White gloss for a kitchen set is effective and, contrary to popular belief, practical. Water stains, traces of dirt and dust are not as noticeable on it as on dark surfaces.
Design of a gray and white kitchen in the interior.
A white kitchen set fills the room with volume, light and visually adds space to the work area. However, white in its pure form can make the interior lifeless and cold. Therefore, it needs bright and rich accents or softening tones. Their choice should be approached responsibly, since the range of finishes will set the tone for the entire interior.
Important! When choosing companion colors, you should keep in mind that on a white background any color looks brighter and more saturated
A countertop or kitchen apron will help you beat the white color of your kitchen set. If you rely on the latter, then to highlight the apron for a white glossy kitchen, use color accents or play on the texture of materials.
White kitchen set with black matte apron.
White gloss can be emphasized:
- small mosaic;
- glass - skins for a white kitchen can be matte or glossy, monochrome or with bright photo printing;
- metal - a solid sheet or in the form of steel tiles, such an apron is suitable for a kitchen in the high-tech or techno style;
- ceramic tiles of various colors and textures;
- plastic panels of various colors.
White kitchen design in minimalist style.
What are the advantages of a glass splashback over ceramic tiles?
The main advantage is a stylish look that will harmonize with any design solution for kitchens in styles: high-tech, neoclassical, art deco, modern, loft and other similar trends, even eclecticism.
Nothing goes better with chrome furniture legs, glass elements of household appliances, or the gloss of kitchen furniture in a minimalist style.
Of course, if your kitchen is decorated in country style, classic or the now popular Provence, then it’s worth considering other solutions.
But for everyone else, glass is the best choice, not only because of its expensive and unusual appearance, but also because such panels are easier to clean.
There are almost no joints, any stain is immediately visible and wiping it off will not be difficult. After all, you know, if dirt is not visible, this does not mean at all that it is not there!
Moreover, glass visually enlarges the space due to its shine and reflective properties.
Also, it can be considered an advantage that it is attached to the wall very quickly, without any dirt or mass of cement mortar. Installation of the working wall takes only an hour or two, depending on the qualifications of the craftsman and the initial area.
It should be noted that a glass apron can be made so original that you will not find an analogue in any kitchen in the world.
You are free to choose any pattern for the apron that you like.
For example, insert a selection of family photographs under glass or order a photo print based on a sample drawn by yourself.
So, let’s summarize the undoubted advantages of skins:
- Modern look
- Possibility of maneuver in design
- Sterility
- Easy to attach
What are the disadvantages?
And there are, of course, disadvantages. Where would we be without them? Let's start with the main thing: if you have an uneven surface, then you cannot attach glass to it, it will burst.
This means not so much minor unevenness in area, but a misalignment in level, which is not always easy to level out. But the tiles can be placed well on any wall, adjusting the differences using mortar.
Also, a glass apron is far from a budget option, except for the polycarbonate subtypes. But they are not that durable either. But we will look at this in the appropriate subsection.
Another downside is that you have to wait a long time for a glass panel with an individual design. The manufacturing process can take three weeks or more. And if you are impatient, then this is not the option for you.
And so, there is nothing more to say in contrast to the advantages.
In all other characteristics: impact resistance, heat resistance, etc., glass is in no way inferior to a standard tile covering. After all, this is not ordinary glass that is used in windows.
There are many subspecies of it and now we will consider them all in detail.
Care
As already mentioned, glass kitchen splashbacks are very easy to clean. To keep such a panel clean, it is enough to use ordinary household glass cleaning products, which can be purchased at any supermarket.
They are sprayed onto the entire surface of the apron, after which the panel is wiped with a soft, dry cloth. This procedure should be repeated as the glass panels become dirty. Since the seams in such an apron are either completely absent or almost invisible, dirt does not accumulate on its surface, and the maintenance process does not take much time.
Materials for making glass aprons
If you set out to search for glass panels, then you have probably heard many terms: skinal, enamel, plexiglass, optiwhite and other tricky names.
These are all subtypes of design and design of certain types of glass. And there is no need to focus on them, since this is a secondary thing. First, you need to choose the material itself, and then build on it when choosing a subtype.
We will tell you everything in detail, and we will list these classes in certain types of glass.
Stalinit – tempered glass
In a word, this is the most ordinary silicate glass, only tempered. Its strength is 10 times higher than that of ordinary tiles, and even much higher than that of some types of ceramic tiles.
If, suddenly, you manage to split it, then such material is safe in terms of injuries and cuts: it shatters into small pieces, and its edges are not sharp, but rounded.
This glass is not afraid of temperature changes, so it can be safely installed next to a gas stove. It does not scratch and cleaning with abrasives will not cause any damage to the surface. This coating lasts as long as conventional tiles - for decades.
