Todd Sumamno
The times when the joint between the kitchen apron and worktop was covered with a plastic skirting board or aluminum molding are a thing of the past. What modern kitchen design offers instead of outdated solutions? We tell you.
Skirting Board From the Material of the Worktop
A narrow edge made of the same material as the worktop will not look foreign like a metal or plastic skirting board. Yes, plastic strips sometimes also try to camouflage under the texture of the worktop, but they do not succeed too well, they usually fail edging and corners. However, for the economy segment, this is a workable option. The skirting board made of the worktop material will become a visual continuation of the worktop.
Usually such skirting boards can be ordered together with worktops made of solid wood, natural or artificial stone. If the manufacturer does not offer such a set, you can try to pick up a skirting board in tone-on-tone, but it will not be so easy, given the variety of shades of wood and natural stone. A ready-made set will make the task much easier.
Skirting Board
A couple of years ago, the most relevant kitchen trend during condo renovation was considered to be the complete absence of an apron, at least in the traditional sense: in the form of a strip of ceramic tiles sandwiched between two rows of cabinets, or glass with photo printing, which was declared the main anti-trend. At the same time, high skirting boards, which are more like aprons, have become fashionable. The trend is still relevant.
The height of an apron skirting board is usually about 20 centimeters, which saves the most vulnerable part of the wall above the worktop from moisture and grease. The rest of the wall is coated with a single-colored water-repellent coating that is ready for sponges and detergents, usually water-repellent paint or plaster.
The high skirting board can be chosen to match the worktop, but ideally, as in the first case, it is worth trying to order it together with a worktop made of the same material.
First the Worktop, Then the Apron
Skirting boards are needed to close the installation gap between the two surfaces, which occurs if the apron appears first, and then the kitchen is installed. Often, the apron is laid out by the repair team, and then come the kitchen fitters, adjust the geometry of the future headset to the existing layout and choose a solution for the joint. That is, with such an installation, you make life easier for the renovators, but not for the furniture company that will install the kitchen.
- You can go the other way and do the opposite: first, the kitchen is installed with the worktop, then the apron is placed on it.
This is the most actual way of joining, which allows to achieve a seamless aesthetic connection between the apron and the worktop. The solution is suitable for all types of materials, and trendy relief tiles can only be installed as an apron in this way.
- Ceramic tiles, skin tiles, stone—no matter what the apron is made of, this installation method leaves no gap between it and the wall and therefore no skirting board is required.
- If the apron and worktop are made of different materials, the joints are carefully smeared with transparent sealant or epoxy grout, which unlike cement grout is not afraid of moisture. The joints are virtually invisible.
- Another option: install the tabletop on the layout corner made of metal. It is used when the apron is laid out of tiles, the first row of which is placed on a metal profile. To keep the visible part of the corner from blurring out of the overall picture, the metal is chosen to match the tone of the handles, railings, sink and/or mixer tap.
Joining two different surfaces is often the most difficult and controversial stage of renovation. It’s worth thinking about it in advance so that you don’t have to make an uncomfortable decision at the last minute.
Conclusion
Concluding, the choice of how to connect the apron and worktop in modern kitchens is crucial for achieving both a seamless aesthetic appeal and practical functionality. As we’ve explored, the era of relying on plastic or metal skirting boards is giving way to more integrated and visually appealing solutions. The use of skirting boards fashioned from the same material as the worktop provides a coherent and uninterrupted transition between these two surfaces. This approach, especially when pre-ordered as a set, simplifies the matching process and ensures a perfect blend, particularly for materials like solid wood or stone.
Moreover, the trend towards high apron skirting boards, standing around 20 centimeters tall, offers a dual benefit of protecting the wall and adding a stylish element that complements the worktop material. This approach is a nod to contemporary design preferences for minimalism and functionality, eliminating the need for traditional aprons while safeguarding against moisture and grease.
The installation sequence—opting to place the worktop before the apron—has emerged as the most effective strategy to eliminate gaps and ensure a snug fit between these elements. This method is versatile, accommodating various materials from ceramic tiles to stone, and allows for a cleaner, gap-free junction. When different materials are used for the apron and worktop, the application of transparent sealant or epoxy grout ensures that the joint remains inconspicuous and moisture-resistant.
Lastly, for those employing tiles for the apron, using a metal layout corner can offer a refined edge that aligns with the kitchen’s overall design, especially when the metal is matched with other fixtures in the space.
Each of these strategies emphasizes the importance of planning and precision in kitchen design. By considering these modern approaches to connecting the apron and worktop, homeowners can achieve a kitchen that is not only visually appealing but also functionally robust, ensuring that this crucial junction enhances the kitchen’s overall design rather than detracting from it.
Brittany
