Kitchen decoration is important. After all, a person spends a lot of time here. Therefore, it is more pleasant to see an original design every day than just ordinary white walls. Thanks to a huge selection of finishing materials, it’s easy for us to find one that suits your design ideas and financial capabilities. In recent years, more and more builders are choosing MDF panels or sheets to decorate any part of the house, the kitchen is no exception. MDF, what kind of material is this? Due to their good resistance to temperature changes and humidity, MDF sheets will be an excellent solution for installing a kitchen apron.
Kitchen apron
A decade ago, it was impossible to use MDF panels for kitchen splashbacks due to the large thickness of the sheets and their unesthetic appearance. But now, thanks to new technological processes in the production of moisture-resistant MDF, the opportunity to implement different design solutions has become real.
If previously the main material used for the apron was tile, now owners have the opportunity to purchase a cheaper and easier-to-install finishing building material, MDF panels.
The kitchen is very capricious in terms of materials used for finishing, especially the area where the apron is located. It is this part that is exposed to external stimuli every day:
- humidity;
- heat.
So you should pay more attention to the characteristics of the finishing material you choose.
Kitchen apron
Those who want to decorate their kitchen do not always have the opportunity, in addition to purchasing all the necessary building materials, to also pay for the services of builders. And let's face it, hired workers often suck. Therefore, more and more people decide to do their own repairs.
This also raises a number of questions:
- how to install a kitchen apron made of MDF sheets?
- what materials are needed for installing MDF?
- What is better and how to attach a kitchen apron made of MDF?
- Is it possible to install a kitchen apron from MDF with your own hands?
- How to install an MDF apron in a kitchen, step-by-step instructions.
You will find answers to each of these questions here.
Purpose
First of all, it is worth identifying the goal.
What is a kitchen apron? This is the space between the dining area and the hanging cabinets.
We can say that the apron is the face of the kitchen. Therefore, its color must be combined with the rest of the kitchen design.
It is also necessary to fulfill a number of conditions that the selected finishing material must meet:
- high practicality , especially with regard to the ability to clean the apron from dirt;
- resistance to high temperatures;
- moisture resistance;
- resistance to various chemicals such as detergents;
- long service life.
Since the apron is located in the kitchen work area, you need to provide as many items from the list as possible. By choosing MDF material as a kitchen apron, you will additionally protect the walls from: water, soot, grease and other external irritants. Panels for bathroom furniture also meet all these requirements.
What requirements must a kitchen apron meet?
A kitchen apron is an integral part of the interior of the kitchen. This part of the design must have several basic qualities:
- Practicality.
- Resistant to chemicals and any cleaning agents. When washing dishes, a cleaning solution gets onto the surface of the kitchen unit. If the apron is not protected, it will lose its attractive appearance after just a few months of use.
- Resistance to humidity and temperature changes. Furniture and accessories without a protective coating will deteriorate in a short time.
- Long service life. Since the apron is mounted to the wall, it is inconvenient to often change the structure to a new one, especially if holes for fastening are drilled in the wall.
The requirements are due to the fact that the element is located in the working part of the kitchen - near the stove, sink and countertop. Food is prepared in this area, so the main task of the apron is to protect against all kinds of splashes, food particles and any kind of contamination.
Advantages and disadvantages
Whatever finishing material you choose, it will always have a number of advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to determine the characteristics before purchasing. Attaching an apron to a kitchen made of MDF will allow you to achieve the following possibilities:
- environmental friendliness in the production of the material. This point is especially important because food is prepared in the kitchen.
- the ability to easily remove dirt from the apron. Even the use of chemical detergents does not harm the color of the panel, and the apron can delight you with its gloss for many years.
- MDF has high resistance to temperature changes. Even the proximity of the gas stove to the apron does not deform the material.
- the material is resistant to sunlight.
- moisture-resistant laminated wall panels can withstand humidity up to 80%. And even exposure to hot steam.
