Materials for kitchen facades

The choice of a high-quality kitchen unit must include the study of information about the materials used to assemble the furniture. Of particular importance are kitchen facades: their characteristics, production conditions and care features. Below we examined the classic options for materials, and modern raw materials used for the manufacture of cabinet doors, cabinets and drawers. All of them differ in operational characteristics, as well as external flow. Description of manufacturing technologies for different facades, the rules for caring for them and variations of decorative filing will help you quickly and easily choose the best option and be sure of its high quality, long service life and original appearance.

Basic requirements for kitchen facades

The selection of the optimal material for the kitchen facade should be made taking into account many criteria:

1. Resistance to moisture and steam (especially for cabinets located next to the hob).
2. Wear resistance (to a greater extent applies to the upper layer of doors, which will be cleaned of dirt).
3. Strength of the base (a reliable web should not be deformed over time, otherwise it will be impossible to guarantee a tight fit of the wings, in addition, increased strength will eliminate the problem of tearing hinges out of the door after prolonged use).
4. Ease of maintenance (provides ease of cleaning the facade of dust, grease and other types of pollution).
5. Durability (depends on the operational characteristics and characteristics of the web material itself).

Forms and types of facades

According to the forms, kitchen facades are divided into the following categories:

• straight: represent an even cloth;
• corner: located in corner headsets at the joints of L-shaped cabinets and stands, inside equipped with auxiliary loops;
• radial: concave or convex facades installed for custom styling require professional dimensioning to avoid problems with the operation of the model and reduce its service life.

According to the features of the supply and internal filling of the canvas, these types of facades are distinguished:

• solid: do not have decorative additions, are made of solid wood or wood board;
• frame and panel: additionally include a protruding frame around the perimeter, in the center can be a conventional canvas made of wood, MDF or glass;
• louvred and trellised: include a frame and a non-standard cloth consisting of blinds or a lattice.

Facade materials - advantages and disadvantages

For the production of kitchen facades, a variety of materials are used: natural wood, MDF, particleboard, glass. The service life and ease of care directly depend on the features of the manufacture of such elements. Also, when choosing facades, do not forget about the characteristics of the main material. The higher its wear resistance, the longer it will retain its primary appearance and attractiveness. As auxiliary materials for finishing the canvas, veneer, enamel, a variety of films and plastic are used. Most of these coatings are highly resistant to abrasions and mechanical damage. Another important difference between the facades used is their price category. Even short-lived materials with specialized coating or processing can be quite expensive. Having studied the description of each type of facade, you can evaluate different types of materials and choose the best.

Facades from a natural tree

Wooden facades are produced using sophisticated technology using special equipment. Initially, an array is selected according to its quality and class. Then the tree is dried, allowing to exclude its deformation during natural drying in the future. Harvested wood is sawn according to the required parameters. In the manufacture of frame models, protruding decorative elements are cut separately (the frame itself, consisting of side parts and a pair of cross members). The main canvas is glued with frame elements. For protection, antiseptic treatment is performed. If necessary, painting is carried out, and then finishing - coating with varnish, oil or wax.The advantage of wooden facades is a maximum service life, good resistance to negative influences, increased strength and wear resistance. Gentle household chemicals (not abrasive!) Are used for care. Waxing with polish is also recommended periodically.

Veneered facades

For the manufacture of veneered facades, MDF or chipboard is used as the basis. The canvas is covered with a thin layer of wood (veneer) by gluing. After drying, the sides of the canvas are glued with a special edge (in the event that the veneer itself was not glued to all sides). Additionally, the facade is varnished. Thanks to the use of thin wood materials, the finished product is very similar to analogs from natural wood. But at the same time its cost is available to many buyers. The only drawback can be considered the multi-layering of such a facade, which does not guarantee its long service life and safety of appearance. Therefore, veneered facades should be ordered only from trusted manufacturers: observing the entire production technology.

