Tile splashbacks
Subway tile (75×150 traditional, 100×200 modern, 100×300 long subway): classic urban + heritage; cost £35–£85/m² supplied + £45–£85/m² installed = £80–£170/m² fitted; brands Mandarin Stone, Topps Tiles, Bert + May (handmade), Otto Tiles (Catalan handmade £125–£245/m²); grout choice critical (charcoal grout = visible pattern; matching grout = seamless field). Large-format porcelain (600×1200, 800×800): minimal joints + modern aesthetic; £85–£185/m² supplied + £55–£85/m² installed; marble-look + concrete-look + plain options. Mosaic (penny round 25mm, hexagonal 50mm, fish-scale): texture + retro detail; £85–£245/m² supplied + £65–£125/m² installed. Patterned encaustic-look porcelain (Bert + May, Otto, Mandarin patterns): bold Mediterranean / Moorish character; £125–£385/m² supplied + install. Practical: porcelain wipes clean; epoxy grout (Mapei Kerapoxy) preferred behind hob for stain resistance + colour stability (grease + tomato + wine spatter).
Glass + slab splashbacks
Glass back-painted splashback: continuous glass panel (typically 6–10mm toughened) bonded to wall; back-painted in any RAL or NCS colour (custom); seamless (no joints), exceptionally easy clean (wipe with cloth + glass cleaner); modern aesthetic. Cost £185–£485/m² supplied + installed bespoke (cut to size, holes for socket + tap drilled at template). Brands: Splashbacks of Distinction, Splashbacks UK, Architects' Glass. Lead time 4–8 weeks. Best for: contemporary minimal kitchen, behind hob (continuous splash-resistance), open-plan kitchen where seamless aesthetic prized. Avoid: small kitchen (reflection makes space busy); period heritage (glass alien). Slab splashback (marble, quartz, granite, travertine matching worktop): continuous slab cut from same block as worktop creates 'waterfall' effect from worktop up the splashback (some installs extend full-height to ceiling). Cost £285–£650/m² premium spec (slab marble + bespoke cut + install). Brands: Stone Centre, Caesarstone, Cosentino Silestone, Cambria. Best for: premium kitchen where worktop is statement (marble waterfall island + matching splashback creates monolithic spec impact); £15,000–£45,000 premium for whole-kitchen marble worktop + splashback + island vs standard quartz + tile = £6,500–£14,500.
Metal + microcement
Metal splashback: stainless steel (commercial-grade, industrial aesthetic, £185–£345/m² supplied bespoke); copper (heritage + warmth, patina develops 6–18 months giving character, £285–£485/m²); brass (Victorian/Edwardian heritage, gold warmth, sealed brass £285–£485/m² or unsealed natural patina); aged zinc (rustic French aesthetic, £245–£385/m²). Bespoke fabrication (Splashbacks of Distinction, custom metal works) 4–8 week lead; sockets + tap holes precision-cut. Best for: heritage Victorian/Edwardian (copper + brass), industrial loft conversion (stainless steel), rustic French country (aged zinc). Maintenance: stainless steel wipe-clean (water spots show — buff); copper develops patina (embraces character or polish to maintain) — wax sealing slows patina; brass tarnishes (regular polish or accept patina). Microcement splashback: thin cementitious overlay applied seamlessly over substrate — continuous concrete-look matching microcement floor/worktop; modern industrial aesthetic; cost £125–£245/m² supplied + applied (specialist installer — see [[tadelakt-microcement-venetian-plaster-london]]). Best for: contemporary minimal kitchen where worktop + splashback + floor microcement creates monolithic concrete-look; pairs with brushed brass tap + handles + black appliances for sophisticated palette.
