Kitchen apron tiles with their hands

Equally important in the interior of the kitchen plays a kitchen apron today, both practical and aesthetic point of view, thus causing a number of difficulties with the choice of finishing materials, which would satisfy all the necessary requirements.At the same time, most people opted still on the traditional ceramic tile, because to put a small portion of the kitchen wall tiles can anyone even without practical skill in such a case.

Appointment kitchen apron

recently kitchen apron has been paid more and more attention, largely due to the appearance on the market a diverse range of finishing materials.

Previously used for the decoration of the apron only tiles rather sparse color and design, the main objective of its wall was protection in the work area from accidental impact, getting fat and other kinds of sprays, etc.

Currently, the selection of suitable materials for the finishing of the apron is so huge that easily allows you to protect the wall and at the same time to create unique masterpieces, contributing to the aesthetic appeal and creativity of not only the work area, but the entire interior of the kitchen.

Therefore kitchen apron material must be durable, moisture and fire resistance, and also have excellent practical and decorative characteristics.

kinds of finishing materials, their characteristics

For registration kitchen apron today use different materials with different properties from each other, the size and exterior design.

Panels MDF

In recent years, widely used MDF panels produced by pressing the small wood shavings, the front surface of which is laminated with a heat-resistant coating.

advantages of MDF panels:

• wide range of toning;
• ease of installation and dismantling;
• minimum number of connecting joints, preventing the accumulation of dust and grease drops;
• possibility of wet cleaning without the use of aggressive agents;
• low cost.

Disadvantages:

• relative resistance to mechanical impact;
• low humidity;
• short life of about 2 years.

Despite the resistance of MDF panels to high temperatures and use them to design an apron in the presence of a gas stove is still not worth it, because they are made of wood waste, so they can easily catch fire at any violation of the integrity of the coating near an open flame.

Glass tile

relatively new trend of fashion apron is made of glass tiles.The material for the manufacture of its acts tempered glass or laminated glass.Thus the tile surface may be glossy, matte or corrugated.A wide range of tiles is presented in different sizes and monotonous background or having blotches or streaks of other colors.However, the most attractive look tiles with a pattern, which is applied by means of sandblasting or printing using special equipment to achieve the 3d effect.

glass tiles Pros:

• high decorative quality;
• resistance to high temperatures and high humidity;
• resistance to aggressive chemicals;
• ease of removing any impurities from the surface.

Cons:

• low resistance to mechanical damage;
• probability glass opacities with time;
• the complexity of care as a result of a clear manifestation of traces of vapor, spray;
• complexity of installation works;
• duration of operation does not exceed 5 years;
• high cost.

Along with glass tiles, recently began to produce glass panels, which have the same properties as the tile, but it is essential to facilitate the installation process and care for them.

Mirror tiles

gloss specular reflection gives the room a luxurious and original look, so the material is in high demand, despite the considerable disadvantages.Cutting a mirror paintings on the necessary elements allows to obtain tiles of various shapes and sizes.The color palette is represented by gold, chromium, silver and other metallic colors.Thus the tile surface may be embossed, smooth or patterned.However, particularly original tile has a bevel or a holographic image.

mirror tiles Advantages:

• visual increase in space;
• combination with any materials;
• resistance to UV rays and high temperatures;
• moisture, which allows for wet cleaning with a neutral detergent.

Disadvantages:

• brittleness of the material;
• eventually appear on the faces of dark spots;
• painstaking care, which consists in the constant removal of traces of fogging, spray, stain;
• small service life is 2-3 years;
• cost glass mirror tiles below, but above the ceramic.

However, mirrored panels, custom-made, greatly simplify the time-consuming maintenance.

Metal tiles

For the interior, executed in the style of hi-tech, stainless steel metal apron will be very even way.In the other style metal solutions will look too cold and industrial, so the choice in favor of such material is necessary to estimate in advance.

Advantages:

• high strength qualities;
• excellent wear resistance;
• fire safety;
• resistance to moisture, ultraviolet rays;
• duration of operation;
• reasonable cost.

Disadvantages:

• sparse color palette provided by metallic shades;
• whimsical of care, caused by the constant disposal of traces of fat and water, which are clearly visible on the reflective surface;
• short service life due to the use of aggressive cleaning agents, which leads to darkening of the metal.

Tiles

most practical and durable of all kinds of material is ceramic tiles, produced from different varieties of clay with the addition of binders by pressing followed by single (monokottura) or double (bikottura) firing.When this porosity is less monokottura unlike bikottury, and thus moisture resistance and greater durability.The surface of the tile can be smooth, embossed, as well as a glossy or matte.

Advantages:

• large variety of sizes, colors, designs;
• high strength due to annealing at high temperatures;
• excellent resistance to mechanical as well as chemical resistance;
• high levels of moisture, abrasion resistance;
• environmentally friendly material not releasing harmful compounds during heating;
• absence of a time warp;
• does not change the original color when exposed to ultraviolet rays;
• ease of care;
• acceptable cost;
• durability.

Disadvantages:

• brittleness of the material;
• need for pre-treatment to improve adhesion;
• labor intensity and duration of the installation.

Thus, the most durable and aesthetically pleasing kitchen tile on an apron, a photo that is presented above refers glass and ceramic tiles.In addition, the glass and ceramics wonderful combination with any other materials, giving the room perfectly finished appearance.However, glass kitchen aprons price will be much higher than in the ceramic.

