What is the best material to buy a kitchen from? What are kitchen furniture made from?

It is desirable that the facade be like this: set it once and forget it! It stands, does not deteriorate, does not scratch, does not fade, does not turn pale, does not get wet. In general, it serves until you get tired of it.

And on top of all this, it’s very good for it to be fashionable and impress the eyes of the guests. But combining all this into one whole is almost impossible.

That's why, the best way out here is this: consider all possible facades, identify their pros and cons, and based on this knowledge, simply choose the lesser evil.

Well then, let's get started! The description is presented in the form of a list, with the worst options at the bottom. That is, we start from the best of the best and move in descending order.

Kitchen fronts made of natural wood

Natural wood facades are almost impossible to decorate in such a way that they look ultra-modern.

Wood is a classic and calm interior, without any high-tech features or modern trends. Country, Provence, Scandinavian style, Mediterranean, classic - these are the styles where natural wood looks the best.

And this is, without a doubt, the most the best option. But if you prefer wooden facades, then you need to understand that they weigh much more than those made from particle boards.

This means that the base of the kitchen must also be made of wood, otherwise, over time, the heavy facades will simply tear out the fastenings from the flimsy glued slabs.

Also, it would not hurt to consider the properties of several types of wood. Because the difference between a pine facade and an oak one is huge. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves, now you can read everything yourself.

Pine

Pine is the most inexpensive wood. It is easy to process, costs a little more than sawdust slabs, but at the same time, it is not very good in operation.

In particular, because pine is a soft wood that can be easily scratched. Even a cat's claws can cause noticeable damage, not to mention... kitchen knives and other household damage.

Yes, the pine facade is subject to restoration, like any other tree. But that's extra money! It's better to make it from pine inner part, and not the doors that are in plain sight.

Ash

Ash is a hard wood and is great for facades because it is durable. At the same time, its price is two and a half times more than pine and one and a half times less than oak.

That is, if you do not have a goal for the facade to look natural, classic color oak, then ash is a good alternative.

His design and color are simpler, of course, but no worse. Sometimes it’s even better when it comes to decorating a kitchen in Scandinavian style, where the priority is the yellowish colors of natural wood.

Oak

The oak facade is a classic. Looking at such furniture, especially if it is not painted on top with colored paint, no one will have any doubt that it is natural wood. An oak is an oak. But, for some, its natural color looks a little gloomy.

Bottom line: the pros and cons of wooden facades

Pros:

Durability
Environmental friendliness
Natural and solid look
Possibility of restoration

Minuses:

Not a cheap pleasure
Mandatory presence of an internal box made of wood (preferably reinforced)
A small maneuver in style
There is a high probability of buying poorly dried wood, which is why the structure will quickly “lead” and cracks will appear.

Metal facades

Metal facade – a good thing. They are durable, very easy to care for, they are not afraid of scratches, steam, shock, or fire.

But, the cost of such a kitchen will be quite high, and it will also not have a very cozy appearance.

Metal kitchen facades look more organic in businesses than at home.

It is very unpleasant to touch them, as they are always cold. But, if you have an interior in any modern style, such as minimalism, then such material is quite suitable and will look appropriate.

If we are talking about metal, there is one more nuance to consider: glossy facades They get dirty very easily and need to be wiped endlessly. There are fingerprints on them, stains from a not very clean rag, and every drop of water is very noticeable.

So, if cleaning is not your thing, don’t get excited and choose such facades.

Stainless steel

Stainless steel facades are eternal. But, this is if you don’t save money and choose a good, thick sheet of metal. It should be no thinner than 4mm. And those that are thinner have a lot of disadvantages.

They do not hold their shape and are easy to bend if you hit something on the door. Also, their corners may become deformed, which makes them dangerous.

Aluminum

Aluminum – soft material. But it is lighter than stainless steel and sometimes looks more interesting. And the cost of aluminum facades is significantly lower.

But aluminum gets scratched and restoring a metal façade is quite problematic. Although, it is quite possible. In the case of aluminum, you should also choose thicker sheets to avoid dents in the future.

Aluminum frame

Perhaps this is the best of all options for metal facades. Only the frame is made of aluminum, and almost any filler can be placed inside it: MDF, strained glass, plastic.

