Kitchen panels for wall mounting

What is a skinali?

This unusual term refers to wall panels made of glass or polymers that perform both protective and decorative functions. The panels can be monolithic or prefabricated, and they are mounted in such a way that the joints remain virtually invisible and do not collect dirt.

Photo of a loft-style kitchen with an original glass apron containing funny culinary instructions in Russian

A skinali is a powerful design tool that allows you to emphasize the overall concept of style, set a bright accent, add the finishing touch and transform the kitchen. A wide range of textures, colors and prints will help you find the perfect solution for your interior. A wide range of prices is also beneficial to the customer – you can choose a model according to your budget.

The performance qualities of the skinali are no less impressive: tempered glass panels serve for many years, do not break, do not scratch, are easy to clean, and are not afraid of fire or moisture. Polymer analogues are less durable and long-lasting, but fully justify their low cost.

The typical parameters of a skinali are as follows:

• the dimensions of a solid sheet are 1.5 x 3 m, but a panel of the required size will be cut out of it for you;
• the maximum recommended length of one segment is 2.5 m, otherwise the skinali will be difficult to transport and install;
• glass thickness is 4-8 mm, and if the sheet is longer than 1.5 meters, its thickness should be from 6 mm.

The final cost of the skinali depends on the selected material, complexity of the design, type of painting and presence of lighting. Read more about all these nuances below.

Photo of a small corner kitchen in black and white tones with bright yellow furniture facades and the same accents on the skinali print

Pros and cons

Skinali for the kitchen appeared in the arsenal of domestic designers relatively recently, and ordinary people often have not even heard of this method of decorating the work area. But you can put your caution to rest, because the advantages of this technology more than compensate for the disadvantages.

What is it made of?

Ordinary glass, used in the production of interior doors and windows, is the least successful option. The heat from the stove can cause cracking, so simple glass splashbacks can be installed no closer than 30 cm from the hob.

Photo of a high-tech kitchen with snow-white and bright red glossy furniture, black countertops and a glass apron, on which the cherry repeats the shade of the cabinets

Tempered glass or stalinite is the most popular material for making kitchen splashbacks. It is heated to 650 degrees Celsius and then immediately cooled, due to which it acquires phenomenal strength and fire resistance.

There are three types of stalinite:

• satinate ― has a noble matte surface, but it is more difficult to care for than a glossy one, and stains and streaks are more clearly visible;
• stemalite ― is hardened after painting, the pigment is baked into the structure of the glass, and the pattern becomes literally eternal;
• optiwhite ― is bleached to neutralize the characteristic bottle-green undertone, therefore ideal for transparent skinali.

Triplex is the most expensive, but also the most durable type of tempered glass for kitchen backsplashes. The panel consists of two sheets with a film sealed between them. Windshields are made using the same technology. That is, even if someone manages to crack the triplex skinali, they will simply go “cobwebby” and not shatter into pieces.

Photo of a kitchen with laconic white furniture, wooden countertops and a decorative soft blue wall panel made of the same glass as the skinali

The film inside such an apron can be any – even a single color, even a mirror, even with an ornament or a photo. This gives free rein to the imagination and guarantees durability, because the design enclosed inside the glass “pie” cannot be spoiled.

Triplex has solid advantages, there are only two disadvantages: high cost and impressive weight (the thickness of the sheet is 8 mm), hence the difficulties with installation. It is better to call in professionals for help.

Plexiglass is a budget replacement for stalinite and can withstand heating only up to 80 degrees, so it is not mounted above a gas stove. But it is very easy to refresh and decorate the kitchen wall above the production line with it, you won’t even need to carefully align it, because plexiglass bends. Making a hole for an additional socket is no problem.

However, there are also many disadvantages: it fades, turns yellow, gets scratched and becomes cloudy from aggressive household chemicals.

Polycarbonate looks similar to plexiglass, but it is much better suited for the kitchen. Skinali made of it are durable and heat-resistant, and also light and flexible, so any owner can handle their installation. But the disadvantages inherent in polymers have not gone away – the apron quickly loses its gloss under the influence of sunlight and becomes covered with scratches.

Types of image application

The secret of the growing popularity of skinali is diversity, and it is provided by different painting methods.

Photo of a kitchen in a futuristic style, where the color of the starry sky, chosen for the cabinets, is successfully played out in a panoramic view of the night city on a glass apron

A stencil is used in serial production of skinali, the ornament is printed on a conveyor.