- good impact protection.
- the low weight of the material makes it easy to install in the right place, even if it is large (solid). Uneven walls do not bother him.
- It’s easy to install an MDF apron in the kitchen with your own hands, even if the wall is not completely flat.
- When installing an apron in a kitchen from wall panels, improvised means are used for interior decoration, and there is no need to purchase additional tools.
- a rich color palette, and the ability to apply a variety of photographs on the film surface of MDF sheets, helps you choose the design you need to match the rest of your kitchen decor.
- the low cost of MDF panels makes it easy to change the interior to your taste. Attaching a kitchen apron made of MDF material will help significantly save your construction budget. In this case, there is no need to remove the furniture; the old apron is simply and easily dismantled and a new one is installed in its place.
- this often applies to photographs. The price of installing an apron in an MDF kitchen depends on the size and design of the room.
- long service life of the material. Manufacturers guarantee up to 5-7 years of service life.
All the advantages of MDF panels are achieved through unique production technology.
As for the disadvantages, this building material has few of them:
- MDF is highly flammable, so an open fire falling directly on the panel can even deform the apron for a short time. When an apron burns, toxic substances begin to enter the air, which have a detrimental effect on health.
- There are a number of restrictions on chemical compounds that cannot be used to process MDF aprons. This list includes all substances containing acetone and other solvent reagents. Only household detergents can be used for washing.
- Sometimes, if the slab is not fastened correctly, the apron may move away from the wall , but this defect can be easily corrected by installing it correctly again.
By comparing the positive and negative aspects, you will already decide whether to choose this material for repairs or not.
Installing the MDF apron yourself
In addition to an attractive appearance, the finishing of the work area should have the following characteristics:
- practicality in use;
- resistance to temperature changes and high humidity;
- resistance to chemicals;
- long period of operation.
Important ! When choosing a finishing material, you must comply with all of the listed requirements. The cooking process takes place in the work area, the surface of the material is exposed to high temperatures and humidity, and there is a sink and stove nearby.
Many users choose MDF products for finishing their work area. Such materials perfectly suit all requirements.
The main advantages of installing MDF panels are:
- low price of products compared to other finishing materials;
- simple mounting of an MDF apron in the kitchen;
- the ability to install the coating on any base, regardless of the type of previous material;
- optimal weight of panels (does not require the use of special adhesives);
- the ability to disguise electrical wiring and some utilities under the coating;
- using a simple tool to install panels.
Despite the huge number of advantages, an MDF apron has several disadvantages. The main one is the flammability of the material and the possibility of its deformation under the influence of external aggressive factors. The appearance of the coating suffers from solar radiation or exposure to chemical detergents. Next, you will learn how to install an MDF apron in the kitchen with your own hands.
Preparation
The process of installing an MDF apron is quite simple, but there are some nuances of the work that can affect the final result. In this regard, the novice master must strictly follow the instructions for installing the panels.
At the preparatory stage, make a preliminary measurement of the working area. During such work, draw up a plan for the apron, which will indicate the dimensions and shape of the structure. Many people do not limit themselves to the work area and install finishing from the kitchen unit to the floor level.
If there is such a need, then add another 15-20 cm to the side marking lines so that the MDF panels overlap the hanging cabinets. This approach allows you to create an attractive aesthetic appearance.
This is especially true if wall cabinets are located at a certain distance from each other. This method also has a drawback: you will have to pay for additional finishing materials.
The second method involves partially securing the MDF apron. In this case, it is necessary to nail down the finishing elements so that they extend just a few centimeters behind the countertop and side cabinets. This reserve will be enough to securely fix the apron; you can also save on finishing materials.
When marking, also take horizontal measurements. Make a pattern from a piece of thick cardboard and mark out places for installing sockets and switches. When drawing lines, take into account the shape of the relief, protrusions and irregularities on the wall surface. The pattern is used not only for marking work on the base; it can be used to make cuts in the finishing material.
