It’s very easy to diversify your kitchen interior and make the design brighter and more attractive - just add one decorative accent to it. Any room, even one furnished with rather modest furniture, can be decorated with a well-chosen apron.
This part can be made of different materials. Recently, glass aprons, due to their many positive properties, have become very common in kitchens.
Glass apron for the kitchen
Why are aprons made of glass attractive?
The surface of the wall rising above the work area, stove and sink is usually decorated with a protective coating, which must meet certain requirements. This is determined by the purpose of the kitchen area, in which steam formation, elevated temperatures, splashes of water and fats can be common occurrences. In addition, we should not forget that the area in question is located in close proximity to the food preparation area, so the sanitary aspect cannot be ignored. In this regard, aprons must meet certain requirements:
- be resistant to high temperatures;
- not exposed to water;
- easy to clean and hygienic;
- withstand mechanical stress.
The glass apron is not afraid of moisture and steam, does not absorb dirt and grease, and is easy to clean
. In addition, the wall decoration should be attractive.
Skinali looks incredibly impressive
The apron can be made from several materials:
- ceramic tiles;
Porcelain stoneware apron - plastic;
PVC plastic apron with photo printing - stone (both natural and artificial);
Artificial stone apron - metal sheets (stainless steel or aluminum);
Metal apron - MDF panels.
MDF apron for the kitchen
All of the above types of coatings have their own advantages and disadvantages. Against the backdrop of the variety of materials offered by manufacturers for wall cladding above countertops, glass aprons stand out as something special. They are an excellent alternative to the usual tile cladding.
Glass is an excellent alternative to ceramic tiles and other materials
Currently, apartment and house owners have the opportunity to realize their wildest fantasies in this interior detail. Modern technologies make it possible to produce skinals (this is what aprons are called, made, among other things, from glass) of any format and any design. For the production of finishing, special tempered glass is used, which is characterized by increased strength.
The thickness of the glass for the kitchen apron is 6 or 8 millimeters
Why are glass splashbacks interesting?
- The wall covering is completely inert to moisture. Accordingly, neither splashes, nor steam, nor increased dampness have any effect on the coating.
- Skinali are not susceptible to the formation of pathogenic microorganisms.
- Glass aprons are extremely hygienic. A big plus is the absence of seams between individual parts, where dirt usually accumulates.
- The finishing, made of solid glass, visually increases the kitchen area.
A glass apron is very good for cramped and small kitchens - Installation of glass aprons does not take much time. Installation is not a dirty job (debris is generated only when drilling holes in the walls).
- Some types of glass coverings (clear), installed over existing trim, protect it from the elements, but do not mask the attractiveness.
- Glass panels are appropriate to install in kitchens decorated in various styles.
- Skinals go well with any type of decoration.
The apron fits perfectly next to the stove or hob and is not afraid of heat - There are several ways to process glass, which helps you choose the desired surface texture.
- Choosing the design of a glass apron allows you to bring any ideas of the owners to life.
- If desired, under the skinali you can install printed images that are valuable to the residents, for example, photographs of family members.
- Illuminating the apron significantly increases its decorative effect.
Illuminated apron
Important! We are talking exclusively about tempered glass. Plexiglas should not be considered for installation in the kitchen. It is afraid of high temperatures, mechanical damage and loses transparency over time.
You should not use homemade aprons made of ordinary and organic glass.
However, even such a universal coating has some disadvantages. For example, in order to maintain an ideal cleanliness of the surface, it is necessary to wash the skinali almost every day.
How to care for skinali
The cost of glass panels is not too budget-friendly. With all the excellent characteristics, there is one more thing to remember - concentrated impact load on the coating can lead to damage.
It is also necessary to take into account that ordering a glass apron is the final touch of finishing the kitchen. It will no longer be possible to change anything in its design or shape. Therefore, you should start decorating the wall above the work surfaces after completing the repair work and installing all communications (including electrical sockets). It is important to understand that making skinali is not a very fast process. You will have to be patient and time. On average, specialized companies fulfill orders from 1 to 2 weeks.
Table. Comparison of different materials used as kitchen splashbacks.
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|
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| Stone |
| |
| Water resistance | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| High temperature resistance | ★★★★★ | ★ | ★★★★★ | ★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Mechanical resistance | ★★★★★ | ★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Easy to clean | ★★★★★ | ★ | ★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Decorativeness | ★★★★★ | ★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Environmental friendliness | ★★★★★ | ★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Price | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★ | ★★★ |
| Installation | ★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★ |
Important! It should be borne in mind that the stone coating must be treated with a composition that protects it from moisture and dirt. When laying tiles, great attention should be paid to the quality of processing of the joints of the parts.
Glass aprons (usually transparent) are often installed not along the entire work surface, but only near the hob or sink.
Apron. Tempered glass, 8 mm, sandblasted frosted
Sequence
Installing security panels is a complex process. Therefore, before installation and selection of surfaces, you need to familiarize yourself with the basic rules:
- After tempering, glass cannot be cut. Therefore, pictures for kitchen skins are chosen for a long time. You cannot change them if you wish.
