The apron is longer than the kitchen. Glass panels. Glass apron or throw off

Ceramic tiles are one of the best and most popular materials for decorating a kitchen backsplash. But far from the only one. Let's look at the pros and cons alternative materials— wall panels, skinali (tempered glass). And with the nuances of laying out a tiled apron that you may not have guessed about.

1. Laminated wall panel

For whom:

• for those who want quick changes in the kitchen without a messy renovation.
• for those who are renovating their kitchen in super-economy mode;
• for tenants of apartments in the “granny chic” style, when it is important to cover the old apron in the kitchen, and the owner does not agree to expensive repairs;

Price: from 1500 rub. per panel 301x60 cm in Leroy Merlin; from 2000 rub. for a panel 120x55 cm at IKEA.

A rich palette, including stone, wood, tile, with the ability to order fancy patterns; There are matte and glossy, textured. Typically, laminated panels are ordered as a companion to a laminated countertop - they are made in the same color.

Budget material; the price is comparable to the cost of inexpensive ceramic tiles.

Very easy to install and dismantle - no need to “dissolve the dirt”. But if you're tired, you can replace it in literally an hour. Can be glued directly on top old tiles(if thickness does not interfere), there is no need to prepare the surface in any special way.

This is a sheet material and the sheet may be undersized. At large size kitchen, there will inevitably be joints that (in best case scenario) will be issued aluminum profile as in the photo. Unlike tile grout, it is intrusive and not always aligned with the lines of the upper and lower cabinets.

— For the joint in the corner, metal corner guides are used. It is also better to cover the end of the panel with a metal plate to make it look neat. Unlike chipboard countertops, the ends of the laminated panel are not covered with an adhesive edge. This means that these will be places unprotected from moisture. If you do not treat them with sealant during installation, the panel will quickly become unusable.

- Cannot be installed next to gas stove. Only if the stove has a lid (and it is this that will protect the wall when raised) is this option possible. But in kitchens with hobs Without a protective cover, it is better to stick to other materials.

Fact: The width of a laminated panel sheet rarely exceeds 60 cm. If you need to place the apron behind the hood, a horizontal joint may form.

2. Artificial stone wall panel

For whom: for those who are looking for a “shortened” apron of an unusual shape, as in the example in the photo; for those who need an apron without a “plinth” (inevitable in the case of chipboard wall panels).

Price: from 3000 rub. per p.m.; depends on the brand and composition of the artificial stone.

The panel is glued to the tabletop during installation, which eliminates gaps and water ingress. No baseboard needed.

The apron can be made curly, without extending to the upper cabinets. The wall panel made of artificial stone is glued and sanded in such a way that the joints are not visible - for any length of the kitchen.+ Repairable: artificial stone is returned

original appearance with simple sanding.- The material is also produced in bright colors, but it is always monochromatic or has stone inclusions

various types

. The texture can hardly be called “rich”.

For whom:— Such a panel costs at least twice as much as a laminated wall panel.

3. Flexible veneer (artificial stone in veneer, flexible stone) for those who need the texture of natural stone or natural wood at a relatively affordable price.

Price:

from 5000 rub. per sq.m.

The flexible stone consists of a sandstone cut 1-2.5 mm thick, a binder polymer and a textile base. In the photo - spruce veneer on a Corian base.

Flexible veneer is practically indistinguishable from the original in appearance.

Subject to local repair.

Easy to install without the help of specialists.

For whom:

• — Limited number of shades.
• — Requires special care due to its hygroscopicity: treatment with protective impregnations once a year.
• 4. Skinali: tempered glass wall panel

3. Flexible veneer (artificial stone in veneer, flexible stone)for those who want to dissolve the kitchen in the living room;

when there is a task to use wallpaper (covered with glass) instead of an apron;

for those who are looking for a durable backsplash option without seams, but with a non-speckled / non-stone pattern.

from 5000 rub. per sq. m Quick to install option. The ability to make any color and apply any design, it can be made transparent or mirrored.

- Because of limited size Best suited for small kitchens.

— - Requires ideal flat surface

walls, since installation is carried out using special fasteners, and if the wall is uneven, the glass may crack.

For whom:

• Glossy surface
• for those who need to integrate the kitchen into the surrounding interior;
• for owners of a spacious kitchen in a classic style.

3. Flexible veneer (artificial stone in veneer, flexible stone) comparable to the price of artificial stone and depends on the manufacturer.

Boiserie is a modular design consisting of narrow panels of different heights mounted in a groove. For installation, external and internal corners, as well as end elements. Boiserie panels are often used in combination with artificial stone, for example, for decorative finishing of buffet areas.

A beautiful option for the interior, which flows into the living area.

Boiserie can be ordered in an unexpected finish - aged, tinted, unexpectedly painted.

— Difficult to clean due to the presence of grooves.

- Enough high price.

6. Mosaic apron

For whom:

• for lovers of colorful decors and glitter;
• for owners of a small kitchen.

