Acrylic kitchens: pros, cons and care tips

Acrylic kitchens are appreciated by consumers for their wide range of colors, shiny and shiny surfaces and very attractive appearance. It is believed that they appeared in Italy, but today they are becoming more and more popular among the inhabitants of our country. Materials so common for kitchen sets, such as plastic and even wood, are on the back burner.

Some people think that acrylic is plastic, but this is not entirely true. Rather, it can be called a thermoplastic polymer. The main feature of this material is its pronounced gloss.

When viewed by itself, acrylic is transparent. However, manufacturers add dyes to it, obtaining the widest range of shades. Nowadays, it is increasingly used in the furniture industry to create headsets for the kitchen.

The manufacturing process is as follows. The base is MDF board, which is coated with polymethyl acrylate. This gives the material strength and improves its technical characteristics. Since the board is not able to deform when exposed to any external factors such as heat and humidity, acrylic will not peel off from it over time.

Acrylic has many positive characteristics. It is weatherproof and absolutely not afraid of corrosion.This material is used in mechanical engineering, aviation and medicine. At first, it was extremely liquid, but over time its state changed, granular and leafy versions appeared. The properties of acrylic can be called unique, due to which it has recently been widely used in the furniture industry.

Like any material, it has its own advantages and disadvantages. To begin with, let's dwell on the merits in more detail.

Acrylic is durable. It is very durable and able to withstand various mechanical stress. Material and sharp objects, strong pressure and even impacts are not afraid. An indisputable advantage is the possibility of its secondary processing.

The material is weatherproof. He is not afraid of temperature drops and heat up to +160 degrees. Humidity is also not dangerous for him, like steam and ultraviolet light. All this allows acrylic kitchens to look bright and presentable even after a long period of time.

Caring for the coating will not be particularly difficult. Acrylic surfaces should be cleaned with special sprays and a soft cloth. Antistatic properties protect them from trapping dust, grease and dirt. The main point is only its processing to maintain gloss, but it is carried out once every 6 months.

Features of production make it possible to produce acrylic kitchens in a wide range of colors. One color has up to 20 shades. You can also choose any drawing, 3D image or ornament. Since the coating is reflective, it visually expands the space of the kitchen, making it lighter and more airy.

Another important point is environmental friendliness. It should be noted that in this characteristic, plastic is significantly inferior to acrylic, since it has the ability to emit toxic substances that do not in the best way affect the health of households who spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Acrylic is free of carcinogens, it does not contain resins and harmful substances, so it can be confidently called an environmentally friendly material.

However, speaking about the merits, the disadvantages of this product must not be overlooked... First of all, these include the rather high cost of acrylic headsets. This is due to the fact that work on the production of the material is carried out using a unique technology and on special equipment. However, even under this condition, the long-term operation of the product makes it possible to recoup the initial costs.

The second point is related to the fact that furniture can quickly become dirty. Since the surface is glossy, fingerprints, streaks and splashes appear very well. To maintain the attractive appearance of the kitchen at a decent level, you will need to constantly take care of the headset and wipe it down. Therefore, it is recommended to select acrylic options for people who do not spend too much time cooking.

Finally, strong gloss can be not only a plus, but also a minus... Undoubtedly, the glow looks very beautiful, but over time it can become tiresome. Especially negatively mirror shine affects babies and people of age, whose psyche is not sufficiently resistant to such effects.

There are 3 types of cladding. These are postforming, edging and aluminum frame.

As for postforming, it can only be used when it comes to acrylic film. To begin with, the sash is rounded, after which the film is applied to the base, capturing 2 edges.You will also need a PVC film, with the help of which the edge is sealed both from the top and from the bottom. This will help to reduce the number of joints, which will result in the color of the material, both inside and outside, being the same.

Edge differs in that when processing the ends, both acrylic film and PVC are used. As for the coating, it can be on one side or on two sides.

Aluminum frame assumes that panels made of acrylic will fit into an aluminum frame. This is one of the most reliable options, since its shape is not lost, and its appearance is always at its best. The width of the frame can be any, it depends on the need to use thick or thin panels. Care in this case plays an important role, since you need to protect the material from the effects of aggressive cleaning compounds, otherwise it may darken over time.

Acrylic furniture looks very impressive outwardly, and its surface is somewhat similar to enamel. However, the question often arises: which material is better? Let's try to consider the features of plastic, acrylic and enamel facades in comparison.

In terms of cost, acrylic is in the mid-range. Plastic is cheaper, enamel, on the contrary, is much more expensive. In each case, the facade can be either glossy or matte. Acrylic kitchens are presented in a wide variety of colors, but it should be noted that enamel has even wider choice.

Plastic, as a cheaper material, is afraid of exposure to high temperatures. The enamel is susceptible to UV rays and will fade over time. Acrylic is the most stable for these indicators. It tolerates moisture well, is not afraid of any mechanical damage, and is environmentally friendly.

Acrylic kitchens allow the owner of the space to choose the design, using their imagination to the maximum. You can use white, black, bright or calmer colors, apply drawings and three-dimensional images to facades, experiment with form.

Such furniture will perfectly fit into the high-tech interior. It will make the room more stylish, if necessary - austere, give originality and gloss. The same can be said for minimalism. If the kitchen is small, gloss white can be used to give it a visual dimension. A connoisseur of a cozy atmosphere will love the Art Nouveau style.

Kitchen sets made in two colors look original. You can use bright inserts that will add brightness and originality to the atmosphere.

For all its visual appeal, acrylic kitchen sets require careful maintenance. This is due to the fact that the surface is glossy and bright, respectively, when in contact with something it quickly gets dirty. You will need to polish it almost every day.

If the hostess loves to spend time in the kitchen and invent all new complex dishes, she should consider other options for arranging this room. However, in the case where it is design and beauty that are important, and not functionality, acrylic furniture will be the ideal option.

To prevent the surface of the headset from dulling over time, it must not be treated with aggressive detergents.

Users recommend wiping down acrylic surfaces daily after food preparation is complete.If the kitchen is not used for cooking for a while, it will stay clean. The fact is that the coatings are very smooth, therefore, dust is not retained on them.

Every six months, it is required to process the headset with a special tool. It is designed to remove minor defects from the surface. In addition, it must be borne in mind that initially and during installation, the headset is covered with a protective film. As soon as the installation is completed, it is recommended to remove it. After that, it must be borne in mind that the surface will become susceptible to various factors, including high humidity, namely, it makes the facades harder. After removing the film, it is worth rubbing the headset with a damp and slightly soapy cloth.

For these purposes, you can also use special formulations sold in stores. Manufacturers claim that in addition to the fact that acrylic hardens under their influence, these products also have a protective function. For example, greasy stains will not appear so strongly on the surface, it will be less scratched.

You can see a modern acrylic kitchen in the following video.