Modern manufacturers offer kitchen sets made from various materials. You can easily choose a model that fully fits your individual ideas of beauty, matches the style chosen for kitchen decoration, and suits the price. The most popular modern design solutions include high-quality furniture made from film-coated MDF.
Unlike quickly deteriorating, loose chipboard, this material pleases with its durability and excellent performance properties. A wide color palette and perfect imitation of the textures of natural materials (for example, expensive wood, marble, granite, quartz) make such furniture truly universal. With such a kitchen set, the interior looks dignified and expensive. Moreover, the cost of furniture made from MDF is an order of magnitude lower than products made from natural wood.
In the minds of many of our compatriots, there is a stereotype that products made from wood-fiber materials are not distinguished by their quality and long service life. And when it comes to protective PVC coating, buyers naively believe that the base is simply covered with ordinary roll film, which is sold in hardware stores. However, all this has nothing to do with the actual production process of modern high-quality furniture. MDF with a protective polyvinyl chloride coating has a number of unique properties, leaving traditional solid wood products far behind in many respects.
Today we will talk about the production technology of film MDF panels. Let's reveal the secrets of the durability of kitchen sets made from this material, and outline their advantages and disadvantages. And we will help you choose the best kitchen set for your specific conditions.
Disadvantages of film MDF
The disadvantages of the material include a relatively small selection of designs. We offer customers about 50 different shades and textures. Among them there are solid colors, wood imitation and facades with a metallic effect.
Another disadvantage is the low heat resistance and water resistance of the products. For example, you cannot place hot dishes on them. You can wipe the facades with a damp cloth, but prolonged exposure to moisture is undesirable, so it is recommended to immediately wipe the surface dry. However, other popular materials for kitchens, including chipboard and solid wood, have approximately the same characteristics.
Want to know more about film MDF? Come to Master Furniture showrooms and look at these kitchens in person. We have ready-made demo kits and samples of various colors.
Samples of kitchens made from film MDF, as well as countertop materials, can be found in all Master Furniture kitchen showrooms. Designers will help you choose a kitchen, as well as built-in appliances.
Addresses of salons in Minsk
What are MDF film kitchen facades?
Film facades dominate the furniture market. The popularity of this type of product is due to its low cost. At the same time, they look aesthetically pleasing. And with a variety of designs and color solutions, no other kitchen furniture can compare with them. The photo below shows samples of MDF kitchen film facades.
MDF boards are used in production. Blanks of the required sizes are cut from the sheet. Then they are sent for milling. After processing the ends and applying the design, the part is covered with PVC film. This is done on a membrane-vacuum press using water-based glue.
MDF boards take any shape well, which allows you to obtain bent shapes as in the photo.
Advantages
A colossal palette of kitchen cabinet doors with PVC film attracts buyers. They are inexpensive, quick to make, and can imitate any decorative surface. But these are not all the benefits of laminated kitchen cabinets.
PVC has good characteristics:
- moisture resistance;
- heat resistance;
- resistance to mechanical damage;
- environmental Safety.
Such furniture is easy to care for: just wash it with gentle detergents. If you decide to change the look of your kitchen with your own hands, then PVC films are the most affordable way to do this. The technology is easy to master using video instructions.
This way you can design your kitchen cabinets, tables and other pieces of furniture in a cohesive manner.
Disadvantages of film facades
The main advantage of this type of furniture - low price - has turned into its disadvantage. Since there were quite a lot of people willing to buy an eye-catching furniture set inexpensively, the offers also grew.
Unscrupulous manufacturers have begun to skimp on glue (it can be easily diluted with plain water) and PVC film (a film that is too thin may not withstand temperature changes and high humidity). If the production technology is followed, the film does not peel off or bubble. An exception is kitchen facades located in close proximity to the fire source.
The disadvantages of film finishing include:
- damage to the film upon contact with chemicals;
- possibility of mechanical damage;
- high probability of film peeling due to contact with high
- temperatures;
- difficulties with restoration of defects.
