Selecting an appropriate splashback material is crucial, as its selection will impact initial and ongoing costs, heat and moisture resistance, ease of cleaning, and cost considerations.
Laminate kitchen splashbacks come in an extensive variety of colours and designs, mimicking stone, timber, or stainless steel appearances. Many have fewer joins than other materials for an exclusive appearance.
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Kitchen splashbacks provide more than just aesthetic value; they also protect walls behind your sink or cooker from being damaged by food and liquid spillage, adding colour and style that matches with other décor.
There are various kitchen splashbacks you can install as an option for your kitchen today, from acrylic and glass splashbacks to tile and stone ones. Each option offers its own advantages and drawbacks, so it is wise to carefully consider both short- and long-term value before making a decision.
Laminate splashbacks are a cost-effective and straightforward installation option, making them an attractive option. But they have some drawbacks, particularly with regards to heat resistance; as laminate is only moderately resistant against high temperatures, hot pans or cooktop burners could damage it over time. Therefore, always maintain at least 10cm between any laminate backsplash and gas hob burners in order to protect their longevity.
Before installing your laminate kitchen splashback, take careful steps to carefully plan its placement. Take careful measurements of your project area to ensure accurate calculations; prepare the area by making sure it’s clean, dry, and non-porous with no existing adhesives; ensure flatness by levelling off existing adhesives before beginning work on installing the splashback panel.
Once you’re ready to begin work, install a layer of laminate adhesive on both the back of your splashback and the wall surface. Apply laminate to the wall using a utility knife; once in place, smooth out any rough areas or bubbles. If installing over existing tiles, this process may become slightly more challenging due to their unique surface.
Cutting
Selecting the ideal kitchen splashback material is an important decision that will have both immediate costs and long-term value repercussions. Options for materials include glass, laminate, stone, and stainless steel, each offering different advantages and disadvantages. Cost may be the main factor here but don’t forget other important considerations such as ease of installation or the expected durability of this feature in your space.
Laminate kitchen splashbacks provide an affordable option for those on a tight budget, typically being more affordable than acrylic, glass, or natural stone splashbacks. Furthermore, laminate options come in an assortment of designs to complement any décor in your kitchen, plus their seamless surface means no joins that can trap dirt.
As soon as you are ready to install kitchen splashbacks, ensure the wall surface is free from dust. Sand down any rough spots for an ideal finish.
Once the wall has been prepared, mark out and plot out where your splashback panel will go using a spirit level to ensure its placement is straight. When planning this installation process, it is also important to determine whether you’re installing one panel or multiple sections and their maximum heights, respectively.
Once you have marked the position of the panels, apply masking tape to protect them from chipping during construction. Cut laminate along your marked lines using a jigsaw with a fine-tooth blade in order to minimise damage to the counter top below and ensure neat cuts.
Once your laminate has been cut to size, you can apply adhesive to its backside. Begin by spreading generous beads of construction adhesive across its entirety before adhering it directly to the wall with firm pressure while smoothing it out to ensure an efficient bond is formed.
Some manufacturers provide splashbacks with pre-drilled holes to make this step easier, while if your splashback comes from another supplier who does not do this, then drilling the holes yourself may be necessary and sealing them with silicone adhesive to stop moisture from entering through them.
Adhesive
Splashbacks can be secured to walls in various ways. For optimal results, surfaces should be smooth, non-porous, and dry for the strongest adhesion and water-tightest seal possible. While certain materials, such as composite quartz and stones, aren’t suitable for novice installation (e.g., fabricated surfaces such as composite quartz), there are plenty of DIY-friendly options like acrylic and laminate splashbacks with self-adhesive backings that may make fitting easier than others; proper preparation will still be key!
Before installing, first mark out the exact position of your splashback on the wall. If you’re installing over existing tiles, this step is especially crucial, as there may be cracks or high spots that could impede adhesion or lead to water infiltration behind them. Also, ensure existing tiles are securely adhered to the wall; remove any broken ones as necessary.
The next step in applying adhesive should be the application of the adhesive provided with your splashback. Follow all instructions carefully while working, placing any damage-causing glue down on a workbench for ease of working, and adding masking tape along any areas where cutting will take place to avoid chipping of new splashbacks.
After applying adhesive, securely fasten your new kitchen splashback to the wall. If installing over existing tiles, ensure all edges of the splashback are tightly adhered to ensure a watertight and long-term bond with the wall. For an attractive finishing touch, consider framing it using off-the-shelf trimming strips to complete this step.
Clamping the splashback to the wall may not be ideal, as it may prove challenging to remove in an emergency. An alternative solution would be using silicone sealant; this will create a watertight seal between them that is strong and flexible enough to accommodate future movement in your kitchen. After applying sealant, make sure it dries completely before beginning use of your kitchen; you could even add protective film over its front to ensure maximum peace of mind while cooking or cleaning!
Attaching
Splashbacks can be easily installed over tiles, but it is essential that they are carefully installed on the wall before being attached. Utilising a measuring tape for accurate measurements will ensure the splashback fits snugly over your tiles while taking into account sockets or switches nearby. Tiles should first be cleaned using mild detergent before being thoroughly rinsed with clean water before starting the laminate splashback installation process. Once complete, make sure all edges of the laminate splashback are straight before smoothing any rough spots with a block sander until finished!
If you have selected on-trend warm metallic splashbacks made of copper, brass, or bronze sheeting for your splashbacks, it is imperative that a protection plan be devised. Metals react badly when exposed directly to moisture and can quickly develop a mottled patina over time without adequate protection. To address this, apply a sealant coating; this will help manage stain effects while making cleaning much simpler than stainless steel surfaces!
Attaching your new splashback requires either low-modulus silicone adhesive or double-coated foam tape with pre-applied sticky backing. These adhesives and tapes are widely used with glass, metal, and sheet-style splashbacks; however, outsized or heavy splashbacks might require screws for proper attachment. If this is necessary, mark off any locations for screw holes on the wall as you drill (be mindful to mark over cables or water lines as you mark them out!). Alternatively, you could buy splashbacks with pre-applied sticky backing to avoid drilling this step altogether!
Laminate flooring is more cost-effective than glass, metal, and natural stone options and offers an abundance of colours and designs to fit any budget. However, laminate is less resistant to scratches, moisture damage, cracking, or warping over time than these other materials.
DIY laminate splashback installation may be possible if you possess the skills and appropriate tools; however, it’s usually best left for professional installers due to the large sheets that need to be cut around power points, corners, and cables, requiring cutting services for this installation.