Facades for the kitchen: pros and cons. All varieties of kitchen facades: choose the best option

Choosing cabinet furniture for the kitchen, we do not so much pay attention to the shape of the cabinets and the capacity of the cabinets, but to the facades, their quality and design. There is nothing strange in this - the kitchen set is also “greeted by clothes”, so the appearance really matters. Another question is how long the new furniture will remain attractive. Everything here also depends on the facades, or rather, on the materials from which they are made. We will figure out which ones are better so that she is not too burdensome to care for and looks really stylish.

What are facades made of?

Not only its durability and beauty, but also the cost depends on the material from which the kitchen facade is made. True, the pattern “the more expensive the better” in this case does not always work. For example, wooden facades are really good and expensive, because they are made of natural solid wood. But their use in the kitchen without a protective coating can lead to the fact that the wood will quickly dry out or become hopelessly damaged: it does not benefit from it constant treatment with hot steam.

Much better in kitchen conditions are cheaper MDF boards made of pressed wood fibers. They keep their shape perfectly, are slightly inferior in strength to the array, and thanks to the protective film, they retain their original attractive appearance for a long time.

Chipboard facades with the same laminating coating look just as good, but are less durable due to their own low density. In addition, particle boards are much faster to break down at attachment points, which can cause cabinet doors to sag. By the way, it will be problematic to replace the fasteners on such a facade over time - loose fibers will simply stop holding loops.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the facades of metal and glass. These are the most expensive materials for the manufacture of furniture, but it is they that meet the basic requirements for kitchen sets:

• moisture resistance;
• strength;
• resistance to household acids and alkalis;
• wear resistance;
• wide range of operating temperatures.

There is only one “but” that stops people from buying such wonderful facades - it is very difficult to keep them in perfect condition. Typical kitchen dirt from a shiny surface can be removed without difficulty, but harmless stains after washing and fingerprints are much more difficult to handle. Manufacturers are trying to solve this problem by making matte or corrugated facades, on which traces are not so clearly visible, but the result is still far from ideal.

In their own way, all the materials examined are good and have a right to exist within the kitchen. But if you are looking for the optimal combination of reasonable price and durability, and also want to have a certain freedom of choice, it is better to take a facade from MDF. Particleboard will also work as a temporary and inexpensive solution.

Decorative Coating Options

Since we settled on composite wood panels, it’s worth talking about the coatings faced with pressed ones. After all, this is not only a guarantee of the durability of new facades, but also the main factor determining the appearance of furniture.

Softforming

Under this term, we all know the familiar laminating film of several layers of the thinnest paper and polymer resins. A decorative pattern is applied to the top sheet, usually imitating the texture of wood or polished stone. But because of the small thickness, such a coating looks the same as it costs - cheaply.

If you chose a laminated softforming facade, this is most likely a chipboard model. There are no other cheap products, and therefore do not live long. The coating quickly wears out and loses its former appeal, and the panels themselves without protection deteriorate from excess moisture in the kitchen.

Pvc film

Inexpensive and moderately durable coating with the broadest possibilities in terms of design. But use it in the kitchen with caution. As the room temperature rises, polyvinyl chloride begins to exude an unpleasant chemical smell, filling the air with chlorine compounds. Is it worth putting your family's health at such a risk for the sake of dubious savings?

Postforming

This is a relatively new way of facing composite facades for kitchens made of MDF and particleboard. The panels are covered with a layer of high-pressure plastic, which is firmly glued to the base and provides it with reliable protection against external factors. The plastic film is highly resistant to abrasion and chemical compounds, so the facade is really durable.

The technology itself is not particularly complicated and today it is increasingly used in furniture production. So the price of such products will not become too high. An important difference between the postforming method and other cladding options is the continuity of the protective layer. Each facade literally turns into a single sheet of plastic that does not leave unreliable seams even at corners and edges, from which the quality of the product only benefits.

Acrylic

In fact - the same heavy-duty plastic, but always glossy and bright. In addition, minor damage to the acrylic surface can be easily repaired by simple grinding. But any scratch or dent that “adorned” the shiny facade will be striking, and even such a high-quality coating cannot be sanded to infinity. So, if you cannot guarantee your headset careful handling by all households, it is better not to look at acrylic.

