Aprons for kitchen from MDF: features, varieties and selection tips

Aprons for the kitchen from MDF - a practical solution that allows you to create an attractive design of the working area without significant effort and cost. Washable material can have a glossy or matte structure, is easy to clean, and forms a solid, complete look of the headset. The MDF protective screen between the countertop and the top row of drawers is easy to attach, not afraid of heating, humidity and temperature changes. Decorative solutions are also very diverse: you can find wall-mounted kitchen panels with a pattern and photo printing, finishes for tiles and wood. Choosing such an apron there is no doubt that it will harmoniously complement the interior of a modern, classic or designed in the author's style kitchen space.

Since the apron for the kitchen from MDF primarily performs a purely functional role, it is worth paying attention to its practical purpose from the very beginning. This design covers the surface of the wall in the working area, takes on a spray of water and grease, the heat generated by the heating devices. Using MDF - medium density fiberboard - you don’t have to worry about the practicality of the apron. This material is characterized by increased strength, including resistance to mechanical abrasion, withstands significant operational loads.

Unlike other types of wood-based panels, MDF is made by hot pressing using a lignin binder. It is distinguished by environmental safety and does not contain formaldehydes hazardous to human health.Such a kitchen apron is completely harmless to health, even when heated does not emit toxic fumes.

Modern kitchen sets often have facades made of MDF - such a finish leaves considerable scope for the original design. Adding such a plate as an apron can also get optimal results with minimal design costs. The material has a ton of obvious advantages.

• Affordable cost. The budget price of MDF allows you to aesthetically decorate the interior of the kitchen and at the same time exclude the purchase of too expensive finishes. A fiberboard is cheaper than tile, solid wood or natural stone.
• High mechanical strength. A high-quality MDF apron is not afraid of impacts, while cracks and other damages that reduce the decorativeness of the coating are not formed.
• Increased moisture resistance. The base of the plate is impregnated with lignin, allowing the plate not to absorb water and steam. At the edges, this resistance is lower. But in general, nothing prevents the use of MDF material for wall decoration near the sink, stove.
• Ease of installation. A slab cut to the required size can be fixed on self-tapping screws, fixed with "liquid nails" without outside help.
• Minimal care. The surface of the plate material is easily cleaned of any contaminants, allows the use of the most common cleaning agents.
• Unlimited variety of design solutions. MDF can be coated with photo printing, a surface that mimics the texture of wood or stone. It is possible to apply original prints, dye in various colors, give a glossy shine.
• Additional thermal insulation, sound insulation. Like any wood panel, an MDF apron when mounted on a wall makes it possible to reduce heat loss, reduces the penetration of noise from neighboring rooms.
• Possibility of hidden communications. When attaching to the crate, an apron made of MDF can be used as a mask for electrical wiring or other elements of communication.
• No risk of mold and mildew. The material is resistant to them, does not require additional processing.

Not without flaws. When in close contact with a source of open fire - a gas stove - the finish may be deformed. The edges of an MDF apron are the most vulnerable - they must be protected from moisture, dirt with the help of aluminum or plastic profiles. In the absence of such protection, deformation of the panels over time is possible.

Another obvious drawback is the instability of the coating to contacts with sharp objects. The panels have high mechanical strength, but this does not save the surface from scratches. In addition, even a very high-quality decorative coating that imitates wood, tile, stone, still does not fully recreate it. MDF will look at its price, it will not be possible to give it out as natural material.

MDF panels for the manufacture of aprons in the kitchen must fully comply with all requirements and standards. Their sizes depend on:

• from the form - there are large-sized, narrow slatted, tiled;
• processing method — a profile can be selected on the surface and edges;
• overall indicators.

Usually for wall panels, MDF of small thickness is used - 3 mm, 4 mm, 6 mm, 9 mm. Standard sheet widths are 200 or 325 mm. The length usually reaches 2800 mm, but you can find options for 2.44, 2.62 or 3 meters. Much depends on the equipment used in the production.

Thanks to the unlimited choice of design options for MDF aprons, in a modern kitchen you can create almost any environment: from a concentrated business to a dreamy and light. Options with a picture look especially impressive and expressive. Among the prints, the following motifs are especially popular.

• Images of animals and birds. Elegant swans, cooing pigeons, a soaring eagle look quite appropriate in the design of the kitchen apron.

• Images of wildlife. A tree on a rock, orchids on stones, an apple tree branch look original and do not strain your eyes too much. You can create a picture with a blooming field or transfer to the wall an enlarged image of your favorite variety of roses.

