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A splash here, a spill there - the kitchen is not only the place where delicious dishes are created, but also a room where spillages and splashes on the wall are unavoidable. A splash guard can help, but many solutions require drilling into the kitchen splashback. This can be very time-consuming, dirty and even dangerous. If you don't have detailed knowledge of the wiring behind the kitchen wall, it's better to leave the drill in its case. In addition, the screws on the splashback quickly turn out to be real dirt traps and a hygiene risk. A better solution is a splashback that can be easily stuck to the wall. We explain which options and materials you can choose from and what you need to pay attention to.
Splash guards in the kitchen - you should avoid these materials
Some materials are not suitable for use in the kitchen. This applies, for example, to plaster or concrete, which tend to be used for cladding entire walls, or folding splashbacks, which do not offer a long-term solution. Natural stone and wood are increasingly being used in the kitchen - they give the room a pleasant atmosphere and enhance the look. Although the right coating protects the material, they are not recommended as splashbacks in the immediate vicinity of hobs and sinks and usually involve drilling holes in the kitchen splashback. Wallpaper protection paint is also suitable for wet areas, but not in the vicinity of hobs. In the following, we will introduce you to the ideal material for your splashback, give you an approximate cost and explain the advantages and disadvantages of each.
How expensive is a splash guard without drilling?
The cost of splashbacks in the kitchen varies greatly depending on the requirements and material. Direct comparisons and exact prices are difficult to determine and vary according to customisation options and the size of the area. For example, the initial cost of a splashback in an average family kitchen, even a small one, can be between €15 and €100 for less than one square metre. As soon as professional help is called in for the installation, the price increases again. Professional tiling can quickly cost between €150 and €200 per square metre. Safety glass walls also fall into the high-priced segment. The cost of the material can be roughly categorised into three classes.
Material costs for orientation
favorable price rangeSplash protection adhesive films for approx. 6 - 19 €.
middle price range:Wall splash protection made of various plastics and metals for approx. 20 - 50 €.
high price range:Ceramic tiles, wall splash protection made of safety glass for approx. 50 € - more than 300 €.
Ceramic tiles
The days when there was no alternative to ceramic tiles in the kitchen are long gone, but there is still a lot to be said in favour of this timeless wall covering - especially on small surfaces. Its robustness provides protection against all types of liquids at any temperature. The resistant material is also easy to clean. The major disadvantage is the joints, which are indispensable for ceramic tiles and are real dirt traps. How well they are sealed depends very much on how well the tiles have been fitted.
For this reason, it is advisable to call in specialists for projects with more than just a few tiles. For example, it is extremely important to fit the tiles with the plumb line to ensure straight alignment. Even spacing between tiles on all sides is crucial to ensure an aesthetically pleasing and professional appearance. Unlike full wall panelling, ceramic tiles offer a diverse range of designs. Impressive accents can be created by using the tiles in sections of the kitchen.
Advantages
- Robust, durable
- Very easy to clean
- good mechanical protection
Disadvantages
- No repair options in the event of damage
- Joints are comparatively difficult to clean
- Complex and possibly expensive installation
- Old coverings cannot be glued over
Glass plates
If you opt for glass as a kitchen splashback, it is highly recommended that you use toughened safety glass (ESG). This material is particularly robust and resistant to scratches and heat. In contrast, acrylic or Plexiglas are thermoplastic materials that are not suitable for areas around the cooker and hob as they deform when exposed to the usual heat.
Glass panels offer numerous design options as wall panelling. For example, they can be customised by attaching photos or even lighting behind them. On the other hand, they can also be used to transparently cover patterns on wallpaper or stone walls. Glass panels are not particularly difficult to maintain. Soiling of any kind can be removed quickly and thoroughly with a simple glass cleaner.
The biggest problem is installation. It is possible to glue over old coverings with the right silicone adhesive, provided that the lower covering can support the considerable weight of the glass panel on the wall. The weight problem can be solved by screwing the panel in place, but this variant brings its own complications. The whole process is much more time-consuming, leaves holes from drilling in the kitchen and the screws attached to the splashback become real dirt traps over time.
Advantages
- ESG glass is very durable and heat-resistant
- Very easy to clean
- Printing technology offers design diversity
Disadvantages
- After cutting, the glass can no longer be corrected
- is more suitable for smaller areas due to its weight
- Caution! Acrylic and Plexiglas are not heat-resistant and unsuitable
Aluminum or stainless steel
Splashbacks made of aluminium or stainless steel are particularly common in industrial kitchens. This material group also includes aluminium composite panels, which are distinguished by their particularly low weight. This makes them particularly easy to attach to an original splashback.
These products fulfil hygiene requirements just as well as toughened safety glass panels and are similarly easy to clean - standard household care products are completely sufficient. Stainless steel and aluminium offer a variety of design options thanks to modern printing technology. You should look for a suitable coating such as transparent liquid laminate. In this way, the heat resistance is maintained and the print does not come off the plate. Without aesthetic enhancement, the material will appear colder and scratches and other signs of use will be more visible.
