When it comes to renovating your kitchen, choosing the right materials for the job is vital for ensuring long-lasting good looks and practicality. The importance of choosing suitable materials doesn't just apply to your cabinets and benchtops, however, and you should pay attention to the materials all of your kitchen's new fixtures and fittings will be made from. This includes parts of your kitchen that are commonly overlooked during the renovation process, such as the splashbacks.
Kitchen splashbacks can be made from a wide variety of materials, each of which comes with its own individual pros and cons. As such, you should familiarise yourself with the properties of your chosen splashback material before deciding whether it is truly suitable for your kitchen. Here are some of the most popular splashback material choices, along with their most important pros and cons:
Tiles
Tiled splashbacks may be a somewhat traditional choice, but their versatile looks mean they can fit into practically any kitchen design scheme. When installed with care, a tiled splashback provides excellent protection for your wall coverings against splashes and staining liquids, including hot fat and other damaging substances. Though tough and durable, tiled splashbacks can also be easier to repair than other splashback types, as damaged tiles can be removed and replaced individually.
Unfortunately, tiled splashbacks can be more difficult to clean than other splashbacks, as dirt and detritus tend to collect in the spaces between tiles. Traditional white tile grout can make this problem particularly noticeable, so consider choosing a darker grout if you opt for a tiled splashback.
Glass
An ideal choice for modern kitchen upgrades, glass splashbacks have a low profile and muted visual impact that belies their toughness and durability. While glass tiles for splashbacks are available, 'true' glass splashbacks are made from single sheets of heat-toughened glass that provide superb protection for your walls and wall coverings. They are easy to clean, resistant to heat and corrosive cleaning liquids, and can be printed with a wide variety of designs and laser etchings to produce a truly unique visual accent for your new kitchen.
However, glass splashbacks are as vulnerable to scratching as most other forms of glass, and an aged glass splashback can start to look very worn out as its surface becomes scratched and opaque. They can also be quite expensive if you desire a particularly large splashback.
Stainless steel
Combining cool, contemporary looks with extraordinary durability, stainless steel splashbacks create a tough line of defense that can protect your walls and wall coverings against practically any form of damage imaginable. Stains, hot liquids and considerable levels of impact damage can all be shrugged off by a stainless steel splashback, often at a remarkably low price compared to other super-durable splashback materials such as granite and toughened glass. Stainless steel is also easy to clean and maintain, on account of its very smooth and non-porous surface.
Sadly, this smooth surface is also the chief downfall of many stainless steel splashbacks, as it can become riddled with unsightly scratches and scuffs after extended use. To get around this problem, consider working the scratches into your overall kitchen design scheme -- with the right decor, the 'patina' of scratches developed by a stainless steel splashback can look like a deliberate aesthetic choice.
