Glass apron for kitchen: how to choose and install a panel

Special attention has always been paid to wall decoration in the kitchen, since the surfaces are subject to harsh operating conditions and are constantly in contact with moisture. This is especially noticeable above the work surface. Therefore, aprons are used to protect the wall, which, if the owners wish, can also become a decoration of the kitchen. Consider such an option as a glass apron for the kitchen: advantages, disadvantages, as well as options for its design.

An unusual option that can improve the interior of the kitchen is glass panels.

Glass apron for kitchen: General characteristics

Many people think that a glass backsplash for the kitchen is the ideal solution, since it can protect the wall from splashing water and grease. At the same time, the glass is easily washed and can serve for a long time. So, among the main requirements that this material fully meets, it is worth noting:

• resistance to high temperatures;

One of the benefits apron made of glass there are no joints on the panels, which is a guarantee of easy and quick cleaning

• ease of care and hygiene;
• does not lose its appearance and shape under the influence of any external factors;
• the possibility of high-quality sealing of the seam between the tabletop and the apron.

Useful advice! Silicone is a great sealant. But you can give the joint an attractive appearance by placing a special plinth on top, which will mask all imperfections in the connection.

Colored geometric elements on a glass apron are ideal for those who want to dilute the interior with bright colors

In addition to excellent technical characteristics, glass aprons boast an unprecedented variety of colors and patterns. Thus, by changing only one panel, you can refresh the interior at any time.

Advantages and disadvantages glass kitchen apron, in comparison with other materials

For the manufacture of kitchen aprons, many different materials are used, for example, tiles, metal, chipboard, MDF, plastic, natural or artificial stone.Each of them has its own advantages: some of the options may differ in excellent appearance and functionality, and some at an affordable price.

Colored canvas of glossy glass refreshes the interior of a white kitchen

If we talk about glass on the kitchen apron, then this solution combines all the best features. The variety of design of such panels is not limited by anything. The surface of the glass can be smooth or textured, and the glass itself can be glossy or matte, depending on the preferences of the owners.

Useful advice! Almost any material can be placed under glass, including paper, fabric or photographs, thus giving the apron an original appearance.

Transparent glass panel with an unobtrusive pattern in a modern kitchen

If we compare glass with plastic, then, despite the higher cost, the glass apron wins in many ways. For example, its service life is much longer, and its resistance to external factors, including high temperature, which is inevitable due to the proximity of the plate, is higher. In addition, glass is much easier to care for.

Of course, a stone apron will look very monumental, however, it is worth understanding that the cost of such a design will be high and not everyone can afford it. As for the metal, it does not show itself very well in contact with water and often corrodes.

The glass panels are seamless, making them easier to keep clean than, for example, an apron made of ceramic tilesas dirt does not accumulate at the joints

Perhaps, only tile, which is also easy to maintain and at the same time provides a fairly wide variety of colors and textures, can compete with glass. But if we talk about the installation technology, then it will be much more difficult to lay the tiles with high quality and beautifully than just fixing one glass panel. And the possibilities for decorating tiles are significantly less, because as the photos show, there are much more ideas for an apron for a kitchen made of glass.

In addition to traditional external lighting, internal lighting is often used, which is placed between two glass panels.

What can be made of glass apron for the kitchen: photo-examples

Despite the fact that the apron is called "glass", it is obvious that ordinary glass cannot be used for its manufacture. For this purpose, several options for the material are used. Let's briefly consider the advantages, disadvantages and features of each of them:

• tempered glass - the material is excellent for use in the kitchen, since it is characterized by increased strength, does not scratch, does not deteriorate as a result of exposure to chemically active substances and perfectly resists impacts without chipping. All this is achieved through a special procedure - glass tempering;

Tempered glass has high strength and impact resistance

• plexiglass - the material is produced synthetically and is a lightweight panel made of hardened acrylic mass. Usually, a dye is added to the composition to give the glass a color or tint. The advantages of this option include the fact that it does not crack or break. But the disadvantages are the appearance of scratches on the surface. In addition, over time, the plexiglass turns yellow, or rather, its natural yellowness increases.
  Another important point is that plexiglass is not resistant to high temperatures, so you cannot place it in the immediate vicinity of the plate, as it will simply melt;

The best choice, in terms of a combination of cost and characteristics, is acrylic plexiglass

• triplex is a combined material that consists of two sheets of tempered glass and an interlayer of polymers with a printed pattern between them.This option is characterized by all the advantages of tempered glass, moreover, due to the presence of a special protective film, such an apron does not break;

Colored stripes on a glass apron fit perfectly into a minimalistic kitchen interior

• Optivite is a special glass that can be called the perfect product for decorating kitchen aprons. During the production process, it is made perfectly transparent, eliminating the shades that are characteristic of any glass. This has a positive effect on color rendering and image clarity.