3. Flexible veneer (artificial stone in veneer, flexible stone) from 2000 rub. per sq. m

A wide variety of sizes and shapes: from squares and rectangles to circles and pebbles.

Variety in materials used: glass, ceramics, stone, metal, wood.

Supplied in sheets of approximately 30x30 cm, which makes installation easier.

Can be used on radius elements.

Possibility to cut the sheet and use undercuts.

— High consumption of grout.

— Some elements may shift or peel off from the base during installation, which requires painstaking restoration work.

7. Ceramic tiles

For whom: for those who choose proven and understandable solutions - most workers know how to work with tiles, laying the apron will not cause any difficulties.

3. Flexible veneer (artificial stone in veneer, flexible stone) from 1000 rub. per sq. m - consists of the cost of tiles, grout and installation services.

+ Rich in patterns and formats, thanks to which you can achieve various effects due to styling or choosing a bright collection.

You can choose both expensive and budget tile options.

Not sheet material. There is no need to cut and work with large parts.

— Requires care and accuracy when laying out, skill from the tiler.

- Suggests dirt during repairs.

— It is possible to overpay for extra meters when purchasing tiles in boxes.

What is important when laying a tile backsplash?

In a small kitchen, a large format will look out of place, just as in a spacious one - a small mosaic. The most economical to use is medium format. If you compare the cost of installation, the small format is more expensive. If we talk about the price of the material, then you are more likely to overpay for large-format tiles: more tiles - more leftovers (and therefore unnecessary expenses). But an apron made from large-format tiles is easier to keep clean: there are fewer seams and less chance of fungus growing in them. Tip: Order the kitchen first. You just need to order - in this case you will finally decide on the project and will not change anything. When you pay for the furniture order and receive the project with dimensions, you will clearly understand which zones will be tiled and what their area will be. And then you will be able to more accurately calculate the consumption of tiles (and afford more expensive collections).

2. Decide on the size

The fact is that 60 cm is not the only possible size of a tiled kitchen apron. Firstly, this is the apparent size (the actual size should be larger). And secondly, in order not to get the “we didn’t have enough money” effect, the tiles should be behind the hood and “somewhere upstairs”, behind the open shelves.

How to determine the minimum size of a kitchen tile backsplash

Linear kitchen

The day we start, we are looking for the estimated lower border of the apron (determined by the kitchen set you ordered). We add the height of the base (legs) and the height of the frame (cabinets) and subtract 2 cm. To determine the upper limit of the apron, add 65 cm to the sum of the heights of the base and frame. It turns out that the visible height of the apron is 60 cm from the table top to the wall cabinets. And another 3 cm will be at the bottom of the wall cabinets. We lay the tiles on all open surfaces where there are no cabinets, but add 5 cm to each side. For example, if the kitchen has a dome-type hood 90 cm wide, and the distance between the cabinets is the size of the hood, then the tiles must be laid out 1 meter wide. If the kitchen ends with a refrigerator or pencil case, then extend the apron 5 cm beyond it.

Corner kitchen

If we are talking about a corner layout, then along one of the walls we will get a visible connection of the end of the cabinets to the wall. And the tile placed under them will create a visible gap (since the tile is thick). For a corner kitchen, I advise you to calculate the end of the kitchen by the cabinets - not by the countertop. That is, you should not place the apron under the top row. The second important nuance is to take into account the thickness of the tiles when laying them on another wall: it may happen that they annoyingly extend 1 cm beyond the boundaries of the set just because you did not take into account the thickness of the coating on the adjacent wall.

For a corner kitchen, the calculation is as follows: we find the upper limit (where the cabinets begin and the apron ends), count down 60 cm from it and add a margin of 5-10 cm. Tip: Think about symmetry and beauty of styling. For example, you can lay out the tiles symmetrically relative to the hood, sink or other central element of the set. Ideal when furniture and tiles come to door frame(as in the photo in this interior). The ends and cracks are not visible - the tiles can only be laid along the apron.

Linear kitchen by surprise

Option one: We don’t put tiles on the end wall at all. This option is acceptable if the sink is not located in one of the corners, and the wall covering without tiles will be resistant to washing (as in the photo above).

Option two: We lay tiles on three walls.

We place the tiles beyond the boundaries of the lower cabinets and upper wall cabinets. But to what depth? It all depends on the tile format. If it is large in size, you can lay tiles from the bottom to the top of the kitchen along the depth of the lower cabinets. If it is medium, you can lay the apron at the depth of the lower cabinets, as in the example in this photo. If the tiles are small in size, you can make a smooth transition from the depth of the lower cabinets to the depth of the upper ones. But in this case, practicality is lost. If the end wall is small or is the side of a technical box, it can be completely tiled. And in order to save money, choose a companion tile to the main tile on the apron.

When is it okay to break the rules?

If you are laying a backsplash with small-format tiles (for example, honeycomb), you can not put the tiles behind the upper cabinets, but “tear” them without trimming. You will get an original uneven edge. By going into the work area without a sink or stove, you can reduce the number of rows of tiles, reduce them to nothing, or do a “stretch”, skipping more and more tiles, and finally reduce them to nothing.

