A laminate kitchen apron is the most vulnerable spot. It is more susceptible to moisture and temperature changes than others. Therefore, the finishing of the kitchen apron should be such that it can last for a long time. For this, materials such as ceramic tiles, mosaics, plastic panels, and washable wallpaper are used.
Finishing this area with laminate also allows you to achieve the desired result. It’s quite easy to make a laminate kitchen apron with your own hands.
Laminate apron
Pros and cons of using laminate for a kitchen backsplash
Laminate with the highest precision conveys the texture of natural wood and stone and creates the necessary atmosphere
Most people are accustomed to the fact that laminate is used exclusively for flooring. However, in recent years, designers are increasingly using it in other places, because the result is inexpensive and high-quality. But such a popular finishing material has its advantages and disadvantages.
The advantages include:
- ease of cleaning - just wipe it with a soap or chemical solution to get rid of any dirt, and it will not lose its properties or deteriorate externally;
- ease of installation - the laminate is installed quickly and without problems, leaving little dirt and debris;
- moisture resistance of moisture-resistant laminate;
- resistance to mechanical damage, durability;
- low price;
- wide range and ability to imitate almost any material;
- Contains environmentally friendly materials.
Disadvantages include instability to high temperatures (that is, the laminate cannot be placed close to the slab, otherwise it will quickly deform) and moisture, if the material is not specialized. Otherwise, this is an excellent option for decorating a kitchen apron.
Grouting joints
The choice of grout should be done in the same way as with glue. We take the most popular and affordable option. Fortunately, the stores are full of them. The mixture is a mixture of varied composition and shade. You will also need a regular sponge, for example, for washing a car.
We choose a rubber spatula as our main assistant. It does not scratch or otherwise mechanically damage the top layer of ceramics, which is varnished and its appearance and functions depend on this. A small spatula will fit perfectly when grouting internal corners.
It is better to get rid of the remaining grout within 15 minutes, otherwise it will harden and the process will be considerably delayed. After this, all ceramic tiles should be carefully and thoroughly washed more than once until the stains completely disappear.
Which laminate to choose
For a kitchen apron, you should choose a laminate with environmental safety class E1
There are several types of laminate, differing in composition and installation method:
- Laminated chipboards are durable panels fastened without sheathing. They are not resistant to moisture and will require a special profile during installation.
- MDF is inexpensive and can be installed on any type of sheathing, but, like laminated chipboard, it has low moisture resistance.
- Floor-mounted - quite durable and suitable for covering on the wall. Mounts either on the sheathing or on a wall with a flat surface.
- Laminated hardboard - has a high density and is resistant to moisture, installed on the sheathing.
For a kitchen apron, it is recommended to select a laminate with high resistance to humidity, strength class 31–32 and resistant to high loads. Preferably from environmentally friendly materials.
When choosing, you should consider the shade of the laminate. It should match the style of the kitchen itself.
Interesting solutions in interior design
Every housewife wants her kitchen to be the most unusual, comfortable and beautiful. Some design solutions look very nice, but are already boring.
An interesting detail in the kitchen could be an MDF apron painted with chalkboard paint. On such a panel it is very convenient to write down recipes for delicious dishes, leave reminders for the family; if there are children in the house, they will be very interested in drawing on such a surface. But, it is better to line the place in close proximity to the hob with another material, this will protect the surface from high temperatures and moisture.
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This option will look good in a loft-style kitchen; the design will be complemented by painted wooden boxes, a large table made of solid wood or a bar counter with lighting in the form of pendant spotlights.
The board apron can be decorated with several metal hooks for fabric mittens, potholders, and kitchen utensils.
Built-in shelves will help you use the apron space functionally. You can install shallow shelves in the apron above the work surface for jars of spices and kitchen knives. A long shelf with a crossbar can be decorated with small bottles of oil, vinegar or wine.
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This idea will look good in the Provence style. The panel can be veneered with light wood, as can the built-in shelves. They will accommodate glass jars with seasonings and spices, bottles of oil. You can hang small bunches of lavender and other aromatic herbs above the work surface.
