What are the advantages and disadvantages of enamel kitchens? Tips and reviews from owners

16.05.2018 0

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Finishing materials and furniture for the kitchen must be resistant to moisture and dirt. In this regard, impeccably shiny enamel facades seem not entirely practical to some owners. In the photo, glossy sets look very elegant, and how they perform in use can be determined by real reviews from owners of enamel kitchens.

Headset characteristics

Furniture determines the style of the interior and affects the overall atmosphere of the room. Therefore, when choosing it, you need to take into account not only the color or material, but also the quality and composition of the coating that was used in the manufacture of the facades. Like other furniture, enamel kitchens are usually made of chipboard or MDF. Type - angular, U-shaped, straight, radius. Plates with a thickness of 1.9-2.5 cm are cut into pieces of the required size and prepared for further processing.

The technology is similar to that used for finishing cars. It consists of priming and gradually applying several layers of paint (from 4 to 8) to the facades. After each of them has dried, the surface is sanded, which increases the headset’s resistance to external influences.

The shade is even and does not fade over several years. The final stage is finishing with enamel, which performs protective and decorative functions. Types of varnish coating:

• matte;
• gloss;
• metallic;
• chameleon - these are the most expensive enamel kitchens.

Manufacturing technology

Kitchens with enamel facades are manufactured in stages. The basis for them is MDF boards with a thickness of 16 to 25 mm. Panels of required shapes and sizes are made from slabs. After this, a foam filler is applied to the surface - a special material that allows air to be removed from it.

After drying, excess filler is removed from the surface and sanded, preparing for painting. Then it is coated with an insulator, dried and sanded again, after which a layer of primer is applied to it. Waterproof varnish can be used as a primer, which does not allow the panels to absorb moisture and thereby extends the service life of the furniture being manufactured. When the primer dries, the surface is sanded again.

When the slabs are completely prepared, they proceed to applying an enamel coating to them. The dye is applied in layers. When the painted surface becomes dry, it is varnished and then thoroughly polished.

A similar technology is used in car painting. Its use not only ensures high quality and durability of the enamel layer, but also makes it possible to choose the surface texture and create various unique effects on it, for example, “vintage”.

Advantages and disadvantages of enamel furniture

Advantages of enamel-coated facades:

• attractive appearance;
• assortment of colors and shades used in the manufacture of furniture. This makes interior planning and design easier;
• the ability to order headsets of different shapes - rounded, wavy, as well as with drawings and patterns;
• variety of textures;
• environmental safety of the material;
• lack of edges on facades. They look as if they are completely covered with enamel;
• ease of care: you will need a sponge or cloth, detergent and polish;
• enamel resistance to ultraviolet radiation, elevated temperature, humidity;
• compatibility with different kitchen design styles - modern, high-tech, etc.

Despite the abundance of advantages, enamel kitchens also have disadvantages:

• significant cost due to manufacturing technology;
• sensitivity to dirt - fingerprints, grease drops, drips and stains. All these marks are clearly visible on a glossy surface, so enamel care must be regular and thorough;
• not very high resistance to mechanical damage. Cracks and chips may appear on the facades, which are difficult to disguise;
• sometimes - fading of the coating under the influence of sunlight.

Attention! The service life and attractive appearance of the enamel largely depend on the quality of the material, the integrity of the manufacturer and the operating characteristics of the headset. For neat owners, the facades remain for a long time as if they had recently been brought from the store.

Kitchen facades: enamel or plastic?

Today, plastic coatings are the most common. They can be either matte or glossy. Facades with a plastic “face” have a good appearance. They can be plain or imitate wood, stone and other types of surfaces.

Increased mechanical and chemical strength is one of the main advantages of plastic-coated facades. It is almost impossible to damage such furniture, even just scratch it. The plastic-coated set is easy to care for and, as a rule, can withstand washing even with abrasive detergents.

Plastic has few disadvantages, but still, unlike enamel, the matte plastic coating is not easy to wash off stains. Glossy plastic, like enamel, is susceptible to fingerprints. The disadvantages of plastic coating include problem areas: over time, the edges of plastic-coated facades can become deformed and even peel off. Aluminum edges are more reliable, but not everyone likes this design. Dirt can accumulate at the edge joints, which is difficult to remove without causing damage. The enamel coating is uniform, so there are no such problems with it.

