Wall panels for kitchen

The decoration of the kitchen, like the whole dwelling in general, can tell a lot about the owner.

This room is intended for cooking. Here, family members or guests can gather for a joint meal and socializing. Maintenance of comfort and cleanliness in the kitchen will help the practical design of the working surface. One of the popular options for finishing are wall panels for the kitchen.

Requirements for the design of the working wall in the kitchen

Without exception, all materials that are in the kitchen area must have good strength characteristics. This applies to furniture, work surfaces, as well as wall finishing.

In this room, especially when cooking, humidity and temperature increase. Surfaces are often contaminated, so they must be made of durable, moisture-resistant materials that are easy to clean.

Wall panels in the kitchen decor

Most often, splashes from slabs and sinks fall on a portion of the wall between the countertops and the upper kitchen cabinets. To protect this area from external factors, it is recommended to cover it with a kitchen apron. Wall panels are easy to clean from grease, dust and other contaminants. In addition, this type of surface is resistant to fire, which is important in the presence of cooking stoves with gas burners.

Wall panels are easy to clean from contamination

This type of decoration has the qualities necessary to maintain the kitchen in good condition:

• strength;
• security;
• moisture resistance;
• wear resistance;
• convenience in operation.

Kitchen apron is the best option for decorating the working wall.

Varieties of wall panels for kitchen

If in the room the upper cabinets form a continuous block without spaces, then it is more rational to cover the kitchen apron only with that part of the wall that remains between the countertops and the top of the furniture. Making a narrow strip requires replacement in case the owners decided to change the kitchen set.

Wall panels for kitchen apron

If the kitchen is fitted with furniture designs of open type (for example, racks without a door), in this case it is recommended to cover with wall plates the entire visible part of the wall. Thus, the panels can be installed from the floor or the level of the plate to the ceiling. High constructions are considered to be the most practical, since they allow you to do a free rearrangement of furniture.

Kitchen Wall Paneling

With a minimal amount of furniture or with a central arrangement of cabinets, the kitchen apron decorates the walls from the floor to the hanging cabinets. This type of panel is called the reference type and also refers to practical options.

Depending on the method of installation, the following varieties of wall panels for the kitchen are distinguished:

• tiled;
• mosaic;
• leaf;
• rack-and-pinion.

Mosaic wall panels for kitchen

How to install a kitchen apron, depends largely on the material from which the elements of the structure are made.

Materials used

Wall kitchen panels produce from:

• plastic;
• MDF, fiberboard, chipboard;
• gypsum boards;
• wooden massif;
• ceramic plates;
• metal sheets;
• glass fragments.

Each material has certain characteristics. Increased indices of fire resistance are: ceramics, metal, glass, gypsum plasterboard.

Glass wall panels have increased fire resistance

All but the last also differ in wear resistance. Drywall and plastic are not flammable, but can melt when exposed to open flames.

Plastic panels, wear-resistant

All materials, including wood and sheets of particle board, MDF, are processed without exception. Due to impregnation and a stable coating, these panels can be washed repeatedly. However, they should be protected from fire. The protective coating will have to be updated over time.

Wall panels for kitchen from MDF

Features of plastic kitchen aprons

Plastic panels for working walls of the kitchen are among the most budgetary ways of decorating the working area, which is an undeniable advantage in comparison with other types of materials. The plastic has the following positive characteristics:

1. Moisture resistance. The surface can be easily cleaned from greasy deposits with detergents. Also, the panels are not afraid of splashing water and hot oil from the pan.
2. Resistance to temperature drop. Plastic is not afraid of heat. However, it should not be exposed to open flames to avoid melting.
3. External appeal. Plastic plates look not less qualitatively and stylishly, than products from any other kind of a material.
4. Practicality. This option can be made from a single sheet without the use of seams.
5. Security. In the production of plastic used for wall panels, synthetic, but safe for human health components are used. They are absolutely non-toxic.

Plastic panels are resistant to temperature extremes

The disadvantages of this type of material include:

• susceptibility to scratching and scuffing (it is recommended not to use to clean the surface from greasy plaque, dust hard brushes, abrasive cleaners);

• divorces from cleaning solutions and water (splashes from the sink during drying can leave no aesthetic traces and spoil the look);

• deformation from the action of an open flame (high-quality plastic is resistant to high temperatures, however, areas that come into contact with a plate or exposed to an open flame may melt);

• versatility (panels made of plastic material are suitable for decorating the kitchen in any style).

Plastic wall panels suitable for any kitchen

When decorating a work area in a kitchen with a small area, it is recommended to use a transparent plastic look. Such a solution visually expand the space. For more spacious kitchens, it is allowed to use opaque surfaces with different prints, monochrome or multicolored tinting.

Wall panels for kitchen from MDF, fiberboard, chipboard

Manufacturers of kitchen aprons use all of the above materials. However, the most suitable option for a full kitchen is the sheets of fiberboard. Sheets MDF and chipboard can be used for decorative purposes. All without exception canvases are additionally treated with special means to improve the strength.

