The purpose of the article is to tell the reader how to fix a plastic apron in the kitchen. Decorating a room for eating and cooking with this decorative item has become popular due to its smooth surface and low price. During the fastening of the apron, special equipment will not be required, so all installation work can be done independently.
Varieties
In the manufacture of plastic aprons, the following materials are used:
- PVC panels with a standard width of 25 cm and a thickness of 0.8–1.2 cm. They are produced in lengths of 2.6 to 3 m. Their main feature is the presence of special lock fasteners on glossy or matte parts for seamless joints. Therefore, with proper installation, you can independently make a kitchen apron for the kitchen on the wall in the form of a monolithic surface of individual elements. The main thing is that there are no gaps, otherwise water and garbage will get into them. PVC make monophonic, thermofilmed or varnished aprons.
- ABS sheets are single-layer plastic materials decorated with photo printing or drawing. Ready-made kitchen apron made of ABS plastic, as a rule, is available in dimensions of 200 x 60 x 0.15 cm. Its main advantage is its high resistance to mechanical damage and the absence of bending deformation. The apron from sheet plastic is produced in a wide design variety, since high-quality images are applied to the surface of the product. In addition, an apron with an original pattern can be ordered.
- Cast polycarbonate is a refractory plastic material that looks like ordinary glass. The surface is glossy and matte. Kitchen aprons made from this material are sold ready-made. Images imitating tiles, decorative stones, bricks and other materials are applied to the inner polycarbonate coating. In addition, such an apron can be equipped with lighting elements (for example, LEDs) that will illuminate the product.
Given the size of the kitchen wall, which must be faced, you need to calculate and select the appropriate model.
Benefits
The kitchen apron for the kitchen on the plastic wall has the following positive qualities:
- quick and easy installation, which can be done with your own hands;
- in case of breakage, replace the damaged part - a simple task;
- relatively low cost (the average price per 1 m 2 of an ABS plastic product is 1300 rubles);
- protection against condensation and various deposits;
- it’s possible to hide electric wires behind the surface;
- undemanding cleaning (sometimes you need to wipe the surface with a damp sponge to remove dirty traces and greasy stains);
- environmental friendliness;
- does not absorb odors;
- moisture resistance;
- high heat resistance (withstands up to 80 ° );
- light weight.
Manufacturers make models that simulate various materials. For example, a kitchen apron with a brick will fit perfectly into the interior. In addition, there are products decorated with photo printing, which is applied to the surface with high-tech equipment. Thanks to this, unlimited possibilities for decorating an apron appear.
disadvantages
Before fixing a plastic apron in the kitchen, you need to study its disadvantages in order to understand what shortcomings will have to be fixed after installation. The obvious disadvantages of the product include the following parameters:
- it is easily scratched, therefore, metal scrapers and abrasive powders, as well as acetone, cannot be used to clean the surface from severe contaminants;
- easily deformed by mechanical damage;
- between the apron and the hob you need to install protection;
- plastic emits toxic substances when ignited;
- burns out under the influence of UV rays;
- short service life (approximately 5 years).
But in any case, the advantages of such a decorative element are much greater than the disadvantages, which is why the craftsmen recommend facing them with a working wall in the kitchen.
Apron Selection: Useful Tips
Before buying or ordering a product, you need to consider several points:
- The edges of the apron should go beyond the kitchen, so you must first perform all measurements.
- To prevent water flowing from the countertop not falling under the product, it is recommended to install a border for joints, the purpose of which is to prevent the penetration of moisture.
- For smaller rooms, the best choice is a white kitchen apron, combined with the overall design of the kitchen. You can choose a light product decorated with a discreet pattern.
- Cladding the wall with a small apron with the image printed by the manufacturer using thermal printing is a bad idea, because it will not be noticeable.
Necessary tools
Before proceeding with the installation of the apron, it is necessary to prepare such devices for preparatory and installation work:
- level and measuring tape;
- hacksaw;
- hammer drill or punch and drill;
- stationery knife;
- gun for liquid nails;
- putty knife.
Of the supplies, silicone sealant, glue, a primer will come in handy and fasteners (screws and dowels) will be needed.
Initial Stage - Surface Preparation
According to the advice of the masters, it is necessary to prepare the wall. To do this, you need to perform a few simple steps:
- Remove the old coating.