In terms of price, plastic and enamel are almost equivalent.

Differences from acrylic facades

Both materials - enamel and acrylic - are characterized by a luxurious shine that captivates the eye. And although enamel facades are not only glossy, but also matte, when choosing a set, consumers often compare these particular coatings. It is impossible to say for sure which of them has more pros or cons. Rely on your own preferences, as well as the basic characteristics of the materials:

1. The shine of the enamel is less bright than the shine of an acrylic kitchen. Remember that spending a long time in a room where gloss predominates can have a stimulating effect. This is harmful for people with unstable mental health.
2. Acrylic facades are most often straight. Enamel kitchens can have almost any configuration. Another plus is that they have a wider color palette. The differences are due to manufacturing technology.
3. Both types of coating are considered environmentally friendly and easy to maintain.
4. If we compare them in terms of strength, then acrylic has an advantage over enamel.

Attention! The average cost of both headsets is approximately the same. They are more expensive than film facades, but cheaper than solid wood kitchens.

Kitchen facades: enamel or film?

Film coating for kitchen facades is characterized by relatively high strength and resistance to temperature changes and moisture. When compared with enamel coating, the main advantage of the film is its much lower cost.

Also, the advantages of film coating include a varied palette of colors and the ability to create various imitations (for example, wood, stone, etc.). Only single-color versions are available with enamel.

Compared to enamel coating, the film has a number of disadvantages: a high risk of damage as a result of mechanical and chemical influences, peeling of the film (which often happens under the influence of humidity and high temperatures), and the inability to eliminate defects. Film facades cannot be restored.

Film peeling is one of the most important problems. Most often, this happens if the film facade hangs directly above the kitchen stove or oven, since it is in these places that there is a possibility of wet and hot fumes getting onto the surface of the facade.

In general, film is inferior to enamels in most respects. But the price of film facades is more attractive.

Reviews and advice from owners

People who choose enamel kitchens are sure: beauty requires sacrifice. The elegant look of the room is worth buying furniture with glossy fronts. Dirt is very noticeable on a dark surface. Therefore, if you don’t want to do cleaning and polishing several times a day, give preference to a light-colored set. In addition, shiny pastel enamel helps to visually enlarge the space. This is especially appreciated by owners of small kitchens.

Advice. Dirt and grease, as well as streaks and drips from dried splashes, are most noticeable in areas exposed to sunlight. If the size of the kitchen allows, take this into account when arranging furniture.

Many consumers also don't like scratches and chips on the surface, which are difficult to protect against while working in the kitchen. Enterprising housewives manage to mask minor damage with ordinary nail polish, matched to the tone of the enamel. Sometimes scratches appear even after unsuccessful washing of facades. Find out in advance the rules for caring for a varnished surface, and also study opinions about furniture manufacturers so as not to buy a low-quality set.

The enamel coating is capricious and demanding in its own way, but it looks very advantageous in the interior, filling it with light and shine. Such a room does not seem trivial. When choosing a headset, rely on the recommendations of experts, consumer reviews, as well as personal preferences. If you are ready to carefully care for the enamel, feel free to buy elegant furniture that will brightly and stylishly transform your kitchen.

Are there any disadvantages to enamel coating?

Yes, although there are not many of them. The first, most important thing is that although this finish is not afraid of impacts, it is sensitive to the appearance of abrasions. Secondly, if glossy enamel is used, fingerprints, water streaks and drops of fat are visible on the surface. Caring for such facades is a little more difficult than plastic or film ones, but regular cleaning will help maintain the perfect shine of the furniture for a long time. The main thing is not to use products with abrasive particles or hard brushes when cleaning - to carefully remove stains, you need liquid detergents without abrasive particles and a soft cloth. Small dirt can be removed from the surface with plain water.

Photo gallery

What kitchens is gloss suitable for?

Lacquered facades look much more impressive than matte ones. This is an indisputable fact, but they are not suitable for every kitchen. Gloss does not fit with the line of ethnic styles and country variations. For popular Provence or chalets, textured surfaces with rough processing are more suitable. Glossy facades are ideally combined with high-tech, loft, minimalism, modern and Scandinavian styles. They can also be integrated into interiors decorated in eco, neoclassical, futurism, pop art, and fusion styles.

