Kitchen fronts made of glass are elegant and versatile, so they have not gone out of fashion for many years, taking on more and more advanced forms. They become the decoration of any interior and fit almost all styles, from classic to high-tech. Additional attractiveness is provided by the decoration and original fittings, which in a wide range of modern manufacturers. What are the features of a kitchen with glass facades, and what should you know about when choosing such furniture?
Advantages and disadvantages of glass facades
Glass fronts for the kitchen are primarily attractive for their design, making the room more elegant and stylish. In addition, transparent doors create a feeling of space, lightness, and airiness, which is especially lacking in small rooms.
Eco-friendly. This is a natural material, which is absolutely harmless to human health as it does not release toxic and harmful substances into the air.
It is easy to use. The glass facade is easy to wash with a dry clean rag and spray. The only important nuance is that no abrasive cleaners should be used, otherwise visible scratches will remain on the surface. Installation is easy: Just follow the instructions and the design can really be installed by yourself.
Ruggedness. Glass can withstand temperature fluctuations and high humidity. This is why a kitchen apron is often made of stalinite. It is easy to wipe off soot and grease, and no fungus is formed on it. It is also used in the manufacture of countertops and dining table surfaces.
Design. Manufacturers offer a wide range of models of kitchen glass facades, suitable for any style. Also, glass is perfectly combined with other materials: wood, plastic, MDF, etc.
Fragility. Some types of glass facades do not have a high strength, so they can easily break into small fragments when hit, injuring a person. At best, cracks may form which will significantly impair the overall appearance of the headset. Careful handling of furniture or purchasing hardened glass or triplex products can help solve this problem.
Price. A kitchen with glass inserts is more expensive than such analogs. The reason for this is quality and durable fittings, which firmly fixes it in the frame.
Care. Facades with glass require constant care, because dust settles quickly, and very visible greasy and dirty stains. The aluminum frame can also become darkened and tarnished over time if aggressive cleaning agents are used.4 main types of glass
Glass for kitchen facades can be very diverse both in terms of technical characteristics and appearance. Previously, silicate 5 mm thick window glass was inserted into the kitchen panel, but today most manufacturers have abandoned its use in favor of more practical and durable models.
Types of glass structures
The facade is a collection of elements that are located on the front side of the headset. Glass fixing is done by different methods, which changes the design of furniture. In addition, the doors can be of different configurations and different types of opening: horizontal, vertical, folding, etc. Let’s look at the main facades for the kitchen made of glass.
Framed. Traditionally, this design was made of glass, fixed in frames of wood. Panels were made with aperture of a certain size, and the glasses were fixed with glue. It was possible to make such a facade at home, but it was necessary to choose such fittings that would well fix the insert in the panel. Modern manufacturers have modernized this design and invented a frame made of aluminum. It holds the glass firmly enough and can be both narrow and almost invisible, and wide. In the latter case, the frame can be painted in the basic color of the headset, so that the door is in harmony with the overall design of the kitchen.
Frameless. Such kitchen is made of triplex or tempered glass, so the cost of design is much higher than the frame option. The glass itself is held exclusively on high-quality fittings. Particularly high demands are placed on hinges, handles, magnets and door closers, which must be equipped with special gaskets to minimize metal-to-glass contact. When opening, special care must be taken not to slam the doors. When opened, if draught is present, the door can be pulled off the hinges, so it requires careful handling.