FAQs & How-To Guides

Measuring a splashback is pretty straightforward for areas like behind your cooker hob. More complicated areas are not as easy as you may think, to ensure you get a well fitted, professional looking finish.

If in doubt, let us take the measurements and templates for you. Surveys are cost effective — they take the risk out of getting it wrong — once your glass is cut and toughened, it cannot be altered if it does not fit. A survey is much cheaper than buying a replacement splashback.

We always send 2 people to carry out splashback measurements as it is important to have all measurements checked twice — we advise you have your own measurements double checked by another person if you are providing your own measurements.

Use a spirit level to check all walls and surfaces are straight and level.

Measure the width and height and take off 2mm from any edge where the glass will meet an object, (like a cupboard) or a wall.

Allow a 4mm tolerance where two pieces of glass will join together.

If you need holes to be cut out for sockets, socket sizes are usually 75mm x 75mm for single sockets and 135mm x 75mm for double sockets. Measure your socket position by measuring from one edge, in to the edge of the socket and from the work top up to the bottom of the socket.

Where your glass will meet at corners, allow an 8mm tolerance for the glass and the glue.

Check your wall is free from dust and is flat.

Place your glass face down on a protective surface.

Apply around 10-15 tennis ball size blobs of the adhesive to the back of the glass. (Only use low modulus neutral cure adhesive for glass splashbacks — stronger adhesives can damage the painted surface)

Push the glass onto the wall and wait around 5 minutes to allow the adhesive to set a little. Check your glass is secure before letting go of the glass. It takes 24 hours for the adhesive to be fully set and your glass splashback to be securely in place.

After 24 hours, you can then silicone seal the edges. Do not attempt to seal the edges before 24 hours have elapsed, as this will cause the splashback to move slightly in the adhesive and appear crooked.

Safety glass (toughened or laminated) is used in critical locations, where harm could be caused if it were to break. (Safety glass that complies with BS 6206 may be fitted in critical locations.)

In doors — safety glass should be used in the areas between floor level and up to 1500mm above floor level, including side panels which are within 300mm of the door.

In windows — safety glass should be used in the areas between floor level and up to 800mm above floor level.

Any part of a glass area affected must meet the requirements — not just the relevant section.

Edge arising is taking the sharpness off the edge of glass by lightly sanding it. It does not give a smooth, clean finish, it is done to make glass easier to handle as it reduces the risk of cutting yourself. Arrised edge glass is usually installed in a frame where the edge cannot be touched.

A polished edge is buffing the edge of glass to produce a smooth, translucent finish. Polished edges are used for shower screens, splashbacks, shelves, frameless shower enclosures, frameless mirrors, table tops and furniture tops.

A bevelled edge is a decorative, angled edge used most commonly on mirrors and some counters, doors or table tops. It is done by grinding and polishing the edge of the glass, at a 45 degree angle. It gives a classic finish to emphasize edge detail.

Dubbed corners are when the angle of the corner is blunted slightly by 2-3mm, to remove the sharp point from the corner. This makes the corner safer. It is often seen on shower screens, balustrades, splashbacks and glass table tops.

Radius corners are rounded corners. A corner radius is a measurement describing the curve and refers to the radius of the circle created, if the curve was extended to create a full circle.

The smallest size is a minimum of 250mm (25cms) to at least one length of the glass.

Toughened glass:

If the hole is required to the corner of your glass or mirror, the hole will need to be located a minimum of 5 times the thickness of the glass, from the corner. For example, 4mm glass would require the edge of the hole to be a minimum of 20mm from the corner.

If your hole is required to be at the edge of the glass or mirror, away from the corners, the hole will need to be located at least 1 and half times the thickness of the glass, from the edge of the hole. For example, the edge of a hole to 4mm glass would need to be at least 6mm from the edge of the glass.

Standard float glass or mirrors:

Drilled holes can be slightly closer to the edge, please discuss your requirements with our team to find your perfect solution.

Any drill hole must always be at least the same thickness of the glass. If you have 4mm glass, then your drill holes would need to be a minimum 4mm diameter, 6mm glass would require a minimum 6mm diameter hole etc.

Mirrors are manufactured in their basic form of silvered glass, then different backings are added to suit the requirements of the mirrors location.

Bathrooms/Wet rooms — foil backing is recommended as this helps preserve the life of the mirror in a high moisture environment.

Areas requiring safety from harm — safety backing is recommended as should the mirror break, the backing will hold the mirror in place to prevent harm.

Mirrors that will be glued on with specialist mirror adhesive can either be fitted in their basic form or have a foil backing. Safety backing should not be used with mirrors that are being affixed with specialist mirror adhesive as the backing can inhibit the adhesives performance.

Mirrors that will be affixed by screwing to a wall usually require safety backing.

Mirrors can be fixed with screws or with specialist mirror adhesive. Mirrors should not be fixed in place with sticky pads. See our section “What backing does my mirror need?” to choose the right backing for your mirror to suit your preferred fixings.

If your question is still unanswered, please contact our dedicated glazing team who will be delighted to assist you.