Installing a glass kitchen splashback with your own hands

Characteristics of materials

The main parameter of a glass apron is the thickness of the glass (within 6-8 mm). It must be a hardened product, since its main function is to provide reliable protection for walls during sufficiently long use. In addition, this material is safe to use.

A product made of stalinite sits perfectly next to a hot stove, because it can withstand the effects of elevated temperatures (180°C) absolutely calmly. Unique strength is achieved due to the uniform distribution of stress throughout the glass during the tempering process. An apron made of this material can withstand impacts of considerable force.

Preferring tempered glass is the right decision.

Laminated glass

Triplex consists of several layers, the production of which involves stalinite, plexiglass, standard glass with a laminating layer having a pattern.

The apron is quite heavy and very difficult to attach with glue. When installing a laminated glass splashback in the kitchen, dowels are used, and the wall must have good strength to withstand the weight.

The main advantage is the safety of the working area and its reliability in operation. Innovative technologies make it possible to use dyes in liquid to create an original layer in the product. By replacing one of the layers with a mirror, you can get a stunning effect.

Price issue

The price of a glass apron in different cities varies significantly. After all, the price of the finished product directly depends on the type of glass, the method of applying the image and coloring, the installation method, whether you have a composite apron or a solid one, etc.

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So, let’s calculate approximately how much a glass apron will cost in Moscow. Prices are as of the second quarter of 2015. On average, a surveyor's visit will cost you 1000-1500 rubles. Many manufacturers' websites have a special calculator that makes a preliminary calculation of the cost of the future apron. Of course, the price is approximate.

According to such calculators, an apron made of tempered glass with photo printing 2.5 m long and 0.6 m high will cost approximately 14-15 thousand. This price includes:

- froze;

- cost of making an apron;

— delivery and installation.

When using clarified Optiwhite glass, the price will increase to 18-19 thousand rubles. If you like an apron made of tempered glass with UV photo printing, be prepared to pay 5-6 thousand per 1 square meter (the cost of fasteners is included in the total price). But an apron with photo printing with a 3D effect will cost from 10 thousand rubles per meter.

The minimum price for an apron made of transparent tempered glass without the use of photo printing starts from 4-5 thousand rubles. If you like triplex with photo printing, then it will cost 11-12 thousand per square meter. On average, a glass apron is produced within 10-15 working days.

Plexiglas

You should not install a plexiglass apron in the kitchen. Firstly, the material reacts negatively to temperature changes (this is inevitable during cooking). Secondly, plexiglass is very easy to scratch, but it is quite difficult to clean perfectly, and it quickly takes on a dull, unattractive appearance.

Despite such parameters as significant strength, moisture resistance, and satisfactory resistance to elevated temperatures, this material is very flammable.

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This feature is quite dangerous, so before installing a laminated glass apron, you should weigh everything carefully.

Design tricks

Using a white apron is the most famous design technique for expanding space in the kitchen. A mirror sheet will cope with this task just as well. But keep in mind that the canvas must certainly be uniform. A kitchen apron made from a mirror only above the sink or just next to the tiles will create the effect of a cut-off space and will not live up to expectations.

In this case, combining horizontally is allowed and can be used if the distance between the work surface and the upper cabinets is large. In this case, the main kitchen finishing material (wall tiles or panels) is combined with mirror elements in the form of parallel lines.

The use of lighting in the mirrored apron area increases the overall illumination of the room significantly due to reflection. This technique will save you from the need to install additional light sources.

Experiment with color. Mirrors are also different, and not only in shape, but also in shades. Golden glass harmoniously combines with wooden furniture and classic style. And dark tones and tinting will fit perfectly into the high-tech style. Mirrors can also be aged in vintage or shabby chic style.

Add pictures. The base for the mirror can not only be tinted, but also a full image can be applied. Discuss this option with the designer.

Combine shades and textures , create your own masterpieces using matte and glossy details, color combinations, complex geometric shapes and combinations with other materials. No restrictions, only free creative flight and inspiration.

