Kitchen renovation requires special attention from the owners, since the specificity of using this room implies high humidity and significant risks of contamination for all surfaces. For this reason, kitchen panels are one of the most popular finishing methods. They are made from different materials and in order to figure out which of the options suits you best, you need to familiarize yourself with the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Wall panels for the kitchen are very practical
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Panels for the kitchen: the benefits of using
Panels for the kitchen are widely used due to a number of characteristics. First of all, it is resistance to moisture and steam. In addition, such panels do not deform as a result of exposure to high temperatures. Another positive quality is environmental friendliness. Walls designed in this way are easy to clean and do not absorb the odors that you constantly encounter in the kitchen.
Wall panels are often environmentally friendly
A large selection of materials, as well as colors and textures plays a significant role. A wide assortment allows you to choose the design absolutely for any interior, and at the same time decorate the space. Moreover, such panels can be dismantled at any time, and their installation or replacement does not take much time and can easily be done independently.
Advantages of using backsplash panels for the kitchen
Consider several arguments in favor of buying panels for the kitchen and using them as an apron for the work area:
- First of all, it is worth noting the cost of such a solution. The prices of wall panels for the kitchen have quite wide boundaries, which makes it possible to choose the right option for any wallet.
- You can do the installation of the panels yourself. Photos of panels for the kitchen, supplemented with step-by-step instructions, will help you familiarize yourself with the fastening process and do everything right. In addition, you do not need any specific tool to work, and you can easily get by with the kit that is available in every home.
- The panels can be installed in several different ways: using glue or special lathing. All necessary wires can be easily hidden behind the panels.In this case, the rough base does not need preliminary preparation or leveling.
Wall panels for the kitchen decorate the interior
As you can see from the proposed arguments, wall panels for the kitchen are an excellent option for both budget repairs and in case you are ready to radically transform the interior. Excellent technical characteristics and ease of installation allow this solution to take a leading position among the rest.
Kitchen panel designs: PVC, glass and wood aprons
It is difficult to say unequivocally which kitchen panels look the most advantageous. Much depends on the area and interior of the room, as well as the personal preferences of the owners. However, experts suggest considering several recommendations that will help you navigate a huge selection of products and choose the most suitable option:
- the use of bright colored panels is permissible in cases where all the rest of the kitchen furniture has a fairly neutral color scheme, or the area of the room is large enough;
- take into account the lighting features: for a dark kitchen it is better to use light panels, but for a well-lit space, color options are also suitable;
- pay attention to how the panel of your choice will be combined with the rest of the furniture: they must be made in the same style or just look harmonious;
- since the kitchen is one of the most polluted areas in the house, it is worth considering this when choosing finishing materials. For example, on pure white, as well as on glossy black panels, all splashes will be visible. If you are not ready to wash them after each meal preparation, it is better to choose another option;
Kitchen aprons made of plastic can be of different colors
- consider the use of LED lighting around the panels: such a solution can become not only an additional source of lighting, but also perfectly decorate the interior;
- if necessary, you can think about installing shelves at the locations of the panels. This gives you extra storage space for small items such as spices.
Panels for the kitchen can serve as an addition to the existing interior, and become its main accent and decoration. The main thing is to choose a color and pattern that will not bother you in a month and will not annoy you over time. If you want to be sure that your choice will appeal to you for a long time, choose the most neutral colors and patterns.
Varieties of wall panels for the kitchen: photo and description of materials
Depending on the material from which the panel is made, it may have certain characteristics. Some options are more popular, while others require compliance with some rules. Consider all the existing options, their advantages and disadvantages.
Plastic panels for the kitchen
PVC wall panels for the kitchen are made from solid polyvinyl chloride with the addition of a minimum amount of softener. This production technology makes it possible to obtain a material that is maximally resistant to the effects of water, fat and high temperatures. Such panels serve for a long time, and, subject to careful handling throughout the entire operational period, retain their original appearance.
Bright plastic panels
Among the additional functions that plastic kitchen wall panels can perform is heat and sound insulation, since the porous structure of the inner part of the sheet allows you to perfectly absorb sound waves and not release heat from the room.
As for the installation and further care of the panels, this option can rightfully be called one of the simplest and most practical to use. Panel design can be almost any. Including it is worth considering the option of wall panels for the kitchen with photo printing.You can buy ready-made products, or you can choose an image yourself and make an individual order.
