Kitchen facade in PVC film: features, advantages and disadvantages of coating

Film MDF

- a popular material that is often used to make furniture. What are such facades and is it worth choosing them for the kitchen? Let's try to figure it out.

The material is based on a board made of pressed wood raw materials and a binder. MDF is highly durable - in this indicator it is superior to solid wood. Therefore, such slabs can be milled and various decorative elements can be obtained (for example, paneled facades can be made).

To obtain the finished product, MDF is painted or covered with film. The second option is simpler: the base is wrapped in a layer of PVC under vacuum, using thermal vacuum pressing technology. Painted MDF facades are more difficult to produce: after applying the film, they need to be additionally primed, painted and varnished.

Thanks to simple manufacturing technology, film products are cheaper. They are often used in budget kitchens, such as IKEA products and ready-made modular furniture. Master Furniture also offers solutions with film MDF, however, the choice of cabinet sizes in our kitchens is much wider

Kitchen PVC facades - advantages and disadvantages

The kitchen facade in PVC film is a plate covered with a thin layer of polyvinyl chloride.

The advantages of film facades include:

• resistance to deformation and wear resistance;
• PVC is not afraid of moisture and moderate temperature influences;
• a wide selection of shades, coating textures and the ability to purchase a façade of any shape (curved, figured);
• lack of sensitivity to UV rays, due to which the panels do not fade or lose color;
• affordable price compared to veneered, wooden and plastic products.

Film kitchen facades also have disadvantages that you need to know about before purchasing. The first, and most unpleasant one, is that the PVC coating may peel off, especially if the cabinet is located above the hob. In addition, the film is susceptible to mechanical damage and can deteriorate when using cleaning agents with abrasive particles, and is also not subject to restoration (except for cases where it comes off).

Sticking

If the surface of the facade is flat, i.e. does not have milling, an excellent solution would be to cover it with self-adhesive film. Pasting is much easier and faster than painting. The step-by-step instructions look like this:

That's all the method for restoring film facades.

Base for PVC film coating - materials and requirements

The PVC-coated panel consists of three parts:

• basics;
• films;
• edge finishing (sides).

Not every base is suitable for covering with film. Manufacturers use two options - chipboard and MDF.

Chipboard facades will be cheaper, but their durability is a very controversial issue. This material absorbs moisture well and swells, causing the film to begin to peel off. In addition, the toxic resins that make up chipboard can evaporate into the air when the integrity of the coating is damaged and have a toxic effect on the human body and domestic animals.

It is thanks to cheap chipboard structures that film coating has an undeserved reputation as a low-quality and unreliable material.

Theoretically, PVC can also be coated on panels made of well-sanded natural wood. But, as a rule, the manufacturer does not strive to hide, but rather to emphasize the appearance and natural pattern, so wood is also not suitable for applying film.

PVC coating is best used for facades made of MDF - an environmentally friendly and safe material with high performance characteristics. It does not deform, is resistant to moisture and high temperatures, and its smooth, jagged surface reduces the risk of film peeling.

Materials from which the kitchen is made

Sets made of MDF coated with PVC film are especially popular among buyers due to their low cost. The base material can be easily processed in the form of milling, so you can use it to create a kitchen of any style and complexity of design. MDF itself is not beautiful, so it is painted or covered with films that have a decorative and protective function.

Types of PVC films for kitchen facades

To cover the facades, PVC film with a thickness of 0.05 to 0.8 mm is used. Depending on the application method and performance properties, the following types of material are distinguished:

• membrane-vacuum film (0.25-0.5 mm) - intended for vacuum pressing of bent facades;
• PVC for laminating (up to 0.3 mm) - used for laminating smooth panels;
• PVC for lamination (0.3-0.5 mm) - allows you to laminate surfaces not only in one, but also in several layers.

For home use, self-adhesive film in rolls (0.3-0.5 mm) is used.

PVC coating is applied in one of three ways:

• laminating;
• lamination;
• post-formation.

Laminating is based on preliminary application of glue to the base and pressing the film against it under conditions of high pressure and temperature. The cost of lamination for the manufacturer is much more economical, but the quality of gluing leaves much to be desired - PVC can quickly peel off.

Lamination is the cladding of a façade at critical temperatures. After applying the film, the facade is additionally covered with a protective layer. This method is much more reliable than laminating.

Postforming is the most advanced technology for applying PVC. The film is applied to the surface in an even layer and then placed under a special press. If it is necessary to give the cladding a certain pattern or shape, then it is also adjusted under the press.

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Self-adhesive film can be used to cover furniture at home. First, you need to thoroughly clean the surface of the facade from dust and wipe it with a degreaser (for example, white spirit), and then carefully apply the PVC coating. To get rid of bubbles, the coating can be smoothed with a spatula wrapped in cloth. Unfortunately, such film will not last long.

When choosing a film, pay attention to the country of origin. It is believed that products from European manufacturers are more reliable, PVC from Italy is especially valued. However, factory-made Chinese and Korean film is no worse, but costs less.

Real reviews about MDF and plastic

To choose a suitable façade option, you need to consult with a professional, or better yet, study reviews of materials and messages on construction forums.