Gloss looks best in tight spaces. A reflective surface in combination with decorative lighting can visually enlarge the space and add “air” to it. If additionally light shades are used in the decoration, the visual effect will become even more impressive!

In spacious rooms, glossy facades also look good, but in this case there is always the risk of getting too much free space, like in the ballroom of a luxurious palace. This will deprive the kitchen of coziness, so such surfaces must be properly balanced with color scheme, lighting and decor.

Types of MDF kitchens: methods of finishing facades

As we have already written, MDF kitchens are often finished with additional materials. It can be veneer, laminate, acrylic panels, plastic, film... In addition, there are various methods of decorative processing that can give the kitchen a completely new look.

There are many options for MDF kitchens.

There are a huge number of options. We invite you to take a closer look at each of them.

The most inexpensive version of a kitchen set made of MDF is with façade finishing with PVC film . Affordable and attractive kitchens look attractive and are very popular. The film can be painted in any color, drawings are applied to it, giving it the appearance of various materials - stone, wood.

High-quality PVC film can reliably imitate wood.

However, it is necessary to take into account that such a set must be carefully finished around the edges - install a plastic or aluminum edge. Otherwise, the film will begin to peel off and bubble. In addition, it cannot be placed in direct sunlight - the coating quickly fades under the influence of bright light.

The film should be washed with a soft sponge and a non-abrasive detergent to avoid leaving scratches. In addition, make sure that the product does not contain chlorine or alcohol - they have a negative effect on the durability of paints.

The most expensive option for MDF sets is enameled . Special enamel paint is applied to the facades in several thin layers. This coating is highly resistant to moisture, dirt and even mechanical damage. However, there is one nuance here - under no circumstances wipe enamel surfaces with hard sponges - they will leave unsightly scratches.

Enameled kitchens are a stylish and modern solution.

Most often, such kitchens are glossy. The matte version will cost you more, since it requires special treatment with a special compound. However, it is easier to maintain: dirt is not as noticeable on a matte finish as on a glossy one.

A more affordable replacement for enameled MDF kitchen facades is the installation of acrylic or plastic panels . In this case, you also need to make sure that the edges are covered with aluminum or plastic frames. Otherwise, the panels begin to come off and moisture and dirt accumulate underneath them. This causes the headset to deform and quickly become unusable.

Acrylic panels can look very different.

Caring for acrylic and plastic panels in MFD kitchens is very simple: just wipe them regularly with a soft cloth. Hard brushes often scratch the finish, but scratches are not difficult to remove with polish.

If you prefer classic or eco-style kitchens, consider veneered MDF kitchens . Modern veneer reliably imitates natural wood and is distinguished by high aesthetic and performance characteristics. The material is non-toxic when heated and does not emit harmful substances. In addition, it tolerates operation well under temperature changes and high humidity.

The veneered set is similar to a solid wood kitchen.

Caring for a veneered MDF kitchen is not particularly difficult - just wipe it regularly to remove dirt. Sometimes there are recommendations to use polish. However, we do not recommend doing this: the polish attracts dust and debris, so cleaning a kitchen treated in this way will be much more difficult.

Sometimes MDF kitchen sets are finished with laminate . Durable and lightweight, it is well suited for kitchen use. It is necessary to take care of it in the same way as veneer. However, please note that this option is not suitable for radius kitchens. Laminate is not highly flexible, so it is used only for straight, L- or U-shaped kitchens.

Laminate is another popular finish for MDF kitchens.

MDF facades with paper-resin film is gradually leaving the market . Such facades look very beautiful... For about the first six months. Then the coating begins to peel off even with the most careful care. Their only advantage is their affordable price. Therefore, we do not recommend such headsets for purchase.

Refuse film in favor of modern materials.

Regardless of what type of finishing you choose, contact trusted furniture companies. Unscrupulous manufacturers try to save money and often use low-quality materials and consumables. This causes MDF kitchens to break down within the first months of use.

The use of uncertified materials can be simply dangerous - they often release toxic substances into the air. Therefore, we recommend that you ask for certificates for each component of your kitchen - this will protect your family and can guarantee the high quality of the purchased kitchen.