- Mounts for illuminated skins cannot be drilled. The panel is put on with self-tapping screws, since the glass is destroyed by the drill.
- The glass apron is installed last. Initially, the room is decorated, furniture is brought in, wall cabinets are hung, the bottom row of furniture is installed, and only then the panel is glued. This sequence is very important. With a pre-installed backsplash, the kitchen may not fit into the parameters. And the already installed set allows you to choose the correct placement of the decorative panel.
- If you want to replace the old protective zone with a glass apron, you do not need to make preliminary repairs, change the design or remove furniture. The panel is attached to the place of the old apron.
Dimensions of glass aprons
The dimensions of the skin are determined by customers.
Kitchen apron sizes
The thickness of glass aprons may vary. It is selected depending on the size of the panels and customer requirements. Most often, materials with a thickness of 6...8 mm are used, but it is possible to select coatings from the range of 4...19 mm. However, you should understand that you should not choose excessively thick glass. This is not only expensive, but also significantly increases the load on the fasteners and the base.
The width of the panels varies from 0.4 to 1.5 m. This parameter depends on how the kitchen modules are installed. Usually it is equal to the distance from the desktop to the bottom edge of the hanging cabinets, to which a small allowance is added (about five cm).
Existing sizes of finished glass skins
Most often, the length of the skin is limited to 3 meters. But if necessary, you can order a longer panel (up to 5 m). However, in this case it is necessary to take into account the difficulties with transportation. If the dimensions of the kitchen require the installation of a long apron, most often you have to use the joining of several parts. Corner models also consist of two panels.
Video - Measurements for a kitchen apron
Preparation
Initially, we note that do-it-yourself installation should be done only after the furniture has been completely installed. Therefore, you first need to prepare the kitchen walls. You should get a strong, secure place.
The wall can be leveled with a putty mixture. It is diluted with water until the consistency of sour cream is obtained, after which you need to wait 5-10 minutes. After mixing again, you can begin to putty. The procedure is performed using metal spatulas. It is important to ensure that there is no unevenness on the surface, but that the wall itself is in the same plane. Therefore, a wide spatula is most often used.
Apron design options
Glass can be used to produce real designer masterpieces. This is determined by its characteristics and existing processing technologies.
Transparent panels
Aprons made of colorless glass are used mainly not for decorating rooms, but as protective panels for interesting cladding of the kitchen. For example, if there is no desire to cover brickwork, printed wallpaper or wood trim, transparent screens are used. In this case, the overall design solution remains the same, since the panel is practically invisible.
Clear glass apron
If you want to diversify the design, you can use products with a textured surface.
Important! You can also make an interesting design panel from transparent glass. Using a self-adhesive film with printing glued to the back side of the material, it becomes possible to get an attractive apron without significant investment. In addition, the film can be removed and replaced with a new one if desired.
Not only for transparent skinnels, but also for designer aprons, it is recommended to use not simple glass, which usually has an inconspicuous tint, but a special material - Optiwhite. This glass is brightened, resulting in the elimination of distortion and extraneous tones.
Optiwhite glass splashback
Matte apron
The matte surface can become a decorative element. Glass shades may vary. White matte aprons look stylish in many interiors.
Matte apron
In this case, decor can be applied to the surface, for example, satin.
Glass satin finishing
Tinted glass
In the interiors of a number of style concepts, it is appropriate to use tinted glass to decorate and protect areas above work surfaces. Their colors can be different, even black.
Tinted glass
As a rule, coloring of the material is done in bulk, at the production stage. However, film gluing is also used.
You can also color glass using another technology.
Stemalit
Interesting designs are made from glass onto which a tint is baked in using ceramic paint. This uniform decor becomes part of the glass. It cannot be removed. A wide range of colors are used. The glass itself can be transparent or tinted. With the help of this technology, it became possible to create interesting design effects.
Red glass apron
Apron with a pattern
Photo printing is most often used to produce panels with images. This uses special UV-curable inks. Using a printer, the image is applied to the back of the glass panel. The choice of topics is unlimited. It is possible to transfer your favorite family photos to the glass.
Apron with photo printing
Photo printing on glass
A fairly expensive apron can be made from triplex, in which the images are between the layers. In this case, the drawing is completely protected from damage.
Standardly, a triplex apron is made with a thickness of 8.38 mm using sintering of two 4 mm glasses
Sandblasted glass
By exposing the glass surface to an air flow mixed with an abrasive, it is possible to create various, even the most intricate, patterns.
Using a rather complex but effective processing method, you can perform exclusive engraving
Artistic sandblasting
Mirror aprons
Mirror coating has an important effect - it can visually significantly expand the space of the kitchen. However, as practice shows, more often they install not solid panels with a mirror coating, but aprons with a printed pattern, or they install cladding from individual mirror tiles.
Mirrored apron with diamond patterns for a bright kitchen
When making aprons, a combination of several types of finishes is often used.
Mirror apron for the kitchen
An interesting design technique, regardless of the type of glass processing, is the installation of decorative lighting. It is performed using strips with LEDs.
Mirrored apron with lighting
Which pattern and color should I choose?