But when choosing this material, you need to remember one feature: after hardening and installation, you will no longer be able to drill a hole in it and install a new socket or some kind of hook. All holes are made in advance, before it is hardened. Then it will simply burst from the blow of a hammer drill.
Tempered glass has the following subtypes:
Stemalite or enamel (aka reverse-colored or enameled glass) - it is first painted in the chosen color, and then tempered.
As a result, the drawing becomes a single conglomerate with glass.
Skinal is tempered glass with a backing made of vinyl film, onto which an image is applied using photo printing or stereo printing. That is, you can easily order a 3D drawing and your apron will be not just modern, but ultra-modern.
Optiwhite is perfectly transparent, bleached glass. It does not have the slightest hint of greenish tint inherent in ordinary glass.
If you intend to have a light pattern or some subtle ornamental elements on the backing, then you need to choose this subtype. Of course, it will cost more, but as a result you will get a perfectly clear image.
The photo below shows the difference between the regular and lightened coating:
But the visual difference is closer and in cross-section.
Satin – frosted glass. It is more difficult to maintain because the surface is rough. But it looks like velvet fabric.
There are also glasses with built-in LED lighting and sandblasted patterns. But this no longer concerns the qualities of the material itself. The design will be suggested by the manufacturer, and you will choose what you like best.
The main thing is, don’t go for cheapness and don’t take 4 mm wide glass, it’s not enough. The best option is 6 mm. Although more expensive, it is more reliable and durable.
Triplex – laminated glass
The name itself suggests that this is glass made of three components. As a rule: two layers of glass, and inside there is some kind of pattern on the film. At the same time, the base material itself can be anything: ordinary silicate glass or the same stalinite.
Be sure to check with the manufacturer what their triplex is made of. The thickness of such panels for the kitchen is never less than 8 mm, which is good, it will be stronger. And upon impact, it does not crumble, but is held on to the film with which the parts are glued together.
There is no guarantee that this type will not burst at all. It just won’t crumble onto the floor, but will look like glass riddled with cracks. You still have to take it off. So, whether it makes sense to overpay or not is up to you to decide.
The only undeniable advantage of such a coating is that condensation from the reverse side will not get on the drawing, since it is also protected by glass. But even here we can say this: just seal the seams well with silicone at the junction of the wall and the apron.
Triplex is much more expensive than regular tempered glass, not even because it is safer and more durable. Just due to the peculiarities of its production, there is a very wide range in the choice of design. You can order a mirror surface, or with the appearance of fabric or leather.
Plexiglas or acrylic
This is the most budget option for a glass apron. It is affordable, plus the ability to drill holes after installation, plus it is not necessary to have a perfectly flat surface on which to attach the apron.
But this option is bad because it quickly loses its appearance. It cannot be cleaned with abrasive powders; it will instantly become dull. But you still have to clean it, the kitchen is the kitchen and you can’t always keep track of the greasy drops. If you don't erase them in time, they harden. And then how to remove them?
In general, the option is cheap, but short-lived. Plexiglas also cannot withstand high temperatures, so it cannot be mounted near the stove in any way. And considering that the majority of people have small-sized kitchens, where the stove is part of the working wall, this type of coating clearly falls out of the range of suitable ones.
Of course, at first it looks very good. You can order photo printing and other decorations on it. But, but... The miser pays twice, as they say. If you have to choose between plexiglass and ceramic tiles, then it is better to give preference to the latter.
Polycarbonate
The same can be said about polycarbonate as about plexiglass. It is both flexible and inexpensive, but quickly loses its appearance. The only advantage over the latter is that polycarbonate is more heat-resistant. This is where the advantages end.
In any case, no matter how good plexiglass or polycarbonate looks initially, they still cannot be compared with ordinary tempered glass.
Which designs of glass splashbacks are more advantageous?
Since the surface of the working wall is not so extensive, usually only 50 centimeters, we do not advise you to be too creative when choosing a design. Let’s say that in such a compressed area, motifs in the style of photo wallpapers with perspective look very bad.
It is much better if you give preference to either a plain coating or some kind of ornament. Be sure to consider the color of your kitchen furniture.
If it is monochromatic, then the wall can be made brighter. If on the contrary, then you should not overload with flowers. Everything will merge and the look will not be expensive, but simply tasteless.
Now let's look at specific examples of popular glass aprons in kitchen interiors.
Photo printing
There are a thousand options and one more. You can order anything! Even drawing your own self-portrait. There is no point in talking a lot here; it’s easier to see with your own eyes how it looks in the interior of the kitchen. We tried to select the most winning combinations.
Images of fruits, vegetables, and flowers look harmonious in the kitchen.
Prints with coffee motifs also fit perfectly.
Some people like cityscapes.
Prints with abstractions, classic monograms and floral patterns can also look interesting.
But this is all in our subjective opinion. Maybe you won’t like these options at all and will choose something completely opposite for yourself. Fortunately, the maneuver in choosing a design here is simply dimensionless.
