The kitchen is the heart of your home, and you want to keep the walls clean and beautiful. To protect them from water, grease and spillage, you need to install splashback or tiles above your sink, benches and cooking areas. This is one of the key elements of your kitchen because it is both practical and decorative. Let us help you decide between tiles and splashback!
Tiles
When it comes to Perth kitchen renovations, the biggest dilemma is which material to choose for walls and floors. Tiles are traditional and add character to space. From intricate, hand-painted pieces to textured monochromatic designs, tiles can be very decorative. You can find them in a variety of colours and styles, and you can create anything from a clean, uniformed look to a retro mix & match layout. The main advantages include:
- Timeless design
- Cut-to-size
- Huge range of styles to choose from
- Fun textures and patterns
However, there are also some important drawbacks you need to consider. While some other materials are smooth and seamless, tiles are not that easy to clean because of the grout which can accumulate mould and bacteria. Some key drawbacks you need to consider:
- Difficult to maintain
- Expensive to install
- Non-hygienic
Splashbacks
Splashbacks come in a range of materials and colours. The most popular alternative to tiles is glass because it is hygienic and much easier to clean because there is no grout. However, the disadvantage is that it is difficult to install and requires special equipment, which means that DIY solutions are not recommended.
Acrylic splashbacks are also common because they have the appearance of glass, and yet the material is cheaper and easier to install. The main drawback is that acrylic isn’t suitable for surfaces that are close to cooktops because it is not heat resistant.
Other popular materials include pressed metal, stainless steel and natural stone such as marble and granite. If you want to combine different materials, you can use, for example, steel above the cooktop and acrylic above the kitchen sink.
So, Which Option is Right for Your Kitchen?
To choose the best option for your kitchen walls, you need to select all other elements first. The tiles or splashback come at the very end when you have already installed the floors, cupboards, benchtops and appliances. The colour and style of your tiles or splashback should be in line with everything else. If you want this element to stand out, choose a different shade from your kitchen cabinets. Specialists in custom-made cabinetry Perth-wide can help you select the perfect colour and material for your walls.
The decision will largely depend on your priorities. If you want a decorative and eye-catching wall below your kitchen cabinets, then you may want to choose beautiful tiles. Since it is a relatively small surface, you won’t spend too much money on the tiles and installation. However, if your priority is a clean, easy-to-clean surface, then a splashback is a much better choice. You can opt for a bright colour to make a beautiful contrast or select from a neutral palette if you prefer a calmer shade.
