FAQ on glass splashbacks

FAQ on glass splashbacks

What is the biggest size glass that I can choose?

Maximum workable splashback panel size – ±3100 x 1200 mm, bigger sizes will be butt joined. The maximum size is actually determined by the oven size. Large ovens are found in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

What exactly is glass splashbacks?

In simple terms it is toughened glass which is back painted (backpainted) with automotive paint. Permanent adhesion is obtained by mixing the urethane paint with a catalyst which changes the molecular structure of the glass, which ensures the permanent bonding between glass and paint.  So the paint used is not a PVA or water based paint.

What are the main advantages of glass?

The strong adhesion between paint and glass makes the product durable.
Glass is easy to clean & maintain since it is non porous and any chemical can be used to clean it.
Toughened glass is safe. If it breaks it shatters into small pieces that will not cause serious injury like standard glass.
It delivers many exciting colours and finishes.
It outlasts most architectural finishes and provides structural strength.
The product is excellent for wet areas such as showers and kitchen Splashbacks since the paint will not be affected by water.
Since there's no need for grout, water doesn't penetrate and unsightly mould is a thing of the past.
Excellent resistance to heat.  It can tolerate heat of 300°C for 20  minutes.  So it is safe to use behind stoves and even gas stoves

How do I know the process is durable?

It has been used in varying environments, including wet and humid areas without any trouble. The product has been used extensively on exterior spandrel applications on buildings in locations with plenty of sun and high temperatures. Most manufacturers back their paint between five and ten years against fading and peeling. So check your supplier for warranty conditions before deciding which one to use.

Colours:There are thousands of colours that can be matched.  The most common colour system used is from Dulux and Plascon.  Send the colour code from one of the manufacturers to your supplier or glass installer and they can have that colour matched.

Caution.When choosing colours please be aware that normal float/toughened glass has a green tint to it – This does effect the colour of pastels, white's and cream's. If a perfect colour match is required we would recommend that ‘low iron’ extra white glass be used. White on standard green glass is however a very popular colour choice.

Why can't glass be painted using normal paint?

Research shows that no paint manufacturer actively promotes its paint to be used on glass, especially glass splashbacks. Glass is quite an unusual substrate to work with because of its chemical makeup. So the answer is, that only proprietary glass paints should be used. This way you can ensure that it will chemically bond to the glass and provide a durable and lasting finish. PVA paints tend to powder when exposed to water or high humidity for extended periods of time.  PVA is also more prone to discolouration than urethane paints.

Can the paint be removed and changed to a different colour?

That depends on how the glass splashback was mounted. Most installations are done with a neutral curing silicon adhesive to firmly attach glass to a wall and cannot be removed without the glass breaking (similar to removing one large tile). However, if the glass was installed with mechanical fasteners, it can be removed and another piece of glass with a different colour be installed. But in no event can the actual coating be removed from glass. It bonds chemically to the glass; once it is applied, it doesn't come off.

How is the glass splashback installed?

The glass is installed and sealed using a neutral cure silicone. Alternatively the glass can be installed with mirror screws, but the holes must be specified as they need to be drilled before the glass is toughened.

How do you clean Solid Glass Cladding or splashback?

You can clean the glass with any form of household glass cleaner.

What warranty do you give on the Solid Glass splashbacks installation?

Most manufacturers give a 10-year warranty on the paint against fading and a 90 day guarantee on our installation. There is no real warranty or guarantee on the glass itself since it is a natural product.  There cannot be any warranty against the glass breaking since it is designed to shatter when hit hard.

What do I need to do to prepare the walls for my kitchen splashback?

The walls need to be reasonably flat and free of bows or twists. Unevenness of about 2-3mm can be taken up with adhesive. The walls will be obscured by the glass, so the surface does not need to look pretty. The surface must be painted with bonding liquid to ensure the best adhesion.

When does the Measuring take place?

The glass splashback is the item that finishes the kitchen off, therefore:

Measuring can only be done after the kitchen / bathroom is completely installed. Also all counters need to be fitted before measuring and the extractor fan must be fitted and removed, so that all the relevant holes are exposed for measuring.


Plug Cut Outs: Cut outs for electrical points should generally be at least 100mm from the edge of the panel or from each other. If sockets are placed side by side the boxes must be placed so that the points sit tight against one another. [/su_spoiler]

Round Holes: Round Holes, drilled or cut out should be twice the diameter from the edge of the panel.

Wiring:  Must be chased into walls and any light fittings should be fitted allowing at least 10mm for the thickness of glass splashback.

Where there is variation in the height of the area to be covered, such as under a cooker hood, the panels will generally be separated and butting up to the adjacent one.

Maximum workable panel size – 3000 x 1100

Gaps around the edges of showers and baths should be filled to the level of the rim. Lead and curing times need to be adhered too. ( 3 – 4 days from the time that the glass splashback is installed )

 Are mosaics a better option than glass?

It depends, remember, you also get glass mosaics, although the glass is different and the colours are limited. As advantage is that you can drill into glass mosaics (a bit risky), but with toughened glass that is impossible, the glass will shatter.