Important ! Installation of a kitchen apron made of MDF can be carried out using liquid nails or self-tapping screws using lathing. In the latter case, wiring and some utilities can be hidden under the coating.
Preparing the work area
After applying marking lines to the surface of the walls, you can take measurements and calculate the area of the required finishing material. When purchasing such products, it is recommended to take 5% more of the estimated volume for trimming.
How to install correctly - installation options
How to install an apron in the kitchen from MDF sheets? And although the process of installing an MDF apron is quite simple, there are several issues that a novice installer may encounter. There are many videos on the Internet of installing an apron in a kitchen made from MDF material.
Basically, the nuances relate to the quality of work and if you follow the instructions, the result will leave you satisfied.
Below is a step-by-step installation of an apron in a kitchen made from MDF panels. Here is a list of preliminary work before installing the MDF apron. Take correct measurements of the work area. Thanks to the ease of processing MDF panels, you can give the desired shape to the apron. Much depends on how long you plan for the apron.
Some owners want the space from the bottom of the cabinets to the floor to be covered with an MDF sheet. In this case, you need to measure the space from the bottom of the wall cabinet to the floor.
And additionally add another 20 centimeters to the value so that the panel extends slightly under the hanging cabinets. This approach will provide additional aesthetics to the design.
This method is effective if the lower part of the kitchen unit is not solid. Otherwise, you will overpay for extra meters of material, which no one will see anyway, but the strength of the structure will be much higher.
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Partial fastening method
Another option for attaching a kitchen apron made of MDF is partial. You do not overpay for extra meters and attach only the visible part of the apron between the tabletop and shelves. Fasten the MDF panel with a margin of about 25 cm, this will allow you to additionally fix the apron plate.
Horizontal measurements are also important, especially if there are sockets or switches in the kitchen splashback area. To do this, make a pattern with marked places where the sockets are located.
Take into account protrusions and other nuances that arise during installation. The template you have made will help you cut the MDF sheet exactly to your measurements.
How to install in the kitchen
How to hang an MDF apron in the kitchen? After the preliminary work necessary for correct fastening of the apron, you can install the MDF sheet itself.
Work carried out using a frame structure takes more time, but provides additional reinforcement and a longer service life without defects. How to fix an MDF apron in the kitchen using the frame method? The work area assembled from parts allows you to quickly assemble the apron.
How to install with self-tapping screws
How to attach a kitchen apron made of MDF with self-tapping screws? Here you will also need planks on which the entire structure will be supported. It also needs to be treated with special antiseptics. Then, in the marked places along the perimeter of the planks, MDF sheets are attached to dowels .
It is better to fasten an MDF apron for the kitchen with help to avoid defects. Below is a video on how to attach an MDF apron in the kitchen using self-tapping screws.
For more information about installing a kitchen apron made of MDF, watch the video:
How to glue a plastic kitchen apron with your own hands
The installation process itself is not difficult, but requires care.
The most difficult thing about working with a solid plastic panel is adjusting it to the size of the kitchen.
At the marking stage, you should take several horizontal measurements, since walls are not always perfectly level.
How to properly glue an apron?
The process consists of several successive stages:
- Surface preparation. If there is wallpaper on the walls, it should be removed. The wall is cleaned of peeling plaster and various contaminants and covered with a primer. It is better to choose an acrylic primer for rooms with high humidity - it contains antibacterial and antifungal additives.
- Applying glue. Liquid nails LIQUID NAILS and any others are applied using a special gun only to a dry, grease-free surface. This should not be done in a continuous layer, but dotted or in a snake pattern.
- Gluing. The surfaces to be glued are pressed tightly against each other and immediately separated to ensure that there is enough glue. After 3-5 minutes, final gluing is carried out, pressing the panel tightly against the wall. The adhesive sets almost instantly, but the greatest adhesive strength is achieved within a day.