Related article:

Tile kitchen apron: photos of original ideas and tips for choosing

Tile selection criteria. Ideas for original surface designs. Most popular tile manufacturers.

Of course, prices differ depending on the technology of glass production. Skinals for the kitchen made from opajta will cost significantly more than traditional tempered glass, so before placing an order, you should think about how much money you are willing to spend on this functional piece of furniture.

Bleached tempered glass will look brighter with a light decorative backing

Glass apron for kitchen: surface design options

Looking through the catalog of glass kitchen aprons, you can find several basic options. Let's consider each of them:

• colorless glass. In this case, there are two options: clear and frosted glass. Usually, clear glass is used as a protective layer for other material with a pattern, for example, if glued on the wall wallpaper... Frosted glass is considered preferable as it gives less glare. Moreover, you can consider the option of purchasing a textured transparent apron. And sometimes a drawing is applied to the reverse side of the glass, I use special technologies for this;

Often wallpaper or painted walls are covered with glass so as not to overload the kitchen interior with dissimilar surfaces.

• glass with photo printing is the most popular type today. Very often they are also called skinned. Photo examples perfectly demonstrate how impressive such panels look, and how great their variety. The technology of drawing a picture consists in the use of UV ink, with the help of which an image is applied to the back of the glass. The advantages of such a solution include the fact that the drawing is extremely resistant to moisture and sunlight, but such glass is also somewhat more expensive than colorless or simply painted glass;

Photo printing technology makes it possible to apply any image to the surface and make the kitchen design exclusive

• tinted glass is a simple, but rather beautiful option that will perfectly cope with all functions, and at the same time will look unobtrusive. During the production process, the reverse side of such glass is covered with a special paint, after which it is subjected to heat treatment. The variety of colors is not limited, and the service life of such panels is very long;

Stylish red panel is able to create an unusual contrast effect when properly combined with white and black kitchen furniture

• glass panels for the kitchen with a pattern on vinyl film. Unlike photo printing, this method is not durable. The decorative film is glued to the back of the glass, which in this case acts as a protection against dirt and moisture. However, during operation, the film is often deformed, although it must be admitted that the photo of a glass apron for the kitchen perfectly demonstrates the attractiveness of this option;

A panel for a kitchen with a pattern on vinyl film is a more budget option, but a pattern glued to the glass can fade and peel over time

• triplex (laminated glass) is a very reliable and durable option.An image is sealed between two glass panels, thus obtaining a durable and reliable apron that is not afraid of any impact. It is very convenient that the triplex does not break, and in the event of a strong blow it simply cracks. But this solution also has disadvantages - the apron turns out to be much thicker and heavier than all other options;

An excellent option for the kitchen is laminated triplex glass, which cannot be broken, and in case of severe damage it will simply be covered with cracks

• a mirror apron is an unusual, but very effective solution that allows you to influence the visual perception of space and expand it somewhat. Even if you need to arrange a very small kitchen, a mirror apron will be an excellent solution, while making the room more spacious and lighter.

Mirror apron looks stylish, but at the same time requires additional care

Aprons for the kitchen with photo printing, for which 3D technology was applied, look unusual and interesting. So the image is not only bright, but also three-dimensional.

Should I buy glass apron for the kitchen: Advantages and disadvantages

Like any interior solution, glass aprons have their own advantages and disadvantages. Consider what positive and negative aspects you will have to face if you make such a choice. So, first of all, consider the benefits:

• the price of an apron for a kitchen made of glass is relatively low, and the technical characteristics of the material are at the same level;

Colored canvas made of glossy glass will refresh the kitchen interior

• the installation process is extremely simple and can be carried out independently without problems;
• the variety of colors and textures is extremely large;
• you can purchase a ready-made panel or make an individual order. It won't take too long anyway;
• the glass surface fits perfectly into any interior;
• the service life of glass with careful handling and regular maintenance is quite long;

A beautiful glass surface is not afraid of moisture, heat, scratches, and all dirt can be easily removed with ordinary detergents

• it is easy to care for a glass apron and there are no problems with removing dirt or grease from it;
• the apron can be changed to a new one at any time, thus refreshing the interior;
• due to the reflective effect, the glass apron will visually expand the modest kitchen space;
• the material is completely environmentally friendly.

