Choosing a kitchen splashback is one of the most visible design decisions in any renovation. Glass and tiles are the two most common options in Tauranga homes right now, and they serve very different kitchens. Here is an honest comparison of both so you can make the right call for your space.
What Is a Glass Splashback?
A glass splashback is a single sheet of toughened safety glass installed behind your cooktop, sink, or bench. The colour is applied to the back of the glass, called back-painting, which gives it a smooth, seamless appearance with no grout lines.
Glass splashbacks can be made in virtually any colour including any Resene or Dulux shade. Digital print designs are also available, photographic images, patterns, or custom artwork printed directly onto the glass.
The Case for Glass
- Seamless appearance, no grout lines means no joints to collect grease, food, or mould. The entire surface is one continuous piece of glass.
- Easy to clean, a single wipe with a damp cloth removes most kitchen splatter. There are no grout lines to scrub.
- Colour accuracy, back-painted glass produces colours that are deeper and more saturated than tiles. You can match your splashback exactly to your cabinetry or benchtop colour.
- Low maintenance, glass does not stain, does not absorb moisture, and does not require sealing.
- Heat resistance, toughened safety glass is heat resistant and suitable for installation behind gas and electric cooktops. A minimum clearance between the cooktop and the splashback is required for gas installations, your installer will advise on this.
The Case for Tiles
- Design variety, tiles offer texture, dimension, and a wider range of visual effects including natural stone looks, handmade finishes, and three-dimensional surfaces.
- Lower upfront cost for basic options, entry-level ceramic tiles cost less per square metre than glass. However professional installation of tiles, including waterproofing, adhesive, grout, and labour, narrows the price gap significantly.
- Easier to repair, a single cracked tile can be replaced without affecting the rest of the splashback. A cracked glass splashback requires full panel replacement.
- Traditional appeal, tiles suit period homes, farmhouse kitchens, and spaces where texture is part of the design intent.
The Disadvantages of Each
Glass disadvantages:
- Grease and fingerprints are more visible on glass, particularly on dark or highly reflective colours. Requires regular wiping to stay looking clean.
- A cracked panel requires full replacement. This is rare, toughened glass is very strong, but it is not repairable.
- Higher upfront cost than basic tile options.
Tile disadvantages:
- Grout lines accumulate grease and require scrubbing. Dark grout helps but does not eliminate the maintenance issue.
- Grout can discolour and stain over time.
- Tiling is more disruptive to install and takes longer.
- Replacing a section of tiles later, if you want to change the look, requires removal of the entire tiled surface.
What Does Each Option Cost in Tauranga?
Glass splashbacks in Tauranga, supplied and installed by First Glass Solutions:
- Standard back-painted glass splashback: from $400 to $800 per square metre installed
- Digital print glass splashback: from $600 to $1,000 per square metre installed
Tile splashbacks for comparison, supply and installation by a tiler:
- Basic ceramic tiles: from $150 to $300 per square metre for tiles plus $80 to $150 per square metre for installation
- Premium porcelain or stone-look tiles: from $300 to $600 per square metre for tiles plus installation
The price gap narrows when you factor in professional tile installation, waterproofing, and grouting. Glass is more expensive upfront but significantly lower maintenance over the life of the kitchen.
Which Is Right for Your Tauranga Kitchen?
Choose glass if you want a low-maintenance, seamless finish and are willing to pay a premium for it. Particularly well-suited to modern kitchens, open plan living areas, and any renovation where the splashback is a design feature.
Choose tiles if you want texture, a traditional look, or have a budget constraint on the initial spend. Particularly well-suited to period homes, kitchen renovations with a handcrafted aesthetic, or bathrooms where the variety of tile formats adds design value.