VIDEO INSTRUCTION
We glue an MDF apron in the kitchen
This procedure differs little from working with a plastic panel; it also consists of three stages:
- Surface preparation. The wall is cleaned and, if necessary, leveled. Highly absorbent surfaces are treated with a primer.
- Application of liquid nails. The workpiece is tried on in place and cut to the required size. A layer of glue is applied pointwise or in a snake pattern to the MDF panel.
- Gluing. The panel is applied to the wall and pressed lightly, after which it is removed and a technological pause is maintained (3-5 minutes). Then the panel is finally glued. For greater reliability, a heavy apron can be supported in several places with slats; after the glue has completely dried, they are removed.
VIDEO INSTRUCTION
Useful tips
Do not try to glue a plastic panel or MDF apron the first time, as this is not always possible. Place the panel against the wall, then lightly tap it and remove it.
After pausing for a few minutes, you can begin the final gluing. In most cases, it is enough to firmly press the surfaces at the joints once to achieve rapid setting of the adhesive.
Visible parts of the edge of the apron should be additionally refined with MDF corners of a suitable color.
Preparing the work area before hanging the kitchen apron - step by step
Once you have made all the measurements, you can purchase an MDF panel. Now it’s time to prepare the working area and all the materials you need for installation.
Although the panel is attached to an uneven wall surface, it is better to remove strongly protruding defects.
To protect yourself from the growth of various fungi on the wall after installing the apron, it is advisable to first clean the surface of the wall, removing all old materials, such as wallpaper.
Removing old wallpaper
Then treat with special means . But this is at the discretion of the owner.
Wall treatment with special means
To ensure uniform fastening of the apron, it is necessary to install a special strip. For these purposes, you can buy a special one or simply install a rail; it is removed after installing the panel.
What can you attach to?
How to attach an apron for the kitchen from MDF, or rather, what to hang it on? For these purposes you can use:
- adhesive composition ( liquid nails) ;
Liquid Nails
- aluminum frame;
- dowels
Depending on the method you choose, you will need to buy related materials.
How to install and secure MDF panels to the wall with your own hands
How to attach MDF to the wall? To attach the apron to liquid nails, you will need the following materials:
- The liquid glue itself.
- Decorative plinth, which is installed after attaching the apron between the table top and the wall.
This method helps to avoid additional costs for purchasing a frame, for example, and also to carry out all the work cleanly without waste, without even removing the furniture from the kitchen. How to glue MDF to the wall?
Liquid nails should be applied around the perimeter of the entire panel and in the middle at an equal distance of 20 cm.
Fastening with liquid nails
If you did not install the mounting rail, you will have to hold the panel with your hands until the glue is completely dry.
How to attach an MDF kitchen apron to an aluminum profile ? This method will require additional costs for the purchase of materials for installing the frame. The advantage of this method is the additional strength of the apron without the fear that the structure will deform.
Attaching an apron to an aluminum profile
The ability to install an apron even on a slightly defective wall without pre-treatment. Nowadays it’s not difficult to find a video of attaching an apron in an MDF kitchen using a frame structure. You just need a number of additional materials.
How to fix a kitchen apron made of MDF using self-tapping screws? This method is messier and will require purchasing dowels and placing them along the sheathing strips. When cutting MDF planks and sheets, it is better to use a fine-toothed hacksaw, which will ensure a more even cut.
Choosing an MDF apron for the kitchen
An MDF apron for your kitchen can be purchased ready-made or ordered. It all depends on what size apron is needed. And its dimensions depend on the type and location of the kitchen unit, or more precisely, the hood and cabinets.
The standard distance from the countertop to the cabinets is 60 cm, from the stove to the hood 75-80 cm. The dimensions of standard aprons do not correspond to the above, usually it is 60 by 300 cm. Therefore, you will have to cover the kitchen wall with two panels, which means that there will be a joint, which will need to be masked.