The kitchen set can be painted in pastel colors: light lilac, soft blue, peach. A small painting with pastoral landscapes or drawings of wildflowers will look great. Such an interior will create a warm and cozy atmosphere.
Installation methods
There are two ways to install laminate: adhesive (the laminate is attached to a bare wall) and with lathing (attached to a pre-prepared structure). You should not start work immediately after purchasing the material; it should “get used” to the conditions of the apartment (humidity, temperature). It is necessary to keep the laminate indoors for 48 hours. Otherwise, the material may become deformed after installation.
Before installation, it is necessary to remove all furniture and trim and polish the wall surface with putty. There should be no switches or sockets on the wall.
To lay laminate you will need the following tools:
- hand saw or jigsaw;
- hammer;
- Ruler and pencil;
- building level;
- electric drill;
- wooden block;
- wooden slats (for sheathing);
- silicone or liquid nails (in the case of the adhesive method);
- screws, nails.
With sheathing
First of all, you need to create a structure. The bars for the sheathing should not exceed the size of 4x4 cm.
Work order:
- Using dowels, secure the bars at a distance of 30–70 cm from each other and at least 2 cm from the floor.
- Check that all elements are on the same level.
- Start laying the panels from the lower right corner. During installation, the laminate sheet must rest on the sheathing.
Panels can be attached to the sheathing using liquid nails - Press the next panel into the end groove to the first at an angle of 45°.
- Continue installing rows upward.
- Adjust the panels to each other (you can use a hammer), fix the laminate with screws.
Without sheathing
For this method, the wall must be perfectly flat. You need to make sure of this by checking it with a level, and in case of any violations, level it, for example, using cement-sand plaster or drywall.
Fixing the laminate to the wall using liquid nails with locking locks begins from the very bottom of the surface, while the panel is positioned so that its ridge is located at the top. If panels with click locks are used, then they are mounted, on the contrary, with the groove up, and the ridge located below is pre-cut with a jigsaw or a circular saw with a fine-toothed disk.
Then you can start installation:
- Apply liquid nails to the first panel, then press it tightly against the wall and press it for a while with heavy objects at hand.
Liquid nails are applied to the back of the panel in the form of a snake, avoiding the adhesive getting on the locks - The second and subsequent panels must be attached to the wall after 1-2 days, since the first panel will serve as a stop for all subsequent ones and it must dry well. For each panel, you need to machine the ends and groove, then carefully attach the next panel to the left of the first at an angle of 45°, connecting them. Moving in the same way, from right to left, from bottom to top, glue the second row.
- Wait 1-2 days again.
- Continue installation. If cracks form, they must be treated with a sealant.
- Before fixing the last laminate panel to the wall, it is first sawn to length in accordance with the existing gap.
All you have to do is wait until all the glue sets.
It is important to remember that when trying to complete the job in one go, for example when gluing panels in the middle of a wall, the bottom laminate may move away from the wall.
Preparatory steps before installation
The surface on which the apron will be installed must be prepared. It is necessary to remove existing coatings from the surface intended for finishing. Having previously turned off the voltage, remove the existing sockets, switches and other available fittings.
After completing all dismantling work, it is necessary to finish the surface as smoothly as possible, using leveling mixtures or simply putty. The dried area can be further sanded.
Leveling the surface with putty
The procedure for further actions depends on the method in which the apron will be installed. If the locking method is used, then it is necessary to make a sheathing on which the laminate will be attached. When using the adhesive method, no lathing is needed; a simple flat wall surface is sufficient. The final stage of preparatory work, before making a laminate apron in your kitchen, is reconciliation and clarification of dimensions.
Reconciliation of sizes
How to care for a kitchen apron
The easiest kitchen apron to clean is made from ceramic tiles.
After installation, the apron must be cleaned of dirt: just wash it with water or detergent if necessary. In the future, clean in exactly the same way. You can use industrial soda; it removes almost any dirt and has a whitening effect (if the apron suddenly darkens).