Lacobel is when Bright varnish paints are sprayed onto the back side of the glass. The finished product can be either plain or with a gradient or abstract print.

Lakomat implies a matte varnish that slightly blurs the contours of the pattern and removes shine, due to which dirt is less noticeable on the glass.

Photo printing allows you to make a skinali with any subject, from juicy fruits and cute animals to family portraits and breathtaking landscapes with a 3D effect.

Film is the most budget option, it is glued to the back of the glass, can have any image or decorative effect (under leather, fabric, brickwork), but fades over time.

Silk-screen printing is the application of an ornament using ink baked into glass, which guarantees saturation and durability.

Sandblasting is the removal of a very thin layer of glass with the help of an abrasive, which results in a durable three-dimensional image.

Laser engraving allows microscopic glass particles to evaporate from the inner surface of the skinali, thereby creating complex, detailed patterns.

Hand-painted art is an exclusive technique, therefore it is the most expensive and not appropriate for every kitchen.

Design ideas

The variety of options always hides a catch: it is difficult to make a choice, especially when looking at interesting kitchen splashbacks in photos in interiors designed by professionals. However, it is not necessary to have a design diploma to choose a stylish glass apron.

There are several general rules:

• in minimalist monochrome interiors, a skinali can become the main color accent, so it is better to give preference to a juicy photo or colorful ornament;
• the design of the kitchen apron should correspond to the general concept, that is, a photo of space is unlikely to be appropriate among rattan and mats, and a bamboo forest will not take root in the concrete jungle of high-tech;
• a delicately and pastorally decorated kitchen implies the installation of light, monochromatic skinali or those with an inconspicuous pattern, and dynamic and contrasting plots are relevant for modern interiors in dark and bright colors;
• it is better to use no more than three primary colors to avoid bad taste, variegation and the effect of clutter;
• do not miss the opportunity to make visual adjustments to the geometry of the space – a small kitchen can be saved by mirrors or forest alleys stretching into the distance, and a narrow one – by an expressive horizontal ornament.

Transparent kitchen splashbacks are a good solution for those who have put a lot of effort into the artistic design of the walls and do not want to hide this beauty. This option is also suitable for a loft-style kitchen, if you want to leave the rough brick in the work area visible.

Monochrome skinali are universal – they will find a place in any kitchen. Tempered glass can be painted in different ways, made glossy or matte, and the color palette is limitless. The apron can exactly repeat the shade of the walls or furniture, be a little lighter or darker, harmoniously match or boldly contrast. For example, sand-colored skinali will be relevant in a brown or pale blue kitchen, pearl gray – in lilac or pink, and a glossy bright blue furniture set will reveal its full potential in tandem with a yellow or orange apron.

Mirror skinali in the kitchen interior is a controversial choice. They visually expand the room, but along with the spaciousness they bring chaos. Reflected objects, if there are many of them, create the effect of clutter, so a mirror-shaped apron is only suitable for a kitchen in a minimalist design, where all the utensils are put away in cabinets and cupboards, and not placed on countertops and hung on the walls. By the way, caring for a mirror surface is a pleasure, any stains, splashes and streaks are immediately visible on it.

Skinali with images are the choice of most customers, because it is an inexhaustible source of inspiration. If you are choosing a kitchen splashback, rely on real photos of kitchens; you won’t be able to evaluate the result objectively using catalogs.

Any themes can be applied to the glass panel:

• ripe fruits, berries, and vegetables;
• tempting dishes and drinks;
• ethnic motifs and plant ornaments;
• natural landscapes and urban views;
• abstract prints and intricate patterns;
• imitations of any textures, from stone to textiles;
• independently invented motifs and personal photos.

Lighting is the final touch that reveals all the beauty of the skinali and draws attention to them. In addition, additional lighting is never superfluous in the working area of the kitchen. To create it, an LED strip is used.

The effect obtained depends on the method of its placement:

• rear installation involves attaching the LED strip to the back of the glass apron, provides soft light diffusion, but at the same time moves the skinali away from the wall and creates unwanted gaps;
• end installation at the top and bottom eliminates this problem, allows for more uniform and bright illumination of the kitchen apron itself and the entire work area, but highlights the boundaries of the skinali, which is not always appropriate.

If you are in the process of a major renovation or just want to liven up your kitchen, while making it more comfortable, skinali are a great solution. The costs of this interior element, even significant ones, will pay off with the pleasure of contemplation and convenience during operation. We spend a lot of time in the kitchen, so let these minutes become more enjoyable.