In order not to lose practicality, trim the gaps in the tiles decorative plaster and cover with a special protective compound. Tip: If the slab is located far enough from the end wall (as in the photo), the tiles can only be laid along the main wall, going behind the cabinets and hood. Important:Be sure to place tile behind the sink cabinet and behind the dishwasher and washing machine. To do this, you can take any budget tiles or scraps from tiles for the apron.

One of the most important elements of kitchen design is the apron - part of the working wall between the hanging and floor cabinets. This area is the most contaminated, especially in the area of ​​the sink and stove, therefore, along with aesthetic requirements, strict requirements for practicality are imposed on finishing materials. Only then can a kitchen apron be considered good when it is pleasant to look at and easy to care for.

What are they made of?

Just a few decades ago, the question of what to make an apron from in the kitchen did not arise: if you were lucky enough to find tiles, they made it from it, if not, they simply painted it oil paint. One of the options was to glue ordinary paper wallpaper, which was coated with varnish. That's all the choice. Naturally, tiles in this case are the best possible option.

Composite apron for the kitchen - made of tiles and mosaics

Today the choice is much wider. There are both traditional tiles and many other materials for kitchen aprons:

• Ceramic tiles and mosaics.
• Made from tempered glass with photo printing.
• Stone and materials based on it (ceramic granite, for example).
• Plastic and plastic panels.
• Metal.

Despite the abundance of materials, ceramic tiles are still the most popular. And all because it is available in a very wide range of colors and sizes. The second most common is an apron made of plastic - it is easy to care for, and it is also inexpensive. That's why it's popular. In third place, perhaps, is a glass kitchen apron. And all because it provides unusually wide design and design possibilities. Its only drawback can be considered its high cost. All other methods of decorating the wall of a work area are not very popular. Some due to not the most best qualities(MDF, for example, does not really like moisture and high temperature) or the complexity of installation on walls (ceramic granite and stone). However, all of these materials can be used.

Dimensions

There are usually no questions about the length: the entire wall or part of it, which is occupied by a kitchen unit, requires special care. That's why everything is simple with length. But the width of the lined area should be larger than the open space. That is, the finishing should begin below the level of the countertops of the floor cabinets and end above the level where the ends hanging cabinets. This margin is desirable around 5 cm. More or less depends on the size of the finishing material, in particular ceramic tiles.

Since there are no cabinets above the stove, the apron in this place is made higher. And again: its width should be such that the side-hung cabinets lie on the tiles with their sides. This makes cleaning more convenient.

Tile splashback

Most traditional look finishing the working wall in the kitchen with ceramic tiles. It is good because it is easy to clean and has a long service life. Modern technologies allow you to make it in different shapes, colors and sizes, which provides ample opportunities for design.

The disadvantage of a tiled apron in the kitchen is the complexity and duration of installation, the high price of the tile itself and the installation work. The presence of a large number of seams can also be considered a disadvantage. They are being overwritten special compounds, but it is the seams that get dirty and lose their attractiveness first of all. You have to remove the old grout and re-treat them with new grout.

However, it is the tile backsplash that is most often made in kitchens. The tile can be small in size - a square with a side of 12-15 cm.

There are tiles that are more similar in size to bricks: rectangular in shape. This tile shape is also called “hog”. It is more difficult to install - there are more seams, but the apron looks interesting. You can find a “brick” model, or you can make it blue or green. Everyone looks good.

Dark blue tiles in a white kitchen - contrasting and unusual

There are large-format ceramics. It can have dimensions of 60-70 cm on a side. Moreover, it can be either square or rectangular. You can choose a model such that one unit will cover the entire height of the apron. This is good because such an apron has fewer seams.

Flowers on the walls - cute

There are collections of tiles of various nonlinear shapes and patterns. They look great, of course, but they are more difficult to maintain: all the cracks, irregularities and bends are more difficult to wipe off than a flat surface. Another disadvantage of such tiles is their high price, much higher than average. If all this does not scare you, keep in mind that you need to order it with a reserve of about 10%. Firstly, waste is inevitable during installation, secondly, there is a problem during delivery, thirdly, if you made a slight mistake in the calculations, you will have to wait a long time again, and it is not a fact that such tiles will exist. Many collections are produced in very limited quantities. And they simply may not exist. For the same reason, you should always leave a few pieces in case of repairs. After a few years, even mass collections are discontinued.

Is there some more ceramic mosaic- very small tiles from which you can assemble entire panels. It is even more difficult to install, but the wall turns out very impressive.

There is another type of ceramic tile - with photo printing. On ceramic surface Before firing, the design is applied with special ink. It is then covered with glaze and cured at high temperature in the oven. Using this technology, you can even apply photographs, but fruits or flowers are often chosen for kitchen aprons.

As you can see, there are already many options for a tiled apron for the kitchen. And there are 5 other materials.