Of course, in combination with natural wood aluminum frame it will look very ridiculous. Still, metal obliges modern design.

Pros:

Durability
Stylish look

Minuses:

Cold to the touch
Can be dangerous at corners (conditionally)
Scratches and dents may appear that are difficult to repair.
Expensive

Acrylic (plastic) facades

Acrylic is a relatively new material in the creation of kitchen facades. In fact, acrylic is just a polymer that became famous thanks to acrylic plumbing fixtures and... extended nails.

Their acrylic kitchens look very modern and bright. Their surface is mirror-glossy, uniform and very pleasant to the touch.

The only thing is that acrylic is a non-plastic material, it cannot be used to design curved, radius and shaped facades. But, by and large, for design styles like “minimalism” this doesn’t matter, since strict, straight forms are held in high esteem there.

As for practicality, it all depends on the type of acrylic plates, which we will now consider.

The only thing they have in common is a glossy shine, which is quite difficult to maintain in its original form all the time. Even fingerprints are clearly visible on this coating, not to mention more significant dirt.

Acrylic in a metal frame

In this case, the acrylic sheet is thick enough and does not overlap with any support, such as chipboard or MDF. But despite this, he is afraid of being hit.

That is, if you hit such a facade well, it will certainly crack and the edges edged with aluminum will not save you.

The metal edging only protects the edge from damage.

Acrylic based on MDF board

Here acrylic is applied in a small layer and such a facade has all the properties of a regular sawdust slab. That is, if its edge is slightly damaged, then such furniture begins to absorb liquid like a sponge, and the acrylic film warps and lags behind.

As you understand, such furniture cannot be restored.

Pros:

Stylish and glossy look
Pleasant to the touch
More affordable than metal and wood

Minuses:

Difficult to care for
The surface is scratch-resistant
The surface is afraid of impact
Not subject to restoration

MDF facades

Today, probably 85% of modern kitchens are made from this material. MDF is affordable, has many design options, and lasts much longer than chipboard furniture.

But even among MDF there is various options top coating, on which their service life depends.

Painted MDF

A painted MDF facade has one undeniable advantage: it does not look plastic and has a more comfortable appearance.

But such a surface must be washed very carefully, since the coating sometimes simply washes away under the sponge and traces of paint remain on it, and, accordingly, stains on the facades.

True, the painted surface is easy to restore; you just need to sand it and cover the facade with a fresh coat of paint. Otherwise, this furniture is not protected from the main disadvantages of MDF. We are talking about damage to the edges and chips of the edge, under which water gets in and the slab begins to “inflate”.

MDF covered with PVC film

MDF covered with such a film does not look very expensive. But on the other hand, you can wash it as much as you like. He is not afraid of abrasives. On the other hand, he is afraid of blows and this can cause chips, which cannot be removed with anything later.

Such facades are not subject to restoration.

Veneered MDF

Veneer is the finest shavings of natural wood. From a practical point of view, veneer is no better than PVC film, and in many ways, even worse, since it is softer.

But on the other hand, veneered MDF is very difficult to distinguish by eye from natural wood. This explains its popularity.

Pros:

Inexpensive
Wide range of design options
Possibility of creating paneled and radius facades
Easy to care for

Minuses:

They don’t last that long, after about 5 years the edges definitely start to “swell”
Not all MDF facades can be restored

Chipboard facades

And finally, we come to the worst of the worst. Kitchen fronts made from chipboard are so bad that there is no point in describing these disgraces.

They please the buyer for a couple of years at most, and then the edges begin to swell, chips appear on the surface, the fittings “loose”, the locks and hinges sag because the base is too flimsy…. No, no and NO.

Editorial opinion

Let's now try to draw a conclusion from the information described above. Which kitchen facades are better: PVC film, MDF, plastic or more expensive options?

Of course, wood and metal are the best. But, if you choose from available options, while similar in appearance, then most practical option– MDF, as it is the best value for money.

Negative customer reviews about popular types of facades

And here we have collected some negative reviews about kitchen facades from those who have already had experience in using this or that material.

We deliberately did not choose laudatory posts, because we believe that the best adviser is a critic.

We really hope that our article was useful to you. We will try to update it regularly and supplement it with new data. We are sure that the debate about choosing the best material for the facade of kitchen units will continue for many years to come.

if you have personal experience related to the selection and operation of certain types of facades - please share your impressions in the comments.

