What is a kitchen façade and what types of it are there?

You ask what kitchen fronts to choose, we answer - glossy

Now I will explain why I urge everyone to buy glossy kitchens, and residents of St. Petersburg to buy kitchens with shiny facades from the kitchen manufacturer “Your Kitchen”. I will charm you in 3 minutes.

We always get the first impression of a kitchen from its facade. It is he who determines the overall look of a modern kitchen. As a rule, the frontal or corner location of the kitchen “from wall to wall” does not give us the opportunity to examine its body and side walls. Even if we see them, they are not as active for perception as the façade of the kitchen. Therefore, the question of which kitchen facades to choose is fundamentally important.

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Modern kitchen manufacturers are motivated by high competition and offer us a wide range of facades with different options and finishing styles. Glossy facades in this spectrum traditionally compete with matte facades, in which you will not see your reflection.

Any designer will tell you that glossy fronts exude a touch of elegance with a guarantee of attractiveness, while matte fronts exude simple unobtrusiveness.

This is true, but we are interested in more mundane assessments. Therefore, please note that glossy kitchen facades:

• Firstly, they increase the kitchen space. The reflection, even distorted, of the room in the facade of the kitchen visually expands its boundaries.
• Secondly, glossy kitchens will become additional sources of light (lighting). The more mirrored the surface, the more it reflects the light falling on it. This is physics.
• Thirdly, if the color of the glossy kitchen is white (light), there will be even more light in the kitchen.

Nuances of choice

To choose the right facades for your kitchen unit, use the following tips:

• decide on the color of the products - most likely, you will have to start from the tone of the walls and floor. Also pay attention to the color of the apron - all three positions must be combined with each other;
• choose the style of the panels - these can be sets with radius facades, products of strict shapes, or decorated elements;
• type of surface - you need to decide: you need glossy or matte products. In the first case, careful cleaning of the surface will be required; matte options are less demanding;
• product material - after a detailed study of the information presented in the article, you can safely go to the salon and make the right choice;
• budget - decide on the amount you can spend on the headset. If you allocate small funds, give preference to furniture made of chipboard.

The selection of facades is an individual process and is made taking into account all the nuances of the kitchen layout.

Which kitchen facades to choose by color

However, no one will choose a kitchen solely by the reflection of the light of its facades. Ultimately, the overall picture is determined by the combination of color and gloss.

The reflection looks most dignified and simple in shades of cream and beige. Classic white color represents ideal cleanliness and order - it is very fashionable.

Red and anthracite glossy kitchen fronts must be chosen with care and thoughtfully combined with the rest of the furniture and appliances. On the other hand, surfaces in black or metallic gray attract attention with elegance and give an unusual look.

MDF and enamel

MDF is often used as the basis for kitchen furniture. The popularity of the material is explained by its good performance characteristics combined with an affordable cost. An enamel-coated facade has a number of advantages:

• the ability to choose from a wide palette of colors;
• facades come in various geometric shapes;
• resistance to high temperatures;
• ease of care;
• a wide variety of textures, the possibility of applying a relief pattern.

Among the disadvantages is the relatively high cost of facades. Over time, the painted surface will lose color if it is frequently exposed to ultraviolet rays. During restoration it is quite difficult to choose the original color. MDF is characterized by low resistance to mechanical damage, so scratches or cracks may appear on the facades. It is not recommended to clean surfaces with abrasives or detergents containing active alkaline substances.

Which kitchen fronts to choose as an alternative

Natural kitchen facades made of wood can compete with gloss. They give the living space a warm and cozy look. Solid wood fronts convince with their robust construction and laconic design.

However, here too, wood lovers will be able to find and choose veneer coated with glossy varnish (photo above). The combination of wood veneer and varnished surface is in fashion today for the textures of ash, Sonoma oak, walnut, teak, ebony, and acacia. The texture of the wood is an accent in itself, and in the glossy version it is a blow.

Related article: Kitchens made from solid natural oak to order

laminated chipboard

Laminated chipboard is the most accessible and equally short-lived. If you see a cheap, ready-made kitchen set, most likely it is made from laminated chipboard.

They are good if you plan to use them for a short time and eventually purchase more durable furniture.

Photo from source: houzz.com

Tabletop Cedar 7020/FL Capri light

Advantages

- low cost;

— availability of ready-made furniture sets;

- a huge number of decors, including those imitating wood.

Flaws

- may look cheap;

— short period of use;

— easily susceptible to scratches;

- get wet and deformed due to steam and moisture.

Textures of glossy facades

We need to talk about how manufacturers achieve the gloss effect on kitchen facades. To do this, they use the following finishing options:

• Natural veneer and its coating with high-quality varnish;
• Coating MDF boards with enamel (paint);
• Use of acrylic films and PVC films;
• Covering laminated chipboards with plastic.

All work is carried out in a factory environment using special equipment. The starting material for production is MDF or chipboard. The first ones allow you to make facades three-dimensional.