Glass kitchen apron

This type of material began to be used for finishing the working wall in the kitchen relatively recently, but it is quickly gaining popularity. It is even easier to care for a glass apron than a tiled one - there are almost no seams, the surface is smooth. You can apply almost any design - from a smooth color to a three-dimensional photograph. The technique of applying photo printing to glass is called “skinali”. It is on aprons in this version that three-dimensional 3D drawings can be applied.

Floral motifs are one of the most popular in kitchen design. They soften the forced severity of furniture lines Black and white kitchens - contrasts in everything

How to make your own photo printing on glass

The only disadvantage of a glass apron is its high cost. This is due to the complex technology of drawing. But you can do it yourself. The technology is not the same as that used in enterprises, but the craftsmen are skilled enough to find a way out of any situation.

To make a glass apron using the skinal technique at home, take two glasses of relatively small thickness. If you find or buy a hardened one, that’s great, but even the usual one, as practice has shown, lasts a long time. Ask a glass shop to trim the edges and drill holes for fasteners (or do it yourself if you know how). The two glasses must be absolutely identical in size, and the holes for fasteners must also match.

A film with a pattern is glued to one of them. This can be a ready-made self-adhesive translucent film, which is usually sold in wallpaper stores. You can order printing of any image on film in a specialized workshop (perhaps an advertising agency that deals with outdoor advertising will help you).

The glass is cleaned of dust, degreased (a mixture of water and dishwashing detergent or glass cleaner), wiped, then sprayed with water from a spray bottle. Removed from film protective layer and on one side they are glued to wet glass: it is more convenient to work on it and there is less chance of creating an air bubble. Then they take a dense and elastic material with smooth edges (a rubber spatula can be used) and remove excess water from under the film. The main task is to prevent the appearance of air bubbles. The pasted film is left to dry for several days, and then holes are made in it for fasteners.

Both pieces of glass are folded and mounted in this form on the wall. The film is clamped on both sides and is perfectly protected from any influences. To ensure that nothing happens to such an apron over time, the joint around the perimeter must be coated silicone sealant(not acrylic, it turns yellow after a while). It can be done without the second layer of glass, but then there is a high chance that the film will peel off or dirt will get behind it, which will be visible.

Apron made of MDF and chipboard

If you need to finish it quickly and inexpensively working wall in the kitchen, you can install an apron made of panels. You need to choose from moisture-resistant products with a durable coating: you will have to wash them often. Therefore, MDF is taken of medium or high density. The higher the density, the better: with a smaller thickness, the panels are more durable, but denser material is more expensive.

Installed on furniture screws or, if necessary, on dowel nails. A hole is first drilled in the required places. The diameter of the drill is the same as the hardware rod or slightly smaller. To prevent the caps from sticking out, they drill into the panel larger diameter than the size of the cap make a small indentation. In a store that sells furniture fittings, you can find end caps to match the panel. Here, under the stem of the plug, you can select the diameter of the drill: so that it becomes tight.

Before installation, an adhesive is applied to the back surface, then additionally applied to the fasteners. If the apron goes from one wall to another, there is no problem, but if there are corners, they need to be finished somehow. To do this, you can use plastic or aluminum corners - it depends on the style of kitchen furniture (furniture hardware stores).

If we talk about color solutions, there are monochromatic options different colors, quite a wide selection of surfaces imitating different varieties wood, there is an imitation of stone surfaces. There are also exclusive designs, such as photo printing, flowers, etc.

The drawing is glued onto the MDF board. This is a film with photo printing. Since the film must have a high density, such panels cost a decent amount.

Made of plastic

Plastic aprons are good because they are inexpensive and easy to install. At the same time, the plastic surface is easy to clean. For the production of aprons they use ABS plastic(ABS). It is neutral to fats, acids, alkalis, but reacts poorly to contact with alcohol. Therefore, you cannot wipe with alcohol or alcohol-containing compounds. Physical properties- hard, durable and at the same time plastic - allow you to make housings for household appliances from it. Even some parts in the car interior are made from this type of plastic. Therefore, aprons for the kitchen are only part of its application.

The temperature range at which such a plastic apron can be used is from -40°C to +90°C. Its only drawback is that it reacts poorly to ultraviolet light. Therefore, it is undesirable to install it in kitchens where the working wall is illuminated from a window.

The choice of colors is wide, and the relatively low price and ease of installation allow you to change the finish if you are really tired of it. Any image is applied to the plastic, then it is covered with a double layer of varnish, which protects the design and prevents scratches. If you try, of course, you can scratch it, but accidentally touching it is unlikely. In general, a good option. If we talk about price, then a plastic wall panel, which is used as a kitchen apron, costs from 1.5 to 6 thousand rubles. The panel width is 60-80 cm, length 2-3 m. Some examples of plastic aprons are in the photo gallery.

Traditional theme - coffee beans

Wall panels are mounted on a relatively flat surface. Liquid nails-type glue is applied pointwise and the plastic is fixed to it. Its density allows you to hide minor surface defects.

