Decorative panels for the kitchen

Modern kitchen design projects take into account a wide range of building materials that have appeared on the market, which are far ahead of the usual ones in quality. The increasingly popular decorative panels for the kitchen are able to replace the traditional wallpaper and ceramic tiles. This is an aesthetic, practical and at the same time budget option for quick repairs. Even an inexperienced specialist will be able to work with most types of panels.

Pros and cons of finishing panels

The mentioned materials are conventionally divided into wall and ceiling. Wall apply exclusively to the walls, and universal suitable for walls and ceilings.

There are a number of positive points in the use of decorative panels:

• There is no need to dismantle the old coating, applying numerous plaster layers to level the surfaces.
• The installation technique is simple. Products fasten on a framework or directly on a wall, the builder without special experience will be able to paste fragment of finishing.
• Care of the coating does not require a long time and effort.
• The panels are well insulated from extraneous noise, and when they are mounted on a frame, the voids are additionally filled with sound insulating material, enhancing the effect.
• The installation of the panels allows you to hide electrical communications under them, to make an accurate connection of pipes to the boiler, column.
• If the neighbors do not turn off the faucet and you are flooded, the panels are not deformed, but dry out after a while.
• It is possible to make repairs at any time of the year without producing mountains of construction waste, bypassing the finishing stage.

As for the cons:

• Some of the types of panels are not strong enough to be deformed.
• MDF and chipboard poorly tolerate prolonged exposure to moisture. Molds may develop under plastic panels, prolonged UV exposure may cause discoloration.
• Not every type of panel withstands overheating, it is not recommended to install them in the immediate vicinity of the plate.
• When installing, it is necessary to take into account the weight of the building material in order to choose a reliable method of fastening. Do not chase the low cost, it usually indicates a low quality products.

Types and types of panels for the kitchen

Finishing material in the form is:

Plastic panels

The most popular. Consumer is attracted by a large selection of colors, the ability to fit into any budget. At the same time economical and decorative option. Due to the protective coating, the products do not absorb odors, which is important for those areas where evaporation is increased.

The product is, in fact, a sheet of MDF, outside - PVC coating, because of which, in finished form, it has water-repellent properties, resists temperature fluctuations. The low cost and durability at the same time makes plastic panels very attractive for clients with a limited budget.

But they are not suitable for any surface. Their thermal stability is limited.

PVC panels realistically imitate natural wood, marble, leather, aluminum, chrome, varied in texture: they look like raw or painted board, textured plaster. Rack white panels are organic in the style of Provence, country. Bright gloss looks good in modern interiors. Sheet material can be with a uniform smooth surface or its top layer is a fragment resembling the coating of ceramic tiles.

Solid wood panels

To the kitchen has acquired a sophisticated look, use panels made of natural wood. Pine, ash, cherry perfectly resist elevated temperatures and humidity. Beech or oak are more prestigious options. Wood keeps heat well, isolates sounds, combines with other materials.

Durability of products gives wax in the composition. Special components prevent the smell of food from entering the material. Some factories resort to reception when more affordable rocks are used in the inner layers of the coating, and more valuable ones in the outer. Sheets with top veneer of expensive rocks are fixed without visible seams on large areas, creating a monolithic surface.

When installed in the kitchen panels of the array, it acquires special colors and naturalness, chic, status. The texture of the tree creates the effect of comfort and luxury.

Decorative panels from MDF and chipboard

The budget version of the kitchen decoration - wall panels chipboard or MDF. For a kitchen apron chipboard fit less. Temperature changes, wet evaporation is bad for him. Pressed wood shavings, which are used in production, swell when exposed to water. So that the coating does not lose its original appearance, it will require systematic treatment with special impregnations. Laminated panels protect the internal structure from getting wet, and the surface layer from scratches. When cutting, it is necessary to ensure that the cuts are processed with special tapes.

MDF panels are durable, durable, resistant to temperatures and humidity. Laminated products often repeat the color and texture of natural wood. In the design of most models of kitchen furniture used coating of acrylic film.

Competent selection of the texture and color of the apron will help to combine the tabletop and part of the wall located between the upper and lower tier of the furniture set into a single composition.