Wall panels for kitchen from MDF

Fibers are coated with a thin plastic. This solution protects the material from moisture.

The advantages also include:

• relatively low cost;
• resistance to mechanical stress;
• the possibility of self-installation.

Wall panels for kitchen from chipboard are resistant to mechanical impact

The drawbacks are that this type of structure does not withstand the increased weight load. It is not necessary to mount to the fiberboard panels hanging cabinets, shelves and other pieces of furniture.

Kitchen apron from ceramics

Tile or mosaic – the most optimal variant of the design of the working surface in the kitchen. It combines two important qualities – practicality and relatively low cost. Such a coating will last for many years and will not lose its external appeal.

Ceramic wall panels for kitchen

Ceramic wall kitchen panels can be made in the form of:

• tiles of various sizes;
• mosaics;
• tile-curb and other forms.

Ceramic wall panels for the kitchen are not afraid of moisture

The only condition for using this option – the space between the tiles should be treated with a special stable filler, which is selected for the main tone of the products.

Mosaic or tile masonry is not afraid of moisture, fire, mechanical and chemical effects. The surface can be damaged except by a strong blow.

Working area of ​​glass

The use of glass in the interior always looks modern and stylish. Plus this kind of material – hygiene. It is easier to take care of the glass working surface due to the lack of seams and joints.

It is easy to look after glass wall panels

Glass is remarkable in that it allows to realize the most daring design decisions. Behind the glass panel you can place posters, photo wallpapers. The drawing can be applied to the glass itself using various techniques:

• stained-glass painting;
• acrylic paints;
• photo printing;
• sandblasting;
• gluing of a special film and so on.

Glass wall panels for the kitchen can be applied any pattern

For the production of wall panels for the kitchen only tempered glass is used. To strengthen strength, some models are covered with a thin layer of protective film. At impact glass can simply crack, but not to scatter into small pieces.

Kitchen apron from metal sheets

Metal is the most durable type of material that is not subject to any influence. However, this option is only applicable in the interior in the style of minimalism or hi-tech.

Kitchen apron from metal sheets

Metal has only two textures – glossy and matte. But their competent combination allows you to create a stylish and modern look of the kitchen. For harmony in the interior, the rest of the furniture should also have metal elements.

Metal wall panels for kitchen in high-tech style

Wooden wall panels

For decoration of kitchens use natural or veneered wood. The natural material is environmentally friendly and the most safe for humans.

With its help you can create a cozy and warm atmosphere. The tree is perfect for any kind of interior. With the help of products of various shapes and sizes, the most daring design solutions can be realized. The tree can be used in the form of simple, alternately laid, racks or lay out an image of small elements of different shades.

Wooden wall panels for kitchen

Concerning the cost, the construction materials market presents options for any budget:

• inexpensive – pine, linden, alder;
• more durable, expensive – oak, cedar, other.

Wooden massif is necessarily processed from all sides by wax. Impregnation protects the product from moisture ingress, the appearance of insects, light mechanical impact. To increase strength, the surface is also covered with a layer of varnish. But over time, the protective coating will need to be updated.

On wooden wall panels, you need to update the protective coating

Wooden elements of the working area should not be placed near hot surfaces and open fire. During the operation on the protective coating, microcracks are formed. It is important to cover the wood with lacquer in time, so that the structure of the material is not deformed under the influence of moisture.

Wooden elements should be protected from constant exposure to moisture. They can be washed, but one should not allow water to stagnate, especially near joints. Do not apply to the surface of detergents with a chlorine content. The substance may damage the paintwork.

Wooden wall panels should be protected from moisture

The disadvantages of this type of design can also be attributed to the relatively high cost of material and assembly price.

Criteria for selecting wall kitchen panels

Making a choice in favor of this type of design, it is worth paying attention to the following points:

• Quality of products. When inspecting the demonstration models, it is necessary to make sure that the entire structure is executed qualitatively. Pay special attention to the joints. The material should be treated evenly on all sides.

• Build quality. If the installation of the structure is done by the company, it must be ensured that there are no large gaps between the elements. All joints must be performed qualitatively. In the case of tile laying, it is important to properly plaster the distance between the tiles.

• Guarantee. A conscientious performer provides a guarantee for all types of work performed. If parts of the coating were damaged during transport or installation, it is replaced at the company’s expense.

• Price-quality ratio. Budget options for kitchen aprons are ideal for decorative design of the kitchen, where you do not often have to cook. In the event that the working area is used in full, it is better to give preference to stronger models from reliable, wear-resistant materials.

Before buying wall panels for kitchen, check the build quality

All kitchen aprons, except tiled, are mounted at a distance of 2-3 cm from the wall. This is necessary in order to ensure a natural air circulation and prevent the formation of condensation, mold.

Wall panels for the kitchen – a convenient, practical, modern and stylish version of the design of the working area. Kitchen aprons not only complement the interior of the room, but also protect the wall from the effects of moisture, cleaning agents and temperature differences.

Photo gallery – wall panels for kitchen

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Author: Mikhail Bond