Kitchen with glass fronts in the interior

Kitchen

Since ancient times there have been cupboards with glass doors in the kitchen. Now the bulky cupboards have been replaced by more elegant cabinets, but the glass doors have taken over from their predecessors.  Kitchen sets with glass doors have many fans. This article we dedicate to glass kitchens.

Glass kitchens: pros and cons

Why are glass kitchen fronts attractive?

  • They are not afraid of humidity or temperature fluctuations – a phenomenon often found in the kitchen.
  • They are hygienic – no bacteria, fungi are not afraid of glass – another plus in favor of the kitchen.
  • They combine perfectly with any other finishing materials.
  • They are easy to care for (smooth surface).
  • They are beautiful and elegant, self-sufficient in terms of decor.
  • They make it possible to display beautiful tableware.
  • Makes an interior look light and luxurious.

Add to this the fact that modern technology allows the manufacture of glass that is resistant to mechanical damage.

Ah, if everything were so great, but – alas! The disadvantages of glass facades:

  • Quickly get dirty from the touch of your hands.
  • Produce a characteristic noise when in contact with various utensils.
  • Costly.
  • Makes a mess on your shelves – nothing can be hidden.

Even the most tempered glass is more fragile than conventional doors. Such fronts require careful handling. You should not slam the doors too hard.

Glass kitchens, of course, are more airy and light. And its durability depends on what kind of glass was used in the making.

Kitchen

Glass in glass fronts

The first variety is glass, which is used in facades quite rarely and then only in the upper tiers of kitchens. This is acrylic glass. It is a product based on acrylic resins, its better known name is plexiglass. In fact, it is a transparent plastic.  Its advantage is that it is easy to process. It is easy enough to cut and apply all kinds of patterns on it. But it has a low thermal stability, and can be deformed under the influence of high temperatures.

Therefore, to increase its strength, a protective film is applied to the glass. It increases the reliability and durability of glass inserts, and gives the glass a pleasant matte shade. Only blurry silhouettes are visible through such glass – a good option if you don’t want to flaunt your crockery and utensils. You can also draw any patterns on the surface of such glass.

Not only steel is tempered, but also glass to increase its strength. A sheet of glass is heated and then cooled. As a result of this procedure, the outer layer shrinks and the inner layer expands. This produces glass that is very strong and resistant to impact. It is not afraid of high temperatures, so they decorate the surfaces of ovens. Even if such glass breaks (and this requires quite a lot of effort), it breaks into shards with rounded edges that are impossible to cut. However, after heat treatment, it is no longer possible to drill such glass. If holes are needed in it, they should be made before firing. Glass has a considerable mass. Therefore, both the headset and appliances with such glass become heavier.

Finally, the strongest glass consists of several plates bonded with a polemic compound. Such a sandwich is impossible to break even if you want to. With a very strong impact, it just cracks and does not fly apart. This glass is called triplex. It is installed as a windshield on cars. For kitchen fronts, it is also sometimes used, it is especially relevant where there are young children.

What else should be noted? Facades can be framed – it is a combination of wood with glass, cabinet doors look like windows and frameless, that is, without framing. The door is glass, planted on hinges and equipped with a handle. Used for this purpose is either tempered glass or triplex.

Modern technology has made the glass kitchen sufficiently durable. Decor techniques will make it beautiful. Let’s talk a little more about this. Of course, glass cabinet doors are good on their own, but different methods are used to give additional decorativeness. The simplest include frosted glass surfaces, as well as the use of colored glass. More complex decorating techniques include:

  • Sand-blasting: particles of sand or any other abrasive are applied to the glass under great pressure. They damage the upper layer and the material becomes matt. This way you can apply any pattern and give the glass a rough or silky-matte surface.
  • Glass engraving is the process of applying patterns to the surface of the glass. This process is the more difficult, the thicker and more reliable the glass is, so the thinner and more fragile glass surfaces are engraved.
  • Tinting glass – applying special filters on it, changing its color and transparency. Often found in cars, in kitchen fronts – not so much.
  • Painting on glass is another popular type of decor. There are two types of techniques of this decor: contour and noncontour painting. Acrylic and stained-glass paints are used for this purpose.
  • Photoprinting: a ready-made image is applied to the glass.
  • Decor can transform your glass kitchen, and which of them will be most appropriate, depends on the style of the room.

