In the process of decorating the kitchen, it is important to find the optimum between functionality and appearance. One of the details of the kitchen interior is the apron, which has a protective, practical and decorative purpose. It is a coating made in open areas of the wall between the countertop and hinged shelves, cabinets and an exhaust hood.
If the wall is left unprotected, splashes of water, grease and steam exposure will very quickly render it unusable. Repairing a kitchen is time-consuming and costly, so the most vulnerable spots should be protected from the very beginning. In addition to the protective function, the apron can serve as the basis for applying drawings or photo printing, which can significantly change the appearance of the room.
Advantages and disadvantages
The most popular is wall protection with ceramic tile or glass paneling. Their disadvantages are the high cost and the ability to crack during impact. An alternative to ceramics and glass is MDF. The reduction in the price of this material made it quite attractive for lining kitchen walls. Despite its popularity, the widespread use of MDF is hindered by some disadvantages.
Advantages of wood boards:
- relatively low cost (comparing with tiles, glass panels or solid wood);
- ease of installation - it is much easier to fix MDF sheets than to lay tiles in a quality manner;
- ease of processing - with a creative approach, the apron can be made in the form of patterns. Due to the finely dispersed structure, curly sawing of MDF is much easier than processing of harder surfaces;
- hitting a viscous plate does not lead to destruction, unlike glass or ceramics;
- careful preparation of the wall under the apron is not required;
- ease of replacement of panels (plates) and laying of new communications.
Disadvantages of MDF:
- the apron may “lag behind” the wall over time if it was initially not secured sufficiently;
- exposure to high temperatures worsens the appearance of MDF and creates a fire hazard;
- with external exposure, traces remain on the surface that are difficult to mask;
- poor resistance to caustic chemicals, limiting the list of suitable detergents.
When selecting material for a kitchen apron, it is better to find stoves soaked in a fire-fighting compound. This will not protect them from destruction when exposed to fire, but will prevent its spread.
Self-installation of a kitchen apron - a guide to action
Any work related to minor or major repairs requires careful planning. Before proceeding with the practical installation of the apron, it is necessary to determine the location of the kitchen furniture and appliances. Hoping for a case, you can not guess the size of home decoration.
To assess the size of the plates, you can use the following values:
- the height of the table (to the top of the countertop) is an average of 85 cm;
- the distance between the lower part of the hinged shelves and the countertop is 55-65 cm, and the exhaust system is even higher (about 75 cm);
- the margin length of the apron, which goes beyond the dimensions of the table and shelves, is 2-3 cm on each side.
You should also provide 3-4 outlets for which holes will have to be cut out in the sheet. When calculating the dimensions, you should find on the plan the best way to fix the plates and take into account existing communications. The shape of the panels is best to choose a rectangular one - this will simplify their dismantling when replacing worn components with new ones.
Watch a video that will help you measure correctly for a kitchen apron:
How to prepare the surface before installation?
Unlike ceramic and glass aprons, the MDF wall only needs initial (rough) processing. The surface should be plastered and leveled in places of deformation. To avoid blooming, the space under the slabs should be saturated with an antiseptic solution.
How to fix MDF to the wall?
There are two ways to fix wood boards, suitable for independent and professional use - mounting on liquid nails or self-tapping screws.
- Fixing MDF onto liquid nails (glue) is the easiest. The sheet and walls are smeared around the perimeter and places of their contact, after which they are tightly pressed.
The disadvantages of liquid nails are the difficulty of replacing plates in the future. If you initially plan to periodically update the apron in the kitchen, it is best to mount on self-tapping screws. The method is also suitable for walls that are too curved, in which MDF boards cannot be placed vertically on the adhesive.
- Mounting on self-tapping screws. Initially, you need to attach wooden rails to the wall, to which the MDF will be fixed. To mount, you will have to make holes in the wall and insert the dowels. The latter are screwed with screws or screws for attaching the rails.
To avoid cracks in the MDF, before fixing it, it is necessary to drill thin holes in the designated places. They should be 1-2 mm less than the thickness of the self-tapping screw measured on the outside of the thread. When the rack mount does not need to eliminate the skew of the walls - it can be leveled by installing the sheet at different distances from the guides.
In places of fixation, small recesses should be made with a drill. The screw head will be completely recessed in them. The top of the hole can be covered with a lid pre-selected to match the color of the furniture.
Apron with photo printing
To diversify everyday life and add colors to the kitchen, photo printing technology on wood stoves allows. Its use allows you to introduce fresh design ideas, dilute the same type of surface with flowers and slightly expand the room visually.
There are various options for the implementation of photo printing, which differ in application technology, durability and price. Some of the most durable and stable printing methods include surface preparation (application of the primer), coating of the film with the printed pattern and final fixing with varnish. The pattern is usually applied to the inside of the film, protecting it from fading.
An apron for a kitchen from MDF is an economical replacement for more expensive ceramic and wooden coatings. If it is damaged or loss of visual qualities, a quick change of panels is possible, which allows you to transform the appearance of the room. MDF sheets are more susceptible to chemical and thermal effects, so it is better not to use them in rooms with intense working conditions.