Plastic kitchen apron: types, design options, photo

Plastic, or plastic, is a synthetic material made from polymers. Polymers are produced synthetically, and at the same time set the desired properties, obtaining plastics for various purposes. Plastic kitchen aprons are mainly made from several types of plastics, differing both in properties and in price.

Types of plastic for aprons in the kitchen

ABS

ABS plastic is produced in the form of transparent or colored granules. They are used to form flat sheets of 3000x600x1.5 mm or 2000x600x1.5 mm. It is a very shock and bend resistant material. If the temperature rises to 100 degrees for a short time, it will not light up, and 80 degrees can withstand a long time, so ABS plastic kitchen aprons are fireproof. A metallized coating can be applied to this plastic - then it will look like a mirror, but the weight and installation of products from it is much lighter than from mirror glass.

The main advantages of the material:

• Resistant to aggressive liquids and environments;
• Does not deteriorate when interacting with fats, oils, hydrocarbons;
• It can have both matte and glossy surfaces;
• A wide variety of colors;
• Non-toxic
• It can be operated at temperatures from -40 to +90.

Cons of an ABS plastic kitchen apron:

• Fast burning out in sunlight;
• When acetone or solvents containing it gets on the surface, the plastic dissolves and loses its appearance;
• The material has a yellow tint.

Acrylic glass (polycarbonate)

It is produced in the form of sheets with dimensions of 3000x600x1.5 mm and 2000x600x1.5 mm. In many respects, this material is superior to glass - it is more transparent, withstands even strong impacts, while it has a small specific weight, it is easier to mount it on the wall in the kitchen than glass.

Advantages of a polycarbonate kitchen apron:

• High transparency;
• Impact and bending strength;
• Fire resistance;
• Does not fade or fade in the sun;
• Fire safety: does not burn, but melts and solidifies in the form of threads, does not form toxic substances during combustion;
• Does not release substances hazardous to health into the air even when heated;
• It has an attractive appearance, practically indistinguishable from glass at a glance.

The only problem- rather high price of the product compared to other types of plastic aprons, but still it is much cheaper glass apron for the kitchen, although it surpasses it in some respects.

Pvc

Polyvinyl chloride has long been widely used in finishing works, and not only in the kitchen. Most often, plastic kitchen panels for aprons are made from it. This is a fairly budget option that has its pros and cons.

There are several types of finishing material:

• Panels: up to 3000 x (150 - 500) mm;
• Lining: up to 3000 x (100 - 125) mm;
• Sheets: (800 - 2030) x (1500 - 4050) x (1 - 30) mm.

PVC is the most budgetary option, and, moreover, the most "fast" - installation does not require preliminary surface preparation, it can be done on its own.

Pros of using PVC for the production of a plastic apron:

• Ease of installation and maintenance;
• Resistance to high temperatures and humidity;
• Variety of design solutions: plastic can have any color, volumetric details, prints or be transparent.

Cons of PVC kitchen apron:

• Low abrasion resistance;
• Rapid loss of strength;
• Rapid loss of appearance under the influence of light and detergents;
• Water can get into the cracks between the panels, as a result, suitable conditions for the formation of mildew and mold are formed;
• Low fire safety: does not withstand contact with fire;
• May release substances hazardous to health into the air.

Not all panels have the last drawback, so when buying it is worth asking for a quality certificate and making sure that the chosen option is safe.

Plastic apron design

Plastic provides the broadest possibilities for design, since products from it can have almost any color, interesting texture, embossed surface, drawing or photograph, applied using photo printing. The only problem is to find a suitable option for your interior.

Color

Plastic can be of any color and shade - from pastel, light tones to thick, saturated colors. Colors are selected based on the chosen interior style and the size of the kitchen. Light colors will help to make the kitchen visually larger, dark ones "squeeze" the room.

The backsplash area is the most "dirty" place in the kitchen, so pure white or black is hardly appropriate here. On soothing pastel colors, drops of water and other dirt are not so noticeable, the panels do not have to be wiped several times a day.

Picture

Almost any pattern can be applied to plastic - its choice depends only on your imagination and design requirements. Small patterns will help make accidental dirt less noticeable, and are suitable for small kitchens. In a large room, large patterns and designs can be used.

Imitation of natural materials

Plastic panels imitating natural finishing materials are very popular. They save not only money, but also time during repairs. Laying brickwork or porcelain stoneware tiles is expensive and time-consuming, the installation of a panel "like a brick" or "like a porcelain stoneware" can be done on your own and takes only a few hours in time.

Plastic can imitate ceramic tiles with or without a pattern, the popular "hog" tiles in different colors, wood or stone surfaces. Imitation of materials is applied to plastic using photo printing.

Kitchen apron made of plastic with photo printing

Photographic images of various subjects on kitchen aprons are gaining popularity. They make it possible to make the kitchen more interesting, to give it exclusivity, photographs remind of favorite places, summer vacations, transfer to a garden with exotic flowers or add appetizing fruits to the kitchen setting.

Kitchen aprons made of plastic with photo printing cost much less than similar ones made of glass. The installation cost is also lower, and, in addition, there is still an opportunity to change something in the kitchen. After installing it, it is no longer possible to make a hole in the glass apron in order to hang, for example, a railing, in which there is a need, or a shelf for spices. Plastic allows it. Moreover, at a glance, the glass skin is almost indistinguishable from a plastic kitchen apron with a photo print.