Plastic panels are very beneficial
Among the disadvantages kitchen finishes With plastic panels, users note the low resistance of the material to various kinds of mechanical stress. This limits the range of cleaning agents that can be used to clean surfaces and excludes those that are grainy.
Useful advice! Given the characteristics and capabilities of this material, it is often used not only for decoration wallsbut also for other purposes. For example, you can consider installing a ceiling from plastic panels in the kitchen.
Glass Panels for Kitchen
Another extremely popular option is glass kitchen wall panels. They are also called skinals and are most often used to decorate the space above the work surface - a kitchen apron. Such panels appeared not so long ago, but very quickly they took one of the leading positions.
Glass panel in the form of a picture
In order for the panel to have sufficient strength, heavy-duty tempered glass is used for manufacturing, the thickness of which is more than 4 mm. Thanks to a special processing technology, such panels are resistant to impacts, high temperatures and are not prone to deformation. In addition, any chemicals can be used to clean them. All these characteristics allow you to safely place glass panels in close proximity to the stove and work surface.
Useful advice! As an original interior solution, you can use not one-piece panels, but mosaics folded from separate pieces of glass. This will allow you to create a creative accent in the room and diversify the interior in general.
The main advantage of glass panels over all others is a perfectly smooth surface, in the pores and microscopic scratches of which dirt and dust cannot accumulate. The only thing worth paying attention to during the installation of the skin is that the distance between the source of open fire and the panel must be at least 7 cm. This is due to the risk of damaging the pattern on the panel, and in some cases the material itself.
Backlit glass panel
As for the choice of colors, there are no restrictions for glass panels; you can use your own photos or any image you like as an image.
MDF panels for kitchen
The use of MDF kitchen wall panels has become possible quite recently, since such wood shavings react negatively to moisture and do not tolerate direct contact with water. However, modern manufacturing technology provides for the presence of a protective layer on the panels, consisting of PVC films... Such lamination makes the surface more resistant to external factors.
Stylish MDF panels for the kitchen
Depending on the selected model, the panel can have a smooth or textured surface, and in some cases simulate different textures. Wood-like wall panels made of MDF are very popular. This design looks very impressive, and it is much easier to remove stains and splashes from it than from natural wood.
Nevertheless, such panels cannot boast of a fairly high level of strength, and it is possible that over time they can crumble and collapse. Although their high heat and sound insulation properties more than cover these disadvantages. Moreover, it is very easy to replace a damaged panel yourself.
You can choose absolutely any panel texture
Useful advice! To combine interior details with each other, you can choose a tabletop made of the same material and in the same style as the wall panels.
Wooden wall panels for the kitchen
Wood panels are considered one of the most expensive options. Not everyone can afford to renovate a kitchen with natural wood panels. However, those who wish to equip the space in country or Provence style may consider such a solution. Also this option is very fond of eco-style adherents.
Related article:
Aprons for the kitchen, skinned: photos of the best design ideas
Modern interior solutions. Production of a kitchen apron from plastic, MDF, ceramic tiles. Independent measurements and installation.
Of course, the use of wood panels in the kitchen entails a number of difficulties and nuances that must be considered:
- wood has excellent absorbent properties, which means that it will be quite difficult to remove dirt from such a surface;
- in order to avoid deformation and fire, the material should be located at some distance from sources of open fire and elevated temperature;
Exquisite wood panels
- contact with water is also extremely undesirable for panels made of wood, therefore it is not worth washing them at all, and it is better to use a damp soft sponge for cleaning.
These difficulties are often the reason why owners refuse to purchase wood panels. However, those for whom environmental friendliness and safety of the material is a decisive factor, quite often resort to using it in the kitchen.
Kitchen with wood paneling
Artificial stone wall panels for kitchen
Perhaps, the panels made of artificial stone can boast of the longest operational life. Possessing super strength, this material is resistant to any mechanical stress. In addition, such a design looks luxurious, especially if the interior provides for the presence of other elements made of the same material, for example, it can be a kitchen countertop.
Panels can be made of any stone
No external factors are able to influence the stone: temperature drops, water or steam - all this will not leave a trace on the surface. Washing and cleaning from grease and dirt also presents no difficulties for the hostess. And the variety of styles that can be complemented by such panels is almost limitless.
