If you’re planning to renovate your kitchen or give it a new lease on life with an updated design, the smaller features and accessories can often make the biggest difference.
Consider splashbacks, for example—guards usually found behind hobs, worktops, or sinks. As well as protecting your walls from staining, heat damage, and accidental splashes, they also have a surprising amount of potential for revolutionising the look of a space.
While many kitchen designers simply install tiles to serve this purpose, there is an alternative option that will add decorative interest to the room while offering a more practical way to keep walls pristine and easy to clean.
Before ordering standard tiles, why not consider the possibilities offered by painted glass splashbacks?
Below, the specialists at Bespoke Glass Products will compare traditional kitchen tiles with this versatile alternative to help you decide on the best design options for your kitchen.
Glass vs tile splashback: what are the primary advantages of painted glass splashbacks over traditional tiles?
Choosing a painted glass splashback for your kitchen has plenty of benefits. Most notable are:
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Straightforward maintenance
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Improved hygiene
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Durability
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Ease of installation
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Modern and versatile design options
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Affordability
We’ll explore these attributes in more detail below and see how they compare to the look and performance of traditional kitchen tiles.
How do the maintenance and cleaning requirements compare between the two?
Staining is one of the most challenging issues with kitchen tiles, mainly affecting the grout between each tile. Grout is a porous material that readily absorbs dirt and bacteria and discolours quickly.
While there are products available to clean and restore grout, many can be irritants, dissolve grout or grout sealant, or damage certain types of tile. In the worst case, you may find yourself having to remove the grout entirely and re-apply it—a laborious and messy job.
This is one of the reasons why a painted glass splashback can be a vast improvement.
As its surface is made up of a single sheet of glass, you can regularly wipe it down with your go-to kitchen cleaner in seconds—and it won’t stain or absorb bacteria. This means extremely easy maintenance and vastly improved hygiene.
What factors should be considered in the installation process for each type?
It’s essential to plan carefully before installing any kind of splashback. For painted glass, all you’ll need to do is to:
- Decide on a position for your splashback that adheres to the manufacturer’s guidance regarding distance from a heat source. Depending on the brand, this is usually somewhere between 50mm and 150mm.
- Make sure you have all the required installation equipment. Usually, glass splashbacks come with an adhesive backing, but we recommend using sealant to go around the edges as a finishing touch.
- Check that the size and orientation of the splashback will fit the designated space before ordering.
- Ensure that the wall to which you want to attach your splashback is flat and free of bumps or significant unevenness.
- Dust and clean the wall carefully.
Once this is done, you’ll be ready to fit all glass kitchen splashbacks.
Alternatively, if you’ve opted to install a more traditional tile splashback yourself, you’ll need to follow the above steps:
- Order sufficient tile adhesive, grout, trim and sealant, plus a specialist notched tiling trowel.
- Carefully plan the layout of your tiles.
- Prepare a bucket of warm, soapy water and cover surrounding fittings and fixtures, as tiling can quickly get messy!
How do design options and versatility differ between painted glass splashbacks and tiles?
Whether you opt for a glass splashback or tiles, you’ll likely come across an enormous range of looks and designs. As a result, it can be challenging to make a choice!
It’s important to consider materials and finishes when choosing tiles, as tile type and porosity can affect hygiene and the likelihood of staining.
Of course, tiles and trim come in many different shapes, sizes, and looks. However, a tiled splashback tends to be limiting in that the entire design will need to be made up of numerous separate pieces.
By its very nature, a tiled wall can never give the impression of a single, homogenous, sweeping surface, as it will need to be broken up by grout lines.
That is what makes painted glass such an effective kitchen tile alternative. It allows you to add any number of designs and colours to your overall kitchen design without the segmented feel of tiles, so it’s easier to achieve a sleek, modern look or try out a more striking aesthetic.
Moreover, as mentioned, you won’t need to worry about the absorption of stains or bacteria.
What are the cost implications of choosing painted glass splashbacks versus traditional tiles?
The price differences between tiles and painted glass splashbacks vary significantly between brands, styles and sizes.
Of course, the smaller and more straightforward your glass splashback, the more affordable it will be. However, it’s also important to take into account the cost of installation materials—you will need far more when it comes to tiling.
You may also need to invest in grout cleaners or even replace your grout or tiles if they become damaged and stained through heavy use and wear and tear. Glass splashbacks, on the other hand, are more likely to enjoy a longer life in excellent condition.If you’d like to learn more about the painted glass splashbacks available from Bespoke Glass Products, you can review our FAQs here.
Alternatively, for further guidance on designs and styles of painted glass splashback for your kitchen makeover or home renovation, simply contact the skilled experts at Bespoke Glass Products today.
We’ll be happy to discuss your requirements and present you with various options to help you decide on the best products for your property.