Enamel

A stylish solution for an active kitchen. Painted facades are not only moisture resistant - they withstand even washing using household chemicals. Enameled doors are easy to upgrade on your own or decorate them to your liking. Poor they tolerate only mechanical stress, so that you have to paint over scratches and chips once every few years.

Shapes and designs

Really interesting furniture sets are due to the unusual shape of the facades. All the rest of the "wealth" of the kitchen is hidden behind them, so the doors of cabinets and cabinets decorate the room. In addition to unpretentious solid rectangles, facades come in other forms:

Framework

They are ordinary doors with curly cuts where glass is inserted. It, in turn, can be completely transparent, matte or decorated with stained glass. It all depends on the chosen style of kitchen design. In addition to glass, elements woven from rattan, carved wood or bright plastic panels are sometimes inserted into the frame facade.

Paneled

Such facades are ideal for decorating kitchen interiors in classic and related styles. It is possible to form graceful panels only on natural wood or pressed MDF panels. The latter are covered with a thin protective film from which they acquire special beauty and smoothness.

Veneered facade

This variety in a good way should be attributed to the material selection section. Indeed, in fact, veneered facades are the same composite panels, lined with a thin layer of natural wood. This solution allows you to reduce the final cost of furniture, and at the same time get an exact copy of the natural array. The veneered headsets look luxurious, but their service life in the kitchen is not very long. Due to the increased humidity, the veneer begins to crack and exfoliate, and even such facades are quite capricious in maintenance.

Care Rules

Even if there is not enough money to buy in the family budget kitchen furniture  with expensive and high-quality facades, this does not mean that a cheap headset will not be able to serve you long enough. With proper care, even the most unreliable doors will retain an attractive appearance for many years.

When mounting the hinged modules above a stove or sink, follow the recommended height to protect the façade from excessive humidity and temperature.

Remember to check the seals oven  - They are responsible for protecting your furniture from hot air. Choose detergents in accordance with the type of coating on the facades, so as not to damage them with too aggressive compounds, and during the general cleaning do not use abrasives and sharp objects to clean the doors from pollution.

We talked about what facades are on sale, and how they behave in a kitchen. You just have to count the cash in your wallet and decide on the design. After that, you can easily pick up such doors to your furniture that will become its real decoration.

The basis for facades is most often MDF or particleboard (you can read about the differences between these materials), however, the methods of cladding that can help make them more durable and attractive. Let's dwell on each of them.

Merits.First of all - the price, kitchens with such facades, relative to other materials, are inexpensive. A wide variety of colors and textures, able to satisfy any request. The film is resistant to cleaning products, abrasion, and durable.

disadvantages, Unfortunately, there are more than advantages. Most likely, the film will quickly lose color brightness if it is constantly exposed to sunlight. That is, for the kitchen on the sunny side, it is better not to choose this option. It behaves poorly in conditions of constant humidity and heating: most often problems occur in the area of \u200b\u200bthe oven and sink (you can familiarize yourself with the rules for operating MDF facades under PVC).

MDF and plastic (postforming)

In general, it is difficult for an unaware person to say at first glance what materials were used in the production of various facades. However, plastic has one distinguishing feature, thanks to which it is difficult not to recognize it - gloss. Even despite the fact that now they produce matte plastic, it still “shines” more than others.

Merits.It withstands temperature extremes: it feels good next to the stove and sink - this makes it a clear favorite among other materials. Unlike PVC films, plastic tolerates sunlight well and does not fade. It is not subject to abrasion, scratches, cracks. The color scheme is extremely diverse: manufacturers can offer more than 30 color options. It is also convenient that the facades can be of different configurations: blank, showcase, aluminum frame.

Disadvantages.  First of all, these are fingerprints. So housewives with such a kitchen will have to be patient and with “mild” detergents. Never use powders, as even a scratch-resistant surface can be damaged with a certain zeal.

This is a fairly new technology. In Europe, however, it is widespread, while in Russia it is still only taking root. The acrylic facade shines even more plastic - 80 Gloss. For comparison, the gloss level of PVC films is 70 Gloss, the norm is 60 Gloss.

Merits.In the conditions of modern life, we increasingly think about how environmentally friendly the objects that surround us. I must say that acrylic used in the manufacture of kitchen facades meets all environmental safety requirements. It does not contain volatile components that evaporate into the air. It has no harmful resins, impurities, carcinogens. This is the only material that can be recycled.

More than other materials, acrylic is resistant to various damage: scratches, chips, deformations. The color is very saturated, with a competent design approach, you can create a truly unique interior.

