All about home, bathroom and kitchen design ideas

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 ...

Glass has become a very popular architectural product all over the word since technological innovations in the late 90’s. It can assume any appearance, fulfil numerous functions and is capable of great strength and versatility. The trend towards the increased usage of glass for both exterior and interior applications is global, as architects and designers worldwide continue to push the envelope by using glass in non-traditional ways. The consumer is offered various decorative glass solutions, from functional decorative glass to just modern art - your imagination is the limit. Coloured glass cladding is commonly referred to as “splashbacks” with it most popular applications being in kitchens and bathrooms. It can however be used almost anywhere you can imagine. APPLICATIONS: Splashbacks - Cladding - Art - Screening - Partitions - Reception areas - Tops - Island fronts Corporate logos and signage - Trade show cabinets etc. Coloured glass cladding creates a feeling of dimen...

Glass splashbacks Glass splashbacks has become a very popular architectural product all over the word since technological innovations in the late 90’s. It can assume any appearance, fulfil numerous functions and is capable of great strength and versatility. The trend towards the increased usage of glass splashbacks for both exterior and interior applications is global, as architects and designers worldwide continue to push the envelope by using glass in non-traditional ways The consumer is now offered various decorative glass solutions, from functional decorative glass to just modern art – your imagination is the limit. Coloured glass cladding is commonly referred to as “splashbacks” with it most popular applications being in kitchens and bathrooms. It can however be used almost anywhere you can imagine. It is suitable for splashbacks, art, screening, corridors, partitions, reception areas, floors, ceilings, island fronts, corporate logos and signage, trade show booths etc. Co...

Mosaics an alternative to glass splashbacks The most popular material used for splashbacks are mosaics. They are easy to install and there are so many to choose from.  Maybe that is why so many people, from architects, interior designers, builders and DIY love them, you can create features that are unique.  There are most likely about 5000 different mosaics available on the market, and that excludes combinations and permutations of mixes. What is great about mosaics is that you can actually do it yourself, it is not that hard and there is space for mistakes which you can rectify, not like solid glass splashbacks.  If you make a measuring error with a toughened piece of glass, that is it, you have to cut and temper and paint a new one. A mosaic splashback can also be created as a mural from a picture, some murals are pieces of artwork and are installed in living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens and bathrooms. Actually, you can install them anywhere you like, even...

"Where to get really good images for your kitchen splashback" That is a good question !  Lets face it, everyone has a camera, so everyone can be a photographer. That does not mean you can use your fantastic images for a splashback. I am sorry to disappoint you but the images you want as a splashback are special.  They have to have that special POP, that je ne sais quoi.  You might have bought the latest Nikon D810 or D750 but your images will not make it.  Yes, if they are sentimental, that is different, ask what a buyer will say later on if you want to sell your house? Anyway, let get on. Let's have a look at some astonishing splashback images that I think are suitable. Note that there are many, if not thousands, each with its own atmosphere and feeling that you want created in your kitchen.  This is not the be and end list of kitchen splashbacks, just the tip of the iceberg. Stunning kitchen splashback landscapes You really don't have to put thes...

Good splashback images for a modern kitchen To say that there are a couple of images suitable for a kitchen is really nonsense. There are thousands of images that are suitable, however, not all are ready at the right resolution and orientation. We have selected a view images that are suitable for a modern kitchen. There are two main places where to install a kitchen splashback. The first is obviously behind the stove and these are mostly portrait types. The other place is behind the work surface and they are mostly landscape or panoramic of nature, i.e. very wide and flat. That limits the number of images available but we will try our best to group the images into three categories to make your choice easy and ensure that you have good quality images that you can use for your splashback. So the three groups that the images will be divided into are: Portrait splashback images behind your stove Landscape splashback images Panoramic splashback images for behind work surfaces ...

One of the more popular alternatives to solid glass splashbacks is to print a large high resolution image on the back of the glass. Note that printing an image on the back of you splashback is not cheap, but it is stunning and brings a whole new dynamic inside your kitchen or bathroom.  Due to the cost, smaller pieces of glass is often used as main features or accent points. You cannot use any image.  It has to be a high resolution image with dimensions at least half the size that you want to print.  So if your glass splashback is going to be 1000 x 500 mm, you should purchase a high resolution 300 dpi image at least half that size. Remember it is not just the size but the resolution that is important. Printing images on the back of a splashback is expensive so don't take any chances. Get the best quality you can afford. So where to find the best images for your splashback.  You can either take the image yourself, but you have to make sure it is of good q...

