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Ceramic Tiles
Tiles are the traditional wall covering for kitchens and bathrooms. Tiles come in attractive designs and patterns and there is plenty of choice. Tiles can be fixed by a person competent in DIY but as with all jobs involving skills, are best fitted by a professional tiler. Poorly fitted, tiles can spoil the look of your kitchen and devalue your house.
An advantage with tiles is the huge range of colours and patterns available, both traditional and contemporary. The large number of tiles shops to be found gives evidence of the continued popularity of this traditional wall covering.
The main disadvantage of ceramic tile splashbacks is not actually the tiles themselves but the grouting, which seems to attract dirt and grease and be difficult to clean. It will wear out and need repairing or replacing every so often.
Stainless Steel
Many kitchen appliance manufacturers market splashbacks that match their stoves, hobs and ranges. Often there is a choice to have a hanging rail for your utensils. Many people enjoy the integrated look, which connects the hob/stove and the rangehood. There are excellent specialist stainless steel cleaners available to make keeping them clean so much easier. Following the manufacturers cleaning instructions and recommended cleaning products is best.
Glass
Recent years have seen colour-coated glass become very popular. Glass can look stunning and can produce that WOW factor in an otherwise ordinary kitchen. A simple glass splashback with no cutouts is easy for the person competent in DIY to install. Glass is supremely functional. It is easy to clean and hygienic. Unlike tiles there is no grouting to care for.
Glass has a contemporary look suited to modern or modernised homes. For period homes in which original features are valued and maintained for a traditional look, more traditional wall coverings, especially ceramic tiles might be better suited.
The number of colours available is limited only by your imagination. You can choose from standard ranges through to any choice from the paint manufacturers colour charts. The current trend is for metallic finishes, in particular silver aluminium and metallic black, which gives a dark grey with a bit of sparkle.
Mosaic
Mosaics are traditionally made up of small pieces of ceramic tiles of various colours. Mosaics have been created this way for thousands of years, most notably in Roman, Greek and Arabic Asian cultures. Intricate patters or pictures are created by arranging the small pieces carefully in an adhesive base.
Mosaics can be created with a variety of materials such as tile, glass and even metals. A mosaic splashback introduces a textural focal point, which can complement the flat surfaces of many modern kitchens. They do not have to be complicated or involve intricate design. There are DIY systems available where tiles are glued to fabric backing, ready to be affixed to the wall with tile adhesive and grouting.
As with tiles, the grouting will need care and attention as a splashback does attract dirt and grime. With care, a mosaic splashback can provide an attractive and functional splashback for your kitchen.
DIY glass splashbacks
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