Replacing a kitchen unit is so rare that choosing the right one is crucial. It’s not just a matter of style, design, and functionality. It is also important what kitchen furniture is made of. Because the durability of the service depends on this. Criteria for the selection of concrete paver molds materials. Functional and decorative parts of kitchen furniture.
According to their purpose, the parts of the kitchen kit are divided as follows:
- frame;
- facade;
- working surfaces;
- boxes, hinges, baskets, and other accessories.
The most visible, and, accordingly, bearing the main load in terms of design are facades and countertops. Parts of the body and fittings take over most of the functionality for storing dishes, appliances, appliances, and determine the comfort of use. At the same time, materials for kitchen furniture, regardless of their purpose in the headset, must meet such a set of requirements as strength, resistance to moisture and temperature.
In this article, we will only touch upon materials for the manufacture of facades and hulls. It should be noted that often the main raw materials for these two types are chosen the same. But the external finish is different to improve the visual characteristics. However, it is the “fronts”, i.e. facades are the most diverse in terms of materials and technologies used.
FACADES
The market provides a huge selection of fronts for kitchen furniture. They differ in material, structure, color and style.
The materials of kitchen furniture, namely the front surfaces, are very important. As they produce an external effect, because they will have to be seen every day, and more than once, by all family members.
KITCHEN FACADES FROM CHIPBOARD
One of the cheapest solutions used in furniture manufacturing is a chipboard door, commonly used in the manufacture of cabinet structures. The decor commonly used contrasts with the plate used to complete the body. When choosing the type of kitchen fronts. You should pay attention to how they were protected by the edges of the plate. There are three types:
- melamine edging – made on the basis of impregnated paper and is a weak type of finish. Usually used in inexpensive furniture sets. More often not for use in the production of kitchens, since it simply does not work with kitchen furniture, where everything is used intensively and is exposed, first of all, to moisture and steam. In practice, it passes very quickly from the edge.
- PVC rim – made on a plastic base and has increased resistance to mechanical damage and moisture. To the untrained eye, similar to melamine, but upon closer inspection, you can see the difference in thickness compared to previous technology. These ribs are between 0.5 and 3 mm thick. It is currently used as a standard solution for furniture already in the middle-class price. Relatively good for facades, but may tend to crack at the ends.
- aluminum profiles are the most expensive and most time-consuming option. This solution is very durable, highly resistant to mechanical damage and moisture, in addition, good aesthetic characteristics. It is especially recommended when choosing facades made of chipboard. significantly extends the life of the furniture, but at the same time increases the price.
TYPES OF KITCHEN FACADES ON THE BASIS OF MDF:
Kitchen facades MDF coated with PVC film
Currently, one of the most popular solutions due to its very good mechanical properties and relatively good resistance to water and mechanical damage. The advantages of doors made on the basis of MDF are undoubtedly represented by the richness of colors, including the ability to imitate natural wood. Choosing this option, it is very important what specific manufacturers make kitchen furniture from, since the main disadvantages of MDF with PVC film are low-quality film or a violation of technology, due to which cracks appear near heat sources, such as a microwave oven or oven …
Lacquered MDF kitchen fronts
Coating with special acrylic lacquers allows you to choose from a very wide range of colors and shades, which can be both glossy and matte. The moisture resistance is good, due to which such materials are used in the manufacture of bathroom furniture.
The disadvantages include the lack of texture of the pattern, as it turns out a solid, even color. In addition, with such a choice, you need to ask what the kitchens are made of from your manufacturer, since varnishes from cheap segments may not be sufficiently resistant to scratches, or a high-quality varnish will be applied with an insufficient layer. This will complicate operation and will not allow you to maintain the beautiful appearance of the kitchen for a long time.
Kitchen fronts made of MDF with natural veneer covering
Surfaces faced with natural veneer are a way to get the benefits of natural wood at a relatively cheap solution. This technology is ideal for smooth models that do not have depressions, grooves, convex patterns.
Solid wood kitchen fronts
Materials for making kitchen furniture also include natural wood. The advantages of wood facades include a unique pattern, the ability to choose from a wide range of wood types, painted in different shades, and the possibility of their restoration. Physical characteristics differ depending on the type of wood. This type of facades is especially good in tandem with natural stone countertops, as a complete set is made from natural materials.
Glass is often used as a finishing material for facades. As a rule, it is framed with metal or wood. Resistant to moisture and temperature, glass is easy to clean and durable. Now you can choose transparent glass, frosted, with etched patterns, stained glass solutions.
Pros and cons of concrete countertops
Interior concrete is not a very familiar definition of a classic material for us. It is an artificial material created by hardening a special mixture of binder, water and hardeners of various sizes. For the manufacture of concrete countertops, cement, sand, water and various additives. Are used to improve their technological and operational characteristics.
What are the advantages of concrete countertops?
High technical and operational characteristics of concrete countertops have contributed to the steady growth of their popularity among consumers. This is primarily due to the increased strength and resistance to temperature effects.
It is well known that the countertop, like the work surface of a kitchen set, is subject to the most wear and tear. Therefore, manufacturers of kitchen furniture are constantly looking for a durable and reliable material for their manufacture. Interior concrete is a material that satisfies not only technical and operational, but also aesthetic requirements for countertops.
From the point of view of the decorative function, concrete countertops are a very good option due to the variety of their processing.
They are exposed to:
- coloring,
- polishing,
- grinding
- without loss of performance.
In the process of making the countertop to give it an unusual visual reading, when the material is still liquid, various inclusions are added to it. These can be pieces of colored glass, coloring pigments, shells or pebbles. A concrete countertop is not inferior in strength to granite. It is distinguished by its original texture and appearance, and environmental friendliness.
During the manufacturing process, the countertop can be given any shape. Which makes it versatile in terms of the configuration of the kitchen set. It has a very high strength, resistance to mechanical damage, chips, high humidity and high temperature.