The kitchen room is fundamentally different from all other rooms in the house - it is a “hot shop”, a functional area in which ergonomics and comfort are especially important. The best cuisines combine functionality, convenience and beauty, corresponding to the atmosphere and all the requirements of this room.

Which material is better for the kitchen?

We have specifically identified the main components of an ideal kitchen set– if in the living room or bedroom the choice of furniture will depend only on the tastes of the owners, then before ordering a set for the kitchen, practicality must also be taken into account.

Absolutely not all materials are suitable for the manufacture of kitchen furniture. Many simply cannot withstand temperature changes and high humidity, steam, or require complex care.

Therefore, before purchasing, be sure to find out what the furniture body, its facade and tabletop are made of, and what fittings were used. What material should you choose for your kitchen? Let's consider this point in more detail.

Furniture body

As a rule, the body of a kitchen set is made of MDF, chipboard, natural wood or multiplex. The best kitchens are made from solid wood - these products do not deform due to high humidity, they are stable and durable, designed to for a long time operation.

Modern kitchen furniture made from wood, treated with special water-repellent solutions.

Multiplex is the most budget-friendly alternative to solid wood. This is a material that consists of thin strips different wood, glued in different directions. Multiplex is also resistant to elevated temperatures, steam and moisture. Such an environmentally friendly and modern material is not much inferior to solid wood.
MDF is much cheaper than multiplex and wood, but this material is also quite suitable. MDF is durable, practical and inexpensive. This is a pressure-compressed fine wood shavings. MDF panels are processed special resins, which give the material waterproofness and strength. In terms of resistance to curvature and strength, MDF is superior even to some types of natural wood.
And, in the end, most cheap material– Chipboard, very similar to MDF, but not so environmentally friendly and durable. Poor quality chipboards can become deformed from moisture and get wet at joints and cuts, but modern boards are free of these shortcomings. But, one way or another, when choosing cheap furniture for the kitchen from chipboard, you need to understand that after a short time the set will most likely need to be replaced.

Kitchen furniture facade

The facade is the face of the kitchen, which determines its style. The variety of materials that are used to make kitchen facades is enormous.

They are made from laminated MDF, chipboard, covered with enamel or film, made of solid wood, there are aluminum and frame facades, decorated with glass or plastic. Each option has its pros and cons.

Solid wood. This is a traditional, prestigious and expensive material for kitchen facades. It creates a respectable atmosphere and looks respectable. At proper care These facades do not lose their beauty for decades - they can only slightly change color under the influence of direct rays of the sun.

But wood needs handled with care. These kitchens must not be cleaned using abrasives or harsh chemicals and can only be wiped with a soft cloth. At the same time, wood is not the most elastic material, and it is quite difficult to create facades with wavy, curved lines using it.

MDF facades

As already noted, its performance is almost as good as that of wood, and the cost of MDF is much more affordable. MDF facades make it possible to implement any design ideas. This material bends easily, which makes it possible to make rounded and unusual facades.

MDF allows you to use different kinds coatings - MDF can be paint, cover with plastic or PVC film of any texture and color. Painted MDF board looks better than PVC film, but it is more expensive.

Cheaper film also has certain disadvantages - coating takes time may peel off, especially in places that are exposed to intense heat and moisture - for example, above the stove or around the sink. Plastic is the strongest and most durable option, and is very easy to care for (except for matte types of plastic, they can be difficult to clean).

Frame facades made from MDF profiles are also quite often used. The frame is finished PVC film or, in exclusive kitchen sets, natural veneer. These facades can be fitted with woven rattan, plastic, frosted or stained glass. These facades have earned their appreciation primarily due to large selection design.

Tabletop

As a rule, countertops experience the heaviest load during operation, constantly being exposed to mechanical and chemical influences. Therefore, when choosing a material for a countertop, first of all you need to pay attention to practicality.

However, it has certain features - the stone is fragile and with accidental impacts, chips may appear; in addition, the stone may change color over time with constant contact with products, especially this is true for materials made of light shades.

Wherein fake diamond devoid of such shortcomings. Fake diamond is a panel made of safe and environmentally friendly resins and stone chips. In appearance it is no different from natural material, but much more stable and durable.

