I receive this request almost every day, for cladding the wall behind the kitchen furniture’s work front with glass panels. I understand that a local trend has developed and it has become a general “must” for these glass claddings: glossy or matte, decorated – with various printed patterns, illuminated or backlit, engraved, layered, or all combined together… And you find without even trying X companies online that supposedly deal with such things…
Well, I have to disappoint you. These glass paneled cladding on the functional areas of the kitchen (stove/hob and sink) are completely not recommended. You won’t find them in any serious manufacturer’s kitchen catalog!
First of all, there is no glass that is both heat-resistant and tempered at the same time… just as there is no tempered mirror (!).
The tempered glass does indeed have increased stress and shock resistance properties, but NOT increased resistance to high temperatures, above 100ºC, such as build up behind the hob.
Especially in the case of gas stoves, the flame and excessive residual heat are pushed under the cooking vessel towards the glass cladding, so the finish/print/paint of the glass panel will deteriorate quickly. Moreover, the heat generated over the long term – for example, when boiling a Bolognese sauce or a traditional Romanian soup – can lead to the glass panel cracking at any moment.
Another disadvantage of glass panels used for cladding is that they are very difficult to maintain in the sink area, which is understandable for those in charge of kitchen maintenance.
Glass remains one of the best choices for kitchen fronts, where it will showcase all its aesthetic and practical qualities, as well as its resistance over time!
In conclusion, we DO NOT recommend glass panels for wall cladding. Instead, we recommend HPL or Fenix® panels, or claddings made of quartz composite, ceramic, certain types of natural stone, or even stainless steel. Thus, a multitude of practical and durable alternatives that can fit into any environment, budget, and design concept.
