What should be a practical and durable kitchen

When the question arises about the choice of materials for a kitchen set, countertop, apron, then functionality, durability and practicality are considered on a par with visual appeal. Our tips site looked at homeowner reviews to figure out which kitchen is the best to use..

The first thing to look for is the kitchen frame. This is the foundation of the entire headset. Yes, the facades are also important, we do not argue, but if the frame is worn out, deteriorated, you will have to do major repairs, disassemble everything completely. But if the frame turned out to be strong, then in five to ten years it will be possible to simply replace the facades and significantly save money, while updating the appearance of the kitchen.

The strongest and most durable kitchen frames are aluminum. But in our country they have not yet become widespread. Most often, Russian homeowners order kitchen sets on a frame made of chipboard and MDF. Well, as practice shows, laminated chipboard can last long enough, the main thing is that it is of sufficient thickness and of good quality. Solid wood frames are too expensive, in addition, it is very important that the wood is well dried, without scrap. And it can be difficult to find a good carpenter, manufacturer.

The second question is the durability and practicality of the facades. The portal has already compared the pros and cons of glossy and matte facades, noting that the latter, in general, are easier to maintain. As for the materials, we list the reviews of the most popular:

• Film. It can flake off, most often it happens at the joints of the headset with household appliances: next to the dishwasher, hob, refrigerator, oven. But there are reviews from users whose facades with a layer of film have served for 15 years, although this is definitely an economy option..
• Enamel. Such painted facades are prone to chips and cracks. At the same time, it is easy to care for them, and it is not so difficult to update them..
• Veneer. The top coat will peel off quite quickly, but it is easy to renew. In addition, facades can be repainted altogether, completely changing the look of the kitchen. Otherwise, the durability of a veneered headset depends on the quality of the coating.
• Solid wood. Expensive, but usually very long. Again, the layer of protective varnish can be updated with your own hands..
• Plastic. According to reviews, it is easy to care for, serves for at least eight to ten years. But at the same time it often looks outdated, so it is not very popular.

Interestingly, according to user reviews, the cost of kitchen handles rarely affects their durability. The main thing is that they are comfortable, well-assembled, do not hit the facades of adjacent cabinets and household appliances when opening. Integrated handles sometimes get loose, and we found very different reviews about the mechanisms for opening cabinets by pressing. Someone was satisfied, but there are users who, after five years, have broken all the cabinet opening mechanisms and had to change them. In addition, the mechanism itself takes up space, which can be critical for shallow boxes..

It is noteworthy that most homeowners call stainless steel kitchen sinks the most practical and durable. But stainless steel only made of thick steel and with a layer of foamed rubber on the bottom, so that there is no noise from the running water! Artificial stone sinks have also received good reviews, especially integrated ones. But some homeowners are unhappy with white water deposits on dark stone sinks, while others have experience repairing cracks and chips from heavy objects falling into such a sink..

Among the materials for kitchen countertops, the leaders among homeowners were chipboard and artificial stone, quartz. Scratches appear on the stainless steel worktop, and really “indestructible” granite is too expensive for most. Tabletops made of chipboard 38 mm thick and high-quality joints, edges show the optimal combination of price and quality, last a long time and are afraid only of hot pans.

Almost all homeowners note the importance of choosing quality fittings for kitchen cabinets and drawers. You cannot save on it! Otherwise, repairs will become a necessity in a couple of years..

Practical and durable kitchen aprons come in many varieties. Tiles and mosaics last decades without problems, only the seams may turn black and need updating. Someone even has a rough brick on the apron easily washed with a soapy sponge, but someone like it. So the homeowners did not come to a consensus on this matter..

Finally, we note that problems and mistakes during the installation of a kitchen set can spoil the characteristics of the most durable and practical materials. It is necessary to correctly calculate ergonomics, correctly install household appliances, so that the kitchen will serve faithfully for many years and does not disappoint the owners.