Plain glass splashback
Glass painted in one tone looks noble and elegant. With the only caveat: if it is real, tempered glass. Polycarbonate or plexiglass will look sad.
Look how well the color of the work apron was chosen in this picture.
Such aprons, in the opinion of many designers, are the most versatile. The main thing, as mentioned above, is to guess the color, its saturation and compatibility with the interior of the kitchen.
Mirror and transparent
The good thing about a mirror is that it significantly visually enlarges the space. If you are the owner of a small kitchen, then this solution is worth considering. Visually, the room will double in size, because the work apron will mirror the opposite wall.
The only disadvantage of this design is that you will always have the feeling of someone's presence. Not everyone likes to endlessly watch their movements in the mirror.
Look at the picture below to see how such a surface looks “live”.
The mirror surface can be either solid or in the form of a mosaic.
Using ordinary, transparent glass, you can simply cover wallpaper or even masonry on the work surface. Which also looks good, while adding functionality.
How to choose an apron for a white kitchen set
The apron is the part of the kitchen between the top and bottom of the unit; it gets dirty most quickly. During cooking, drops of water, particles of fat, and dust fall on it. It is worth assessing the resistance of the material to cleaning agents, the ability of the surface to reflect light, and the texture of the material. If you rarely cook in the kitchen, you can use almost any materials, but if you plan to prepare food every day, you should choose materials that are easy to clean, because it is quite difficult to achieve a clean glossy or mirror surface.
A kitchen set made in light colors goes well with any color, and by adding decor or dishes to match the apron, you can create a complete interior design.
Black and white kitchen with a bright apron Source www.kuhni-nsk.ru
It is worth deciding on the color scheme, texture, and materials for finishing the kitchen apron in a light kitchen after choosing materials for the walls and floor, as well as the set itself.
When choosing the shade of an apron, you should adhere to the following principles:
- Bright colors can not only get boring quickly, but also increase your appetite.
- Glossy materials make the color rich, while matte materials give the shades a duller appearance.
- A small pattern in a large kitchen can get lost, while a large pattern in a small area can look ridiculous.
- To create a complete kitchen design, you need to choose 2-3 primary colors, which can be diluted with 3-4 additional ones.
It is necessary to choose the material and color of the apron based on the chosen style of the kitchen. Combining several stylistic trends is difficult; not every designer can cope with this task.
Types of fastening glass panels
A glass apron for the kitchen is attached either to “liquid nails,” that is, silicone, or to special fasteners that are also suitable for mirrors.
The first option is much more preferable, since it is possible to make the joints between the walls blank, and this guarantees the durability of the pattern and the chance of breaking such a panel becomes minimal.
We do not advise you to use hinged or through fasteners.
Firstly, the attachment points will be visible, and secondly, a gap will form between the wall and the panel, which will collect condensation and dirt. But most importantly, this panel is very shock-resistant. Due to the fact that it is suspended, it is much easier to break it than if it is tightly glued.
How to fix glass kitchen wall panels with glue
In order to fix the glass apron to the wall, you can use glue or liquid nails. But in this case, it is extremely important to pay due attention to the issue of preparing the base, since the wall must be smooth, plastered and dry. On the one hand, this method is considered simpler, since there is no need to drill the wall, but at the same time, fixation using this method is considered less reliable.
The technology for installing an apron with glue is extremely simple - the main thing during the work process is to accurately align all the elements and align the joints of adjacent panels as much as possible.
Panels for the kitchen: decorative wall panels for the apron (read more)
The joint between the glued panel and the table top must be closed using a special wall bolt. If the surface is large and the apron consists of several parts, it is important to position them as closely as possible to each other so that there are no gaps. To ensure tightness, all joints are treated with a sealant that prevents the appearance of fungus and mold.
Note! To ensure that the layer of sealant applied to the front side of the apron is not noticeable, it is necessary to ensure in advance that the composition is transparent. In addition, it must be applied in a very thin layer.
The process of installing glass panels is quite simple and does not take much time from an experienced craftsman.
Of course, if you want to save yourself the extra hassle, you can contact a special company that will install a glass apron. The price of this procedure is acceptable, however, before placing an order, you need to know that services such as preparation of the base, as well as installation of accessories, are not included in the price. They will have to be paid separately, and it is better to ask in advance how much all the work will cost in total.
How much does it cost and where to buy?
A glass apron for the kitchen will help you choose the manufacturer’s catalog, presented either in construction markets or on the Internet. Prices for glass aprons are calculated in square meters and vary from 800 rubles to 5,000 rubles per square, depending on the quality of the material.
In conclusion, I would like to say that we hope that the material presented here was useful. And after getting acquainted with it, you will choose the best glass apron for the kitchen, without overpaying, but also without taking a throwaway product.
