Brick apron for a kitchen: design, materials and selection tips

Choosing an apron for the kitchen, people are guided by many factors: appearance, practicality, ease of installation and reasonable cost. Increasingly, at kitchen exhibitions or pictures in design magazines, you can see the design of a working wall under a brick. This option has been in demand for more than a decade. The interest is due to the unusual features of this design.

The need for an apron for a kitchen set is obvious. Here the protection of the wall surface, hygiene, ease of cleaning play an important role. And, of course, the apron serves as a kind of decoration of the kitchen, especially if it is correctly selected and harmoniously combined with other interior details.

A brick apron has several important advantages.

• It fits easily into the interior of both classic and modern styles.
• Smoothes out irregularities and wall defects.
• Practical in everyday life, because you can choose a coating on which pollution will be less visible. Most modern materials used to decorate the kitchen are easy to clean.
• It has many options: by material, color, texture, etc.

More detailed specifications such as Strength, durability, resistance to external factors and accessibility are best evaluated based on a specific variety (depending on the production method and material).

Of course, the working wall behind the kitchen set may well be brick. Moreover, in some cases it does not even need to be created artificially, it is enough to leave the wall in the form in which it is. The brick is strong and durable.In addition, it has a unique texture and is variable in terms of color. However, it should be noted that such a material is quite porous, which means it will absorb not only spray of different origin, but also smells. Yes, and rubbing a rough brick wall will not be easy.

• Ceramic tile ("boar") - the most common option. Of course, it only remotely resembles a brick - tiled bricks look too neat. But the choice of color here is much wider, there are matte and glossy options. The tile may break or crack, but with careful handling it will last several years and keep its appearance in its original condition. And the tile wall is quite easy to wash and clean.

• Porcelain Tile similar in properties to ceramic. Among the few differences, one can note the increased strength and the production method, as a result of which not only the top layer is painted, but the whole tile. Therefore, individual elements can either be covered with glaze or have a natural look, as close as possible to ordinary bricks.

• Clinkers They are much superior to ordinary tiles in strength and wear resistance. Thanks to a special production method, such bricks look quite natural. There are smooth glazed tiles or embossed (rough to the touch). You can choose bright colored or natural-colored bricks.

• PVC apron considered one of the most inexpensive imitations of brick coating. In this case, we are not talking about individual tiles, but about embossed panels that look like a brick wall. The panel is attached to the wall much easier than tile materials, it is easier to replace with a new one. Plastic is well washed using gentle means, but differs in low durability and resistance to heating.

• Glass panels - A modern option in which the image of the brickwork is applied to the glass from the inside. Among the pluses, good, realistic color reproduction and specular gloss are noted. The surface in this case will be flat, but even easier to clean. And the toughened glass is not inferior to tile in strength. Installation is complicated by the weight and dimensions of the product, as well as the complexity of the mounts.

• MDF also often acts as the basis for wall panels with which you can arrange an apron. The top layer will be a brick imitation film or image with a transparent acrylic top layer.

Most often, such an apron is chosen as a cheaper analogue of glass. But to install it is much easier - you can cope on your own.

First you need to decide on the choice of material. A good apron for the kitchen should not only have an attractive appearance, but also be practical to use. It is almost impossible to appreciate the beauty of each apron - it is important to focus on your own taste.

In a tight budget, plastic panels can be considered.

The next criterion is the installation method. The services of professionals require additional costs. Therefore, you can learn how to lay tiles yourself or pay attention to wide, lightweight panels that simply stick to the wall. First you need to decide on the method of laying the tiles: traditional, with offset, diagonally, blocks, etc.Bricks can be trimmed with a narrow strip above the countertop, the space behind the hood or the entire working wall to the ceiling.

Calculation of the amount of material required It is better to produce in conjunction with the master or store consultant.

Wall panels are considered linear meters. With glass, the situation is more serious: they usually cut it, make cuts for outlets and fasteners in production.

The cost of the material should be proportionate to quality. Recently, buyers are increasingly paying attention to tiles from Germany, Italy or Belgium, because foreign brands are becoming a kind of synonym for reliability and good taste. But Russian manufacturers should not be discounted: they adopt Western technologies and produce products no worse and are much cheaper than foreign analogues.

One of the most difficult issues in choosing a tile is the selection of colors. At the same time, it is necessary that he not only please the owner, but also fit well into the general background. The simplest and most universal option is white: it contains all the basic colors, reflects light well. Close to it are also popular: gray, milk, beige, light coffee, etc. Brickwork of a similar color will be an excellent addition to the kitchen in any style.

Thus, it is possible to experiment with the texture - dilute smooth bricks with relief ones. The main thing is that it looks unobtrusive and harmonious.

Sometimes it is important to use a brick of natural colors: light and dark brown, brown, gray. This is especially necessary for the interior, which emphasizes the connection with nature. Tiles in this case should look natural, without polishing and glaze. Often used and a colored version of the bricks: such a glazed tile can be matte or glossy. Particular attention in this case is given to the seams between the elements. Grout can be selected both in the color of the tile and neutral (white), and in rare cases they use color and even contrast (for example, white on black).

In addition to color, the shape of the tile is important. To simulate brickwork, it is important to observe the rectangular shape of all elements. But only in some cases, such an apron may look too perfect. Tiles with smooth edges and a smooth (and sometimes shiny) surface, laid in a deliberately strict order, look simple, but at the same time elegant.

You can get acquainted with the features of choosing an apron for a brick for the kitchen in the next video.