• Stylized images. A family monogram or coat of arms, initials or the names of those living in the house will look quite appropriate in the kitchen if you place them on a kitchen apron.

• Abstraction. Unusual interweaving of lines, chaotic strokes of color. They are harmoniously combined with different design styles, allowing you to show imagination.

• Sea. Waves, oceans, islands of paradise or shells of mollusks in foam well refresh the atmosphere of the kitchen, bring a little romance to it.

• Imitation of materials. Brickwork, natural block of stone, delicate marble - all this can be created using photo printing and other methods of image transfer.

• Ethnic motives. Gzhel, Khokhloma are no less relevant in the kitchen than African ornaments or ancient Mayan scripts. You just need to choose what the owner of the house likes.

• Gastronomic images. Juicy raspberries, green apples, red-orange salmon fillets, black olives - this design apron will whet your appetite.

• Vehicles. Cars, motorcycles, trains look brutal, look good on a kitchen apron in a bachelor’s dwelling.

MDF panels used for the manufacture of aprons, support staining, lamination, lamination of the surface in almost any color and shade. When choosing a panel for a kitchen, the general color scheme and style are necessarily taken into account. For example, a glossy black or white apron is in harmony with a headset in the style of "dominoes" or hi-tech, suitable for Japanese minimalism. Of the neutral shades, green, gray, beige can be recommended, organically combined with almost any finishing option.

In a small kitchen, an apron is usually made in one tone with a countertop. This allows you to visually increase the area of ​​the working area. A similar effect is created by light panels.

The optimal color scheme for a monophonic kitchen apron can be called gentle shades of pastel colors: blue, pink, peach. With a bright headset of acid shades - green apple, lime, electrician - the background should be neutral. If you want to add a little color to the interior decoration with a white, beige, gray set, you can use turquoise, grassy green, juicy yellow or orange.

MDF aprons have a lot of design options, and this makes it possible to implement almost any ideas and solutions in the interior. The simplest option is the one-color painting of panels in production with the creation of a glossy or matte surface texture. In total, the manufacturers' palette contains more than 200 color options - from classic to original shades.

If you want a unique finish, you can choose an apron with photo printing. Here, the created design allows you to simulate natural materials - wood, stone. This solution looks pretty attractive, but costs much cheaper than the original. Such decor can be easily integrated into any interior design option.In the modern style kitchen, you can embed a version with a tile finish.

The better the print, the more expensive the manufacture of the product. An apron from MDF with photo printing can depict nature views or reliably recreate still lifes on a culinary theme. You can transfer to the surface an abstract drawing or your own picture. Even more interesting is stereo printing with the 3D effect. She looks very attractive in ultramodern interiors, hi-tech style, but requires a large area of ​​wall coverage.

The dimensions of print parts should also be chosen taking into account the area - the larger it is, the larger these elements can be.

Landscape scenes on the surface of the apron fit well into the aesthetics of the Mediterranean style or Provence, in the design in ethnic, country style. Here, sea and mountain landscapes will be appropriate. And if you use culinary motifs, you can add “fire” to a neutral minimalistic kitchen.

In order for the apron from MDF to successfully cope with the tasks assigned to it, the panels themselves must be of high quality and safe. When choosing a base material, be sure to be guided by the following points.

• Thick plate. The apron in the kitchen should not be thinner than 4 mm.
• Brand reliability. This must be a full-cycle enterprise, responsible for all the important characteristics of its products. Such brands as KRONOSPAN, HDM, Latat, KASTAMONU, P&M Kaindl were highly praised in the domestic market. It is very important that the company has production in the Russian Federation that meets all applicable standards.
• The presence of a security certificate. Only it guarantees the absence of formaldehydes and other hazardous ingredients.
• The correct storage. Plates stockpiled in violation of the rules will necessarily change their geometric parameters during operation.
• Design features. It should be in harmony with the overall design of the kitchen space chosen by the suite.
• Color scheme. With the help of an apron, you can visually change the external perception of the headset. A light panel will help to make cabinets taller, at least in appearance. The dark one will narrow the distance from the countertop to the bottom edge of the headset pendant block.

Care for aprons from MDF is as simple as possible. The material does not accumulate static electricity. Accordingly, dust is formed on it gradually and rather slowly. Dirt does not settle too intensively either. Any visible marks can be quickly removed with a soapy solution and a sponge or a soft microfiber cloth.

To preserve the decorativeness of the material for a long time, the use of metal washcloths should be avoided, hard brushes, detergents with abrasive particles. Particular care must be taken with surfaces with prints on their surface. You can extend the life of the coating by using special polishes that increase gloss and form a protective film.

Installing an apron in the next video.