Glass tiles

A great way to decorate the wall of your work area. Glass tiles with a wide range of colors, the ability to mix and match with various materials, look great in the design of a kitchen apron. The glass mosaic canvas looks gorgeous. It adheres perfectly to the surface. This product creates a unique flavor in the kitchen.

In household stores, you can ask for a catalog of glass aprons for the kitchen and choose the appropriate option for your intended interior.

Advantages and disadvantages of mirror tiles in the kitchen

Some may find it strange to use a mirror in such an unusual way. However, if you consider its parameters and properties, you will be convinced that it fully complies with the necessary characteristics:

1. Tempered glass is not afraid of temperature changes, steam, boiling water and open fire.
2. The mirror surface has no pores, which means it is resistant to dirt and moisture and is easy to clean with a simple glass cleaner.
3. The kitchen mirror apron is resistant to mold and other fungi.

Mirror surfaces also have disadvantages. There are not many of them, but it is worth considering them when choosing material for a kitchen apron:

1. The strength of a mirror is lower than that of ceramic tiles; it may not withstand a blow from a heavy object.
2. The mirror surface is more susceptible to damage in the form of scratches. Over time, it may lose its luster and become dull.
3. This option is not suitable for those who like to place jars of seasonings and other accessories on the walls. Most likely, they will have to look for another place.

Glass splashback and its role in kitchen design

Many designers prefer to work with such an unusually attractive material (from the point of view of decorativeness and pliability) as glass, widely using it to create varieties of kitchen aprons. There are a lot of methods of use - from budget options to extremely expensive variations.

Drawing on glass

Such a project is implemented in different ways:

• the working wall covered with wallpaper is enclosed by a glass panel; such products are the most inexpensive glass aprons for the kitchen;
• The inner side of the glass is covered with a film resistant to temperature fluctuations;
• photo printing;
• triplex is an extremely expensive product, which is why it is not often used in apron design.

The offered range of images for decorating an apron is very large.

Caring for a kitchen mirrored apron

On a mirrored backsplash, traces of dirt, droplets of grease and water are much more noticeable than on ceramic tiles, this is a fact. Luckily, glass is easy to care for. Mirror cleaners from the supermarket or soapy water will do a great job of removing stains.

There are no special rules. Only abrasive cleaning products will not work - they will quickly ruin the mirror surface. Cleaning cloths should also be soft and clean.

Glass splashback with lighting

Today, a glass backsplash for the kitchen with lighting is very popular. There are two types of highlighting. Each method deserves attention and can be successfully used in the kitchen.

Edge lighting is the attachment of LED strips to the ends of glass panels (bottom and top). An aluminum profile with built-in electrical wiring and LED strip is used.

Special seals carefully close the joint between the tabletop and the apron itself. Preferred colors are silver, Champagne, cognac, gold. However, this design comes at a fairly high price.

Back lighting is the installation of LED strips or LED lamps in niches between the wall and the glass. Such an apron is quite cheap, but ineffective, since it is quite difficult to achieve uniform illumination of the working surface with such illumination. A distinct luminous stripe is very noticeable. And this is a significant minus in the design.

For LED backlighting, use a single-color white color (warm or cool option), or a color scheme with a ribbon of different colors.

When looking at photos of glass splashbacks in the kitchen in catalogs, you should not forget about the main thing: the pros and cons of these designs.

Advantages:

• long service life (75 – 80 years);
• non-standard - it all depends on the individuality of the person;
• environmental Safety;
• practicality and ease of care;
• design capabilities;
• expressiveness, impressiveness of the product;
• significant level of strength;
• cleanliness during installation.

The disadvantages are:

• the difficulty of creating holes for sockets;
• the need for professional work by a master;
• fragility of the product (the wall must be perfectly flat, otherwise the glass will crack);
• the presence of joints on the apron with a fairly long working wall;
• meticulous selection of surface cleaning products.

In order not to make a mistake in choosing the right product, you should focus on the advice of experts.

How to install a glass splashback?

