Fitting a kitchen splashback yourself costs €30 to €300, depending on the material you choose. A glass splashback or stainless steel sheet can be fitted for as little as €30–€80. Ceramic tiles cost €60–€200 in materials for an average kitchen splashback. Having the work done professionally will set you back €200 to €600 including labour. The splashback protects your wall from grease, water and cooking splatter — and at the same time gives the kitchen a complete makeover. In this article we compare all the material options and walk you through a complete step-by-step guide.
What does a kitchen splashback cost? DIY vs. professional
| DIY | Tiler / kitchen specialist | |
|---|---|---|
| **Tiles (2 m² wall)** | €60 – €180 (materials) | €250 – €500 (incl. labour) |
| **Glass splashback (bespoke glass)** | €80 – €250 (glass + sealant) | €300 – €600 (incl. fitting) |
| **Stainless steel sheet** | €30 – €80 (sheet + sealant) | €150 – €350 (incl. fitting) |
| **Wood-effect composite panel** | €50 – €150 (panel + sealant) | €200 – €400 (incl. labour) |
| **Saving by doing it yourself** | 55–70% | — |
Which material should you choose for your kitchen splashback?
1. Ceramic tiles or mosaic tiles
The most classic option. Huge choice of styles, colours and formats. Mosaic tiles are popular for a premium look.
Pros: durable, heat-resistant, easy to clean
Cons: more work to install, grout lines need maintenance
2. Toughened glass (bespoke cut)
A piece of glass cut to measure and fitted behind the worktop. Looks sleek and modern. Completely seamless — no grout.
Pros: hygienic (no grout lines), clean design, easy to wipe down
Cons: more expensive, vulnerable to breakage from a hard impact, must be cut to order
3. Stainless steel sheet
Popular in professional kitchens, increasingly seen in home kitchens. Clean, modern, professional.
Pros: heat-resistant, hygienic, budget-friendly
Cons: fingerprints show easily, can feel cold
4. Composite / HPL panel (wood effect, concrete look)
Plastic composite panels with a decorative surface layer. Available in wood effect, concrete look, stone effect.
Pros: stylish, easy to fit, wide range of finishes
Cons: less heat-resistant than glass/stainless steel (not suitable directly next to a gas hob)
5. Peel-and-stick tiles (self-adhesive tiles)
Ready-made tiles with a self-adhesive backing. No adhesive, no grouting. A popular temporary option (also suitable for renters).
Pros: quick to apply, no tools needed, no permanent fixing
Cons: less durable, can come away in heat or damp, not for direct contact with hob
Materials (tiles, 2 m² kitchen splashback)
| Material | Quantity | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Ceramic tiles 10×30 cm (metro) | ±2.2 m² | €20 – €80 |
| Tile adhesive (flexible) | 2 kg | €8 – €15 |
| Grout (colour of choice) | 1 kg | €5 – €10 |
| Kitchen silicone sealant | 1 tube | €5 – €10 |
| Tile spacers | 1 bag | €3 – €5 |
| Primer (for board materials/plaster) | 1 litre | €8 – €15 |
| **Total** | **€49 – €135** |
Step-by-step guide: fitting tiles as a kitchen splashback
Step 1: Prepare the surface
The wall must be clean, dry and sound. Remove any existing paint (if adhesion is poor), loose plaster or old splashback material.
Treat plasterboard or plaster walls with a specialist tile primer. This significantly improves the adhesion of the tile adhesive.
Temporarily remove sockets and light fittings (switch off the electricity first!). Use extension frames to bring them back flush later.
Step 2: Mark your starting position
Work from the centre of the tiled area. Find the centre of the width and draw a vertical line. Also draw a horizontal line at the height of the bottom edge of the splashback (normally the worktop level).
Do a dry run by laying the tiles out without adhesive to check the layout. This shows you how much to cut at each side and helps you avoid awkward thin slivers in prominent positions.
Step 3: Apply the tile adhesive
Use a flexible tile adhesive (specifically for kitchens/bathrooms). Comb the adhesive onto the wall with a notched trowel (6–8 mm notch for tiles up to 30 cm).
Work in sections no larger than 50×50 cm at a time. Press each tile firmly into place with a slight twisting motion. Use tile spacers for consistent joint width.
Step 4: Tile by tile
Work from the centre lines outwards to the edges. Cut tiles to fit using a tile cutter (for straight cuts) or an angle grinder (for cutouts around sockets). Check each row with a spirit level.
Step 5: Leave the adhesive to cure for 24 hours
Don’t disturb the tiles for 24 hours. The tile adhesive needs time to cure fully before you apply the grout.
Step 6: Apply the grout
Grout the tiles using cement-based grout in your chosen colour. Work with a rubber grout float, spreading diagonally across the tiles. Remove excess with a damp sponge. Leave to cure for 24 hours.
Step 7: Seal the joints with silicone
Apply silicone sealant to:
- The joint between the tiles and the worktop
- The internal wall corners
- The joint between the tiles and the hob
Silicone is flexible and accommodates the slight movement that occurs through heat and everyday use.
How to fit a glass splashback
A glass kitchen splashback is actually straightforward to fit once the glass has been cut to size:
- Have the glass cut to measure at a glazier (provide exact dimensions, including cutouts for sockets)
- Clean the wall thoroughly — painted walls are fine as a substrate
- Apply specialist glass bonding strips to the back of the glass
- Press the glass firmly onto the wall and tape it in place until the adhesive has set (24 hours)
- Seal the edges with clear or white silicone sealant
Common mistakes
- Applying tile adhesive to unprimed plasterboard. Plasterboard is absorbent — without primer, the adhesive will fail.
- No silicone in the joints. Cement grout in the worktop-to-tile transition will crack from the slight movement of the worktop. Always use silicone there.
- Placing cut tiles in the most visible position. Plan your layout so that cut tiles fall in corners or behind appliances.
- Forgetting to deal with sockets. Existing sockets will need an extension frame if the tiles are thicker than the original trim.
- Using cement grout right next to a gas hob. In the immediate area around a gas hob, epoxy grout is recommended due to the heat.
Frequently asked questions
How high should a kitchen splashback be?
As standard, the splashback runs from the underside of the wall units down to the worktop. This is typically 50–60 cm. If you have no wall units, you can run the splashback from floor to ceiling for a striking look.
Can I tile over a wallpapered or painted wall?
Over painted walls: yes, provided the paint adheres well. Lightly sand for better adhesion. Over wallpaper: no — always remove it first. Tile adhesive will not bond to wallpaper.
Which material is easiest to keep clean?
Toughened glass is the easiest: no grout, smooth surface, wipes clean with a kitchen degreaser. Stainless steel is also easy but shows fingerprints. Tiles are durable but the grout lines need attention.
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