The main advantage of skinals is the possibility of using them in kitchens, the interior of which is made in different styles. It depends on the style whether the option will be plain or with a pattern.
Styles where plain skins fit perfectly
Minimalism implies the absence of unnecessary decor or a minimal amount of it. A matte or glossy glass surface will highlight the minimalist design of the kitchen.
Japanese style requires a large amount of free space, the absence of bright accents and a minimal number of decorative elements. An apron in pastel colors can easily play up the main principles of this trend.
High-tech kitchens are distinguished by the presence of stylish household appliances and restraint. The color of the apron can be anything from white to neon pink.
Recommendations for installing glass aprons
Usually the ordered product is produced within a week. The panel comes with holes for fasteners (if necessary) and sockets. After this, it is possible to order and installation by qualified specialists (usually the process takes about two hours). If you want to save money, you can do the work of installing a glass apron yourself. The most important thing when installing is to be careful.
Regardless of the type of installation, it is first necessary to prepare the area where the work is being carried out:
- All items are removed from the desktop and hob. The sink should also be empty.
- the modules for which the apron will be installed are dismantled: cabinets, hood, etc.
- if plumbing elements or other objects may interfere with the installation of a panel that has significant dimensions, they must also be removed.
- External electrical devices (sockets and switches) should also be dismantled. It is important not to forget to turn off the power supply.
When determining the type of fastening, you should take into account the preferences of the owners, the configuration of the set and the condition of the walls in the room. The junction of the skin and the working surface is decorated with a special side.
Important! It is recommended to use special suction cups to move glass.
Jack for carrying glass
Three methods of installing glass aprons are used.
Material advantages
Glass skins for the kitchen are one of the best materials that can be used for cladding a kitchen apron. Among its main advantages are:
- Easy to clean . The material easily withstands frequent washing. Moreover, during the cleaning process you can use mild abrasives.
- Ease of installation . Installation of glass panels is carried out quickly and without complications. Their installation does not require special skills.
Skinals are easy to clean and install without problems
- High decorative performance . Skinali is not only a variety of colors and bright shades, it is also an opportunity to choose the decor to your liking. You can independently order the design you like and add a touch of individuality to your kitchen decor.
- UV resistance . The pattern on the surface is not at all afraid of exposure to sunlight. The design does not fade in the sun even after several years of use.
- Moisture resistance . Skinals can easily withstand constant exposure to moisture, which is very important for kitchen areas.
You can order a coating with any chosen pattern
Installation with adhesive
In this case, silicone glue is used. The main nuance of installation is that the surface on which the panel is attached must be properly leveled. The glue must be neutral to the decorative layer applied to the glass. This method is not used for transparent aprons.
Installation is not difficult (but it is not suitable for massive elements).
- For better adhesion of materials, it is recommended to prime the wall surface.
- Glue is applied pointwise to the wall. It is important to treat the area around the removed sockets and switches.
- The apron is pressed against the wall.
Installation of the apron with glue (liquid nails). Applying glue
Installing a glass apron
The disadvantage of this method of installing a skinali is the impossibility of dismantling it in the future without damaging it.
Video - Installation (sticking) uploaded
Kitchen design - creating coziness and convenience
Modern kitchen space today requires special attention. This applies not only to the installation of advanced technology, but also to the use of effective and stylish finishing materials. And skins are not the last place in this list. The solution was invented and implemented not so long ago, but its convenience, beauty and practicality allowed it to gain great popularity. As a result, many people try to make skins with their own hands.
The considered instructions with photo materials will allow you to do this quickly and efficiently. In addition, you can watch a video on how to do everything optimally.
Profile mounting
In this case, as in the previous one, there are no holes for fastening on the panels themselves.
Apron installation diagram
To install the apron, you need to use self-tapping screws to secure the mounting profiles designed for fixing the glass to the wall (top and bottom).
After this, the panel can be installed.
- To do this, its lower edge is moved slightly away from the wall, and the upper edge is inserted into the profile.
- The bottom of the glass is brought to the profile and is also inserted into it (you have to press a little on the product).
- If several panels are installed, it is necessary to ensure that the gap between them is as small as possible. A rubber mallet is used for this, but the tool should be used with caution.
The fastening was removed using fasteners
Very often, when installing a kitchen glass apron, self-tapping screws are used that will securely hold the products. The use of such fasteners makes it possible to fix glass panels, even if there are slight irregularities on the wall. There are several features that must be taken into account when choosing this method of fastening the skin:
- holes in glass panels are made during their manufacture, so it is very important to take measurements and markings correctly;
- if the glass panels are small, then through holes for fasteners are made in the four corners, and when installing very long skins, additional holes will be required;
- special plastic gaskets must be put on the screws, thanks to which the metal will not come into contact with the glass;
- if the glass apron for the kitchen will be attached to a concrete or brick wall, it will be enough to use dowels, and in the case of installing glass sheets to a plasterboard wall, you need to use special butterflies for reliable fixation;
- self-tapping screws in the skins are covered with decorative plugs or baseboards, which depends on the wishes of the client.
