If you’ve done your homework on glass splashbacks for kitchens, you already know that there are a lot of different alternatives available to choose from these days. When it comes to backsplash materials, you have a bevy of options at your disposal, including acrylic, tiles, laminate, glass, stone, and stainless steel. Each one has a unique set of benefits and drawbacks, all of which must be carefully weighed before making a decision. The material is an important factor to consider since it will have an effect on the aesthetics of the kitchen as a whole, as well as the day-to-day and long-term care that will be required, in addition to the original financial outlay.
The price difference is one of the most significant distinctions between laminate and glass. The first choice may be much more inexpensive initially, but it cannot be compared to the latter one in terms of its worth over the long run for several reasons. In this article, we will compare and contrast the use of glass splashbacks in kitchens with laminate splashbacks, primarily focusing on five essential elements that will assist you in making the best decision possible given your preferences, needs, and financial constraints.
Comparison of Laminate and Glass Splashbacks Based on the Top Considerations
Cost
It is quite simple to forget that there is a significant gap between the cost and the worth of anything. You could be tempted to go for a kitchen Glass Splashbacks that is easier and more affordable to install, but it would be a mistake to assume that this is the only expense connected with having one installed in your kitchen. Where do we stand with the expense of maintenance? And in comparison to a glass backsplash, what type of value will you gain from having a laminate splashback installed in your kitchen?
Laminate is, without a doubt, one of the most inexpensive backsplash materials that can be purchased. Nevertheless, there is a valid explanation for why it is so much more affordable than high-end materials like toughened glass. Let’s get into the additional factors that have a role in determining the long-term worth of each of these choices.
Durability
Although splashbacks made of laminate may be used in kitchens for several years, the material is not as resistant to damage caused by heat or moisture as glass splashbacks, which are produced using toughened glass. The tendency of laminate to expand and contract over time reduces the material’s durability over the long run. Splashbacks made of laminate are also more likely to develop cracks. Because the splashback was built-in continuous sheets, any cracks that appeared quickly spread, causing the whole thing to need to be replaced.
As a result of intensive heating and cooling procedures, toughened glass splashbacks are manufactured that are very resistant to heat, making them ideal for kitchens.
Aesthetics
If you place a high value on having a wide variety of design choices available to you, you won’t be disappointed with either glass or laminate splashbacks. Splashbacks made of laminate come in a wide variety of colors and designs, and some even manage to simulate the look of stone, wood, or stainless steel. In addition, it is possible to put a laminate backsplash over tiles, provided that the tiles are still intact and firmly affixed to the wall. In a similar vein, there is an infinite variety of color and design possibilities available for glass splashbacks.
You may now have colored, mirrored, and custom-designed glass splashbacks that imitate tiles, marble, stone, and more thanks to the development of cutting-edge technology for printing on UV glass. In addition, these glass splashbacks can have amazing graphics and bright prints.
Not only can a glass kitchen backsplash protect your walls from damage caused by water, heat, oil, and grease, but it also has the potential to serve as a feature wall that draws attention to itself. Glass splashbacks have the extra benefit of being exceptionally light-reflective, which naturally lights the kitchen and gives the impression that it is much brighter and larger than it is. It’s ideal for kitchens with little or no natural light. Glass splashbacks, on the other hand, are only appropriate for use in kitchens designed in a modern or contemporary style. They are not suitable for use in traditional, rural, or rustic-style kitchens.
Maintenance
If you opt to have a laminate backsplash put in pre-cut tiles, the joints that are created between the tiles will make it more difficult to keep the splashback clean. A laminate splashback is rather simple to clean. Glass splashbacks, on the other hand, are perhaps the least difficult to clean of all of the materials that may be used for splashbacks. Glass splashbacks, in addition to having an appearance that is naturally smooth and shiny and that does not fade, are also very resistant to the accumulation of stains. Dirt, oil, and grease may easily be removed from it by simply wiping it down with a clean cloth that has been dampened with warm soapy water.
Tolerance of high temperatures and resistance to water
The answer to your question about whether or not it is possible to install a backsplash made of laminate behind a gas stove is “no.” Because of its qualities, laminate should never be allowed to come into contact with live flames. When using a gas hob, it is important to have a safety gap of at least 10 centimeters between a laminate splashback and the burner.
In addition, a laminate backsplash has to be fitted correctly behind the sink or around other wet areas to stop water from entering the joints of the splashback. On the contrary, glass splashbacks can resist temperatures of up to 400 °C, making them ideal for high-heat cooking and baking.
Wrapping Up
Both laminate and glass may be purchased in a wide variety of colors and patterns, and they only demand a small amount of work to maintain a clean appearance. On the other hand, a Glass Splashbacks provides better long-term value for the money.