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Our new wider 15″ flip down TV and DVD is the perfect way to make your time in the kitchen more entertaining.

The unit fits neatly under a kitchen cabinet and both flips and swivels to make sure you can view it form pretty much wherever you are in the kitchen and whatever you are doing! This high quality unit is HD ready and hooks up for Freeview as well as having an integrated DVD player. Plus with the built-in CI port the unit can have access to extended Digital Services such as Top-UP TV or Setanta Sports (via suitable CAM adapter).

Installation has been made quick and easy with 6 screw attachments being all you need to position the unit in place. And what’s more, we are offering at £90 discount on the Recommended Retail Price plus free delivery. So what are you waiting for? Make life in the kitchen more fun, flip though to our kitchen TV offer!

 

Whether you are buying just a simple plain splashback to go behind your hob or opting for a spectacular wall of glass to fit around you entire work area, you will want to be sure you measure and fit to the best level possible.

 

The process is relatively straightforward, but there are a few tips and tricks you should be aware of.

 

Measuring

 

Maximum Lengths: Large areas of wall can be covered by single panels of glass, but for ease of handling and to reduce the risk of breakages, we recommend that no glass panel is any longer than 2 metres. So if you have a run of wall that is longer, then the panels should be separated into multiple lengths to make up the total. The distance between pieces need only be 2mm (see info below for further information re expansions gaps), which means the wall will still appear smooth and virtually seamless.

 

Socket Holes and other Apertures: where you have plug sockets or other wall mounted items requiring an aperture to be formed within the splashback panels, you will need to provide measurements. The way to do this is to measure from the edges of the panel to identify the location of the centre of the aperture and then provide the dimensions of the aperture itself (see the diagram below for reference), as well as details of the item you need the aperture for. So, for example for the aperture shown on the diagram below, measure to the centre of where the aperture needs to be from the nearest vertical edge of the splashback, (dimension a), the nearest horizontal edge of the splashback (dimension b), the dimension of the aperture itself (dimensions c and d) and then a description of the item the hole is required for (e,g double socket, pipe, single switch and so on). Apertures should be a minimum of 40mm from the edge.

 

Cut Outs: Where you need to have a panel shaped, for example to accommodate a cabinet corner, or to extend a splashback from the hob, you will need to provide details of the cu-out shape. There are a few rules to remember, first being that you can’t have a square cut from the corner of the splashback (it will cause the glass to fracture), but you can cut an oblong. Also, the depth of the cut out is important, if the cut-out is too deep, the glass is likely to fracture. The diagram below is an indicator, best to ask if in doubt.

 Cooker Hoods: Splashbacks can be shaped to fit snugly up to your cooker hood, even if it is curved. To get the curve shaped correctly, you will need to provide the radius information from the manufacturers spec.

 

Expansion Gaps: Where a splashback is fitted up against another splashback panel, or any other item, you need to leave a 2mm expansion gap. This will then be filled with sealant (see fitting details below). Again, the diagram below shows a number of instances where the gaps need to accounted for in the measuring process.

 

And as a final comment with regard to measuring, make sure you measure it at least twice! This will reduce any errors made by simple things like not holding the tape in the right place.

 

Fitting

 

Bespoke splashbacks are fitted using mirror glue and sealant. Generally available, these are solvent free and most commonly come in clear and white. We have a dual glue and sealant option on our website.

 

To adhere the splashback panels to the wall, first line up the panels carefully, then apply the glue in lines down the back of the panel following the instructions on the adhesive/sealant you have chosen. You will find there is enough ‘give’ in the adhesive to make minor positional adjustments after placing the panel in position. When you are fitting adjacent panels or butting against another item, be sure to leave the 2mm expansion gap between the. You can use tile spacers or matchsticks if you wish.

 

Once the panels are firmly in place, carefully seal all edges with the sealant.

 

Once complete, to clean and polish the surfaces and get ride of any marks, use fine wire wool (we supply this for you when you order bespoke splashbacks).