Durable glass panels will be a real decoration for any kitchen

If we take into account the shortcomings and difficulties that will have to be faced, then it is worth noting the following points:

• ordering a glass apron is not an easy task that requires attention. If you make a mistake in the size, then it will no longer be possible to fix something and you will have to make another order, which will entail new costs;
• cut out the place for yourself socket it will not work in a glass panel, so you should think about this in advance, having carried out accurate measurements and markings. In addition, the need to cut holes will affect the cost of the panel;

A mirror apron is ideal for the interior of a small kitchen: by reflecting objects, it is able to visually enlarge the space of the room

• if the installation was performed poorly, then over time you will have to face the appearance of condensation between the wall and the apron;
• if the surface to be protected with glass is long, then the apron will consist of several parts, which means that the joints will be visible;
• it is worth paying attention to the preparation of the surface, making it as even as possible in order to eliminate the risk of glass cracking;

An apron with elements of abstraction adds emotion to the room and evokes positive associations

• in addition, according to reviews, skinals rarely look truly clean, since grease and fingerprints are very visible on them.

Important! In the process of cleaning the glass apron, it is strictly forbidden to use cleaning powders, as they leave scratches on the surface. It is much better to use special products designed for cleaning glass surfaces.

By installing a glass apron in the kitchen, a typical kitchen will become more sophisticated and original

How can you fix a glass kitchen apron

One of the advantages of using glass wall panels for the kitchen is the ease of their installation. Consider in what ways such an apron can be fixed, and which method is better.

How to fix the apron panels in the kitchen using fasteners

You can fix the glass apron with special fasteners. This option is considered optimal and is excellent even for fixing very heavy and large elements. The main advantage of this method is that there is no need to pre-level and prepare the surface. In addition, it always remains possible to dismantle and then reinstall the apron in place.

The installation of the glass panel in the kitchen should only be carried out after the final installation of the furniture

For this purpose, hinged and pass-through fasteners can be used. In the first case, it looks like metal hooks-plates, about 1 cm wide. The glass panel is simply inserted into them. At the same time, there are no holes in the apron, and the distance from the wall to the panel is so small that it is almost invisible. If the apron is not one-piece, but consists of several parts, then this method of fastening best of all allows you to join the edges imperceptibly.

Glass apron can be fixed with screws equipped with protective spacers

In order to use pass-through fasteners, special holes for screws in the glass are made at the tempering stage. In the future, a fastening element is simply screwed through them, and special decorative caps are put on top, which give the panel a complete appearance.

The glass backsplash can be installed both on perfectly flat walls and on walls with flaws

In this case, a small gap remains between the panel and the wall (only a few millimeters). This allows you not to engage in too careful leveling of the base and even attach a new apron over the old tile.

How to fix glass wall panels for kitchen with glue

You can use glue or liquid nails to fix the glass apron to the wall. But in this case, it is extremely important to pay due attention to the issue of preparing the base, since the wall must be flat, plastered and dry. On the one hand, this method is considered easier, since there is no need to drill the wall, but at the same time, fixing in this way is considered less reliable.

The technology of installing the apron on glue is extremely simple - the main thing in the process of work is to accurately align all the elements and maximally combine the joints of adjacent panels

The joint between the glued panel and the countertop must be closed with a special wall bolt. If the surface is large and the apron consists of several parts, it is important to place them as tightly as possible to each other so that there are no gaps. To ensure tightness, all joints are sealed with a sealant that prevents the appearance of mold and mildew.

Important! In order for the sealant layer applied to the front side of the apron to be invisible, care must be taken in advance that the composition is transparent. In addition, it must be applied in a very thin layer.

The installation process of glass panels is quite simple and does not take a lot of time from an experienced craftsman.

Of course, if you want to save yourself the trouble, you can contact a special company that will install a glass apron. The price of this procedure is acceptable, however, before placing an order, you need to know that such services as preparation of the base, as well as installation of accessories, are not included in the price. They will have to be paid separately, and it is better to ask in advance how much all the work will cost in general.

How much does it cost to install glass kitchen apron: prices and services

The price of a glass kitchen apron can vary greatly, not only because of the technical characteristics and characteristics of the material, but also because different companies evaluate their work very differently. But if you try to deduce some criteria for assessing the cost, then the following aspects are of primary importance:

• type and thickness of glass;

Measurements and ordering glass for the apron should be done only after all kitchen furniture, sockets and switches are installed in their places.