Glass facades

Furniture glass facades are divided into two types: frame and frameless. The first are framed with an aluminum frame or are enclosed in a frame made of wood, MDF. They are most popular due to the reliable protection of the entire perimeter of the canvas. The second is a completely glass cloth. They need a special edge treatment that eliminates the risk of injury from contact with the sides, top or bottom. By production such types of glasses are used:

• laminated: “assembled” from two or more layers by combining them under the influence of high temperatures, has increased strength, is additionally enclosed in a frame;
• hardened: produced under the influence of high temperatures, suitable for all types of facades, when broken it crumbles into unsharp fragments;
• float glass (ordinary): it is made from glass melt under the influence of high temperatures, has minimal impact resistance, more often it is used for frame facades (with dividers between pieces of glass or without).

Enamelled MDF facades

Glossy enamel facades look advantageous in any kitchen. Saturated colors of the coating, together with its attractive pitch, ensure the harmony of the interior. True, the production technology of such products is multi-stage and requires a professional approach. To make a high-quality facade with enamel, manufacturers carry out the following operations:

1. Prepare the base (MDF canvas) for painting by priming.
2. Enamel paint is applied in several layers. Mandatory aerosol spraying is carried out on special equipment. Each layer is completely dried.
3. An additional protective coating is applied (usually a varnish).

The advantage of enamel products is a long service life, color brightness throughout the life of the product.

The formulations used are odorless. The disadvantages include the difficulty of leaving: fingerprints and dirt are clearly visible on the glossy surface. For care only soft sponges and gel household chemicals are used.

PVC coated facades

Coating the MDF cloth with PVC film guarantees its additional protection against moisture and mechanical damage. The production technology of such elements includes the following steps:

1. Cut plates according to the specified parameters. Edging, if necessary milling patterns.
2. Grinding and cleaning the canvas.
3. Application of hot melt adhesive in several layers, drying of the product.
4. Bonding PVC film using a thermo-vacuum press.
5. Removing excess film.

Thanks to this production, the film is guaranteed to fit snugly to the base (regardless of the presence of filigree elements).The film itself will not peel off from the substrate when exposed to steam or high temperatures. Gentle household chemicals are used to clean the finished facade. If necessary, to update the facade (taking into account the integrity of the base), a new film may be used. This ensures cost-effective product recovery.

MDF facades and plastic finishing - postforming

MDF facades can have not only a film or enamel coating, but also be protected by plastic. The manufacturing technology is short, but at the same time it allows to achieve high-quality protection of the base, to give it an original look. The work is carried out in three stages:

1. Application of MDF kraft paper to increase adhesion between the base and the plastic.
2. The connection of the plastic layer with the prepared base.
3. Application of a protective layer of melamine and acrylic resins.

The advantages of the products include ease of maintenance and the permissibility of cleaning the surface with finely abrasive compounds. A serious disadvantage is the high cost.

Postforming facades can be monophonic or complemented by patterns. Such models are ideal for custom styling of the kitchen.

Laminated facades

In the manufacture of furniture facades, laminated MDF and particleboard boards (MDF) are often used. The production of materials is carried out according to the following scheme:

1. Priming and drying the slab.
2. Drawing from 1 to 3 layers of special paper, impregnated with resins, to improve the adhesion of the substrate with the film. The procedure for joining MDF or particleboard with paper is carried out by pressing at high temperatures.
3. Application of thick transparent paper: it becomes a reliable film during heating and pressing.

Thanks to this production technology, laminated facades are highly resistant to mechanical damage, burnout, moisture. For their cleaning, the use of fine-abrasive chemistry is allowed.Over time, the applied film will not peel off, which makes them durable. By cons include high cost.

Facades with acrylic coating

Facades with acrylic coating can be attributed to a variety of plastic products. The process of their production is quite similar: MDF or chipboard is used as the base, a thin sheet of acrylic is glued to it from above and the workpiece is crimped. Additionally, the side panels are glued with an acrylic edge. Due to the significant thickness of the decorative layer, the finished facades look rather thick. In this case, the application can be either unilateral or bilateral. The second option allows you to get a facade that has the same design on the front and back sides. Beautiful acrylic facades have a rich color and shine brightly under natural and artificial lighting. Another plus of products is resistance to moisture, fading in the sun. The disadvantages include the need for constant care with gentle gel chemistry: any dirt is clearly visible on glossy surfaces.

