The humble splashback is one of the first places many homeowners look when they decide to give their kitchen a makeover, and for a good reason. The splashback often acts as a focal point of the room and can be made from various materials, giving you more room for creativity than other areas like the walls or benchtop.
But as much as we’d all love a brand-new splashback, there are several factors to think about before taking the plunge and choosing a material. Can it withstand the mess of the kitchen for years without losing its character? Will it be easy to clean? Will it match the rest of the room? And, most importantly, can I afford it?
Acrylic Splashback: Why Plastic Is More Popular Than Ever
Hard plastic sheets have emerged as a viable alternative for splashbacks in kitchens and bathrooms for several reasons. Acrylic is not only durable and easy to clean but also incredibly cost-effective. After all, how many of us have found budget constraints to be the biggest issue when doing work on the house? Acrylic can also add modern flair to any kitchen, whether you go for something clear and understated or a bold burst of colour. What’s more, it has greater impact resistance than materials like glass, making it a safer option.
Using acrylic or other appropriate hard plastic sheets for splashbacks carries all the usual benefits, protecting your walls from moisture and kitchen or bathroom products. It’s also lightweight and easy to install despite its strength, which means you have the option of ordering it made-to-measure and putting it up yourself to cut back on spending.
Choose From A Wide Range Of Colours
Another benefit of acrylic is that it comes in a broad range of colours, making it easy for you to create a feature or match it with the rest of the room. Use clear sheets or muted, neutral colours for a clean and appealing aesthetic or experiment with brighter colours to create a new focal point. You can also buy UV stabilised sheets that won’t be damaged by sunlight, boosting their durability in bright rooms.
Be aware that while dark colours can have a fantastic visual impact, they may cause the room to feel darker or smaller depending on their size or position. If you’re adding a splashback to a small kitchen or bathroom, consider a lighter colour that will reflect more light and give the space a brighter and airier feel.
There’s Just One Catch
Though there are so many benefits to an acrylic splashback, there’s one important thing to be aware of when considering this alternative material. While acrylic can cope with hot water from the sink, it isn’t suitable for high-temperature environments. This makes it unsuitable as a cooker splashback, where heat from the hob can cause damage along with spitting oil and food from the pan. If you use induction hobs, acrylic can generally be used, given most of the heat is transferred directly to the pan.
