the case, since the panels are installed on the wall, but their edges and end parts look still unaesthetic. In addition, there are gaps in the joints of panels and furniture, and this is not particularly nice. But you can spend a little more time and bring a kitchen apron made of MDF with your own hands to a normal look.
To do this, you need to take slats for MDF, theirput on the extreme parts of the material, after having been lubricated with “liquid nails” or glue. The gap between the working surfaces, apron and cabinets need to be repaired with a plinth - it is easily attached to the "liquid nails." So, the work is finished, now you can enjoy the resulting result.
Kitchen apron from MDF is very easy to choose and install yourself, therefore, if you have made such a decision, you can safely proceed to the process.
Design Secrets
Also, kitchen design can be supplemented by focusing directly on the apron or on the other elements:
- emphasis is desirable on something specific,while all other details must maintain the style of the interior. If the emphasis is on furniture, it is advisable to make the apron neutral, unobtrusive, and vice versa;
- apply bright, saturated colors, only a lot and not poisonous, so as not to make the design "parrot". It is necessary to emphasize the mood and appearance, but not mottled and not overloaded;
- Contrast style will perfectly highlight the beauty.each element of the kitchen. It is not necessary to pay absolutely all attention to one apron, especially if you are doing kitchen design in the style of "ethno", "provence" or "classic."
Kitchen apron from MDF: reviews
Since the apron of MDF in recent years has becomevery popular to install at home, you can find a huge number of opinions about him. People leave positive reviews about the low cost of this material, its environmental friendliness, hypoallergenicity, the possibility of independent and fairly quick installation. Of the negative characteristics - poor resistance to moisture, the ability of MDF to absorb odors, as well as the fire hazard of this material.
