South East England 7am–9pm 07863 778208 - HomeAboutServices Areas Our WorkReviewsContactRequest an Estimate Home - /Guides - /Guide # The Ultimate Guide to Kitchen Splashbacks: Materials, Patterns and Installation Tips A tiled splashback protects the wall behind your hob and sink from heat, steam and splashes, and it is also one of the easiest ways to give a kitchen its character. Because the area is small, it is a great place to use a tile you love. This guide covers the best materials, the most popular patterns and the installation details that make a splashback look good and stay that way. Request a Free Estimate ## What a splashback has to cope with Behind a hob, a splashback faces heat, steam and cooking oil. Behind a sink, it faces water and regular wiping. Whatever you choose has to be easy to clean, resistant to staining and fixed securely to a sound wall. That rules out very porous materials unless they are sealed and maintained. ## Choosing the material Glazed ceramic is the most popular splashback tile. It comes in an enormous range of colours, shapes and finishes, is easy to wipe clean and costs less than most alternatives. Handmade-look and gloss ceramics reflect light and suit both traditional and modern kitchens. Porcelain is denser and more stain-resistant. Large-format porcelain slabs can run along the whole worktop with very few joints, often matched to the worktop or floor for a seamless look. Natural stone such as marble brings real luxury but needs sealing and careful cleaning, as acidic foods like lemon and tomato can mark it. Glass mosaics add shimmer and are very easy to clean. Whatever the material, check it is suitable for use behind a hob. ## Popular splashback patterns Brick bond, or offset metro, is the classic layout and suits almost any kitchen. A stacked layout, with tiles in straight vertical and horizontal lines, gives a clean, modern look. Vertical stacking draws the eye upwards and can make a low wall feel taller. Herringbone and chevron layouts add movement and craftsmanship, and work well with narrow rectangular tiles. Zellige-style and handmade-look tiles create texture with their natural variation. For a bold statement, patterned encaustic-effect tiles can turn the splashback into the focal point of the room. ## Height, extent and layout A splashback can be a strip just above the worktop, run up to the wall cabinets or go all the way to the ceiling. Full-height tiling behind a hob or on a wall without wall units creates a striking feature and protects more of the wall. Plan where the tiles start and finish before fixing. Centring the layout on the hob or window, and making sure cuts at each end are balanced, makes a big difference to the finished look. Sockets, switches and window reveals should be considered in the layout so cuts around them are neat. ## Grout choices Grout colour changes the whole look. A matching grout gives a calm, seamless surface. A contrasting grout, such as dark grout with white metro tiles, highlights the pattern but also shows the quality of the tiling, so the lines must be straight. Kitchen splashbacks pick up grease and food splashes, so a stain-resistant grout makes cleaning easier. Epoxy grout is highly resistant to staining and needs no sealing, while cement-based grout can be sealed for extra protection. ## Installation tips that matter The wall must be clean, dry, flat and sound. Old tiles can sometimes be tiled over if they are firmly fixed, but this adds weight and depth, which affects sockets and the worktop edge. In most cases removing them gives a better result. Fitting the splashback after the worktops are installed allows the first row to sit neatly on the worktop with a silicone joint, rather than rigid grout, along the bottom edge. That joint allows for slight movement and stops water getting behind the tiles. Electrical sockets and switches may need to be brought forward to sit flush with the new tile surface. Any electrical work should be done by a qualified electrician. ## Care and cleaning Wipe splashes regularly with warm water and a mild, pH-neutral cleaner. Avoid abrasive pads on glossy tiles and acidic cleaners on natural stone. A soft brush keeps grout lines clean, and resealing stone or cement-based grout from time to time keeps stains out. ## Getting your splashback right A splashback is a small area, but it is seen every day, so precise layout and neat cuts matter. James and his team carry out kitchen tiling across Kent and South East London, from simple metro splashbacks to herringbone and full-height feature walls. Request a free estimate to discuss your kitchen. Find out more about our kitchen tiling in Kent or see examples on our work. ## Common questions What is the best tile for a kitchen splashback?Glazed ceramic is the most popular for its range and easy cleaning. Porcelain is more stain-resistant, while natural stone looks luxurious but needs sealing. Should the splashback go in before or after the worktop?After. Tiling down onto the fitted worktop, with a silicone joint along the bottom, gives the neatest and most watertight finish. Can I tile over an existing splashback?Sometimes, if the old tiles are firmly fixed, but it adds depth and weight. Removing them usually gives a better result. ## More tiling guides - Porcelain vs Ceramic Tiles: Which Is Best for High-Traffic Areas? - How Long Does Professional Tiling Take? A Realistic Timeline for Homeowners - Why Tile Is the Perfect Partner for Underfloor Heating Next step ## Get a fixed price for your project Send a few details and James will arrange a visit and a clear written quote, no obligation. Prefer to talk it through? Call 07863 778208, 7am–9pm. Call 07863 778208 - 1-year workmanship guarantee - Fixed price agreed before work starts ### Request your estimate Tell James about the job and he'll come back with a clear, fixed price. Typically answered the same working day, 7am–9pm. Premium tiling and bathroom refurbishments across Kent and South East London. Award-winning finishing detail, 7 years in the trade. - ### Contact 07863 778208 - jamesbutler195@gmail.com - South East England - 7am–9pm ### Pages - Services - Areas Covered - About - Our Work - Reviews - Tiling Guides - Contact ### Areas Covered Sevenoaks · Tunbridge Wells · Chislehurst · Orpington · Goudhurst · West Malling · Beckenham · Bromley · Maidstone · Tonbridge · Sidcup · Bexley · Swanley · Dartford · Petts Wood · West Wickham · Pembury · Edenbridge · Westerham © 2026 JB Tiling. All rights reserved. Privacy PolicyTerms & ConditionsCookie Policy£10m public liability insurance · 1-year workmanship guarantee Call James Request Estimate