From stone and metal

The least common type of kitchen apron is made of stone. Firstly, they are expensive, and secondly, it is not easy to remove plaque from them: even a very well-treated surface has open pores, into which the fat and soot that are inevitable in the kitchen get clogged.

Kitchen apron made of stone. Looks great in some interiors...but hard to clean

Exceptions are stone-based products, in particular porcelain stoneware. Its surface can be very smooth. But there is one more point: heavy weight such finishing. Respectively, complex installation and a powerful fastening system.

They decorate the working wall in the kitchen with metal, but this is a very caustic phenomenon. Such an apron would only fit into minimalism and high-tech, and even then you need to try so that the room does not look like a meat cutting shop...

As you can see, you can decorate a working wall with different materials. There are options at different taste and wallet. The main thing is to choose an apron for the kitchen so that the set and the rest of the furniture become a single ensemble. Then the kitchen will be cozy too.

In a house or apartment, good owners have practically no “secondary” rooms, that is, those that can be left unfinished special attention. 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 of various materials. When determining the parameters of this zone and choosing material, it is necessary to adhere to certain rules. Therefore, when planning renovations, 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.

It is no secret that the finishing of the lower part of the wall along the working surface, sinks and stoves turns out to be different. 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 harmful to the finish covering 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 through and optimal color finishing - it should not strain the eyesight, and a pattern on it that 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 assortment finishing materials 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 them in rooms decorated in different 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 made 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, poorly executed grouting 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.

• 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 the apron once or twice a week, since slight dirt on such a finish they will be practically 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 in last years is becoming an increasingly popular finish for kitchen splashbacks as well as bathrooms. 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 version of the tile is that it does not have to be cut, resorting to some kind of 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.

TO obvious shortcomings finishing of this type can be attributed 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.

• 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 decorating the kitchen; 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, ease of use and cleaning, and also 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 of natural wood, gypsum or concrete tiles, imitating 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%. That's why a 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.
• Durability stone finishing- it will serve exactly until the owner gets tired of it.
• Aesthetic appearance allows you to use these materials 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, as well as smells. Under the influence of a complex of negative influences, the facing stone begins to deteriorate, and its appearance loses its presentability.

• 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 adhesive composition, made on the basis of cement. 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.

— Treatment with a primer that will create good adhesion for the 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 visible side 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 may have different color shades, but they all fit perfectly together. 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 specific kitchen area.

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 installation work Installing a glass panel can cause considerable difficulties.

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 of whole piece glass, which also requires certain skill during installation work.

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 lining located behind the screen can be changed during the following cosmetic repairs, 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 greasy stains and vapors fall onto 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 from 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 a bright color 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 you can place it in it. small elements that have a bright color, for example, artificial flowers or branches with bright 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 having one color. Color design may 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 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, the backlit panel often creates a particularly comfortable conditions for cooking work, 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 panels can visually expand small space kitchen area. 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 with different shape. The originality of this design is undeniable, but mirror surface will have to be cleaned almost daily, just like clear 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

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

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 from all the mentioned 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 exposed to wet cleaning 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 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.
• Due to the fact that the panels do not fit tightly to the wall surface, 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 aprons can have various relief patterns, which can be selected in accordance with the chosen designer style kitchen decoration.

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, which 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 using household chemicals or without it.
• 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.

Panels MDF 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 of 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.

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 quite high degree flammability, therefore 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 having acrylic coating- are more resistant to external influences, however, and they quickly lose their original appearance.

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 to veneer MDF wall 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

An apron protects the walls in the work area from grease and dirt, steam and heat, while it is always in plain sight and is the first thing that catches your eye when entering the kitchen. Therefore, it must be, firstly, simply indestructible, and secondly, beautiful. In this material we will tell you what kind of aprons there are, what pros and cons they have various materials, as well as which apron to choose for the kitchen in terms of design and size.

Review of materials

Ceramic tile

Ceramic tiles are the most popular material for finishing a backsplash.

Pros: easy to clean, durable, resistant to moisture, fire, alkalis and acids. The tiles are environmentally friendly and inexpensive. Ceramic tiles come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, textures and designs, and there are a great variety of installation methods. The tiles can be combined with any countertop, organically fit into both modern and classic interior. If desired, you can lay the wall tiles yourself.

Cons: the tile backsplash has a weak point - the seams. If the tile itself is cleaned once or twice, then you have to tinker with the grout and periodically update it. Another drawback is that the installation process is quite messy and requires a level base.

Selection tips:

• Light tiles + light joints are an impractical combination, since over time the joints darken and look untidy.
• To make the backsplash easy to clean, give preference to smooth matte tiles rather than glossy and/or textured ones.
• To seal the seams of a tile backsplash, you need to use a waterproof grout designed for kitchens.
• For classic kitchens square small-format tiles are more suitable, as well as tiles with a pattern under majolica .

• The most versatile design option for a kitchen backsplash is hog-shaped tiles.