• the presence and method of drawing a picture;
• fastening method;
• whether the apron is a one-piece structure or consists of separate parts;
• the presence of beveled corners, as well as the number of outlets;
• are there factors that complicate the installation process.

Glass aprons are made taking into account the individual characteristics of the kitchen

The first thing that will need to be paid is the departure of the measurer, who will assess the situation and advise on the necessary work and their cost. Some companies provide this service for free, but in most cases you will have to pay about 1000 rubles when it comes to Moscow. It goes without saying that this service will cost a little more in the region.

Useful advice! To get a general idea of ​​the price of a glass backsplash for the kitchen, you can use the online calculators that are available on many sites.

Glass panels look much more harmonious in the interior of kitchens in a modern style, as they are ideally combined with the facades of the headset, as well as with chrome elements of household appliances

The apron pattern for the kitchen, taking into account all the obstacles and features of the base, has its own price. But in general, a standard glass apron, which is 2.5 m long and 60 cm wide, together with delivery and installation, will cost on average about 14 thousand rubles. If, with the same parameters, you order a panel of clarified Opyt glass, the cost will immediately increase and amount to about 18 thousand rubles.

An experienced specialist can advise in detail, explain technological nuances, take into account all wishes, give useful advice regarding the selection and installation of the panel

The average cost of 1 m² of an apron with UV-photo printing on 6 mm glass will be about 4-5 thousand, including fasteners. But when ordering 3D photo printing, the price will automatically double.

The minimum cost of transparent glass for a kitchen apron (provided that the glass is 6 mm thick) is 3.5 thousand rubles. Tempered glass is almost 50% more expensive, but triplex with photo printing will cost at least 10 thousand rubles per 1 m².

When choosing the color and pattern of the glass apron, you should focus on the overall style of the kitchen

If we talk about terms, then the standard period indicated by most companies is 10-14 business days. But if we are talking about complex individual orders, this period can increase to 1 month.

Among the additional services that are provided and paid for separately, it is worth noting:

• design work with a picture;
• providing an image from a photo bank;
• additional protection in the form of a film;
• creation of an individual layout.

Skinal for the kitchen with an original geometric pattern

Of course, each company individually determines what services it is ready to provide free of charge, and for which the customer will have to pay extra.So before ordering an apron for the kitchen, the price of which will be acceptable, it is worth clarifying the conditions offered by this company.

Photo catalog of glass aprons for the kitchen: the best drawings and colors

The interior of the kitchen, like any other room, requires attention. That is, in addition to the fact that the glass of the apron for the kitchen should be of high quality and durable, its appearance should decorate the room. Let's consider the most popular options, and what rules must be followed in the process of choosing panels for a particular interior.

Some of the most popular today are glass aprons with a variety of flowers.

So, the first thing to start from when choosing the color of the glass apron for the kitchen is the size of the room. Given that the kitchen is small, the apron pictures should not draw too much attention to themselves. Therefore, large and bright flowers or fruits will look better in a spacious kitchen.

Large fruits on a glass apron look spectacular in a laconic white kitchen

Useful advice!A great idea for decorating a glass apron for the kitchen is a photo taken on a family vacation or just a good joint photo. The only requirement is that the image must be of high enough quality so that it can be enlarged to the desired size.

The floral theme will perfectly emphasize the style of the kitchen, creating a romantic atmosphere inside the room

An extremely popular subject for an apron with a photo print for the kitchen is cityscapes. Moreover, you can find both images of a large-scale metropolis and cozy streets of small towns. It all depends on personal preferences, as well as the general style of room decoration.

Photo printing on a glass apron of urban landscapes is a winning option for a wide variety of kitchen styles

A special place in the catalog of kitchen aprons is occupied by panels with the image of berries and fruits. Juicy raspberries or cherries can be an excellent interior accent, bringing bright colors to the atmosphere. This solution is perfect if you want to choose an apron for a white kitchen.

Appetizing compositions of juicy fruits not only look attractive, but also have a positive effect on mood

In the catalog of aprons for a glass kitchen, a huge number of various panel options are offered. You can use traditional ideas for a kitchen apron, or you can show your imagination by ordering an original surface design. So if you have a certain amount of funds, you can easily get a high-quality and beautiful glass apron that will satisfy all your wishes.