The kitchen will not lose its attractiveness even after many years - the color does not fade, does not fade. You will want something new, you will hiccup the reasons to replace the furniture with a new one, but you will not find any flaws! Unless, of course, do not put your hand to it. Indeed, as with any other facades, acrylic has its own rules of operation. Do not use abrasive cleaners when caring for furniture (they are those that contain a large amount of acid, guarantee a self-cleaning effect or clean the surface by erasing) - only soapy water and a soft cloth! There are also special care products for acrylic facades of foreign manufacturers. The seller will probably tell you about them.

Disadvantages.  Excessive gloss can be attributed to both advantages and disadvantages. I think that people with an excitable nervous system should think about the appropriateness of their choice. This gloss is achieved thanks to a perfectly smooth surface. Again, fingerprints, which will have to constantly get rid of.

Acrylic facade does not differ in a variety of configurations. He can only be deaf. Accordingly, for glass kitchen cabinets-window used glass in aluminum frames. It is beautiful and practical, but expensive.

The technology of their production is as follows: first, the MDF is primed; then several layers of enamel are applied, each of which is carefully dried before the next one is applied, and polished; followed by lacquer coating and polishing.

Merits.One of the most undeniable advantages is the variety of colors. No other material can be represented so widely. Now manufacturers are ready to offer more than 700 possible colors, presented in four coating options: abrasive, matte, glossy, high gloss. I’m not talking about the possible special effects: metallic, mother of pearl, pearls, galaxy, cracklet, chameleon and much, much more ... Agree, there is something to think about. Show your imagination, and no one else will have such a kitchen!

Just like acrylic painted facades are environmentally friendly. The technology of their production is such that even when heated to high temperatures or when exposed to sunlight, no substances harmful to human health are released into the atmosphere. The painted surface is resistant to light exposure (fading), the color does not fade; does not absorb greasy fumes. It tolerates a fine mechanical impact, that is, I do not think that small scratches will be visible to the naked human eye. In any case, if there is a desire, such facades can always be tinted or altered at all in the workshop. And this, you see, is a unique opportunity that only owners of painted facades have.

Painted MDF, in contrast, for example, from acrylic, can be of various configurations, in particular, paint can be applied to the frames of display cabinets.

Disadvantages.All the same fingerprints. Such a kitchen is demanding - it can only be washed with gentle detergents. Hard knocks can cause hard chips. The price compared with the facades of MDF under PVC is much higher.

An option for respectable people who prefer classic style  or modern style. In my opinion, such facades should not be used in kitchens with small areas, as there may be a sense of piling up. However, in large kitchens they will create a special atmosphere of comfort and peace.

Merits.These facades are timeless! They are always in fashion. No other material can be more environmentally friendly than this. With proper care, such furniture will last for many years. It is possible to decorate such a kitchen with many decorative elements that will emphasize its aristocracy.

Disadvantages.  Well, of course, the high price. And facades from expensive wood in general can significantly empty your wallet. Absorb odors and moisture, may fade over time. Do not use aggressive detergents when caring for such furniture. Typically, in the manufacture of furniture with solid facades, a standard size range is used. Such facades are not suitable for every interior and the size of the kitchen.

The golden mean is for those who cannot afford the facades of solid wood. The manufacturing technology is as simple as possible, however, like in any other, it has a lot of nuances that must be observed in order to get high-quality results. To be brief, a thin section of wood of different species is applied to MDF or chipboard and glued, while adjusting in texture, color and pattern.

Merits.  High-quality veneered facades are almost indistinguishable from the solid wood facades. Environmentally friendly. Regarding the array, they are inexpensive. They are unpretentious in leaving. Resistant to external influences, maintain a decent appearance for many years.

Disadvantages.  Like solid wood facades, odors and moisture can be absorbed. When leaving it is impossible to use aggressive and abrasive detergents. Over time, they may fade.

Usually, kitchen cabinet frames are made from this material, however, if you need to reduce the cost of the kitchen as much as possible, you can use it.

Merits.First of all, the lowest price of options for kitchen facades on the domestic market. I do not think that this is a good option for an apartment where you constantly live. However, in a rented apartment, in a country house or dormitory, that is, for a variant with temporary residence, furniture from laminated particleboard will do just fine.

