Splashbacks - Tiles or Glass

[Anne121]

I am aware that there are a number of threads on this topic already but none in recent times.
I am currently putting in a highgloss kitchen and was wondering if it is best to put in a colour glass splash back or tiles?
Anyone have any experience of glass splash back?
Thanks

 

[lowCO2design]

as someone who dislikes housework (but who notices dirt) 'highgloss' to me equals constantly smudged surfaces - glass splashbacks are great but again you'll be cleaning them more regularly than tiles

 

[Gondola]

It's tiles for me too. Tiles are much easier to clean and they seem more resistant/durable than glass.

 

[irishmoss]

We went with tiles too after been warned against glass as they can crack if not installed properly. You must leave a couple of mm ( about the size of a matchstick) all round for heat expansion so I figured dirt would easily get trapped here :-(

 

[Opuntia]

I have a high gloss kitchen and went with the glass splashback. Best thing I ever did. Looks so sleek, there is no grout for dirt to get trapped in, all it takes to clean is a wipe of a damp jcloth-same with the kitchen, I worried too about smudges etc beacuse I have small kids but I love my kitchen and it's not "high maintenance" good luck!

 

[fgaglass.com]

Coloured glass as an alternative to tiles

You cant beat the look of a glass splashback against high gloss kitchens. The braver you are with the colour the better the final result. The glass will only crack if its not toughened and if you go to a 'specialist' they will only fit toughened. As they come with a 10 year guarantee it would be stupid to fit ordinary glass considering the minimal cost difference. Although there is a 1-2mm gap around the glass it is fully sealed with a high grade clear silicone so no dirt issues. Finally with regard cleaning, the glass is not see through like the glass in a window so its not as hard to clean as you might think especially with no grout lines. Best thing to use is a micro-fibre cloth = no sprays required = no smudges. Hope this helps

 

[dubgem]

I have a white high gloss kitchen and it's easy to keep clean - my matte black countertop shows smudges much more (but I love the contrast between the high gloss and the matte). My splashback is white subway tiles. Personally I like the loook of the different finishes, for me a glass splashback would be too similar a finish to the high gloss. So I think it's all down to personal taste.

 

[Parazard]

Hi am looking for a bit of advice. My ladnlord put in a new kitchen as I moved in about 7months ago. 3 months later the glass splashback started cracking (long crack starting at the bottom), which I think is due to the heat of the cooker. I am wondering whether this is normal? I was on to the man who installed it who claims it is toughened glass and that he always installs it as a splashback with no problems. I will replace it if I am in the wrong but I am not convinced as I know we would not have hit it hard or done anything that would not be outside of the normal use of a kitchen. I am questioning the quality of the glass and wondering if there are standards for glass to be fitted behind a cooker. All advice very welcome!

 

[Mystic Oil]

...the glass splashback started cracking (long crack starting at the bottom), ......I am questioning the quality of the glass and wondering if there are standards for glass to be fitted behind a cooker. All advice very welcome!

Hi Parazard

There's something wrong here. Toughened glass doesn't crack in the way that you describe - when it (eventually) gives up it shatters into thousands of little granules. If your landlord paid for a toughened splashback then it appears that he's been "had".