 

Maintenance

 

Maintaining you splashbacks really couldn’t be easier. They are easy to wipe clean and when you need to get off any stubborn marks, use fine wire wool as mentioned above.

This information is provided as a guideline only – and if you are in any doubt at all, then please consult with a professional or get in touch for further help and guidance.

 

 

 

 

Glass splashbacks are the latest must have item – and we have many enquiries both for our standard sized splashbacks and upstands plus custom made versions, so I thought I’d give a quick guideline to answer most of the questions we get asked.

I will concentrate here on the options available to purchase – and in a subsequent blog, how to fit and maintain them.

So first of all, when is it a splashback and when is it an upstand? Well they are really the same thing in terms of functionality – they are glass panels fitted against the wall to protect it from the splashes and general mess created from preparation of food and cooking – the two terms are simply used to distinguish between a panel that goes directly behind the hob (splashback) and a panel that fits against the wall above a work surface or other part of the kitchen (upstand). If you want to use a single term, then call it all splashback.

Do I Buy Standard Or Bespoke?

1.      Standard Splashbacks and Upstands

As the term implies, standard splashbacks come in fixed size and colour variations. The splashbacks are varying widths that conform to the standard sizes of hobs and cookers, 600mm, 800mm, 900mm, 1000mm and 1100mm. Our standard glass splashbacks are 750mm in height.

Upstands (which come in matching colours so that you can create a continuous wall of glass) are in fixed lengths of 1m and heights of either 450mm or 140mm.

The colours vary from vibrant lime, fuschia, Vermeer (stunning! Zest green is shown in the pic above), to more subtle blues, browns and blacks and mid range colours between

Key Question: Can I Cut Them?

If the splashback is made of standard float glass, then technically yes. But the reality is that you will be taking a risk. You should not cut them yourself, but take them to a glazier who can also smooth and polish the edges – but beware; the glazier will not guarantee that the panel won’t fracture or that the cutting won’t weaken the glass. If you need to conform to a particular size or shape, you could save yourself some stress and possibly money by having a bespoke one made.

If the panel is in toughened float glass, then they cannot be cut.

2.      Bespoke Splashback panels

Bespoke panels offer you great flexibility in having anything from a simple made to measure back panel for the hob, to creating a fabulous made to measure wall of glass. We recommend that panels be a maximum of 2m for handling, but corner cut-outs, curvature shaping and socket holes can all be accommodated to ensure the panels fit snugly under cabinets, around window sills and so on. There are some minor limitations, (you can’t for example, have an exact square cut out of the corner of panel as it will break), but apart from this, most designs will be workable.

Another major advantage of bespoke panels is that you can have virtually any colour – select from a standard RAL chart or provide a paint colour that can be matched to suit your décor.

Types of Glass – What to Choose

There are essentially three types of glass, which can come in varying thicknesses. Our splashbacks and upstands are all formed in 6mm glass, which is standard (work surfaces, window sills and so on tend to be thicker).

1.      Stand 6mm float glass

Formed in extra strong glass but not toughened. This technically means the glass can still be cut, but please beware the points made above. Our standard splashbacks and upstands come in this option, but not bespoke.

2.      Toughened 6mm float glass

This is one of the options we use for our bespoke splashbacks. This glass conforms to all required EN and BS standards. The difference between it and the Low Iron variation (see details below) is in colour purity and consequently, cost. Float glass has a slight natural green tinge which may show though to varying degrees in the final colour of your splashback. For pale and some mid range colours (blue for example), the green tinge will be noticeable to a small degree (and some people prefer it), whereas for dark colours and heavier mid range colours (re, pink etc) the tinge is barely noticeable. This is the lower cost option.

3.      Toughened 6mm Low Iron Glass

Manufactured by Pilkington and branded Optiwhite, the glass is purer and offers a more accurate representation of colour. For paler colours and where you are specifically aiming to colour match, this may be the best option. It is a little more expensive than the float glass.

So that’s an overview of the options available.

In the next blog, information about measuring for, fitting and maintaining your splashbacks. If you have any questions in the meantime, then email enquiries@mykitchenstore.co.uk and we’ll be delighted to help!