But if problems appear only on individual facades, they can be easily replaced: their price allows this to be done painlessly.
Types of film
The style of the kitchen set largely depends on PVC. Most films imitate natural materials. As soon as a particular material comes into fashion, manufacturers produce a film that replicates its color and structure. However, it should be understood that they will not be identical: PVC film is an economical option for finishing furniture.
Films made in Germany and Italy are considered the best. They are durable and easy to wash. Cheap Chinese materials do not always meet the stated criteria.
For facades, PVC with a thickness of 0.5 to 0.3 mm is used. But there is a tendency to reduce film thickness, which negatively affects quality. Samples 0.09 mm thick have already appeared.
As for the palette and texture of films, they can be:
- matte;
- glossy;
- mirrored;
- plain;
- with an image.
For a design in a classic style, milled doors with a matte or glossy surface are suitable. Modern style furniture will benefit from futuristic curved glossy surfaces. Examples of the use of film facades in a modern kitchen are in the next photo.
The color palette is very large.
MDF enamel coating
Coating MDF facades with enamel is in deserved demand. After all, such a coating offers a wide range of colors not only in monochromatic glossy shades, but also in pearlescent colors, with a chameleon effect or the now popular “ombre”. For this coating, the MDF board is coated with several layers of enamel, then sanded and varnished. This surface does not fade in the sun and is not afraid of high temperatures, water or water. However, it should be borne in mind that this MDF coating has special care requirements - the enamel cannot be cleaned with abrasive agents.
Methods of application
Polymer materials are a very popular finishing option; they provide neat facade decor and protection from many external factors. According to the method of application, PVC coatings are divided into the following types:
- Membrane-vacuum. The equipment used is a vacuum press, most often used for countertops, doors between rooms, cabinets, chests of drawers, bookshelves. Thickness - from a quarter to half a millimeter.
- Laminating. The process of gluing or pressing together two surfaces is called laminating. It is carried out using special equipment. It is used for various surfaces made of fiberboard and MDF, including window sills. The thickness of the cladding usually does not exceed three tenths of a millimeter.
- For lamination. Cladding is done on a machine because work is usually carried out on fairly long elements made of metal, plastic or wood in order to protect them from water and give them strength. Two-layer PVC film provides more complete protection from influences, including sun rays.
- Transparent. This type of material is very thin, almost like food grade, it does not perform its functions for too long, but it stretches well, and it is convenient to completely cover the product. Usually it is chosen for transporting something, securing it to the surface of the cargo with glue that does not leave any traces behind.
- For chipboard and MDF. Intended for individual parts, for example, ends. A special machine is used to stretch it, so it is difficult for a beginner to achieve good quality at home, although some craftsmen try to do this, using, for example, a hair dryer.
Purpose, features of basic types of furniture hinges, installation nuances
Film can be applied to surfaces in different ways:
- Laminating. This process has several subspecies, differing in temperature. Smooth elements are processed using the cold method, glue is applied to them, and then the coating is rolled under pressure. During warm processing, the glue is preheated to melt off excess water. The hot type of finishing is carried out at a temperature of 120-160 degrees, using heated rolling rollers.
- Lamination. In this case, no glue is used; the fastening effect is exerted by heat and pressure, which make the substance plastic. The result is a solid, non-delaminating fabric. Waste material is subject to recycling and reuse.
- Post-formation. The most effective option. The layered coating is applied to a base coated with glue on a positioning machine. The press used has a relief that gives the finished product an interesting texture.
Glossy PVC film is usually applied using a vacuum method.
Every technology has its limitations. For example, when laminating, it is imperative that the object be smooth, without protruding fragments or nicks. During post-formation, it must withstand the load that the equipment will place on it.
Assortment of furniture lamps, examples of design and placement
In general, polyvinyl chloride film for furniture facades is easy to use and has many advantages. It not only gives the furniture a glossy and presentable appearance, but also saves it from accidental damage and premature aging, chemical, thermal and other influences.
For chipboard and MDF
Membrane-vacuum
Transparent