Advantages
- Heat-resistant and extremely robust
- can also be edited and cut to size afterwards
- Printing technology offers design diversity
- cheaper than ESG glass
Disadvantages
- Without printing, scratches quickly appear on the material
- Incorrect care leaves visible traces
Plastic splash guard
Plastic worktops are very suitable as splashbacks in the kitchen, provided they are certified as heat-resistant. They combine the advantages of many other coverings: Installation is quick, easy and only requires a surface that is free of dust and dirt - you never have to drill here. The worktop can even be cut to size and adapted afterwards - for example, if sockets were forgotten when measuring.
Modern printing technology allows a huge variety of design options for high-quality products, which even imitate materials such as natural stone and wood amazingly well. This applies not only to the look, but also to the feel of the material. Stone structures or grains can hardly be distinguished from the original. What's more, plastic tiles are extremely robust and automatically compensate for pressure points under intensive load.
For reasons of hygiene, it is advisable to opt for one-piece worktops. The material is easy to care for and can be cleaned effortlessly with ordinary household detergents. Scratches and surface damage are not common as long as no direct force is used against the plastic sheet. Compared to stainless steel, aluminium and tiles, many plastic worktops are even suitable for covering the entire kitchen and, in the case of some products, even the floor. Particularly in the dining area, you should use materials that are not harmful to health, such as CERAMIN® set. The entire panelling of the kitchen splashback makes panelling the kitchen splashback unnecessary.
Hands off PVC
Health and hygiene play a particularly important role in the kitchen. The special case of PVC proves to be problematic. The material is often used in plastics - including wall and floor coverings. However, PVC is sensitive to heat and deforms when exposed to constant heat. This results in dents and bumps. More importantly, however, PVC has been proven for many years to release harmful plasticisers (phthalates) into the air. This is particularly true when exposed to heat and contact with liquids and grease. Nevertheless, PVC is still contained in many plastic products. When buying plastic panels, always look for PVC-free products. Further information on PVC and its effects on health can be found at here.
Advantages
- Robust and durable
- Easy to clean
- huge variety of designs
- also easy to edit afterwards
- Particularly light and compatible on concrete, tiles, plaster, etc.
- Can be glued even by laymen
Disadvantages
- Many plastic products are not heat-resistant
- PVC products are hazardous to health
Self-adhesive wall protection films
Wall protection films should be your choice when all other options exceed your budget. The self-adhesive films are available in many different colours and some manufacturers even offer printed designs. Although they are moisture-resistant, their heat resistance leaves a lot to be desired. When applied over the cooker or hob, the material quickly deforms and detaches from the kitchen splashback.
The films are very easy to clean and can be cleaned with conventional cleaning agents. The layer, which is only a few millimetres thick, does not protect the material or the back panel from scratches or other damage. As soon as the product is damaged, it will probably have to be replaced. The application is also demanding and requires precision for an aesthetic appearance. Although it is often claimed that self-adhesive films are particularly suitable for application to tiles, this cannot be confirmed in view of the gaps between the tiles. The gaps between the tiles do not allow for an airtight application and lead to air bubbles and a loose splashback on your kitchen wall. This makes the surface susceptible to cracks and the accumulation of grease and dirt.
Advantages
- Very inexpensive variant
- Printing technology offers design diversity
Disadvantages
- Very sensitive material
- nur schwierig sauber anzubringen
- Not heat resistant
- once glued is not correctable
- not suitable for gluing over tiles
- looks cheap
- Not durable
Conclusion
Best choice
A splash guard made from Plastic combines the most important properties for covering your kitchen splashback. The matching plastic panel is heat-resistant, repels moisture and is resistant to scratches. In addition, the products are comparatively easy to install, easy to clean and offer a variety of impressive designs. A clear winner in terms of value for money. However, make absolutely sure that the splashback is really heat-resistant and free from PVC, as our CERAMIN® -products.
Second choice
ESG glass panels offer slightly better protection against moisture and heat than plastic sheets, but at a significantly higher price. In return, the material impresses with its high-quality appearance and scratch resistance. If you would like to use glass panels, do not use acrylic or Plexiglas.
Stainless steel or aluminium are similarly well protected against damage, moisture and heat as ESG products. However, the heavy weight of the material makes it very difficult to install in the kitchen without drilling. In addition, unprinted material is very susceptible to scratches and is also not inexpensive.
Third choice
Ceramic tiles are a classic for an elegant kitchen look. The protection against heat and moisture is also impressive. The joints alone often prove to be dirt traps and can become a problem in high humidity. Installation without a specialist is particularly challenging and drives up the price of ceramic tiles.
Bad choice
Self-adhesive wall protection films are only suitable as a temporary solution for a short period of time. As a splash guard, the material cannot withstand the effects of heat or moisture for long and deforms. Slight scratches destroy the product and render it unusable. When choosing protection for your kitchen splashback, the budget should be set higher.
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