Among the difficulties, it is possible to note, perhaps, only the painstaking work of fitting and installation. Due to the fact that the material is rather difficult to cut and requires extremely careful handling during the installation process, it is not recommended to do it yourself without proper experience. In this case, it is better to entrust this matter to a specialist and be sure of the result.
Stone panels can last for more than a dozen years
Another popular, but recently appeared solution is brick wall panels. This design will perfectly fit into loft, high-tech or minimalist interiors. Today there are two options for creating such panels: using raw material or with a colored surface coating.
How to choose and buy wall panels for the kitchen: standard sheet sizes
Regardless of the reasons that prompted you to give preference to wall panels, you will have to make a choice in favor of one or another material format. There are two options on sale: sheet and rack panels. Let's take a look at the benefits of these solutions and what works best for your kitchen.
Sheet panels are very similar in appearance to plywood, which has a rectangular shape with a length of about 3 meters. Using this option is justified in the case when the kitchen area is quite large, and you do not have to bother too much with cutting and adjusting the elements. Although we must admit that due to the lack of a large number of joints, such panels look very good.
Cozy tiled panel
Rack panels are oblong strips with a length of 2.4 to 3.7 m and a width of about 30 cm. This design method is convenient if you need to lay out a corner, or the design area is not too large.
Another option is tiled panels, which are arranged according to the same principle, but have a square shape. The standard size of such elements is considered to be 98x98 cm. It goes without saying that the color and texture of the panels can be anything you like.
Wall panels for the kitchen: prices for various types of materials
Looking through photos of false panels for the kitchen, the question arises about the cost of such a design. And here it is worth noting that the decisive role is played by the material, as well as the complexity of its processing and the presence of printing. The more colorful the image is used, the higher the cost.
Solid panels with photo printing
For example, a one-piece plastic wall panel for a kitchen with a photo print of a standard image will cost you about 1,500 rubles. Of course, in this case we are talking about the products of a domestic manufacturer, since any branded designs from foreign manufacturers significantly increase the cost of panels.
MDF panels for the kitchen are not much cheaper. The prices of aprons (photos of which can be seen in the catalogs of manufacturers) demonstrate the ability to purchase a worthy item starting from 1000 rubles. At the same time buy wall panels for kitchen from MDF it is possible both in a completely finished form, and those that are intended for further independent processing.
The most expensive are glass wall panels for the kitchen. Glass, better than any other material, withstands any load, and also provides endless design possibilities. However, you have to pay for a high-quality and beautiful panel. In particular, models with photo printing can cost from 4200 to 7000 rubles per running meter. Of course, this is a rather high cost, but it is worth noting that the service life of such panels is very long, and they look just amazing.
Plastic panels with original print
The order of individual printing of a pattern on the surface can significantly increase the cost of the panel. Many, not wanting to use standard solutions, want to choose an image on their own. This, of course, requires additional costs, but at the same time allows you to give the interior individuality and originality.
Self-assembly technology for kitchen panels
The use of panels in the kitchen instead of tiles has become popular due to a much simpler fastening technology that can be easily implemented independently.
Useful advice! If the panels are made of wood, then before gluing them, they must be treated with an antiseptic compound, which will prevent the development of fungus and mold.
If you need to fasten panels in the form of tiles, then the distance between the elements of the sheathing should be as small as possible. In some cases, transverse jumpers are used for more reliable fixation. All joints between the work surface, floor or ceiling and the panel are closed with skirting boards. Regardless of the material of manufacture of the panels, the installation is made end-to-end, and the elements that do not correspond in size are adjusted to the required size.
The place for the outlets must be chosen in advance
Another important point - think in advance about the location of the sockets and switches. If you order a sheet model of a panel, then it is better to initially determine the location of the communications, make accurate measurements and ask the contractor to make the appropriate holes. This way you can minimize the risks of spoiling expensive material during self-assembly. If you use slatted panels, then it is quite possible to do everything without the help of specialists.
It is difficult to underestimate the positive aspects of using kitchen panels.Possessing all the characteristics that are necessary for using this type of wall covering in high humidity conditions, the panels also have an excellent appearance. And even with minimal care they will last a long time. It is enough to look at the photos of plastic panels for the kitchen in various interiors to make sure that this option is deservedly popular.
