Kitchen Fitting

How to Install a Splashback

Protect your kitchen walls from everyday cooking spillages and stains with a splashback. Installing a splashback isn’t just a functional choice though – they can add a dose of style and colour to your space, too. Discover how to fit a kitchen splashback with our easy-to-follow step-by-step guide.

How can I fit a kitchen splashback?

1. Mark out the cut

2. Cut the splashback to size

3. Stick the splashback to the wall

What you’ll need:

  • Safety gloves
  • Dust mask
  • Safety glasses
  • Ear defenders
  • Tracksaw
  • Clamps
  • Masking tape
  • Tape measure
  • A pencil
  • Sanding block
  • 240 grit sandpaper
  • 120 grit sandpaper
  • Grab adhesive
  • A silicone gun
  • Translucent silicone
  • Pieces of cardboard
  • A damp cloth
  • Toolbox
  • Workbench (2 workhorses, plywood and cardboard) and the splashback.

    1. Mark out the cut

    Measure the width and height of your kitchen splashback installation space.

    The standard sizes for acrylic, stainless steel or glass splashbacks are 600mm by 750mm, and 900mm by 750mm. At this point, it’s a good idea to make sure that the wall is clean and free from dust. If it’s not, wipe the area down with a damp cloth. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for further preparation. Once you’ve got your measurements, transfer them onto the back of the splashback, these will be your cut lines. Apply masking tape around the splashback along the cutlines to stop the splashback from chipping. This is where your workbench will come in handy!

    Work bench assembly

    2. Cut the splashback to size

    Before cutting, you need to secure your splashback. Using quick-grip clamps secure it to the workbench, and then clamp the tracksaw to your splashback. Place pieces of cardboard in between the splashback and the clamp to avoid any scratches or damage. Now, you can put on your safety gear and use the tracksaw to cut along the lines you marked out earlier. Once you’ve cut the splashback to size, unclamp the tracksaw. Sand the splashback edges off, using a sanding block and 240 grit sandpaper to give a polished finish. Before installing the splashback to the wall, rough up the back of the splashback with 120 grit sandpaper to help it stick to the wall.

    Cut along your lines

    3.Stick the splashback to the wall

    Start by applying three strips of 25mm x 1.5mm thick double coated polythylene foam tape. Put one on each side, then one down the centre – then apply translucent neutral cure silicone in a wavy pattern between each strip. Remove the self-adhesive tape liner and firmly press the splashback onto the wall in the correct position. Make sure the splashback is flush and if there’s any adhesive spilling out from the sides, wipe it away with a damp cloth. The splashback will have a protective film over the surface. Leave the splashback for 24 hours to finish setting, then gently peel the film away, giving the splashback a good clean with your cloth afterwards.

    Apply tape and silicone

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