Accessories

This is a small, but at the same time quite important and noticeable component of the kitchen interior. Sometimes normal replacement handles completely changes the interior of the kitchen. Like every part of the headset, the handles must be at the same time comfortable and beautiful.

The most convenient shape is U-shaped. Push-button handles are great for Provence-style kitchens or rustic interiors, but they are not as convenient as push-pull handles. Today many modern cabinets they make it without handles at all - all the fittings are inside, and the doors open by simply pressing the surface.

Complete kitchen set

Which kitchen is better? This will depend on the needs. Do you like to cook and host holiday dinners for your friends? Choose a set for the kitchen with lots of cabinets and work surfaces.

If you only plan to make coffee in the morning and invite friends to relax in the evening, then you don’t need an abundance of tables, but you may need bar counter or a table for serving food.

Each kitchen is divided into 3 main zones: storage area, washing area and cooking area. In order for the kitchen to be comfortable, it must be planned according to the principle of a triangle, which connects these zones. It is best that the total distance between zones is no more than 5 meters.

It’s great if all the working parts form one line, but when the size of the kitchen does not allow it to be done this way, then the break must be made where one of the operations ends. Best for small kitchens L-shaped or linear layout, V large rooms can be done U-shaped kitchen with many work surfaces.

Small kitchens have more stringent planning requirements. For better comfort, choose lockers with sliding doors and try to use all the space rationally. For example, in the gap between the refrigerator and the work table you can install a retractable narrow wardrobe for bottles. In a large kitchen, you can choose a set with hinged and pull-out cabinets.

Previously, we considered mainly the functionality of the kitchen, but it appearance is also very important - according to tradition, the kitchen is considered the center of any home, the place where the whole family gathers every day.

The kitchen is often combined with the dining room or replaces it; guests are received here and various celebrations are celebrated.

For a “country house” effect, choose wooden, light furniture– painted in White color, with a natural pattern. Brass, wooden or ceramic fittings, wicker baskets, bright fabric tablecloths, antique ceramics and bundles of dried herbs will complement the interior.

What color to choose for the kitchen? Both designers and psychologists agree that color has a significant effect on mood and even health status. It has been proven that green and blue colors make us eat less, while orange and red colors improve appetite.

Soft green shades - mint and pistachio - are soothing and have a positive effect on digestion. Cold dark gray, dull black and brown are the most inappropriate colors for the kitchen, which subconsciously depress.

In searching for an answer to this question, you can come to a logical and simple conclusion. It is not so important what material: artificial or natural. And also, the furniture manufacturer is not important: domestic or foreign.

The main thing is that the material is affordable, met all hygiene requirements and it was high quality.

The time is over when kitchen furniture bought on the basis of “for centuries.” Today's fashion is changeable and capricious, which is why it often forces you to change the style of interior design in the kitchen. And in these cases it is necessary justify your choice criteria for the comfort and functionality of the kitchen.

If possible, it is advisable to buy a set made of wood. I really like beech. Artificial materials also look good, but in terms of strength, even to the touch, they are much inferior.

Marina Moscow

Everyone chooses for themselves. Naturally, natural materials are better, but they are certainly more expensive. We have a kitchen set made from MDF, it looks simply excellent, and we are also pleased with the quality.

Nastya, Krivoy Rog

We recently bought a kitchen and chose the following materials: internal elements - MDF, and facades - plastic. It is easy to care for plastic. MDF is also unpretentious. The only thing I doubt is how long the MDF will last in the sink area. That’s why after washing the dishes I wipe everything dry. Naturally, sets made of natural wood are better, but it all comes down to cost. Twice as expensive.

The modern level of comfort presupposes the presence in the kitchen of rational furniture, arranged according to the laws of ergonomics, and it is very important what materials for the kitchen facades are used in its manufacture.

An incorrectly selected material can ruin the most beautiful and thoughtful interior and make working in the kitchen uncomfortable. When choosing the appearance of your future kitchen, you should pay close attention to the material from which the kitchen facades are made, and choose the one that suits you most completely.

Characteristics of basic materials for kitchen facades

In order not to make a mistake with your choice, you need to have a good idea of what materials facades are made of, what their pros and cons are. First you need to understand the production technology of kitchen facades from composite materials - the most commonly found on sale.