• Decorative inserts as in the photo below, borders and mosaic accents will help diversify a simple tiled apron.

Mosaic

Mosaics can be made from ceramics, porcelain stoneware, glass, smalt, stone and metals and sometimes from all these materials at the same time. The mosaic is sold already folded onto a grid matrix.

Pros: durability (especially smalt mosaics), the ability to cover a curved or simply not too smooth surface, the ability to create a complex and unique artistic composition.

Minuses: big number seams, high price (higher than ceramic tiles), slightly more complex and expensive installation, especially when laying a complex pattern.

Selection tips:

• If you want to save money, use mosaic in combination with ceramic tiles, such as in this interior in the photo below.

Combined kitchen apron made of mosaic and tiles

• Mosaic can be replaced by “mosaic-like” tiles, which are cheaper and easier to install.

Artificial and natural stone

Most often, tiles (slabs) made of natural/artificial granite or marble about 2 cm thick are used to finish the apron.

Advantages of granite: due to its density and hardness, granite is durable, not afraid of fire and temperature changes, and does not absorb moisture and dirt. The color of a granite apron can have a very different shade - gray-pink (the most common and inexpensive), yellow, blue, brown, red, black and almost white.

Disadvantages of granite: high price, the need for professional installation. Granite purchased from an unscrupulous manufacturer may be radioactive.

Pros of marble: A marble backsplash is perhaps the most beautiful. Domestic marble can be relatively inexpensive.

Disadvantages of a marble apron: marble has high moisture absorption, which is why it absorbs grease and dirt. The shine is lost over time, and some stains, for example from rust or beet juice, may simply not be washed off.

Advantages of artificial stone (agglomerate): ease of care, durability, seamlessness of the finished apron, variety of colors and textures, possibility of restoration.

Cons of artificial stone: high price (higher than porcelain tiles, ceramics, glass).

MDF and chipboard

Using wood to finish the apron is not practical, safe and expensive, so it is replaced with budget imitations - MDF or laminated chipboard. The thickness of such an apron can range from 4 to 15 mm. As a rule, MDF and chipboard are matched to the countertop.

Pros: the ability to decorate the apron to match the wooden or stone countertop, low price, lightweight and quick installation even on a crooked wall, easy to maintain.

Cons: MDF and chipboard are not suitable for finishing the area behind the stove (especially gas), firstly, because of their high flammability, and secondly, because of their sensitivity to aggressive cleaning. Therefore, these materials are combined with a stainless steel insert or a glass screen. Another disadvantage of an MDF/chipboard apron is the presence of seams between the sheets, which are covered with moldings and corners, which complicates kitchen cleaning and does not look very good.

Metal

Pros: matte and slightly textured stainless steel very easy to care for. It is not afraid of scratches, grease or cleaning products. The stainless steel apron is very durable and wear-resistant.

Cons: polished (not matte) steel, although very beautiful, is too impractical, because it easily leaves fingerprints, stains from water drops and scratches. In addition, a metal apron is only suitable for modern kitchens.

Glass apron

To decorate the kitchen apron, they use not ordinary glass, but tempered glass, as it is more impact resistant and safer. If you try hard and break the glass, it will break not into sharp fragments, but into small and smooth pebbles. The glass apron is hung on special dowels with decorative plugs.

Cons: glass apron is made only to order exactly for custom sizes, you won’t be able to trim it at the installation stage. Installation is carried out only by professionals. Another significant drawback of glass is its high cost (from 5,000 rubles per square meter).

Pros: the glass apron can be washed even with a brush and any means, it does not scratch, is not afraid of fire, sunlight, or temperature changes. Service life is about 10 years. Clear glass can be installed over fragile finishes such as wallpaper or painted walls, photo collage or posters, brickwork or wood.

Glass is also an excellent substrate for photo printing. This kind of apron is called skinali.

The glass apron is made not only in the form of solid sheets, but also in the form of tiles, which can be folded in traditional ways, for example, in a herringbone pattern, as in the following interior.

Plastic apron

Plastic wall panels are a good solution for super-budget renovations or kitchen decoration in a rented apartment or cottage.

Pros: the main advantage is the low price, which allows you to often change the appearance of the apron. Plastic is easy to clean, can be installed independently and even on a crooked wall.

Cons: the plastic apron is not compatible with a gas stove. It is also susceptible to scratches, abrasion and fading from sunlight. The service life of plastic is only a few years.

• At Ikea you can purchase a double-sided panel installed in special profiles. You can change such an apron yourself at least every day.

How to choose the color and design of a kitchen apron

Here are some tips to help you choose the right backsplash design and correct some kitchen flaws:

• Most often, the apron is matched to the tabletop and they are made either from the same material, for example, stone, or from materials that are as close as possible in color and texture. What else can you consider when choosing the color and design of a kitchen apron? On the color and design of facades, walls, floors, curtains and other interior elements.