Installation of a glass apron by a team of experienced craftsmen will take no more than 60-90 minutes. This process is much simpler than laying ceramics or mosaics.

The skin is attached in one of 3 ways:

Special fasteners

This is the best and most reliable way to fix glass of any size and weight. It is also important that the wall does not need to be leveled or prepared before mounting, and if necessary, you can very quickly dismantle the apron.

Pass-through (through) fasteners require the presence of holes for self-tapping screws in the glass. They are made even before the glass is tempered. After installation, such holes are closed with decorative caps measuring 16 (optional 22) millimeters. Transparent wall panels can only be installed in this way.

Profile systems for glass fastening

This method of fixing glass aprons involves the use of special aluminum profiles to attach tempered glass to the wall. The profile is installed to the wall using dowels and self-tapping screws, and the glass is clamped into a special groove through sealing elements.

In the profile, you can install LED glass backlighting at the end, as well as run wires for additional switches and electrical sockets without cutting into the walls.

Liquid nails (polyurethane adhesive-sealant)

This fastening method requires surface preparation: leveling, plastering, and priming. Gluing the skins is a simple operation - you don’t have to bother with fasteners, mark and drill holes, but you do need good preparation of the walls. Installing a glass apron with glue is a less reliable method of fastening.

After the panel is installed, a wall edge (plinth) is placed between the apron and the tabletop.

Main criteria for selection

Triplex, tempered glass is not a cheap pleasure. When choosing products from these materials, you need to focus on such parameters as:

• the most acceptable thickness of tempered glass is 6 mm, you should not save; by purchasing glass 4 mm thick, you can gain slightly in price, but noticeably lose in quality (such glass is a rather fragile product);
• leave the manufacture and installation of the apron to specialists, since the slightest deviation in measurements, made independently, can radically ruin the situation;
• Do not forget about the harmony of the color scheme with the interior of the kitchen; here it is also advisable to communicate with a professional.

Production of mirror aprons in Russia

After choosing a design project, we move on to the stage of purchasing material. From many manufacturers you need to choose one and the best.

There are many companies. These are both domestic, for example, the Moscow Mirror Factory or Steklokolor, and foreign. Choose the one who offers the optimal terms, prices and order parameters for you.

Additional capabilities of manufacturers will attract special attention:

• decorative painting and photo printing of images on the mirror;
• artistic frosting of glass to match the furniture, curtains, walls, ceiling;
• LED lights.
• creating an antique effect.

The most active sellers of mirror panels in Russia: Russian glass factory apron.ru, Moscow mirror factory, skinali.com company, Steklokolor, Glass Mirrors and Interior.

What you should pay attention to when reading reviews about the manufacturer and communicating with a consultant:

• technical ability to fulfill the order;
• terms of registration, production and delivery;
• the ability to install an apron on site (not every apartment can accommodate a large mirror 2-3 m long);
• the presence of a protective film that will protect you from splinters in case of possible damage to the tiles.

Comparing prices is not so easy, since one company may offer an all-inclusive package, while another will first provide accurate calculations with detailed specifications. But at the initial stage, you can estimate the cost of the apron itself with the necessary measurements, its delivery and installation.

No one will do it quickly, cheaply and efficiently, and this is worth remembering. Time reserve, careful selection of the manufacturer and competent assessment of the design solution itself will guarantee an excellent result.

And since we are talking about design solutions, we will talk about various options for using mirror elements in finishing a kitchen apron.

Where to buy quality goods

A glass apron for the kitchen is an important part of the design of the room, and in some cases it is the main highlight. Glass apron for the kitchen LEROY MERLIN - the best choice price/quality

The LEROY MERLIN online store is a great help in creating coziness, comfort, modernity, reliability and individuality of your kitchen.

The kitchen is a place where not only food is prepared, it is the soul of the whole home. This is where the day begins, meetings and various ceremonies take place. That is why it is so important to pay attention to any detail to create a favorable environment (a kitchen apron is an important detail).

Photos of glass splashbacks for the kitchen

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