The basis of the facade is usually made of chipboards ( particle board) or MDF (fibreboard). Then a coating is applied to this base, which performs protective and decorative functions. Sometimes the base is made of plywood or even wood, but such kitchen fronts are much more expensive. Role decorative covering usually made of plastic, but it is also possible to use wood veneer and other materials.

The choice of material for the kitchen is determined by fairly harsh operating conditions: high temperatures, high humidity, the content of soot and fat particles in the air, the possibility of exposure to aggressive liquids - all this imposes certain requirements if you want the set to serve you for a long time.

MDF boards today are the most popular as a material for the base of kitchen facades, since MDF has a dense structure, similar to the structure of wood, which allows the formation of any patterns. The properties of kitchen facades depend, when composite materials are used for their production, on the characteristics of the coating, and when made from wood, on the properties of the wood species.

When thinking about which kitchen facades to choose, you need to pay attention not only to their decorative qualities and price, but also to the characteristics of the materials from which they are made. The more resistant these materials are to aggressive environments, high temperatures and high humidity, the longer the kitchen set will last without changing its appearance.

Review of basic materials for kitchen furniture

Laminated facades

The procedure for covering MDF (or chipboard) panels with melamine film is called lamination. This film is a paper that is impregnated with resins and coated with varnish. This is the most economical option, which does not look very attractive and does not last long. Sometimes cabinets for kitchen furniture are also made from similar panels.

Low price;
Availability of various forms of facades while maintaining low prices.

Minuses:

Unattractive looking headset;
Low resistance to aggressive substances;
Rapid loss of appearance;
Possibility of producing only straight facades.

These facades are made from medium-density wood-fiber panels, which allows them to be given any shape. They are painted on top using technology common in the automotive industry: first, the surface of the panel is primed, then covered with paint in several layers, after which a varnish coating is applied. Each applied layer is sanded, and the resulting coating is highly resistant to external influences and has an attractive appearance.

Pros:

Can be used various colors and color combinations;
The texture of the kitchen facade can be varied: matte, glossy, mother-of-pearl, pearl, metallic;
The facades do not require complex care; just wash them with water and a mild detergent;
The material is resistant to external influences and retains its original appearance for a long time;
Facades of any shape can be made - round, wavy.

Minuses:

Quite a high manufacturing cost, resulting in a high final cost of the headset;
The glossy surface is sensitive to grease and even fingerprints;
Paint can fade in the sun and under the influence of ultraviolet radiation;
They do not withstand mechanical stress well, and may cause chipping.

In the manufacture of these kitchen facades, all the advantages of an MDF base are used, while instead of expensive painting, a polymer film is used as a covering layer, which is much simpler and cheaper. The film can be matte or glossy surface. The pattern applied to the film can be made in any way, for example, to imitate wood, stone, marble, ceramic tiles, granite surface. The color of the film can also be any.

Pros:

A large number of options for drawings and colors of facades;
Budget cost;
High resistance to aggressive environments and abrasion;
The same price for both standard and non-standard kitchen elements.

When simulating the texture of natural materials, it is impossible to achieve an acceptable visual effect the result obtained is very different from the original;
The film coating does not tolerate elevated temperatures; peeling from the base is possible;
The pattern applied to the film is susceptible to fading in the sun.

Materials for kitchen facades made of plastic

HPL – paper-laminated plastic – is also used as a coating for MDF panels. This unique material is made using special technology. The paper is impregnated with specially designed resin compounds, folded in layers and pressed at high temperature and high pressure. The result is very high quality and beautiful material for a kitchen set.

This material is glued onto a base board made of MDF or chipboard. In this case, the processing of the ends is usually carried out using the post-forming method: two sides of the plastic are folded onto the ends, and the remaining two are pasted over with a special edge. There are also alternative methods edge processing, for example, all ends can be covered with an acrylic edge, aluminum, ABS or PVC edging. The edge may not differ from the color of the facade, or may be contrasting.

Pros:

Good resistance to mechanical stress, high humidity, aggressive substances;
Facades are not subject to fading under the influence of sunlight;
Long service life of the headset without loss of appearance;
It is possible to produce facades of any complex shapes.