The blue apron is supported by blue accents

The design of the kitchen apron echoes the wallpaper and facades

• A dark apron is the most impractical. Against such a background, dust, drops of water, and splashes of grease will be especially noticeable.
• Choosing bright color or a colorful pattern for decorating an apron, remember that the interior should be decorated neutrally.
• Do you want to visually expand a small kitchen? Then design the apron so that it has as many horizontal lines as possible. For example, it could be striped tiles or boar ceramic tiles.
• The following will help to increase the space and enhance the lighting in the kitchen. mirror apron. True, it is suitable only for those who rarely cook and rely on a beautiful appearance, because the mirror is very difficult to keep clean.

• Food looks most appetizing against a warm background, such as orange, red, yellow.

Determining the height and dimensions

The standard height of a kitchen apron is 60 cm, which is convenient for people of average and tall height. However, if the majority of household members are short, then it is better to make the apron 45-55 cm high. We also recommend slightly lowering the height of the apron if the upper cabinets open upward using door closers. After all, if opening such doors is not difficult, then to close them, you will have to stand on a stool or do it in a jump.

For a kitchen set partially or completely without wall cabinets, the apron can be designed at a standard height or an elevated one. For example, it can reach the ceiling or occupy approximately ¾ of the wall. Below are examples of aprons kitchen sets without wall cabinets.

The name “kitchen apron” appeared by association with the work clothes that were customarily worn while cooking. Having a similar protective function, the surface between the desktop and the cabinets also has a decorative purpose. Often it is also a bright accent element of the room. We will consider the questions of which apron to choose for the kitchen, which material is best suited for these purposes, in this article.

An example of a kitchen apron with bright fruit accents

Requirements for a kitchen apron

An apron in the kitchen is an area located in a narrow strip between the countertop and wall cabinets. Moreover, this is a problem area, which daily receives drops of water and splashes from cooking food.

An apron with a laconic ornament over the work area

There are different types of aprons that can make this part of the wall beautiful and practical. But they all share common requirements:

• heat and moisture resistance;
• immunity to chemicals;
• strength;
• ease of care.

Using mosaic ceramic tiles for a backsplash

No matter how neat the housewife is, she still has to wash the kitchen apron. It is not always possible to clean it with plain water and a sponge. There are a number of chemicals designed to remove grease. Therefore, the wall surface must be well resistant to water and cleaning agents.

Metal coated apron

It is worth taking care of the joints of the work surface and the apron. To prevent dirt and water from getting into these places, they are treated with silicone sealant and covered with a plastic or ceramic baseboard. And to protect seams they use moisture-resistant grout and special varnish.

This is how ceramic tile grouting works

Important! Traditionally, the entire strip of wall between the work surface and the upper cabinets is covered with an apron. But at the request of the owners, individual parts in the area of ​​the hood and sink can also be decorated.

A colorful apron above the work area in a linear kitchen set

Types of aprons by material

When deciding which apron to choose for the kitchen, it is worth considering several types of materials. The operational and aesthetic properties of the area near the work surfaces, as well as its durability, depend on them.

Kitchen apron made of mosaic ceramic tiles

Ceramic tiles are one of the most popular finishing materials and can be used in kitchens with different stylistic directions. And a huge selection of colors and textures allows you to make even an ordinary kitchen with modest furniture stylish room. The service life of tiles varies: ceramic will last 15 years or more, glazed - more than three decades, double firing will allow it to retain its qualities for half a century.

Apron made of ceramic tiles of the same texture, different shades

The tiles are known for their fire resistance, which is important for a kitchen with a gas stove. It is resistant to water and easy to maintain, easy to wash and clean, and dried drops of water and grease are not as noticeable as on other materials. Moreover, almost any chemical reagents can be used for cleaning.

Ceramic tiles as an ideal surface protection above the kitchen work area

Among the disadvantages of tiles, they note that they are difficult to install. Often, to lay out an apron from such material, you have to use the services of specialists. And high-quality tiles from a renowned manufacturer are quite expensive. But all costs will be recouped by ease of use and long service life.

Laying ceramic tiles for the future backsplash

Stone

Natural stone is rarely used to decorate walls in the kitchen. Such material is expensive and heavy. Its artificial analogue allows you to create a solid desktop surface that smoothly turns into an apron. Usually acrylic stone is used for it, which is hygienic and durable. A surface made of this material will fit well into any kitchen style from minimalism to country.

Exquisite kitchen apron made of natural stone

Among the advantages of artificial stone, there is a large palette of colors and various decors. Often they choose an imitation of natural material, such as granite or marble. Such an apron is easy to maintain and can be easily restored in case of scratches. Moreover, you don’t even have to remove it for repairs; the technician can do everything at home.

Artificial stone as an apron and countertop for the kitchen

You can complement such an apron with a sink, window sill and bar counter made of the same material, which will create a stylish and impressive interior.