Frame facades based on MDF profile

In the manufacture of frame facades, two main parts of the product are used: the frame and the inner canvas. If the frame itself is the upper and lower crossbars and 2 sidewalls, then the filling can be made in different design variations. For example, glass, MDF canvas, grille, shutters can be installed in the frame. In the manufacturing process, a recess (groove) is cut inside the profile, where the blade will be installed. Frame components are fastened together with special brackets. The angle between the individual elements of the frame is 45 degrees. The advantage of this type of facade is its attractiveness, the ability to implement custom designs. The serious disadvantages include the difficulty of leaving. If there is glass, the owners will have to wash the frame separately and separately remove dust and dirt from the glass.The frames themselves are cleaned exclusively with gentle chemicals.

Facades with aluminum frames

The presence of an aluminum edge guarantees reliable protection of the sides of the canvas. Unlike ordinary films, aluminum frames are also resistant to mechanical damage, and can be easily cleaned with finely abrasive compounds. In the production of this type of facade, MDF or glass cloth is in the aluminum edge, which has a U-shaped profile. Thus, an aluminum strip will be located on the facade (along the perimeter of the doors). The advantage of this type of product is reliability and durability. They perfectly complement the art nouveau or hi-tech kitchens. They can be applied both to ordinary MDF sheets and to veneered sheets, plastic (glossy or matte). Such facades will not have to be updated soon due to additional protection with an aluminum edge. The price category of doors with aluminum frames is medium.

Fittings - types of facade opening

According to the specifics of the facade itself and the compartment hidden behind it, conditionally all the fittings used for kitchens can be divided into the following groups:

• spring lifts and micro-lifts: they are used to raise the doors, while the gas lift ensures their maximum smooth lifting and lowering;
• patch loops: used for single-door bedside tables, ensure accurate sash application on the end;
• half-laid: are used for bivalve pedestals in which two wings are superimposed on one end at once;
• bicuspid hinges: simple fittings consisting of two plates connected by a pin;
• hinges-transformers: provide opening of a door by 170 degrees;
• secret loop: consists of two parts (cylinder or plates with protruding parts), which, when closing the sash, enter-nest two in each other, guaranteeing a tight fit of the door to the end;
• guides: they are used to extend drawers, the best are models with closers that provide a smooth extension of the drawer.

Special attention should be paid to overhead handles. They can be in the form of a bracket (classic version), cylinder (roof rails), drops, rings or buttons (protrudes above the door). There are also mortise handles, which are a recess in the facade itself.

Color solutions of facades and compatibility with the interior of the kitchen

When choosing a color scheme and presentation format of the kitchen facade, one should not forget about its appropriate form in the interior of the kitchen. Using our simple style tip, you can quickly find the perfect furniture:

• Provence: in this direction, solid doors in a light shade (white, light gray, light blue) or similar frame doors with grilles, frosted glass will be appropriate, the kitchen with a patina will suit well;
• hi-tech and modern: the best option is black, gray and silver or bright facades with glossy surfaces and aluminum edges;
• classic and loft: frame and solid doors in light brown and dark brown will become a good option;
• modern and urban: light gray, light purple and light green models harmoniously fit into these two areas.

Conclusion

You need to choose a suitable facade for a kitchen set based on many requirements: the quality of the materials used, the original appearance and the style of the furniture. When familiarizing yourself with the characteristics of the basics used for assembling doors, as well as the technology of their production, one should not forget about the price differences of different solutions. Additionally, it is worth considering the complexity of caring for different surfaces. If MDF and wood are fairly easy to clean from dirt and dust, then glass and acrylic or plastic surfaces need careful daily cleaning.Therefore, before choosing a particular type of facade, we recommend that you study the samples, select the most practical option, and only then begin to familiarize yourself with the color scheme of the products offered. Such a thorough search for solutions will help you find the perfect headset for your kitchen.