Minuses:

The glossy surface gets dirty easily and may leave fingerprints;
The interior of the facades is white;
The matte surface is difficult to maintain; dirt is difficult to remove from it;
Geometric defects may appear.

The most popular are combined facades - frames made of MDF are inserted with other materials, for example, rattan mats, glass, plastic. The frame itself is covered with PVC film or covered with veneer (a more expensive option).

Less weight compared to standard kitchen facades, which means a longer service life of mechanical furniture components;
A variety of materials for inserts allows designers to create original, expressive kitchen designs suitable for various interior design styles;
Non-standard sizes do not increase the cost of furniture;
Low price.

Low resistance to wear and high humidity;
The coating may peel off during use;
Quite difficult to maintain on a daily basis;
Frame fastening may be weak.

Modern interior design styles dictate the choice of new, modern materials, which is worth considering when deciding which facades to choose for the kitchen. In particular, facades consisting of frames assembled from aluminum profile. Panels made of rattan, MDF, plastic or glass are inserted into these frames. It looks original, and if glass inserts are used, it also “lightens” the furniture set, giving it airiness.

Pros:

The metal base increases the strength and durability of facades;
The combination of different materials opens up wide decorative possibilities;
The price for standard and non-standard facades does not differ;
Increased resistance to moisture and mechanical stress.

The need to use special fastening systems;
Low resistance to abrasive and chemically aggressive substances;
Metal fades and loses its appearance over time;
Quite a big price.

When choosing a material for the kitchen, you need to keep in mind that natural materials look solid and elegant, but they are also expensive. Wood, as the most traditional material for making any furniture, including kitchen furniture, will certainly bring warmth to the interior and create home comfort, however, such a kitchen is appropriate for a large area.

Wooden kitchen fronts come in two types: completely made of wood, and paneled - in wooden frame a panel made of another material is inserted, for example, MDF, chipboard, glass. Paneled facades – more a budget option, and if the panel is veneered, then it is impossible to distinguish it by eye from a completely wooden structure.

Solidity, elegance, high aesthetic qualities;
Environmental friendliness;
Durability;
Long-term relevance in terms of interior fashion;
Possibility of decoration different ways– carvings, inserts, cornices.

High price;
Difficult care;
Poor resistance to UV radiation;
Resistance to high humidity deteriorating over time;
Ability to absorb kitchen odors;
Small variety of models offered.

Choosing a facade is a responsible matter. The durability of kitchen furniture, its appearance and the ability to decide on a furniture arrangement plan depend on this. Modern designers prefer the following materials for the manufacture of kitchen facades: MDF (fine fraction), laminated chipboard particle board) and plastic. These materials have proven themselves highly, both in terms of cost-effective indicators and aesthetic characteristics. Thanks to modern technologies In production, each of these types of finishes lends itself to obtaining any form of furniture.

Numerous reviews on the Internet about the material for the kitchen facade demonstrate that users do not give preference to any type of kitchen; they are all in an equal position. Therefore, in order to make the final choice of material, you should familiarize yourself with the advantages and disadvantages of each type of kitchen.

Characteristics of MDF, its advantages and disadvantages

MDF facades have been the most popular and widespread in the world for more than ten years. These kitchens are painted like cars. Paint is applied to the surface of the facades in several layers, each subsequent one, after the previous one has dried, before which the surface of the material is thoroughly primed. After complete drying MDF paints covered with a protective layer of varnish.

MDF kitchens are the most popular on the market

Such kitchens have a number of advantages:

reasonable price compared to more modern types facades;
the possibility of obtaining facades of any color and texture: glossy, matte, chameleon, etc.;
kitchens made of MDF are not afraid of moisture, high temperatures and chemical exposure;
quite unpretentious in care, do not require special means;
variety of façade shapes: flat or curved;
facades can withstand up to four paintings;
resistant to moisture and odors.

But MDF kitchens are not without their drawbacks, including:

loss of brightness and color saturation under the influence of ultraviolet radiation;
the surface is easily chipped and scratched;
If the surface of the facade is damaged, it is impossible to carry out partial painting, since it is difficult to choose a shade.

Advice. If, nevertheless, scratches appear on the MDF facade, it is not necessary to repaint it entirely; you can come up with an original pattern and apply it to the entire perimeter of the facades, thereby obtaining a completely new interior.

