Wall panels for finishing a kitchen space are a fairly good option for replacing traditional ceramic tiles, and in terms of strength and durability they are almost the same.
Nowadays, you can find a wide variety of options for wall panels for the kitchen, and their installation can be done independently, even without experience.
An excellent solution could be the use of decorative and quite practical options for PVC panels.
Main advantages when using wall panels
In addition to significantly changing the design of the room itself, there is a unique opportunity to choose the material to suit any style by varying the color scheme and pattern.
With such a variety of assortments and ease of installation, the kitchen can be easily divided into the necessary zones by adding some decorative accents and details. This division is shown in the photo of the wall panels for the kitchen.
They do not require special care and are able to remain clean for a long period of time.
If the integrity of one of the parts is damaged, you can easily replace it with a new one.
Economical option for plastic wall panels
Any option for wall panels for the kitchen is quite economical in price.
The increased demand for this material is due to their practicality.
Plastic is not exposed to water and can withstand high temperatures, so it can be used as an apron.
Installation is carried out on a pre-fabricated wooden frame; the fastening process is carried out using special parts.
The presence of a special sheathing helps to hide all existing wires.
Cleaning can be done with an ordinary sponge, with or without detergent.
The average period of operation is about 10 years.
Difference from tiles
Tiles are an excellent option for finishing a backsplash. They are not afraid of exposure to high temperatures and constant contact with water. Manufacturers offer a large assortment, allowing you to select elements of the appropriate size and design. However, during operation, the seams between the elements begin to get dirty and are quite difficult to clean. In addition, other walls in the kitchen are practically not decorated with their help, since in such a kitchen the room turns out to be uncomfortable.
The panels allow you to form a continuous coating. Various materials are used for their manufacture. Some can be used to decorate an apron, others for the area around the dining table. In addition, the price of the panels is always lower than ceramic tiles.
MDF wall panels for kitchen
The opinion that this type is not capable of repeating the texture of other materials is fundamentally erroneous.
A huge number of options include a variety of not only shapes, but also colors.
Finishing can be done under tiles or as a single picture.
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More recently, panels imitating wood and marble have been released for sale. Regarding appearance, they can differ in smoothness and create the feeling of fabric covering.
The tabletop is not always intended to be a detail of the overall decor; it can be chosen taking into account taste preferences or general style. There is the possibility of a wooden or laminated option, although the best is still wall panels for the kitchen, the glass of which is tempered, thereby increasing the service life.
Special attention is paid to acrylic coatings, which are not capable of permeating moisture and are highly practical.
They can be secured using special screws and connecting strips, but the latter may not be used provided that the wall is perfectly flat, just like the cuts. In this case, the elements are tamped as closely as possible to each other.
Installation of wall panels
MDF, PVC:
Option 1
Provided that the walls of the room are smooth, almost perfect, and have no cracks or protrusions, the panels can be attached with adhesive or liquid nails. The simplest option, but it has pitfalls. When you decide to renovate, it will be difficult to peel off the old panels.
Option 2
Repairing with wall panels is an excellent solution when the walls are not level. The material is attached to a frame, which will allow you not only to finish the walls or ceiling, but also to level them.
Stage 1
Preparing the premises. We clean the walls from the old finish.
Stage 2
We check the availability of the necessary tools. You will need: a ruler, a plumb line, a level, nails, screws, a drill, a hammer.
Stage 3
Before starting work, it is recommended to open the package of finishing material. Let it sit for about a day so that the panels gain the same level of humidity as the room.
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Stage 4
We install the frame. The structure on which the panels will be attached can be made of wooden beams, slats, plastic or metal profiles.
If you choose a wooden frame, do not forget to pre-coat the planks with a compound that protects against mold and mildew. The solution is usually toxic. It's better to do this outdoors.
The sheathing profile is attached to the wall using self-tapping screws. The step is from 30 to 50 cm so that the structure is strong. It is important to install the frame strips as evenly as possible. A plumb line and level will help with this.
If you want to insulate the room or improve sound insulation, then insulating material is laid between the sheathing.
Starting from the left corner, farthest from the window, we install the panels. We install the first copy in a corner and fasten it to the frame bar with small nails. If you have a furniture stapler, you can use it.
Regarding the required panel length, leave about 10 mm to the floor and ceiling. Over time, the material tends to expand slightly. The trimmings are useful for installation in the area of windows, doors, and mezzanines. The next panel will be attached to the previous one using a special lock, already thought out by the manufacturer. We fix each panel to the frame with nails.
The last copy is not fastened with nails, but is inserted into the lock between two adjacent panels
We install the necessary fittings. Corners, borders, baseboards. They can be fixed with liquid nails or small regular nails.
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The locations of the sheathing strips must be marked. It is on them that shelves, cabinets, and hooks will then be attached.
The panels can be installed in any direction: vertically, horizontally, diagonally. It must be remembered that the frame strips must always be perpendicular to the panels. This installation scheme is suitable for walls and ceilings. The only difference is that for walls it is better to choose panels of greater thickness, as they are subject to physical impact. The stronger the better. There is no such need for the ceiling.
Stage 6
After renovation with panels, the room is easy to clean. There is no cement dust, no plaster, no paint smell. Enjoy a beautiful new finish that is as easy to use as it is to install.
Tempered glass panels
We mentioned the distinctive features of this type a little earlier, but it is worth considering them in more detail.
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This type is considered a rather expensive pleasure, but even this fact does not affect the demand among different segments of the population. The material can be used not only to decorate walls, but also for work surfaces.
When placing an order, please keep in mind that the panels must have special cutouts for sockets and the necessary fasteners to avoid any problems with installation in the future.
The tabletop can be decorated with photo printing. Its distinctive feature is its light weight and ease of space.
This piece of furniture can have legs and a so-called underframe, and the material can be used in a completely different way.
Brick kitchen finishing
To give the room a special status, panels that imitate brick are perfect.
You don’t need any special tools for finishing; you can easily fix them yourself in the required direction.
In this case, you can divide the available space into special zones.
The framing of the window space using this method is particularly original.
PVC and MDF products are very often used. The former are distinguished by their particular resistance to moisture and excellent strength, while the latter are distinguished by their exclusively aesthetic function.
The only drawback is considered to be poor resistance to possible damage, even the most minor.
Examples in design
Panels are widely used in the design of kitchen space. They are used to decorate the walls adjacent to the sink, dining area, and work area. In each specific case, the conditions of subsequent operation must be taken into account.
Thus, in close proximity to the stove there are mainly glass panels that can withstand significant heat.
A moisture-resistant coating is installed near the sink, capable of being in contact with water for a long time without losing its geometric parameters. These can be products from various materials. Most often, the choice is made in favor of plastic and glass.
The color scheme can be any. Panels that imitate various natural materials are quite popular. The most widely used are wood and stone. Their imitation allows you to give the interior a special touch.
In addition to natural materials, trendy floral and berry prints. With their help, it is possible to place accents in the interior by finding an original solution.
In some cases, contrast is used for greater efficiency. A dark apron against the background of a light facade, or vice versa, inevitably attracts attention.
In addition to playing with colors, non-standard images are used. The subject of the photo may be different. The choice of option depends on the overall stylistic design of the room.
In some cases, ordinary geometric shapes are chosen. Their color, size and shape depend solely on the overall interior design.
