splash backs

[jo jo]

Hi there! i am wondering if you have to have a splashback behind a kitchen sink? i know you do behind a cook top, and am wondering if i can get away with having a splashback only behind the cooker, as i cant come at tiles and dont have the finance for stainless or glass all around. my idea is to only have them behind the cooker, and, if necessary, behind sink.

Many thanks
Jo Jo

[Ashore]

Why not its your house , have them whever you want, its practical and fits the budget go for it;)
Rgds

[jaypee]

Jo Jo

my only concern in not having something behind a kitchen sink is the spalsh mess you get from doing the dishes etc. Evenif you have a dishwasher you still need to wash certain items....

Unless you are planning on using a high grade washable paint I wouldn't think about not having a splashback there. (I assume you are using a wet board)

The other reason a splashback is good is that it tidies up the join between the kitchen sink and the wall.....:)

[Sybarite]

Hi Jo Jo,

As far a I know there are no legal requirements for the area behind a sink. Please anyone correct me if I am wrong.

Just thinking about some of the nicer Queensland designs where bifold window/doors open behind a sink area into an outdoor servery would suggest to me that your greatest concern would be to make sure that any joins/surfaces near your sink are well waterproofed.

If you have a vertical surface or a vertical/horizontal join behind your sink it is guaranteed to receive a lot of hot/cold water as well as greases and detergents.

What ever finish you choose should bear this in mind, as the sink area needs to be the best sealed part of your kitchen.

Personally I think that grout and silicon are the weakest aspects of most kitchen/bathroom waterproofing solutions; grout being porous/stainable and silicon being soft and stainable.
These are, however, sometimes still the best options depending on your needs/budget.

Another alternative (although not neccesarily cheap) is a coved benchtop (where the benchtop laminate rolls seamlessly up to the splash back).

Respect, all.