Glass Splashbacks

Yes, provided it is toughened glass and the hob maker's clearances are followed. Toughened glass copes with the heat from a hob far better than ordinary glass, and it is what we fit behind cookers. Some gas hobs need a minimum gap to the wall, so we check your hob's instructions before the glass is ordered.

Your splashback should be templated after the worktops, units and hob are installed and any electrical work is finished. The glass is made to the exact finished dimensions, including socket positions, so measuring from plans or before worktops go in often leads to panels that do not fit and have to be remade.

Yes. Socket, switch and extractor cut-outs are made at the factory before the glass is toughened, because toughened glass cannot be cut afterwards. That means socket positions must be final when we template. If sockets need moving or adding, a qualified electrician should do that first, and we template around the new positions.

It is usually better to remove the tiles and make the wall good first. Glass needs a flat, sound surface for the adhesive to bond evenly, and grout lines, uneven tiles or loose tiles can show through or create stress points. Removing tiles also stops the glass standing too far forward of the worktop and sockets.

We can match many paint and RAL colours, and the most reliable way to choose is from a physical glass sample viewed in your own kitchen. Colours look different on screens and under different lighting. For pale colours we usually suggest low-iron glass, because standard glass adds a green tint to the painted back.

Standard glass contains iron, which gives it a green tint that shows through pale back-painted colours, particularly white and cream. Low-iron glass has much less iron, so the colour behind looks close to the painted sample. If you are choosing a light colour, it is worth specifying low-iron glass from the start.

After templating, made-to-measure splashbacks are usually ready within a few weeks, depending on the colour and finish. Fitting a typical kitchen takes part of a day, and you can normally use the kitchen again once we have finished. The silicone needs time to cure fully, and we tell you how long on the day.

The main cost drivers are the total glass area, the number of panels and joints, the number of socket and switch cut-outs, the colour and glass type, and how easy the wall is to reach. Low-iron glass, metallic or printed finishes and shaped panels add cost. See the guide prices for typical ranges.

Wipe it with a soft cloth and warm soapy water, or a non-abrasive glass cleaner, then buff dry for a streak-free finish. Grease behind the hob comes off easily because there are no grout lines. Avoid scourers, abrasive creams and blades, which can scratch the glass, and do not use cleaners that could seep behind the edges.

It is possible, but the risks are mostly in measuring and handling. A small error in templating or a socket position means the toughened panel has to be remade, because it cannot be trimmed. Large panels are heavy and awkward to place without damaging worktops, and the adhesive must suit the painted back. We measure, make and fit as one job.