A kitchen's splashback helps to protect the walls behind the stove and benchtops from food splatter and water, as well as germs and bacteria that can settle into the porous material of drywall. Choosing the right material for your splashback is very important, as it can take up a large amount of space in your kitchen. Note a few tips for the right material when you're in the market for a new splashback.
1. Metal
If you have wood cabinets and stainless steel appliances, a metal splashback can tie these two materials together. It's also somewhat easy to get a sheet of tin or even thin stainless steel and cut and fabricate the splashback yourself, if you have a thick pair of shears. You can then use construction adhesive to attach the piece to the area behind the stovetop, and you can cut long and thin pieces that would work well behind the benchtops. You can also even find recycled metal pieces to reuse this way, if you want an eco-friendly choice for the splashback.
2. Tile
You can choose tile for the splashback, but note that tile is very difficult to remove and change if you get tired of it, and it may also require a professional for installation as well. Depending on the style you choose, it might also seem a bit busy, as tile may look nice in a catalogue but then get overwhelming to the space once installed on the walls. If you do choose tile, be sure it's something not very porous such as ceramic or slate, so that it doesn't hold germs and bacteria and is easy to clean with just a damp cloth.
3. Glass
A glass splashback can reflect light, so it helps to make a small and dark kitchen seem bigger and brighter. It's also very easy to clean and is nonporous so it won't hold germs and bacteria.
You can usually paint the wall behind the glass, and then this colour will show through; changing the style means simply detaching the glass at the corners where it may be screwed into the wall, and then changing the paint colour as desired. You can also mix up glass and other materials, such as giving a glass splashback a tile border to soften the look. Many installers also use recycled glass for their work, so it's an eco-friendly choice, but it may mean needing a professional to do the installation, as the glass is usually quite heavy and may crack if installed incorrectly.
