Materials for kitchen facades: basic characteristics, pros and cons

Incorrectly selected material can spoil the most beautiful and thoughtful interior, and make work in the kitchen uncomfortable. When choosing the appearance of a future kitchen, you should pay close attention to the material from which the facades of the kitchen set are made, and choose the one that will suit you most fully.

Characteristics of basic materials for kitchen facades

In order not to be mistaken with the choice, it is necessary to have a good idea of ​​what materials the facades are made of, what are their pros and cons. First you need to understand the technology for the production of kitchen facades from composite materials - the most common on sale.

The basis of the facade, as a rule, is made of chipboard (wood-chip board) or MDF (wood-fiber board). Then, a coating is applied to this base, which performs protective and decorative functions. Sometimes the base is made of plywood or even wood, but such kitchen facades are much more expensive. The role of the decorative coating is usually performed by plastic, but it is possible to use wood veneer and other materials.

The choice of material for the kitchen is determined by rather harsh operating conditions: high temperatures, high humidity, the content of soot and fat particles in the air, the possibility of aggressive liquids - all this imposes certain requirements if you want the set to serve you for a long time.

MDF boards are by far the most sought-after materials for the base of kitchen facades, since MDF has a dense structure similar to the structure of a tree, allowing any patterns to be molded. The properties of kitchen facades depend in the case of using composite materials for their production on the characteristics of the coating, and in the manufacture of wood, on the properties of the wood species.

Thinking over which facades to choose for a kitchen, you need to pay attention not only to their decorative qualities and price, but also to the characteristics of the materials from which they are made. The more resistant these materials are to aggressive environments, high temperatures and high humidity - the longer the kitchen unit will last, without changing its appearance.

Overview of basic materials for the kitchen

Laminated facades

The procedure for coating MDF (or chipboard) panels with a melamine film is called lamination. Such a film is paper that is impregnated with resins and varnished. This is the most economical option, which does not look very attractive and does not last long. Sometimes, cases for kitchen furniture are also made from such panels.

Pros:

• Low price;
• The availability of various forms of facades while maintaining a low price for them.

Minuses:

• The unattractive look of the headset;
• Low resistance to aggressive substances;
• Quick loss of appearance;
• The possibility of manufacturing only direct facades.

MDF facades for kitchen with enamel coating

These facades are made of medium density wood-fiber panels, which allows you to give them any shape. On top of them they are painted according to the technology adopted in the automotive industry: first, the surface of the panel is primed, then coated with paint in several layers, after which a varnish coating is applied.Each applied layer is polished, and the resulting coating has significant resistance to external influences and an attractive appearance.

Pros:

• You can use different colors and color combinations;
• The texture of the kitchen facade can be varied: matte, glossy, mother-of-pearl, pearl, metallic;
• Facades do not require complicated maintenance; just wash them with water and a mild detergent;
• The material is resistant to external influences, retains its original appearance for a long time;
• Facades of any shape can be made - round, wavy.

Minuses:

• A rather high cost of manufacture, as a result - a high final cost of the headset;
• The glossy surface is sensitive to grease, and even fingerprints;
• Paint can fade in the sun and under the influence of ultraviolet light;
• Poorly tolerated by mechanical influences, chipping may occur.

MDF facades for kitchen with PVC coating

In the manufacture of these kitchen facades, all the advantages of MDF framework are used, while a polymer film is used as a covering layer instead of expensive coloring, which is much simpler and cheaper. The film may have a matte or glossy surface. The drawing applied to the film can be done by anyone, for example, imitate wood, stone, marble, ceramic tile, granite surface. The color of the film can also be any.

Pros:

• A large number of options for drawings and colors of facades;
• Budget cost;
• High resistance to aggressive environments and abrasion;
• Equal cost of both standard and non-standard kitchen items.

Minuses:

• When simulating the texture of natural materials it is impossible to achieve an acceptable visual effect, the result obtained is very different from the original;
• The coating from the film does not tolerate elevated temperatures, peeling from the base is possible;
• The drawing applied to the film is subject to fading in the sun.

Materials for plastic kitchen facades

As a coating for MDF panels, HPL is also used - paper-laminated plastic. This unique material is made using special technology. The paper is impregnated with specially designed resinous compositions, folded in layers and pressed at high temperature and high pressure. The result is a very high quality and beautiful material for the kitchen.

This material is glued to the base plate of MDF or particleboard. In this case, the ends are usually processed using the postforming method: the two sides of the plastic are bent at the ends, and the remaining two are glued with a special edge. There are also alternative edge processing methods, for example, all ends can be closed with an acrylic edge, aluminum edging, ABS or PVC. The edge may not differ from the color of the facade, but may be contrasting.

Pros:

• Good resistance to mechanical stress, high humidity, aggressive substances;
• Facades are not subject to fading under the influence of sunlight;
• Long life of the headset without loss of appearance;
• It is possible to make facades of any complex shapes.

Minuses:

• The glossy surface is easily contaminated, fingerprints may remain on it;
• The inside of the facades is white;
• The matte surface is difficult to care for, dirt from it is difficult to remove;
• Perhaps the appearance of geometric defects.

Frame facades based on MDF profile

Combined facades are the most popular - other materials, for example, rattan mats, glass, plastic, are inserted into frames made of MDF. The frame itself is covered with PVC film or veneered (a more expensive option).

Pros:

• Less weight in comparison with standard kitchen facades, respectively - longer service life of mechanical furniture units;
• A variety of materials for inserts allows designers to create original, expressive kitchen designs that are suitable for various styles of interior design;
• Custom sizes do not increase the cost of furniture;
• Low price.

Minuses:

• Low resistance to wear, high humidity;
• The coating may peel off during operation;
• Quite difficult in daily care;
• The frame mount may be weak.

Kitchen facades with aluminum frames

Modern styles of room design dictate the choice of new, modern materials, which should be considered when deciding what to choose facades for the kitchen. In particular, for the hi-tech style, facades consisting of frames assembled from an aluminum profile are perfectly suitable. Rattan, MDF, plastic or glass panels are inserted into these frames. It looks original, and if glass inserts are used, it also “facilitates” the furniture set, giving it airiness.

Pros:

• The metal base increases the strength and durability of the facades;
• The combination of various materials opens up wide decorative possibilities;
• The price of standard and non-standard facades is no different;
• Increased resistance to moisture and mechanical stress.

Minuses:

• The need to use special mounting systems;
• Low resistance to abrasive and chemically aggressive substances;
• Metal fades over time and loses its appearance;
• Pretty big price.

Wooden kitchen facades

When choosing a material for the kitchen, it must be borne in mind that natural materials look solid and elegant, but also are expensive. Wood, as the most traditional material for the manufacture of any furniture, including kitchen furniture, will certainly bring warmth to the interior and create home comfort, but such a kitchen is appropriate on a large area.

There are two types of wooden kitchen facades: completely made of wood, and paneled - a panel from another material, for example, MDF, particleboard, glass, is inserted into the wooden frame. Facades with a panel are a budget option, and if the panel is veneered, it cannot be distinguished by eye from a completely wooden structure.

Pros:

• Solidity, elegance, high aesthetic qualities;
• Environmental friendliness;
• Durability;
• Long relevance in terms of interior fashion;
• The ability to decorate in various ways - carving, inserts, cornices.

Minuses

• High price;
• Difficult care;
• Poor resistance to UV radiation;
• Resistance to moisture that worsens over time;
• The ability to absorb kitchen odors;
• A small variety of models offered.