Blog posts of '2022' 'July'

A bespoke splashback can be just the thing for transforming the visual appeal and practicality of your kitchen, without breaking the bank. Even the most elaborate and comprehensively customised splashback will typically set you back less than £100 – delivery included.

But when it comes to splashback installation, it depends entirely on your preferred approach. You can hire a contractor to fit your splashback on your behalf, or you can go with the DIY option.

How Much Does Professional Splashback Installation Cost?

It is impossible to pin down splashback installation costs to an exact figure.  Countless factors will influence how much you can expect to pay – your location, the size and configuration of the splashback, the extent to which the surface beneath needs to be prepared and so on.

As a very basic indication, you can expect to pay anything from £30 to £100 to have your splashback installed professionally. Compare quotes from several contractors before deciding whom to go with, and check reviews from past customers before hiring any contractor.

How Difficult is DIY Splashback Installation?

In most instances, DIY splashback installation can be surprisingly simple. It is essentially like installing a single large tile, and can be handled by anyone who knows their way around a toolbox.

Of course, larger splashbacks (and those with unusual shapes/configurations) can be more challenging to install than their smaller counterparts. But by knowing what to expect in advance, you can ensure you have both the equipment and confidence needed to get the job done right.

The Basics of Kitchen Splashback Installation

To install your kitchen splashback without outside help, you will need the following basic provisions:

1. Your custom kitchen splashback cut to size
2. High-quality mounting adhesive
3. Silicone sealant
4. A spirit level

If you plan on attaching your splashback to your wall with screws, you will need to ensure the holes have been predrilled in the panel in the right location. It is generally inadvisable to attempt to drill these holes yourself, as to do so could risk the entire panel shattering.

With your tools and equipment in place, the basics of installing a custom kitchen splashback are as follows:

Step 1: Ensure the surface is clean and in a good state of repair

First up, it is essential to ensure that the surface you intend to fix the splashback to is in good condition. Of course, this counts double if you are installing a transparent splashback, through which you will be able to see the surface beneath.

But even if the splashback you are fitting is opaque, a clean and even surface in good condition is essential to ensure strong and long-lasting adhesion. Give the surface a good clean, make sure all residual grease is removed, and tend to any minor repairs that need to be performed.

Step 2: Apply the sealant to the surface

When the surface is fully clean and dry, you can begin the process of adding the adhesive – in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines. This may involve adding sealant to the splashback itself or the wall, or both. If some or all of the splashback you are installing is transparent, you will need to be extra careful regarding where you apply the adhesive.

Note – some types of splashbacks need to be installed without the use of adhesives (i.e. with screws) to preserve their appearance.

With the adhesive in place, you will then be able to press your splashback firmly into position. Use a spirit level to ensure it is perfectly level, and hold it in place for the amount of time recommended by the manufacturer. Ensure you are perfectly happy with its placement, before letting go and leaving it to dry.

Step 3: Seal around the edges

After giving the sealant the appropriate amount of time to cure, you can then set about sealing around the edges. Care and attention are needed at this stage, as your goal is to create a flawless watertight seal to protect the surface beneath.

Depending on your kitchen’s décor and style, it may be better to go with a tinted sealant than standard white. Take your time, applying no more sealant than is needed to plug the gaps between the surface and the splashback. Wipe away as much residual sealant as possible while it is still wet, as it can be much more difficult to remove after it dries.

Step 4: Polish your splashback

Last up, you simply need to give the sealant ample time to dry, before giving the whole panel a good polish.

24 hours or so is usually the recommended curing time, during which it is advisable not to expose your splashback to any particularly high temperatures, or excess humidity.

A Note on Screw Fixings

Attaching a splashback to a wall with screws and plugs can be just as straightforward. However, there are a few things you will need to bear in mind, if opting for this approach:

1. As mentioned, you will need to request that the screw holes needed are pre-drilled into the panel on your behalf in the required locations.
2. When considering the location for your splashback, be mindful of any pipes or cables beneath the surface of the wall.
3. Under no circumstances should excessive force be used when attaching a splashback to a wall with screws. Doing so could result in the panel cracking or shattering.
4. A large glass splashback can be fairly heavy, so you need to ensure that the screws you use have a sufficient size to accommodate its weight.