Artificial stone as the main material for countertops and aprons

Artificial stone in the interior of a bright kitchen in the Provence style

MDF

This type of apron, which consists of thin sheets with a top furniture film, is popular because of its inexpensive prices. It is easy to install. To do this, you only need to secure it to the frame or glue it to liquid nails. MDF panels are easy to dismantle.

MDF apron for the kitchen

Among the positive qualities, versatility should also be noted, since the apron fits well into any design. Manufacturers of kitchen sets offer panels in the color of the countertop with an additional corner plinth in the same design. It is moisture resistant and perfectly tolerates mechanical damage.

Kitchen apron made of MDF panels

One of the disadvantages of an MDF apron is its fragility: constant exposure to elevated temperature, moisture will gradually render it unusable. Unlike ceramics or glass, the material is flammable and can release toxic substances when ignited.

MDF apron over the work surface

Mosaic

A mosaic apron is an unusual, but at the same time traditional option for wall decoration in the kitchen. It is made from the same material as large-format tiles, but has its own operating characteristics and spectacular appearance. The mosaic panel consists of small elements glued to a special base.

Bright mosaic tiles for a splashback in the kitchen

Note! The price of such an apron will be quite high. But with a huge variety of colors and patterns, you can choose the option that will perfectly fit into the style plan of the kitchen.

Mosaic tiles in the style of a kitchen set

Besides the price mosaic surfaces difficult to install. It is imperative to pay attention to the seams, of which there are quite a lot, otherwise they can quickly lose their original appearance. The mosaic is also difficult to dismantle.

Laying mosaic tiles on a kitchen apron

Mirror

An extraordinary choice of material for a kitchen apron is a mirror. A long strip above the work surface will visually increase the available space. It will create a feeling of infinity and freedom. And on a sunny day or when the lamps are on, it can also fill the kitchen with additional light.

A mirror as an apron in the kitchen visually expands the scope of the room

Caring for such an apron is easy. The material is usually subjected to special treatment, so it withstands chemical influences well. It can be washed with regular kitchen tools. The mirror withstands temperature changes well, and the manufacturing technology gives it sufficient strength.

Mirror surface of the kitchen apron

Among the disadvantages, it should be noted that with high humidity, such an apron quickly sweats. And all the stains and splashes will be very clearly visible on it.

Kitchen apron made of mirror mosaic

Glass

This material for the apron is new among other finishing options. It is made from glass panels having a thickness of more than 6 mm. And it is decorated according to the customer’s wishes: it can be color photo printing or artistic matting. This material is also safe to use; the glass is specially tempered so that if the surface is damaged, sharp fragments do not appear.

Tempered glass splashback with built-in lighting

A glass apron is convenient in everyday life. It is easy to clean, and today there are a lot of special products to prevent stains. This material can also withstand high temperatures from a hob. Looks like glass surface like a single canvas. This is done by sanding the edges and carefully joining the panels without visible seams.

Apron made of white frosted tempered glass

The disadvantage of a glass apron is its price and constant polishing of the surface.

Glass apron as an important decorative element in the kitchen

Plastic

This option suits many people because it gives a beautiful appearance to the kitchen apron at a low cost. Its service life can be five years. The plastic is installed and removed very easily, without requiring special and thorough preparation of the walls. Alternatively, such panels can have seams or be made seamless.

Exquisite plastic apron for the kitchen in rich red color

The design of a plastic apron can be very diverse: plain, with a pattern, photo printing; imitating various materials. You can choose different surface textures of the sheets: glossy or matte, with or without embossing. This kind of apron is easy to maintain, but you need to attach it at a sufficient distance from the stove or cover it with glass. Over time, scratches and damage appear on the plastic, so do not use hard brushes when cleaning.

Kitchen apron made of purple plastic

Apron design

When considering which apron to choose for the kitchen, some owners want to make a bright accent spot in the kitchen, while others prefer not to worry about the aesthetic side, focusing on practicality and usefulness.

Mosaic multi-colored apron for the kitchen

The following design options are available:

• Neutrality. The selected option performs a purely functional task. But it happens that the combination of an apron and a tabletop, made in a single decor, becomes the highlight of the kitchen;
• Contrast. The purpose of this decoration is to attract attention. A contrasting apron can break up the monotony color scheme kitchens and focus on this area;
• Brightness. The wall above the desk in a similar color sophistication will create a heightened mood in the interior. Various accessories are selected to support it: curtains, cabinet handles, towels;
• Style. A kitchen apron can become an indispensable element that supports style direction premises. For example, a subject panel for classics, imitation of old wood for Provence, a metal base for techno - such a design creates the right mood in the design.

When thinking about what material to choose for a kitchen backsplash, plastic, tile or glass, get acquainted with other options. The building materials market can offer aluminum, wood, and decorative bricks.

Metal apron for the kitchen made of sheet aluminum

Wooden panel as an apron and countertop

But when deciding to buy, think that you will only have to purchase 3-4 square meters, and the requirements for such a surface are quite high. Therefore, you should not skimp on material, especially since housewives have to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. And not only look at these walls, but also monitor their integrity and cleanliness.