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Kitchen Backsplash: What is the best material?

May 24, 2021 | Inspiration

There is no doubt that we all want a fabulous looking kitchen, whilst ensuring a mess-free and easy to clean space. The wall behind a cooktop is usually made from plaster, a material which does not like moisture and definitely does not react well to heat. Therefore, a kitchen backsplash is an important decorative accessory which will protect your wall from any possible cooking stains, as well as providing a wipe clean and heat resistant surface.

Choosing the right backsplash for your kitchen can create a unique look and feel in your space, providing a statement feature. This can be achieved by using textured surfaces, a vibrant pop of colour or even mirrors to make a smaller kitchen look bigger.

They also provide an opportunity to have something a little more refined and sleeker. With an abundance of choices, from aluminium, tiles, glass, and even acrylic – let’s discuss which kitchen backsplash material is best for you?

backsplash material: glass

Glass Backsplash

A glass backsplash is a smart and modern way of updating an old, tired kitchen.  It’s easy to keep clean (although it does tend to show fingerprints), low maintenance, and it’s heat resistant too, which is a safe option to use in a kitchen.  When choosing a glass backsplash, there are lots of options including multiple colours, sparkle, and patterns.  While glass is a popular choice for homeowners, especially those with a busy family, it is generally more expensive to install.  Bear in mind that it’s heavy and cannot be “bent” around corners or sockets which means that it must be measured and cut off-site.

An aluminum backsplash is an excellent way of modernising your space and creating a focal area of interest.

Tiled Backsplash

The ideal choice for a classic kitchen, tiles are a good compromise if you want a quick kitchen update. However, while they are generally easy to clean, the grout lines around tiles can discolour making it harder for your backsplash to look sparkling clean. Also, they can start to mould which can be stubborn to remove and tiles themselves can discolour, especially if you don’t choose something that’s moisture resistant.  Remember, tiling your kitchen backsplash area takes time and isn’t as quick as installing an aluminium backsplash or glass.  The wall needs to be prepared, tiles mounted and finally, grouting to complete.

Wooden kitchen cabinets with a high gloss olive green Alusplash splashback and wooden countertop with wooden utensils

backsplash material: aluminium

backsplash material: tiles

Aluminium Backsplash

Perfect for a minimalist kitchen or for an instant update to something sleek and stylish. An aluminium backsplash is an excellent way of modernising your space and creating a focal area of interest. One of the easiest types of backsplashes to install, which is also water and steam resistant, as well as anti-bacterial and fire resistant, is AluSplash aluminium based panels. Additionally, these panels are low-maintenance and practical because there are no grout lines, therefore making them easy to keep clean. Today’s aluminium backsplashes give you plenty of choice, from sophisticated matte finishes which comes in a variety of earthy colours, ideal for a neutral or monochrome space.  Or you might prefer metallic aluminium backsplashes with a luminous glossy finish that captures the light and opens up your interior space. Have a look at the AluSplash collections here.

High gloss Petrol Blue Alusplash splashback from the Elegance Collection with a British high tea set

Acrylic Backsplash

Another option is an acrylic backsplash which emulates the look of real glass. While it is less expensive than the other options mentioned above, it can look “cheap” especially compared to glass or aluminium backsplashes.  The problem with acrylic is that although it is generally hard-wearing, it is easily scratched, and those scratches are often visible, and they are not fire-resistant. Which would mean you would not be able to use it as a cooker backsplash and would have to mix materials along your wall. Acrylic backsplashes are easy to install and come in lots of colour options as well as some patterns, but they must be cut to size.

backsplash material: acrylic

Would you give up your current kitchen backsplash for aluminium or any other  material shown above?
Let us know in the comments section.

2 Comments

  1. Rochelle Cullen

    Hi, would the aluminium backsplash be suitable for behind a Stanley duel fuel stove with the pipe going into the wall, so it backspalsh would be around it. Trying to see would it withstand heat as area was tiled before and tiles just around the pipe came off due to heat

  2. AluSplash

    Unfortunately, AluSplash splashbacks are not compatible with Stanley duel fuel stoves due to their intense heating. However, our panels are suitable to be used behind the most popular cooktop brands.

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