The same basic rules also apply with acrylic splashbacks, though it may be possible to drill your own holes safely in an acrylic panel.

Ask the Experts...

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the splashback installation process, we would be delighted to hear from you anytime. Call the team at DIY Splashbacks for an obligation-free consultation, or email us with details of your requirements and we will get back to you as promptly as possible.

With the summer in full swing, households across the UK are putting their overdue home improvement plans into action. There is something about the warmer months of the year that brings out the inner DIYer in all of us.  From minor touch-ups to major interior and exterior makeovers, August tends to be prime DIY season up and down the country.

Each year brings its own popular design trends, and 2022 is no different. Once again, this year’s most prolific interior design trends are focusing on mindfulness, comfort and oneness with nature. Not to mention, the incorporation of practical yet beautifully presented features, like high-quality splashbacks.

Ideal for kitchens and bathrooms alike, bespoke splashbacks can be just the thing to bring a touch of style and personality into the home.

With this in mind, here is a brief overview of five top interior design trends for 2022:

1.      Biophilic Design

First up, biophilic design is really just a fancy name for the kind of interior design that brings the outdoors indoors. Or more accurately, connects the interior of the home with all things natural. Allowing interior spaces to bathe in natural light, incorporating as many plants as possible, decorating in nature-inspired colours and so on – all fantastic for achieving oneness with nature.

This is also where a custom splashback can be finished with almost any imaginable design. Go for a plain coloured splashback in a nature-themed hue, or a panel that features a floral print, a green leafy effect or any other nature inspired design that takes your fancy. Your splashback can be anything you want it to be, so even the sky isn’t the limit where biophilic interior design is concerned.

2.      Simplicity and Practicality

Increasingly, interior designers are finding that their clients are more concerned with simplicity and practicality than presentation. They want their interior spaces to look good, but what matters most is a tidy, orderly and completely clutter-free lifestyle. Not to mention, interiors that are as easy to keep clean and pristine as possible.

Intelligent storage solutions and those that keep clutter out of view are particularly important. As are surfaces, fixtures and features that are easy to clean, including glass splashbacks in the kitchen. Research has shown how the orderliness of the environment around us has a major impact on our psychological and physical wellbeing. The more orderly and ‘calm’ our surroundings, the better we feel when spending time indoors.

3.      Nature-Inspired Colour Schemes

Even when the full biophilic theme is not the desired effect, more homes than ever before are incorporating nature-inspired colour schemes. As the name suggests, this is where the colours of nature play the leading role in a room’s design and décor.

From pale greens to gentle yellows to browns to greys and more, nature-inspired colours can be incorporated into a room in a variety of ways. Painting a feature wall, refreshing your kitchen cabinets, painting trim for a pop of colour, or perhaps enhancing the appeal of the kitchen with a beautifully coloured splashback – all options to consider.

4.      Open Plan Design

A slightly more extensive home improvement to conduct, which may involve major structural alterations. But if there is a viable way of creating an open-plan feel, perhaps by simply removing partitioning doors, the effect can be truly transformative, particularly when a high-end splashback is used to create a stunning point of focus for the entire shared space.

Open-plan layouts are all about creating a sense of togetherness and community. With an open-plan layout, the occupants of a household naturally spend more time in one another’s company. No separation when one or more occupants are busy in the kitchen – everyone is together in a shared open space.

5.      Affordable Luxury

In today’s economy, most people simply do not have enough money to lavish themselves with the kinds of luxuries they would like. Instead, the focus for many households has become affordable luxury. What this means is the kinds of decorative and practical features that mimic their sophisticated counterparts, only at a fraction of the costs.

Examples of which include granite-effect worktops, marble-effect splashbacks, hardwood-effect flooring and so on. Practically indistinguishable from the real thing, the best of all worlds is available to those who take a more creative approach to interior design.

For more information on the benefits of high-end splashbacks or to discuss any of our product lines in more detail, contact a member of the team at DIY Splashbacks today.