Option 1. PVC film + MDF

1) I think PVC is the best option. It costs much less than other materials, but still looks beautiful. Of course, I'm talking about quality, and not bought on the market. Such a kitchen will last a long time (I have had the film for more than two years and it’s still like new). It is clear that over time it will have to be replaced, but not a single material, even the most expensive, can last us a lifetime. Elena from Omsk

2) At one time we were choosing between film and plastic: they were almost identical in appearance, so we couldn’t decide. The consultant recommended the first option. We have been using this kitchen for 3.5 years now. No damage appeared during this time. The main thing is not to clean with powders or prickly brushes to avoid scratching. But plastic has the same problem. Galina from Krasnoyarsk

3) Our kitchen is combined - MDF film and enamel. In such furniture sets the differences are best visible.

The enamel is smoother and its color is richer. This is even noticeable in the photo. But the film is not so fastidious to care for. Regarding durability, there are no complaints about any of the coatings: no damage has appeared in three years. Marina from Minsk

4) The only advantage of the film is that it is inexpensive. That's all. If your plans do not include changing the kitchen in a few years, it is better to choose plastic. You can also combine two coatings: cover the main area with film, and paint the areas that are most often exposed. But we must remember that painted surfaces should be protected from impacts. And it’s best to choose an array - it’s aesthetically pleasing and durable. Milana from Saratov

Option 2. Painted MDF and enamel

1) It seems to me that it is better to choose painted MDF. It is a little more expensive than film, but also quite budget-friendly. At the same time, it lasts a long time and looks good. I would advise lovers of combined coatings to turn their attention to frame MDF. Ivan

2) We have enamel and plexiglass. For 4 years, not a single chip occurred. Enamel is easier to care for: it hardly gets dirty and is easy to wipe clean. Plexiglas, on the contrary, absorbs dirt very strongly and is not easy to clean. Now I regret that I once listened to the designer’s advice and chose such a coating. Irina

3) I believe that enamel has one significant advantage that outweighs all the disadvantages: neat corners without an edge. It doesn't smudge, it's easy to clean and looks great. Catherine

Option 3. Plastic

1) We have plastic. Looks beautiful, easy to care for. My parents have acrylic - over time, chips have appeared, and plaque appears on the upper cabinets, despite conscientious regular cleaning. Although, when purchasing, dad was assured that acrylic kitchens are the most practical. Anastasia

2) We have glossy plastic facades. The terribly inconvenient thing is that all the scratches, even the smallest ones, are visible. And relatives have enamel. There is another problem - chips. So there are shortcomings everywhere. Anton

Decorative qualities of PVC film facades for kitchen units

Kitchen PVC facades can have a variety of colors and textures. Film manufacturers take into account fashion trends: as soon as a certain material becomes popular, they produce a PVC coating that imitates its shade and texture. Thanks to this technique, you can purchase facades “metal-like,” “wood-like,” or “glass-like.”

The film can be:

• glossy;
• matte;
• mirror

Thanks to modern technologies, various images and patterns can be applied to PVC coatings. 3D drawings that imitate three-dimensional details - stucco molding, milling or decorative carvings - have become widely popular.

Popular cladding techniques

Varieties of application techniques

The division of polymer into types is due to the presence of various techniques for working with it:

Variety of textures and colors

The popularity of the material is due to its versatility and affordable price. The polymer is produced with various surfaces: smooth, matte, embossed, covered with ornaments or imitating leather, stone, marble, wood.

The color palette includes all shades. You can choose from a monochrome film or a film combining several colors and textures.

Which brands produce the best PVC film for furniture facades?

Many manufacturers focus on PVC film. The demand for it continues to grow, you just need to stand out from your competitors. Some companies do this due to low prices, but at the expense of quality, or they successfully promote the product due to the popularity of the brand.

There are also many Spanish, Russian, and Israeli brands on the market. The cost and quality of products differ from each other - when choosing, you need to focus on financial capabilities, personal preferences and reviews of other consumers. The cost is in the range of 70-400 rubles/sq.m. You can order repairs and restoration of kitchen facades from our company.

The characteristics of vinyl coating make it possible to create spectacular furniture sets and transform the interior through the use of a variety of colors, patterns and textures.

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Rules for care and operation - how to extend the service life of a kitchen facade with PVC film coating

The quality of care for PVC facades has a serious impact on their durability and appearance.

To make your furniture pleasing to the eye longer, follow these recommendations:

• do not use abrasive and chemically aggressive chlorine-based detergents to clean the panels;
• protect facades from mechanical damage - scratches and impacts;
• do not expose surfaces to temperatures above 70. If a cabinet with a PVC facade is located above the hob, it is advisable to use a powerful hood;
• Film overcooling is not allowed - up to - 15.

But what to do if the PVC film peels off? In this case, you must first check whether the warranty period for the furniture has expired. If not, the manufacturer will restore the furniture himself, but only if you followed the recommendations for caring for the furniture.

If the warranty period has expired or the coating has peeled off due to careless handling of the facades, you can restore the film yourself.

To do this you will need glue or liquid nails. You can also use PVA; PVA Moment Joiner is especially suitable. It needs to be drawn into a medical syringe (you can use a special glue gun) and carefully inserted under the peeled off section of the film. Then press firmly and remove the remaining substance with a cloth.

Photos of kitchens with PVC film facades

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Thus, PVC-coated facades are an inexpensive, stylish and practical option for decorating kitchen furniture. A wide selection of shades and textures will help you decorate your kitchen in any style. And if the operating rules are followed, panels covered with film will last a very long time.