A little bit about the interior styles of glass kitchens

Glass kitchens are good for their versatility, that is, they will fit into absolutely any style. And let’s start with the ever-new unfading classics. Classic kitchen – the beauty and sophistication. Glass fronts can be glossy and matte. In the first case – for more refined, in the second – for more restrained interiors. Only framed fronts are suitable for the classic style. Aristocratism does not require additional decor on the panes of glass, but shaped frames are quite acceptable. Classic allows only good-quality natural materials. Therefore, even for the upper cabinets plexiglass is not desirable.

Classics loves space and light – glass fronts do an excellent job. They make it possible to showcase beautiful porcelain dishes. In addition to this, you can make a glass apron, the rest of the kitchen space to sustain in neutral tones. The walls can be painted with paint – a popular solution for the kitchen, as in this case they are easy to clean. You can use wood paneling or washable wallpaper. Classic does not like mottled colors, so the best look will be monochrome wallpaper.

Flooring is traditional, it is either parquet or laminate. Tiles are also possible. This is a very practical option, just choose not bright and not slippery. The ceiling in classic interiors is always light.

Airiness, transparency, abundance of light – all this is so appealing to the Scandinavian style. A lot of glass is just about this. This style is steadily popular because of its unpretentiousness and simplicity of execution. Here are the main signs of the Scandinavian style:

  • The predominance of light colors in the design.
  • Love for natural materials.
  • Simplicity and functionality of furniture.
  • There is no lavish decor here, and the glass fronts are also devoid of it. The main thing here is openness and lightness.

Other finishing materials support this concept. The favorite color of the style is white. If the room does not have enough natural light, use warm shades of white – ivory, melted milk. Here again, the best solution is a simple painting, but you can also use wooden panels. In the working area will be appropriate imitation of brick or stone masonry.

The best choice for the floor of the kitchen in the Scandinavian style is parquet or laminate, imitating it. The floor should be warm shades, it will inform the room additional comfort.

In a loft setting, not everyone will feel cozy among the rough walls and protruding pipes. But fans of this style love it for its spaciousness, convenience and vintage. That is, again, glass fronts work to form a free space. Open shelves and glass fronts coexist with rough plaster and worn flooring. The vintage sideboard with glass doors also fits organically into the loft style. If the space allows, of course.

Glass fronts of cabinets and shelves can be complemented by other glass accessories – shelves, lamps, glass table top will also look very harmonious in this industrial style. This style does not require a special decor, but with all kinds of original items, possibly purchased at a flea market, you can add exclusivity to the interior and liven it up.

People who are energetic and value time above all else, like the high-tech style. First of all it is spacious and multifunctional. The ergonomic organization of space – everything by science, every detail of the interior is thought out. Clear edges, bright contrasts, no natural materials – the style demonstrates the superiority of the human mind. Artificial materials of the latest generation are heat-resistant, moisture-resistant and durable. They are easy to care for.

Only frameless glass kitchen fronts will do here. They will make the set almost weightless. There can be a lot of glass in such a kitchen. In addition to the facades, it could be a glass countertop, an apron. The dining area may also consist of glass or transparent plastic.

Glass in the interior always communicates luxury, and this so suits the art deco style. And here you need not just glass fronts, but with painting, with decorative treatment. Art deco likes glitter and great space, so glass facades are appropriate to alternate with mirror facades, which give the volume.

The walls in the Art Deco style are only the background, they generally should not attract attention, the main role is played by the furniture. The kitchen set must be expensive, so it has a lot of glass and shine and luxurious fittings. Art Deco likes stained glass and glass, and mirrors with faceted edges. And more crystal!  It is luxury for show; it does not recognize any minimalism. Therefore expensive antique items are welcome. But here it is important to stay on the edge and not to turn the kitchen into a cluttered antique shop.

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