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How To Measure and Install An Acrylic Splashback

Written by JD
23/04/2018 11:03:40

A guide to measure and install an acrylic splashback 

 

Splashbacks are perfect for protecting walls that are prone to splashing – typically kitchens, bathrooms and shower cubicles. For an easy, speedy and inexpensive transformation choose acrylic splashbacks. You can read why acrylic splashbacks make a better choice than glass or tiles here. Looks and hygiene aside, top reasons are their combined light weight and super strength making them safe and easy to install yourself.

Pic of  acrylic splashbacks are perfect for shower cubicles


measuring for acrylic splashbacks is easy acrylic splashbacks are perfect for shower cubicles

 

Here’s how to measure up for an acrylic splashback

  1. Once you have decided which wall areas you wish to cover an easy way forward is to draw out a plan on a piece of paper of the area that is going to be covered.

  2.  Measure the total width and height of acrylic needed and then mark it on your plan.  In most cases splashbacks are fitted to a walls between worktops and cupboards. In these circumstances leave around 1mm top and bottom or sides so that there is room for a little movement. (Use sealant later on to fill any gaps – this will prevent any moisture from seeping under and down the back of the worktop and also any moisture from running down walls and behind the splashback from the top.)

  3.  Next on your plan include everything that will need cutting around. This could be a socket hole, a cooker isolator, a cabinet, some pipes etc…. On your drawing you can then record all of your measurements so that you know exactly what cuts need making and where. For an idea of cost, enter your measurements and the number of cut-outs you need into our handy cut to size tool.

How To Measure Socket Holes
Firstly, decide how you would like your socket faceplate to appear then measure up:

For socket faceplates that sit inside your splashback

  • measure your existing socket faceplate and add 3 – 5 mm to the measurements. Your splashback will then be cut larger than the existing socket faceplate so that this socket faceplate can comfortably sit inside the splashback. (On installation use a sealant to seal the socket faceplate and the edge of the acrylic splashback together.)

For socket faceplates that sit on top of your splashback 

  • unscrew your existing socket faceplate and measure the size of the black box. Add 1mm to these measurements for movement.

Your splashback will then have a cut slightly smaller than your socket faceplate. Once your splashback is on the wall, you can screw the socket faceplate over the top of the splashback giving a tidy, professional finish.
With all your measurements made your plan should look something like this:


Measuring up for splashbacks
Plan for splashback showing measurements and cut outs
 

 

How to fit an acrylic splashback
The best finishes are obtained when wall surfaces are flat and clean. If that doesn’t sound like your walls, some upfront preparation will reward you with a better finished splashback and below is our handy guide to help with this. You’ll be able to fit your acrylic splashback into place in quick time.

Check Your Walls – they should ideally be white and:

Flat: Fill in any holes or damage – it is a worthwhile exercise for a better-looking splashback.  If you want to double check if your walls are flat– place a spirit level horizontally and vertically over several random places on the wall and look along the level to check for gaps. If there are gaps you can fill them and sand them back flat. If you find gaps greater than 6mm deep it is worth considering having the wall area re-plastered.

Clean: remove any wallpaper, flaking paint, tiles, adhesives etc.  Also, remove any dust and dirt from your wall (Sugar Soap is suitable for this task).

Sealed: If your wall has been plastered or you are fixing on to plasterboard you will need to seal the surface first.  If this isn’t done your acrylic splashback won’t set properly.  That’s because the plaster will be porous if it is not sealed and it will suck the moisture from the bonding. Brushing a watered down PVA solution onto your wall and once dry should do the job.

Worktops
They should ideally be sealed. Use a silicon sealer to seal along where your worktops meet the wall area. This is to stop moisture penetrating and running down the back of your worktop and units which might cause damp.

You’re Ready To Do A Trial Placement of Your Acrylic Splashback
Make sure that the electrical supply to the wall you are fixing to has been isolated. Then, remove anything that is in the way, e.g.) socket faceplates. Take your acrylic splashback and do a trial run of placing it onto the wall. While acrylic splashbacks are very light and easy to handle it might be easier with a helper. Once you are happy that the acrylic splashback goes into position nicely, apply your adhesive bonding.

Bonding Your Splashback With Adhesive
Make sure your splashback is clean with no traces of dust and grease. Just use warm soapy water and a soft cotton cloth to clean it.  Then apply the adhesive in evenly over its entire reverse side. Be sure not to put any adhesive too close to the edges of your splashback otherwise it will seep out when it spreads.

Fix Your Acrylic Splashback On For Real
Have your helper on hand for this bit. When ready, lift your splashback and position its base exactly where it needs to be but keep the rest from the wall at about a 45° angle for just a moment. Have your helper push the acrylic splashback into the wall from the bottom, working upwards. Press the whole splashback firmly against your wall keeping pressure until the bonding has cured enough to keep your splashback in place – so it neither falls or creeps from your wall. This is a good time to screw socket faceplates back on as they will help to hold your splashback in place as well. It should take around 24 hours to cure properly so hang on until then to remove the protective film from your acrylic splashback.

Help, Advice and Buying An Acrylic Splashback
See our wide range of acrylic splashbacks here at The Plastic People. We deliver acrylic splashbacks to your home cut to your sizes and template. For friendly advice email our customer services team or reach them on 0113 249 2222. 

 

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