The most difficult thing to clean is the seams; dirt gets stuck in them much more often. Bleach or lemon juice will help with this. The solution should be sprayed onto the seams from a spray bottle, left for half an hour or an hour, and then rinsed off with plain water.
You should also not wash your apron too often, otherwise it may lose its properties over time.
If scratches appear, you can polish them with a wax pencil. Wax can also be used as a preventative measure by applying it to the entire surface of the apron for additional protection. For deep scratches, use a special putty.
Determining the height and dimensions
The standard height of a kitchen apron is 60 cm, which is convenient for people of average and tall height. However, if the majority of household members are short, then it is better to make the apron 45-55 cm high. We also recommend slightly lowering the height of the apron if the upper cabinets open upward using door closers. After all, if opening such doors is not difficult, then to close them, you will have to stand on a stool or do it in a jump.
Low apron
For a kitchen set partially or completely without wall cabinets, the apron can be designed at a standard height or an elevated one. For example, it can reach the ceiling or occupy approximately ¾ of the wall. Below are examples of aprons for kitchen sets without wall cabinets.
If desired, you can protect not only the area above the countertop and stove, but also the area behind the hood.
If the work area has a niche, then it is best to cover it completely.
See more: The correct size of the apron is the secret to a comfortable kitchen.
How and with what to update old furniture in the kitchen with your own hands?
Many housewives dream of new kitchen furniture. If you can’t do this yet, update the old furniture yourself. With a creative approach, this is quite possible and looks beautiful.
You can restore an old kitchen set using the decoupage technique. For this you will need decoupage napkins, PVA glue, varnish, and paint.
How to decorate old furniture using decoupage technique:
- First, you can paint the kitchen set with paint from a spray can or with a regular brush. All sides are thoroughly cleaned and wiped dry.
- When the paint is dry, glue the decoupage napkins using PVA glue. Do it quickly but carefully.
- After the glue has dried, open the walls of the headset with varnish. In total, several layers of varnish are needed, but with breaks for drying.
Now the look of an old kitchen set will no longer depress you. Using the decoupage technique, you can decorate your kitchen in Provence style.
An easier way to decorate old furniture is by gluing film or wallpaper. You need to buy a sufficient amount of film or washable wallpaper, cut it into pieces of the required area and stick it on old cabinets and doors. The kitchen will immediately look completely different.
It is not necessary to refinish the entire surface of the cabinets. You can highlight some areas that are especially in need of restoration and decorate them.
If glass is inserted into the doors, you can decorate the inside of the cabinet with film.
Many people have a leather sofa in their kitchen. Over time, it may also lose its appearance. The skin becomes dull, scratches appear, and significant damage in the form of holes may appear. You shouldn't leave your old sofa like this. By purchasing leather paint, you can breathe life into it. If there are scratches or holes, you can hide them:
- Using liquid skin.
- Using a patch to match the sofa.
- This could also be an interesting application.
Before you start gluing a piece of leather, degrease the damaged area with an alcohol-containing product.
Updating old stools and chairs is also easy:
- Wooden chairs will become as good as new if you open them with several layers of varnish.
- A stool with a wooden seat can be covered with a self-adhesive thick film.
- You can sew a fabric cover on a stool with a soft seat that will harmonize with the overall color scheme of the kitchen.
- You can also crochet or knit beautiful chair covers.
The refrigerator can be decorated with various magnets. In addition, the refrigerator can be decorated with stylish, laconic or bright stickers.
Refrigerator decor with vinyl film
Moisture-resistant or water-resistant coating?
High-quality modern laminated panels are practically not afraid of water - special water-repellent wax-based compounds are applied to them as a protective layer. However, not all manufacturers process the joints between panels, and therefore these parts of the coating remain susceptible to moisture.