Bamboo panels

Demand is observed not only on the mahogany and walnut panels, but exotic bamboo is gaining popularity. This is a natural eco-friendly material with a unique texture. He is not afraid of moisture, direct sunlight, temperature fluctuations.

In the manufacture of bamboo panels are used hand-made mats, which are impregnated with glue, based on acrylic. Decorative panels are obtained by hot pressing and subsequent drying of these blanks. The finished product looks easy, but it is strong, flexible, durable. Further processing is not required.

Bamboo plates have color options, small or large weaving, are single-layer or double-layer. Installation is simple. They are cut with scissors or a hacksaw, fixed with glue, liquid nails, stapler. Work necessarily gloves.

Warm country, elegant minimalism, ethnic exotic will not do without products made of bamboo. The natural greenish shade can be blocked by any other with paint or tinting varnish.

Gypsum panels

The kitchen, decorated with gypsum panels, looks original, unusual. With the help of 3D panels, the space of the room can be narrowed or expanded, delimited, select a corner. The aesthetic effect of such a finish is enhanced by backlighting. The kitchen interior will look monumental. Imitate the wall covering with wood, stone, create the illusion of volume, high relief.

Plus gypsum panels - ease of installation, environmental safety, products are inexpensive, not deformed. Such a disadvantage as the lack of moisture resistance is eliminated with the help of surface treatment with a special compound.

Over time, dirt and grime can accumulate on the relief surface. This will create certain difficulties when cleaning, but at the same time will give the drawing greater expressiveness.

Glass panels

The main advantage of glass panels is an infinite number of design options. Even the smallest kitchen decorated with glass will become more spacious and lighter.

Wall panels are made individually for a particular room of three-layer glass. The topmost tempered heavy-duty coating is almost impossible to damage. This is followed by a decorative layer, followed by a base. How the decor is applied:

• staining;
• matting;
• various images on the mirror;
• photo printing;
• 3D pictures.

Glass coating is expensive, which is justified by its excellent performance properties. The material is hygienic, has absolute moisture resistance, heat resistance. Mounted glass panels, located behind the sink or stove in each case unique, will not change color, do not absorb odors, they can be washed, almost by any means of household chemicals.

Features and Installation Tips

The choice of mounting method is taking into account the characteristics of the material. For example, wood is much heavier than PVC and requires careful screwing to the crate. If the wall is fairly smooth, you can simply stick the plastic on it. Wood plates are fixed by a system of grooves. Under the glass - special profiles are made, where it is inserted like in a frame.

The method of installation depends on the properties of the surface. Ceramic tiles and PVC are well laid on a perfectly flat floor. Where the walls are far from perfect, it is better to install the crate. On the working wall, slats are placed only around the perimeter.

For PVC, MDF tiles, an assembly with a groove system is provided. Glass is fixed either in special profiles or with screws for guides. Each manufacturer recommends its own solutions.

The appearance of some materials should not be disturbed by fasteners, since damage to the protective laminate layer will disturb the external aesthetics and lead to a gradual separation.

Rules for the care of panels

To finish the kitchen for a long time retained the original appearance, it needs careful care. This applies particularly to wood coatings. Such surfaces do not tolerate abrasive detergents, they are not cleaned with solvents or washing powders, do not use hard brushes. The veneered, varnished panels are washed with a soft cloth dipped in a specially designed product.

The wood mass is periodically treated with wax-containing compounds. From contamination get rid of using a soap solution, recommended detergents with surfactants.

Plastic will also require careful handling, careful selection of mechanical cleaning products.

Intense exposure to water is contraindicated for any kind of panels, because you can get unwanted cracks, swelling, spots and stains. Delicate care with professional products without ammonia and alcohol will provide a flawless appearance of the products.

Conclusion

Wall decoration is an important stage of any repair. Modern fashion trends dictate the use of new materials that will not absorb the smell of food and support style.

Before you decide on the choice of material, think through the overall style of the kitchen space. The optimal solution - a combination of different types of finishes in different areas. Kitchen, sewn from floor to ceiling with plastic or glass, doesn’t please much. What matters is the shape and dimensions of the product, its thickness, the material from which it is made. The choice is influenced by the price and features of the decor.

In order for the kitchen to please the eye for many years, you should not make hasty decisions. For lack of experience, it is better to seek advice from experts and good examples.