Colour-backed glass
Colour-backed glass is toughened glass painted on the back in the colour of your choice. It is the easy-clean, seamless choice for kitchen splashbacks, wall cladding and furniture.
What is colour-backed glass?
Colour-backed glass, also called back-painted or lacobel-style glass, is glass with a durable coloured coating on its rear face. Seen from the front, the colour sits behind a smooth, glossy layer of glass, which gives a deep, rich finish that is very easy to wipe clean.
The most popular use for colour-backed glass is the kitchen splashback. A single sheet replaces grouted tiles, so there are no joints to stain, and the glass is heat-resistant enough to go behind a hob once it has been toughened. It is also used for bathroom walls, wardrobe doors, whiteboards and shop interiors.
For pale and bright colours, we use low-iron glass so the colour is not tinted green. Darker colours can be produced on standard clear glass.
Colour-backed glass specification
- Any RAL colour, metallics and custom matches
- 6 mm toughened glass as standard
- Low-iron glass for pale colours
- Socket and switch cut-outs before toughening
- Polished edges and radius corners
How we make colour-backed glass splashbacks
- Template. Measure the wall or send a template once worktops are fitted, marking sockets and switches.
- Cut and toughen. The glass is cut, edged and drilled, and every socket cut-out is made before toughening.
- Paint. The back is coated in your chosen colour and cured for a durable finish.
- Fit. Panels are bonded to the wall with a glass-safe adhesive, so the paint is not damaged.
Choosing colour-backed glass
Colour on a screen or in a paint chart never looks quite the same behind glass, so we recommend seeing a sample of your colour-backed glass before ordering. White and cream always need low-iron glass to look clean.
Glass behind a gas or electric hob must be toughened. Measure only after worktops are fitted, because cut-outs for sockets cannot be changed once the glass is toughened.
Fixing matters as much as the glass: only use adhesives that are compatible with painted glass. The wrong silicone can mark the coating over time.
Typical uses for colour-backed glass
- Kitchen splashbacks behind hobs and sinks
- Bathroom and shower wall panels
- Wardrobe and furniture fronts
- Writable glass whiteboards
- Shop and reception wall cladding
Colour-backed glass FAQs
Can colour-backed glass go behind a hob?
Yes, as long as it is toughened. Toughened colour-backed glass handles the heat from normal cooking.
Can you match a paint colour?
We can work to RAL codes and can match many paint colours. A physical sample is the best way to check the colour behind glass.
Can you cut sockets after the glass arrives?
No. Toughened glass cannot be cut on site, so all socket and switch cut-outs must be marked on the template.
How thick is a glass splashback?
Most colour-backed glass splashbacks are 6 mm toughened glass, which is stiff enough and keeps the weight manageable.
How do I clean a glass splashback?
Wipe it with warm soapy water or a glass cleaner and a soft cloth. Avoid abrasive pads, which can scratch the front surface.