Kitchens made of MDF look quite simple, so it would be more original to combine several colors in the facades and add curved lines on drawers or side cabinets, so the kitchen will look like a designer one.

Characteristics of laminated chipboard, its advantages and disadvantages

This type of kitchen facade is no less popular than MDF, but it is more often chosen for use in a rented apartment, country house, or as a temporary option. Laminated chipboards are obtained using physical and chemical process lamination, during which chipboard sheet film is applied. The result is a smooth surface with a slight reflective effect. The advantages of this method include the following:

cheap type of finishing in comparison with any other kitchen facades.

This is the only advantage of this material.

In addition, the material has a number of disadvantages:

low strength of facades, both film and chipboard are easily scratched;
low water resistance, especially at corners; after a year, the facades can already delaminate and begin to come apart;
due to deformations of the material, the fittings also fail, doors may creak, or not fully open or close;
Very short term operation due to poor quality of material;
low resistance to moisture and odors;
Maintenance of facades is too demanding, the film is easily damaged.

Attention! If you decide to buy a kitchen made of laminated chipboard, plan the top tier of drawers so that they are no less than 65-70 cm from the surface of the countertop, or even better, place them as far as possible from hob. In this way you will minimize the impact of steam on the façade and extend its service life.

Characteristics of plastic facades, their advantages and disadvantages

Plastic facades are only gaining momentum in popularity. Despite the fact that the name “kitchen made of plastic” has taken root among people, this is a little incorrect. Such facades are made using two technologies: according to the first method, plastic is glued to MDF, according to the second, plastic is glued to chipboard. Both methods are reliable and of high quality, but, as discussed earlier, MDF facades will be more expensive. A plastic kitchen has a number of advantages, including:

wide palette of colors;
attractive and expensive appearance of the kitchen;
facades are resistant to high temperatures;
You can use abrasives for maintenance; there will be no micro-scratches left on the surface;
do not fade in the sun;
resistant to moisture and odors.
long service life, without loss of appearance.

A significant list of advantages of plastic kitchens does not deprive them of disadvantages:

the high cost of plastic facades, but over a long service life it is justified;
Only straight parts can be made; bends and semicircles are impossible;
demanding to maintain, every fingerprint is visible on the surface of the facades.

Advice. If you have chosen a kitchen with plastic facades, it is better to opt for glossy surfaces; they retain an attractive appearance longer, while matte facades are more difficult to clean and very quickly take on the appearance of shabby and unkempt.

Recently, many craftsmen have been trying to mislead the client and pass off laminated chipboard as plastic. To distinguish plastic from laminated chipboard, just look closely at their reflection: plastic reflects everything specularly, while on laminated chipboard there is a slight areole around the reflection.

What material to choose for the kitchen?

Before deciding which material is best to choose for making a kitchen, you need to decide what service life you want to get as a result. It’s worth choosing laminated chipboard if you have a very limited budget and are planning a major renovation in a few years. As for plastic and MDF, depending on your financial capabilities, you can make any choice of kitchen material. Both of these materials answer high quality and have a long service life.

Choosing a material for making a kitchen is only the surface of the iceberg; it is important to correctly plan work areas of sufficient size and in required quantity. A photo found on the Internet will not necessarily be possible to bring to life in your kitchen. Therefore, it is better to seek help from professional designer, which will help you usefully distribute space.

Which kitchen facades to choose - video

When choosing a kitchen set, we first of all pay attention to its appearance and try to choose it so that it fits into the interior of the room. We definitely check whether it fits in the kitchen space, look at what elements it consists of, that is, whether it is functional.

But we don’t always pay attention to what material this furniture is made of, although we should.

Types of materials for making kitchens

So, in this article we will examine the question of what material is best to buy a kitchen from. The question is serious and requires a serious answer.

Therefore, let us immediately determine that all modern kitchen sets are currently made from three main materials:

Solid wood.

Chipboard

But one could argue about the harm to health, because not a single body responsible for quality control of goods would give permission to produce products that would be harmful to humans (so this is most likely a stereotype).

What is chipboard made of? Firstly, we note that this is a composite material. It is made from dried wood shavings with the addition of formaldehyde resin (6-18%).