Definition kitchen apron sizes

costs associated with the acquisition of a finishing material, are directly dependent on the size of the kitchen apron.

Lower limit apron

border bottom edge of the apron is determined according to different criteria, based on the following conditions:

• if the furniture is purchased and placed in its proper place, that is the border of the apron level worktop;

• if the purchase of furniture is in the planning stage, the lower border of the apron taken the height of the gas or induction hob.However, if under the table will be placed a washing machine, then the lower bound is taken height of the machine, because it is always slightly higher than the plates.

Since perfectly flat floor - a rare occurrence, it may be below the apron, forming unsightly gaps in the placement of furniture worktop.You can avoid this problem during installation of the apron, reducing the lower boundary of the value obtained by 2-3 cm.

upper limit apron

distance between wall cabinets and work surfaces should be at least 45-50 cm, otherwise use the countertop as directedfully it will be quite difficult, because the upper cabinets will block an overview of the work surface.At the same time the width of the skirt to make larger must be based on the following factors:

• height of ceilings in the kitchen.Between the cupboards and the ceiling should be a clear space of 30-40 cm of free assembly / disassembly of the upper cabinets;

• plate type.Since the minimum distance from the electric or inductive plate before stretching should be 60 cm from the gas and - not less than 75 cm, the area of ​​placement of kitchen hoods apron width slightly increase.

• type hoods.When using the suspended structure of the flat-type hood is mounted to the bottom of the cupboard or to the main wall, the upper limit of the apron will be the bottom edge of the hood.When you select a drawing chimney upper bound will be similar to the height wall cabinets without any additional distance.

In determining the width of the apron under the hood it is necessary that the edges of the apron went 2-3 cm, not only under the hood, but also on the sides of her wall cabinets.

Thus, when planning a kitchen apron, measures should be determined taking into account the various features of the furniture, appliances, room height and personal preferences.We should not forget that the apron must extend the upper and lower boundaries under the cabinets.

Installation kitchen apron of tile

Technology tile installation process is divided into several stages, consistency and thoroughness that guarantee a satisfactory result.

necessary materials and tools

For ease and speed of implementation of the work necessary to prepare in advance:

• primer;
• brush to apply primer to the wall;
• tile adhesive;
• ceramic tiles;
• grout for joints;
• serrated rubber trowel and normal small size;
• suture crosses 2.5 or 3 mm;
• level;
• metal profile, the length of which is equal to the length of the kitchen apron;
• dowels for attachment to a wall profile;
• pencil;
• capacity for the preparation of glue and grout;
• rubber mallet;
• Tile or Bulgarian;
• pliers;
• a sponge;
• cloth made of natural fabric.

Preparing wall tiling

The quality of the prepared base depends on the reliability of the tile adhesion to the surface, so:

1. surface to be cleaned, allotted under the apron of plaster, paint, wallpaper, and it is desirable to the concrete or brickbase.
2. We cover the prepared base and give a good primer to dry.
3. note on the wall of the lower border of the apron and otcherchivaem straight line pencil.
4. Immediately below the applied fix line with dowels metal profile that prevents sliding tiles in setting the period of the solution, as well as providing evenness lined rows.
5. The smoothness of the profile fixed check the level.

Laying tiles

For flat rows, stacking a kitchen apron of tile is made from the bottom up and from the edge to the right, therefore:

1. Dilute tile adhesive, according to the existing instructions on the packaging, andwe give it stand for 5 minutes and then mix thoroughly by getting rid of all lumps.
2. Using a notched trowel, apply the adhesive to the wall surface for 2-3 tiles.If the base has deep irregularities on the tile and glue is applied.
3. Take the tile and uniform pressing movements fix it on the wall.This tile itself must be based on one side on the fixed profile.
4. next tile sticking close to the first, while not forgetting to insert the seam between tiles crosses, providing seamless smoothness.
5. After fixing the tiles 2-3 check the horizontal and vertical level by applying.If necessary, the protruding corners of the tiles to correct mallet.
6. As soon clear the tile joints from excess glue until he grabbed.
7. After laying the first row move to the next, etc.
8. 48 hours after completion of the work remove the metal profile, crosses suture and removed from the remainder of the adhesive joints.

Grouting

The final stage of laying tile is reduced to the following works:

1. sprayed seams with an atomizer, getting rid of the dust.
2. Wash tiles to glue particles are not mixed with the grout.
3. Dilute grout, as specified on the package, and mix thoroughly.
4. Take a rubber spatula and, holding it at an angle of 45 ° C, the maximum fill seams.
5. remove excess grout from the joint process of filling all voids.
6. 6-8 filling seams, running his fingers along the seam, giving it some relief.If there are cracks, the weld pass a damp sponge and repeat the procedure.
7. Upon completion of work the tile surface wipe with a damp cloth and then wash with mild detergent to get rid of the divorce comes through.

Options Design kitchen apron of tile

Currently tile for kitchen apron buy absolutely in any specialized or hardware store, and a variety of forms and the material size is so large that it is difficult to focus on any one form.And maybe it is not necessary to dwell on the tile of the same size and shape, and worth experimenting, combining contrasting color or monochrome?

looks quite interesting and tiles of various sizes in combination with conventional and diagonal brickwork.