For the kitchen you can choose:
- Moisture-resistant coating - does not react to high humidity in the room, but the base may deform if water gets into the joints. Able to withstand drops, splashes and even small puddles, but the exposure time to the liquid should be no more than 20 minutes. In this case, sealing of the seams is required during installation.
- Waterproof laminate is more expensive, but can withstand moisture for 6 hours. Here the joints are processed at the factory, so no additional measures are required to protect them. Laminate with a plastic base is considered the most reliable, but it is also the most expensive.
Advantages and disadvantages of design
Wood paneling is a stylish and timeless option. It is appropriate in any interior decoration, looks elegant and harmonious, and is combined with other finishing materials. Natural wood is difficult to maintain. If cleaning wallpaper is limited to wiping with a damp cloth during general cleaning, then wooden walls are polished every day. Therefore, instead of wallpaper and natural wood, a laminate or a laminate that imitates rare and valuable types of wood is chosen for wall decoration.
Advantages of using laminate:
- looks like natural wood;
- durable and wear-resistant material due to the fact that it consists of several layers;
- not afraid of mechanical impact;
- abrasion resistant;
- service life averages a quarter of a century;
- the planks and modules have ideal geometric shapes and precise dimensions, so after easy installation they create a single piece;
- does not require painstaking and daily care;
- costs less than lining or parquet.
Laminate coatings have a drawback: they do not withstand prolonged exposure to moisture. Therefore, they are not suitable for finishing balconies, basements and baths. For this reason, the kitchen apron area is a bad place to install panels, but there are moisture-resistant varieties that can be installed in any room.
Selection of finishing materials for the kitchen
Based on the above requirements, you can select a list of materials suitable for finishing kitchen walls:
- tiles or porcelain stoneware;
- eraser panels;
- laminate.
Tile
Tile has been used to decorate kitchen spaces for hundreds of years. Its advantages are:
- resistance to high temperatures (even stoves were lined with tiles);
- absolute resistance to moisture.
In addition, the tiles are easy to clean, which allows you to keep your kitchen perfectly clean.
However, completely finishing the wall in the kitchen with tiles is an expensive pleasure, and, by and large, unnecessary. In practice, finishing the area of the kitchen apron and sink is sufficient.
Plastic panels
Plastic panels are a more modern and technologically advanced material than tiles. The installation of panels does not require the same high qualifications as for laying tiles. The panels have almost the same set of properties as tiles or porcelain stoneware.
However, they have a number of disadvantages:
- Plastic is less resistant to heat, and even more so to open fire.
- When heated, some types of plastics release substances that are hazardous to health, such as phenols and formaldehyde.
- Plastic may fade and change color over time.
- The surface of plastic is less resistant to abrasive particles than tiles. As a result, scratches and abrasions form on the surface of the panels over time.
- Plastic has a fairly high thermal conductivity, which leads to intense condensation formation.
The advantage is the lower price of the panels compared to tiles and the ease of installation. However, it has not become widespread in kitchens, despite the variety of colors and decors.
Laminate
Laminate is essentially a type of plastic. However, with much worse parameters regarding moisture resistance. Therefore, the use of laminate for wall decoration in the kitchen is very limited.
Good ventilation is necessary in the room in order to get rid of high air humidity and condensation. But even under these conditions, it is strictly not recommended to use laminate in the apron area.
But it would be quite acceptable to use this material in areas that do not experience extreme loads. The appearance of plastic panels immediately indicates their artificial origin. And wood-effect laminate resembles lining, which is often used to decorate rooms.
Using laminate you can create futuristic interiors in the kitchen
At the same time, laminated panels repeat the texture of noble wood species and in themselves ennoble the room. In particular, white laminate looks very advantageous in the interior. However, many people choose a neutral gray color in the interior, since this color can be combined with any others.
Laminated panels perfectly imitate wood, and in some areas even surpass it. For example, to use lining in a kitchen, it must be treated with several layers of varnish.
In addition, the varnish emits volatile compounds that are hazardous to health. Of course, laminate cannot be called an environmentally friendly material - resins containing the same phenol are used in its production.