Disadvantages.Do not meet the basic requirements for kitchen facades. Such facades are not moisture resistant, difficult to maintain, extremely poorly tolerate elevated temperatures, they have a short life, do not have any decorative value.

The name speaks for itself. A frame of MDF coated with either natural veneer or a PVC film is inserted with the material of your choice: laminated particleboard, mirror, glass, rattan - in general, everything your imagination is capable of.

Merits.Due to the fact that it is possible just an incredible number of combinations of colors and textures, you have the opportunity to come up with a unique kitchen, relatively inexpensive in price.

Disadvantages.Particleboard material integrated into the MDF facade facade has low moisture resistance and does not tolerate high temperatures. It is hard to care for such a facade; it is difficult to wash. Perhaps "divergence" of the profile at the joints. Often the PVC film moves away from the MDF, especially near the oven and sink, that is, where hot and humid air enters the facade.

Similarly, with the MDF frame, different materials are built into the aluminum frame: MDF, glass, mirror. Most often, such facades can be found among high-tech style supporters in the interior. If cabinets with such facades are made hinged, they will give the room a certain lightness, fill it with air, and what else is needed when space is very limited.

Merits.Unlike MDF frames, such frames are not afraid of moisture and high temperatures, they can be safely used in the immediate vicinity of the oven and sink. Metal gives the construction a certain strength. Using such a framework of facades, we can embed frosted glass with any picture there. Aluminum is not “afraid” of mechanical impact.

Disadvantages.  We all know that aluminum is scratched, so you should not clean it with powders, and indeed you need to be careful: try not to expose it to various mechanical effects. The presence of metal raises the kitchen in the price range, makes it more expensive.

Behind the definition of the facade of a kitchen is the appearance of all the elements of its furniture. It is recommended before deciding on a particular facade of the kitchen to determine the overall style and concept of the kitchen interior, as an important part of the kitchen.

Being the front part of furniture, kitchen facades are divided, firstly, according to the type of construction: curved or even facades, facades that are made of one solid wood, as well as frame facades (where the frame has inserts of glass, plastic, MDF, panels, etc. .).

Secondly, by the type of material from which they are made: of the main material in the form of wood, chipboard or MDF, as well as non-basic materials, in the form of glass, plastic, metal and concrete (for the manufacture of countertops).

When choosing kitchen furniture, not only shape, color and texture matter, but also prices kitchen sets, and they, in turn, depend on the cost of the materials from which they are made. Therefore, we will begin to consider solutions to the appearance of the kitchen from its cheapest types.

Chipboard facades

Compressed sawdust, which are fastened with a special resin, is chipboard. The surface is usually laminated, imitating a tree with different color schemes.

As for lamination, this is the process of sticking to the surface of a film impregnated with a special thermoactive resin.

Advantages of material from particleboard:

• Low cost.
• Resistant to detergents containing chemicals.
• Unpretentious in maintenance, fat stains are easily removed.
• Not afraid of acid and alkali.
• It is sufficiently resistant to mechanical damage, such as scratches from sharp objects, as well as from metal sponges.

Disadvantages:

• Afraid of humidity.
• The inability to create a relief surface.
• Fragility.

Facades from MDF

Such facades are modern and have a wide variety of rich colors. Due to the fact that the MDF material is made from compressed wood fibers, it retains its shape perfectly.

The strength characteristics are slightly inferior to the massif of wood, and with the help of protective coatings in the form of combinations of MDF + plastic and MDF + film for a long time it retains its original appearance.

MDF veneered (coated with natural veneer), as well as MDF colored (coated with polyurethane enamels) material is no less durable.

Advantages of MDF:

• The density of the structure of the material allows you to apply various relief patterns to its surface, give the facades concave and rounded shapes, etc.
• Resistance to aggressive substances: alkalis, acids, chemical detergents, grease, water and dust.
• The scratches that characterize MDF-colored material are easily eliminated.
• Visually indistinguishable from solid facades made of solid wood, what distinguishes MDF-veneered material.
• Due to the variety of colors and textures, we adapt to any style of the kitchen space.

Disadvantages:

• It has a higher price than particleboard.
• Coating with film, plastic or polyurethane enamels does not eliminate its vulnerability to moisture.
• Requires special care.

Important! It is highly undesirable to use detergent preparations in the form of a powder for the care due to the risk of injuries to MDF coatings in the form of microscopic scratches.