Production is not simple; here the material goes through several technological stages: mixing, molding, pressing and drying.

The advantages of this material include:

Ease of processing;
Increased strength and uniformity;
Possibility of finishing various materials(paint, wallpaper, PVC film, lamination, etc.);
The absence of knots, internal cracks and voids, which is often found in solid wood.

But there are also shortcomings that, unfortunately, manufacturers still cannot get rid of, although some attempts have led to improvements. technical characteristics this slab material.

Afraid of water and high humidity. Note that manufacturers today offer moisture-resistant chipboard (sheet thickness 24 mm), which can withstand humidity.
Under high fracture loads, it loses its integrity, but in kitchen sets, fortunately, there are no such loads.

I would like to note that currently chipboard is used for the manufacture internal elements, such as partitions, shelves, edges and back wall. Chipboard facades still gave way to MDF (this relates to the question of what material is better to make a kitchen from).

MDF

It is too composite material, made from finely chopped shavings (almost into dust), but the binder is polymer natural material(lignin).

During the production process there is a hot pressing stage, which creates a high-strength material (see also the article Kitchens made of MDF - the advantage of the material). By the way, the strength of MDF is twice as high as that of chipboard.

MDF furniture - the best materials for the kitchen

Advantages:

This is an environmentally friendly material;
High strength and uniformity;
No defects or flaws;
High moisture resistance;
Under the influence of hot steam, MDF does not warp, swell or change its dimensional characteristics;
High level of hygiene (colonies of microorganisms do not form on the surface).
It lends itself well to processing, that is, it is easy to paint, laminate, laminate, thin veneer glues well, and so on.
Compared to wood, with such excellent characteristics, MDF is several times cheaper.

Attention! MDF is very technologically advanced, so products made from it can be given almost any shape.

Wood

We continue to answer the question, what material is the best for a kitchen, and move on to wood, which has been used for making furniture for a long time (both with your own hands and by machine).

It should be noted that each type of wood has its own unique qualities, color and pattern.

Note! The stronger the type of wood, the more durable it is, but at the same time it is more difficult to process, which increases costs and, accordingly, the cost.

The most common and frequently used type of wood for kitchen furniture is pine. Pine that is good for processing has a large number of flaws in the form of knots and resin shells, which creates a large amount of waste, and carpentry work with it is difficult.
In this regard, spruce is more quality material(moisture resistant, not subject to warping), but it also has its drawbacks. For example, it is difficult to finish.

And when the question arises, which material is better, spruce or pine, it is necessary to approach the processing process correctly. The simpler it is, the better for the manufacturer and consumer. The first reduces expenses, the second gets budget furniture.

Larch - this type of wood has been used for the production of kitchens for a long time, because it has excellent performance and physical and technical characteristics. And if we talk about the category “most best material for the kitchen”, then larch will be included in it first of all.

Advantages:

High strength and density (three times higher than pine);
High resistance to mechanical loads;
Moisture resistance;
Resists rotting processes well;
Minimum knot content;
It has a beautiful appearance (reddish-brownish tint).

Birch - it has always been furniture wood. And although craftsmen consider it soft because it lends itself well to processing, this type of wood has high density and strength. Disadvantage: susceptible to rotting.

Oak is the most durable type of wood used today. Let's add here high hardness, resistance to rotting processes, and the ability to bend. In addition, the structure of oak is so beautiful that a kitchen set made from it is a masterpiece of furniture art. But with all this, it lends itself well to processing.

Multiplex

I would like to draw your attention to a material that is made by gluing several layers of wood. If you compare it with wood, then the price is lower than solid wood, but it has some properties that are superior to the latter.

For example, there is virtually no deformation and a high level of moisture resistance. Therefore, the question of which is better, wood or multiplex, needs to be thought about very carefully.

Conclusion on the topic

So, answering the question of what material is best to make a kitchen from, you need to pay attention to all of the above advantages and disadvantages of the products. But, as often happens, our consumers are divided into categories based on material interests.

Someone wants a beautiful and functional kitchen By low price, he chooses kitchens made of chipboard. Those who want not only beauty, but also durability, choose more expensive analogues.

Especially for you, on this page of the site there are videos and photos that will help you understand all the vicissitudes of choosing a kitchen set. Let all this be a help to you, as instructions for making the right decision.