Month: July 2019

The kitchen is usually the room in the house that gets the heaviest use in the home.

The back of the worktop is normally finished with a splashback to protect the wall from the damage and debris thrown around.

But this splashback doesn’t need to be simply functional, it can add a stunning visual finish to the kitchen.

What will you use for your splashback? Let us talk you through the best of the many choices out there.

• Tiles

Good old tiles have always been the splashback of choice for many of us. Even with the emergence of new materials and ever changing fashions, tiles are still very popular amongst kitchen designers. Tiles are available in an incredible array of sizes and colours. Tiles can now be digitally printed too meaning they offer the ultimate in versatility.

• Match The Worktop

For an apparently seamless look why not use splashbacks which are the same colour and pattern as your worktop. Your kitchen supplier will normally have these in laminated board to create that block effect.

• Stainless Steel

If you are looking for a splashback which is easy to care for then stainless steel could be the choice for you. It can easily be made to bespoke sizes to suit your individual kitchen. Another twist would be to create your splashback using stainless steel tiles.

• Glass

Another very popular choice is glass. Glass can be coloured or left clear to pick up the colour of the wall behind. Glass can be painted, printed or frosted to create a range of effects. With panels manufactured without joins, glass does a fine job of protecting the kitchen walls whilst being easy to keep clean.

• Aluminium Composite

Made with a polythene core as the filling in an aluminium sandwich. With choices of colours available, as well as a brushed effect, Aluminium offers a great alternative for those on a budget. The brushed effect, particularly, is popular as it mimics the look of stainless steel.

• Acrylic

Supplied in sheets ready to be cut to size, the smooth and glossy finish of acrylic can add a real shine to a kitchen. The way acrylic transmits and reflects light make them great to work with for kitchen designers looking to create unusual visual effects. They can even have led lighting hidden behind them for an even more stunning result.

• High Pressure Laminate (HPL)

For the cost conscious, HPL is a great choice. Available in a variety of colours and has a top coat which is quite tough and resistant to scratches. For best results, these sheets would be attached to a battens to remove any imperfections in the base wall.

These no doubting the number of choices for your kitchen’s splashback is ever growing. We still reckon that tiling offers the best durability as well as being completely flexible with layout and styling. Not only that, some of the other choices may be currently fashionable but might date quickly.

Get in touch with us here at UK Pro Tiling to learn or refresh your tiling skills and get ready to create that timeless look in the kitchen.

Tiles are a perfect finish for a wet room. What appears to be a straightforward task will need some prior planning. Laid correctly, a tiled finish in the wetroom will last for many years.

For expert training in tiling, whether in a wetroom or anywhere else in the house, check out our comprehensive range of tiling courses.

Drainage Systems

Traditionally, a wetroom will drain from all four walls towards a Square Drain situated in the middle of the room or can be situated in the corner of the room where the existing shower was. The floor would then be covered by tile or anti slip vinyl.

Stone In-Fill Grills offer a much more aesthetically pleasing finish. The drainage grills will run across the room and fall into the waste before the room. Lengths of tile will be dropped onto the grills. A pleasing flush tiled finish is the result.

Frameless Grills take the concept to a new level. A mere 5mm of visible gap means the floor will appear completely tiled.

Choosing A Tile

Tiles chosen for a wetroom need to compliment the drainage system being used.

Mosaic tiles should only be used with a traditional style drain. Ceramic tiles can be used with any drainage system, provided they fit exactly around the drain. A cut edge will not be the same colour as the rest of the tile. Porcelain and Natural Stone tiles are both suitable for all types of drainage system.

So, having chosen your tiles, it’s time to start preparing your wet room.

Priming The Wet Room

A primer, suitable for the type of subfloor, must be laid and then allowed to dry. This ensures that the area is sealed and dust free, a tanking membrane would then be placed onto the walls and floors and all the corners sealed.

Adhesive Choice And Method

An adhesive must be applied over the whole area to fix the tiles, the adhesive must be rapid setting to ensure it cures on top of the non porous membrane. It should also be a flexible adhesive so that the tiled floor can absorb any movement or provide a better bond.

Cutting Tiles

Plan the tiling pattern to suit the drainage. Keeping cuts to a minimum and using envelope cuts done on a wet saw, particularly near the drain, will minimise the risk of water finding a route beneath the tile bed.

Grouting

When grouting between the tiles choose a fully waterproof, flexible grout, which has been designed to withstand the forceful jets from a modern shower.

Silicone

Once everything is tiled a silicone bead should be applied to where the wall tiles meet the floor tiles to ensure a seal between the two

A well tiled wet room can be quite a statement in the home. Why not get some training from us before tackling your own. We have course aimed at all levels of experience. Get in touch and we’d be happy to discuss your tiling needs.

Tiles are a perfect finish for a wet room. What appears to be a straightforward task will need some prior planning. Laid correctly, a tiled finish in the wetroom will last for many years.

For expert training in tiling, whether in a wetroom or anywhere else in the house, check out our comprehensive range of tiling courses.

Drainage Systems

Traditionally, a wetroom will drain from all four walls towards a Square Drain situated in the middle of the room or can be situated in the corner of the room where the existing shower was. The floor would then be covered by tile or anti slip vinyl.

Stone In-Fill Grills offer a much more aesthetically pleasing finish. The drainage grills will run across the room and fall into the waste before the room. Lengths of tile will be dropped onto the grills. A pleasing flush tiled finish is the result.

Frameless Grills take the concept to a new level. A mere 5mm of visible gap means the floor will appear completely tiled.

Choosing A Tile

Tiles chosen for a wetroom need to compliment the drainage system being used.

Mosaic tiles should only be used with a traditional style drain. Ceramic tiles can be used with any drainage system, provided they fit exactly around the drain. A cut edge will not be the same colour as the rest of the tile. Porcelain and Natural Stone tiles are both suitable for all types of drainage system.

So, having chosen your tiles, it’s time to start preparing your wet room.

Priming The Wet Room

A primer, suitable for the type of subfloor, must be laid and then allowed to dry. This ensures that the area is sealed and dust free, a tanking membrane would then be placed onto the walls and floors and all the corners sealed.

Adhesive Choice And Method

An adhesive must be applied over the whole area to fix the tiles, the adhesive must be rapid setting to ensure it cures on top of the non porous membrane. It should also be a flexible adhesive so that the tiled floor can absorb any movement or provide a better bond.

Cutting Tiles

Plan the tiling pattern to suit the drainage. Keeping cuts to a minimum and using envelope cuts done on a wet saw, particularly near the drain, will minimise the risk of water finding a route beneath the tile bed.

Grouting

When grouting between the tiles choose a fully waterproof, flexible grout, which has been designed to withstand the forceful jets from a modern shower.

Silicone

Once everything is tiled a silicone bead should be applied to where the wall tiles meet the floor tiles to ensure a seal between the two.

A well tiled wet room can be quite a statement in the home. Why not get some training from us before tackling your own. We have course aimed at all levels of experience. Get in touch and we’d be happy to discuss your tiling needs.