Mirror apron for the kitchen: features, varieties, selection and care

A kitchen apron was invented to protect the walls of the kitchen from drops of grease, steam, and hot spray. If you would finish the area between the working surface and wall cabinets with ordinary plaster or paper wallpaper, you will have to do the repair every six months. An apron is made not only from tiles, chipboard and MDF. Talk about the mirror skins in the kitchen.

Mirror apron for the kitchen better than other materials prevents pollution. He has other virtues.

• High strength. If the apron is made of tempered glass, it is not afraid of temperature changes, high humidity and open flame.
• Simple care. Dirty spots that appear during operation are removed with a sponge dampened in water and a mild washing solution.
• Mildew and rot incontinence. They do not eat into the structure of the mirror due to the absence of pores, roughnesses and do not breed on it, as in the places where ceramic tiles come into contact.

Along with the advantages, the apron has 2 irrefutable minuses.

• Ceramic tiles have more strength than tempered glass, but it’s difficult to break it with a hammer with one hit.
• The glass is easily scratched if cleaned with an abrasive detergent. Household chemicals, which contain hydrofluoric acid, are not suitable for cleaning.

Mirrored apron made of tempered or raw glass. The first option is not affordable for everyone, and the second is more affordable. The difference in cost is explained by the fact that the tempered glass is distinguished by high reliability, and also by the fact that when it breaks, it does not shatter into small and sharp fragments.

Toughened and damp glass give the following appearance.

• Mirrored cast panel. If the kitchen area is small, then use it to finish the area between the work surface and the wall cabinet. Its length is up to 3 meters, and thickness - from 6 mm. By installing the panel as a single unit, they save themselves from unnecessary trouble. It harmoniously fits into the interior of the kitchen in the styles of hi-tech or minimalism.

• Mirror tiles. On the kitchen wall in the area of ​​the working area lay an ornament of tiles of various shapes and sizes with a mirror or matte surface. If the tiles are laid with “bricks”, they will receive the most popular type of design for the kitchen apron. In this case, it is better to prepare in advance for painstaking care: although the joints are smeared with a transparent and repellent dirt sealant, but it still accumulates, spoiling the appearance and violating the integrity of the structure.

• Mosaics. It is sold in various shapes and sizes. In the kitchen, decorated in Art Nouveau styles, a loft or hi-tech assemble in a desired place on the wall a "picture" from small pieces of mosaics or from a single matrix, which has a bendable and elastic base. It is troublesome to look after a mirror mosaic, as well as a tile, but a small ornament well masks traces of pollution. It is distinguished by its high price and installation complexity.

The following types of mirror surface are distinguished.

• Satin The surface of the substrate is chemically affected. The result is a matte apron for the kitchen or an apron with patterns and ornaments. Satin glass does not reflect light. This option is not suitable for cases when they want to expand the space.
• Colored mirrors. They can be green, bronze, purple, pink or any other color. They beat the decoration of the kitchen and walls. They are chosen both in tone with them and in contrast.
• Artificial aging. This decoration is chosen by designing the kitchen in a classic or vintage style. The apron has a slight clouding effect while maintaining the reflection function.
• With drawing. This design option is chosen to give the interior exclusivity. Any pattern is applied to the mirror by transferring it to the film and gluing it to it, or by sandblasting its outer side.

When used correctly, the mirror expands the space. If you do not take into account a number of nuances when placing material on the set, then this effect cannot be achieved. A kitchen apron is a finishing material that occupies the space between the floor and wall cabinets of the headset. Almost always, the work area is considered as a whole. Therefore, you can not split the gap, finishing with an apron from the mirror only the area near the sink or above the desktop. If you apply it over the entire area between the lower and upper parts of the headset, the furniture will lose its bulkiness.

An apron is not made up only of a mirror if the distance between the wall and floor cabinets is large or only the shelves are on top. Otherwise, it will seem larger than it actually is, and the top and bottom will look like disparate elements. It is better to choose a mirror for the color of the wall trim or for the upholstery of kitchen furniture.

The interior is formed taking into account the shade of the surface of the mirror apron.

• If the kitchen is white and the kitchen itself is decorated in high-tech style, then the mirror is chosen dark tinted.
• If the furniture is made of solid wood, and the decoration has materials of golden color, then the mirror is selected light shade.

Using a mirror apron in the decoration of the kitchen, the kitchen table is placed opposite it. This will increase family well-being.In no case should you place a mirror panel opposite it. Otherwise, the household will develop a depressed state and causeless fears. If a person unpleasant for the hostess appears on the threshold of the kitchen, then immediately after his departure they wipe the mirror, thereby expelling negative energy.

Of all the apron trim materials, the mirror is the most practical, luxurious, original and elegant. It complements the kitchen, decorated in a classic or modern style.

The pros and cons of a mirror apron see below.