MDF facades

Plastic manufacturing technology allows you to create surfaces that are visually indistinguishable from wood or natural stone.

Typically, the base of a facade or countertop made of plastic is MDF, on which plastic is applied.

Advantages:

• Durability.
• Not afraid of moisture.
• Resistant to mechanical damage.

Disadvantages:

• Oil and grease stains are difficult to remove from the gloss of plastic surfaces.
• Difficult to cleanse from dirt.

Facades from veneered MDF

Thin sheets of wood are called veneers. Facades from veneered MDF have a rich appearance due to the variety of textures glued with veneer surfaces.

Moreover, visually they are almost indistinguishable from the surface of natural wood.

Advantages  - it's cheapness, durability, ease of care.

disadvantages - This is a fear of moisture and temperature extremes, so it is not recommended to use them in unheated kitchens of summer cottages.

Facades from MDF film

Covered with PVC film or laminated facades - this is an excellent solution for those who seek to originalize the kitchen space, but for this it does not have sufficient funds.

The main advantage of film facades is cheap and aesthetically pleasing, which is why they are dominant in the furniture market, since no other kitchen facades can be compared with the variety of color schemes.

Solid wood facades

The classics of making kitchen facades belongs to natural wood. Typically, solid wood facades fit well into large interiors.

They are the most expensive, but there are more affordable solutions in the form of facades, where the front part consists of an array or panel, and the rest is made of chipboard or MDF.

For the manufacture of facades, trees of such species as alder, ash, acacia, birch, walnut, cherry, as well as pine and oak are used.

Advantages:

• The most durable and high quality in comparison with particleboard and MDF.
• They have a variety of external design in the form of a figured ornament, decoration elements, etc.
• They are environmentally friendly.

Disadvantages:

• High price.
• Need special care.
• They are afraid of both high and low humidity. In the first case, swelling occurs, and in the second, drying and cracking occurs.

Solid pine for kitchen facades

Facades from pine have a low cost, due to the availability of material and the simplicity of its processing. Therefore, they are referred to as economy class furniture.

Moreover, such facades are aesthetic and environmentally friendly. They are not afraid of changes in temperature and humidity. For kitchen furniture from pine, any facade can be selected. The disadvantage of such facades is that they lose color over time.

Oak kitchen facades

The historical tradition of kitchen interior solutions are oak facades. Strength, reliability and durability are the main advantages of such facades.  At the same time, the oak massif has a unique range of color shades, which can be used as style design solutions for kitchen facades.

Important! Wood facades need to be handled with care, as various surface damage can cause them to swell.

Glass facades

In such facades tempered glass is mainly used. Typically, the ends of glass facades have frames made of plastic or aluminum. There are frames made of wood or MDF.

Advantages:

• A wide variety of glass surface design, from laminating the surface of the film, and ending with sandblasting.
• Long service life.
• Not afraid of moisture.
• Possibility of equipping with backlight.

Disadvantages:

• High price.
• Highly demanding care.
• A lot of weight.
• The impossibility of restoring chips.

Metal facades

Typically, aluminum, stainless steel or chrome are the materials of such facades. At the same time, aluminum facades have significantly less weight than stainless steel and chrome.

Advantages:

• Aesthetics;
• Long service life.
• The possibility of manufacturing sliding facades such as a wardrobe.

Disadvantages:

• High price.
• On a metal gloss, stains after leaving may be visible.
• Aluminum surfaces become dull over time.

What are the solutions for the shapes of kitchen facades?

As for the solutions for the forms of kitchen facades, the most common are paneled and flat facades, frame facades with rounded shapes and frame with straight frame designs.

Straight facades  having a flat surface, have high aesthetic and operational qualities in the sense of convenient care for them. The style, as well as the color scheme of such facades, has a wide variety of solutions.

Concerning rounded frame facades, then this is an excellent solution for romantic natures who seek to visually decorate the kitchen interior with the elegance of the facade lines.

Frame facades, with straight frames - this is the rigor of vertical and horizontal lines, which can be used to design kitchen spaces that have a functional purpose such as a kitchen bar.

Kitchen for any person means comfort, coziness and homely atmosphere. This is achieved by the right combination of color and stylistic design of the kitchen. At the same time, the harmony of the kitchen facade with the decor, ceiling and floor, as well as the style of the entire kitchen space, is of considerable importance.

Read more:

An apron for a kitchen made of glass in design: pros and cons, 60 real photos