- Treat the surface with an acrylic primer and antifungal agent.
- Align the base with gypsum plaster mixture.
Before attaching a plastic apron in the kitchen, you need to consider the placement of technological holes for installing outlets. If the wiring will pass under the product, it will have to be laid in the strobes, which must be done in the wall using a punch. As a result, irregularities need to be primed, and the electric wires should be closed with a gypsum mixture.
Apron preparation
Initially, you need to determine the size of the product. The best option is an apron, which slightly protrudes beyond the level of the countertop (approximately 1-3 cm). In turn, the height of the panel directly depends on the design of the kitchen. If the edge of the apron passes in the center of the wall, it will be necessary to treat the seams with silicone sealant and decorate them, for example, with moldings.
If too large a sheet of plastic was purchased, then it will have to be cut to the desired dimensions. For this purpose, a hacksaw with small teeth or a clerical knife is useful. You can make a perfectly even cut with a nichrome wire. When the apron needs to be assembled from several plastic parts, in this case, the seams must be placed vertically. Otherwise, the laying technique will be violated, which will inevitably lead to damage to the entire structure.
For the correct installation of a plastic apron in the kitchen, you must choose the installation method. It depends on the type of product, the features of the headset and the stage of repair.
Bonding an apron - a reliable and optimal option
This method has obvious advantages:
- the panel will fit snugly to the surface, so there will be no free space between the wall and the product;
- thanks to liquid nails (special building glue), plastic will become less susceptible to mechanical stress;
- simple styling technology.
This installation option is suitable when the room has prepared smooth walls, free of dust and primed. The masters came up with an optimal and simple way how to glue a plastic apron in the kitchen, for which you need to follow the following procedure:
- Measure the distance to outlets and other items that require through holes.
- Mark the dimensions obtained with a pencil on the back of the apron.
- Cut recesses of appropriate sizes. To complete this step, you will need a sharp clerical knife.
- Mark on the wall the lines of the upper and lower edges of the product.
- Apply mounting adhesive to the back of the apron with thin strips.
- Press the back of the plastic sheet to the wall surface. The main thing is to press the edges of the product so that they do not peel off.
- Cover the plastic slices with decorative skirting boards and mask the joints with trims, if necessary.
Do-it-yourself installation of a plastic apron in the kitchen is a simple task. However, if you need to dismantle the decorative element, in this case you can not do without irreversible damage, because of which the product will become unsuitable for reuse.
How to fix a plastic apron in the kitchen with dowels: instructions
Mounting with the aforementioned fasteners should not cause any problems. This installation method is best used for panels on which the drawing is applied, since the same glue may slightly damage the image. During the work, it is not necessary to move the furniture set. Installation should be carried out according to such a plan:
- Make holes for dowels with a drill or puncher in the wall and apron. At this stage, the construction level is useful, with which it will be possible to perform accurate marking.
- To clear a surface of the formed dust.
- Attach the prepared apron to the wall and fix it with dowels.
- Mask the hats with caps for furniture, the color of which should match the plastic.
An apron installed in this way is easy to dismantle: for this you need to unscrew the dowels and carefully remove the product. In addition, for fastening, you can use pins (screws on concrete) or anchor bolts.
Mounting the apron using the crate
The mentioned construction is wooden and metal. If lumber (for example, whetstones) will be used for its organization, initially they need to be treated with water-repellent impregnation, antiseptic and flame retardant to protect the tree from negative influences.
Profiles and trims must be set according to level. According to the masters, there is a quick way to install a plastic apron in the kitchen using a lathing:
- Fasten the bars or metal profiles at a distance of not more than 50 cm with dowels or brackets.
- Secure the plastic panel with self-tapping screws.
- Sheathe the edges and sections of the apron with decorative trims.
This technique has several advantages:
- the ability to install on uneven surfaces;
- a free gap forms between the wall and the apron, in which you can hide the wiring and install decorative lighting.
Conclusion
A plastic kitchen apron is an ideal choice if you need to quickly make cosmetic repairs. This product is easy to install, and the room, the working wall in which is sheathed with this material, will look original and stylish. All installation work can be done independently without special tools. It is enough to study the information given in this article, which describes in detail how to fix a plastic apron in the kitchen.