Headset design

Kitchen facades should not only be attractive, but also match the style of the room, or, more precisely, the apartment, since in the kitchen it is the work area that determines the style. There is plenty to choose from.

• Classic style - paneled facades are preferable, maybe even with carving elements and modest moldings. This option can be made either from expensive wood or from MDF coated with PVC film.
• Baroque and Empire style are distinguished by more carvings and brighter shiny moldings. Still, you shouldn’t get carried away with jewelry, as it accumulates dirt. Palace styles do not go well with cheap materials, so you will need either wood or veneered MDF.

• Modern. Here, smooth facades are preferable, but in a bright design. Imitation of wood or stone is not welcome; it is better to use a combination of bright and neutral colors, possibly with painting. Acrylic film and acrylic panels are best suited for this, but chipboard covered with a single-color PVC film is also suitable.
• Rustic styles suggest matte, pastel colors and welcome the imitation of antiquity - the aging effect. Accordingly, in the simplest case, the set is made of chipboard and finished with PVC film to resemble light wood. A set made of MDF, painted white or pastel blue, looks much more impressive. Well, the best choice is antique painting using enamel of two or three shades.
• Techno - of course, smooth facades, mostly elongated horizontally, aluminum edges are preferred. Finishing - acrylic film, panels, enamel and even HPL plastic. Colors, as a rule, are dull, contrast is not allowed here, nor is color gradient.
• High-tech – but here gloss, together with the “chameleon” effect and radial facades, will be more than appropriate. High-tech is a symbol of modern luxury. Choosing the perfect kitchen set is not easy at all. A huge variety of materials and finishes, many design styles, different shapes of facades and other design finds make the choice much more difficult, but also make it much more pleasant.

Working surface

The kitchen countertop experiences high friction loads: it comes into contact with cutting boards, dishes and metal tools, including knives. Therefore, its surface must be durable. The most popular material options are laminated slabs and artificial stone.

Laminated boards

Inside, all laminated countertops consist of chipboard, the only difference is in the thickness and composition of the top polymer layer.

Manufacturers of budget countertops use kraft paper and a laminating compound. It wears out quickly and is stained by coffee or juices.

More expensive materials have several layers of protective coating, including a top layer of durable plastic, so they are resistant to dyes and scratches from a knife. Often the surface of the countertop is made textured: this allows not only to more accurately imitate stone, but also to mask small abrasions. Premium countertops from brands such as Slotex, Egger, Wilsonart, Veroy last at least 15 years.

The composition of the wood board is also important: it must be moisture resistant. But the thickness of the tabletop is purely a matter of design; it does not affect the service life.

Fake diamond

This covering for a kitchen set is much more expensive than a laminated board. But it looks more stylish and expensive. Firstly, such a tabletop can be given any shape, bends and roundings and the joints can be completely masked. Secondly, the artificial stone is colored in the mass and is highly polished, so it has a deep color and a beautiful shine.

The problem with inexpensive countertops made of this material is that they have low heat resistance: due to hot pots, pans and simply proximity to the stove, they become deformed. But well-known brands such as LG Hi-Max, Samsung, DuPont have solved this problem.

Glass in a metal frame

For glass facades in a metal frame, you can choose different types of material:

• triplex;
• hardened;
• float glass.

The material is resistant to high temperatures. Glass is easy to clean and tolerates abrasive detergents well. The metal frame organically complements and is the finishing touch to the appearance of the kitchen set. Furniture recommended for premises, made in modern styles: loft, hi-tech, minimalism, etc. Kitchen sets with glass fronts in a metal frame are suitable for those who prefer minimalism.

Among the shortcomings of the products are:

1. heavy weight of the structure;
2. lack of possibility of restoration in case of chips.

Glass facades require regular maintenance, as fingerprints and other dirt are clearly visible on them. However, matte surfaces are more practical. Glass can be laminated with film and decorated with various images.

Glass in MDF or solid frame

Glass facades are an original solution for kitchen units. Triplex or tempered glass is used for their manufacture. If it breaks, it does not crumble, but remains in the frame. Glass can be transparent, frosted, or decorated with images. Currently, there is a wide selection of color solutions for such facades.

A frame made of MDF or solid wood will complement the appearance of the set and add aristocratic notes to the interior. Among the advantages of glass facades are noted:

• durability;
• possibility of use in various interiors;
• moisture resistance;
• resistance to high temperatures;
• environmental Safety.

Glass facades can be illuminated to add originality to the interior. Frames made of MDF and solid wood are durable and resistant to mechanical damage. Scratches are practically invisible on them, and if necessary, grinding can be carried out, which will help restore the original appearance.

Primary requirements

When choosing a material, the following criteria must be taken into account

• Moisture resistance. In cooking areas there is always high humidity and sudden temperature changes.
• Wear resistance. Materials must withstand increased loads and at the same time be suitable for daily use.
• Strength. Kitchen facades should not deform, swell, or lose their shape over time.
• Easy to maintain. The surface should be easy to clean and wash. Removing grease and other types of contaminants should not be particularly difficult.
• Long service life. Durability directly depends on performance characteristics.