You can measure the area on which the solid glass splashbacks must be installed. Just be patient and know where the pitfalls are.  Just remember, no kitchen is perfect. All cupboards are out with a couple of millimetres and it is those millimetres, if added together, determines if the panels will fit or not.  A good tip, right at the beginning, always make the panels slightly shorter if in doubt, since you cannot alter the panel once it has been toughened. Always design the panels slightly smaller than actual, because you cannot alter the size after the glass has been toughened ! So lets look at the kitchen that we would like to install solid glass splashbacks. I will use the one described in the article How to Measure the glass Splashbacks for a quote. We assume the design as in the diagram below. Keep measuring simple. Divide the area into three sections and measure the length and width of each rectangle in either cm or mm. We have our three panels; Pa...

Measuring the area where the solid glass splashback must go can be a daunting task, and in most cases it is.  It is the one activity that has caused most companies to go under, or potential start-ups to give up. You only have one chance to measure it right, thereafter you're gonna pay if it is wrong.  You cannot cut or alter toughened glass. If you try it will shatter, that is what it is designed to do. One of the reasons why solid glass splashbacks are so expensive is the high risk involved in measuring and installation of the glass. So lets start. Below is a drawing of a typical installation type.  The area where most people want a splashback is coloured grey. A basic layout of a kitchen. Two cupboards to the left and right of a stove extractor fan with some plugs. A wall to the left and open space with a window to the right. Stove is right in the middle. Points to consider before getting quotes or installing the splashback. Where do you want the ...

Solid glass splashbacks are available in any colour that you can mix. The question should actually be which colours are not available, that is easy, gold.  Gold is very difficult to mix with current technology and apply to the glass.  There are however manufacturers of silver paint that does work on glass.  Since the paint that is used for glass splashbacks is urethane based and used in the automotive industry, you need to obtain the colour code if you would like a specific colour.  PVA paint colours can be converted to urethane mixes, but remember, it is not an exact science, the conversion factor are estimates, so get a couple of samples made before ordering. Is there something like the best colour for a kitchen splashback, no, but there are safe colours. These are; Standard white on standard glass (so it has a green tint which is caused by the iron content of the glass). In my opinion it is the only natural colour that solid glass splashbacks can offer...

Metro tiles are extremely popular these days and for good reason. They are relatively cheap, easy to install and can be used almost anywhere with good effect. One of the favourite places are behind stoves in the kitchen which serves as a splashback. Metro tiles are ceramic tiles, they are thin so they cannot be used as floor tiles. Metro tiles are available in two shapes, bevelled and flat. The most popular are the bevelled types because they create depth. The flat metro tiles are often used in bathrooms and braai areas as splashbacks. Both flat and bevelled metro tiles are available in black or white. A black bevelled metro tile used as splashback in a modern kitchen Ceramic tiles have a couple of advantages when used as a splashback, be it in the kitchen or bathroom (even around the braai area). They are glazed, which means fat, grease, oil or any other ingredient will not penetrate the top surface of the tile and cause staining. The top glazed layer is baked so ...

Let's be honest, there are very view braai areas that don't look like the inside of a steam locomotive. And since it is not used everyday, things with many legs tend to spawn from the various oil and fat layers. I assume I made my point and let's move on so I can sell you my next idea.  Adding colour to a braai area will not cause any reduction in testosterone levels of any man, even if he likes the Modern Family Show.  I think in the New South Africa we can move on and splatter some colour in our locomotive. There are a couple of things that we need to consider.  The most important I think is it must be easy to clean.  That is solved by using a glazed ceramic tile.  What does this mean?  The glazing on a ceramic tile means that it is impermeable to any fat, oil or gunk.  Glazing is similar to a layer of glass. Easy to clean. The Provenza Ceramic tiles (see main image) are ideal for a colourful braai splashback since they are ...