D.I.Y. kitchen splashback using cladding

Axon cladding, aluminium trim, waterproof sealant, and a lick of paint created a splashback that is easy to clean.

The project

We used James Hardie Axon cladding to create a vertical panelled-look splashback to complement the shaker style cabinetry.

We wrapped the cladding around the walls of the kitchen and capped the end panel using white aluminium tile trim. The cladding required around five coats of Taubmans Professional white gloss water-based enamel paint.

We painted the panelled grooves and edges with a brush and used a foam roller to roll on the enamel paint. The foam roller helps to create a smoother finish and avoids leaving any brush stroke marks.

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We then siliconed all the edges that meet the top cabinets and benchtop using Selleys wet area waterproof silicone sealant. Maintenance and upkeep is minimal. All we do is wipe up any oil or sauce splatters straight after cooking with a wet sponge (water or Ajax Spray and Wipe). Due to the glossy surface, everything wipes straight off with just one swipe.

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I wish I had known about the Bunnings Workshop community earlier. It's great to see all the creative projects other members are working on. I'm looking forward to using this platform to share our D.I.Y. projects and learning so much from other members' projects too.

How to tile a splashback

Whether you just want to give your kitchen a quick facelift or are renovating an investment property, one of the simplest methods is to replace your splashback. Workshop member Pete has shared How to tile a splashback for a step-by-step guide.

More inspiration for your kitchen project

Workshop member Trish completed a splashback refresh with paint and created a modern, elegant kitchen.

In his cosmetic kitchen makeover, Rufaro painted over a tiled splashback.

Get more inspiration from Workshop members with 7 clever kitchen and laundry splashbacks and our Top 10 most popular kitchen projects.

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All comments

Dee_and_Lee

I love your project @homeinmelbourne. We're about to tackle this project in a house we're renovating. Thanks for the inspo!

MitchellMc

It's sensational that @homeinmelbourne's project has provided inspiration and a big welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community!

Sing out if you need any assistance or have questions, as I trust they and the rest of our helpful community would be more than happy to help.

Mitchell

Cathllyss

Love the idea! Is it ok go go behind gas cooktops?

JacobZ

Hi @Cathllyss,

Thank you for your question and welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community.

The James Hardie Axon cladding that was used in this project is a fibre cement product that adheres to bushfire attack level requirements to a BAL40 rating, so it is more than ok to go behind a gas cooktop.

Let me know if you have further questions I can assist with.

Jacob

Cathllyss

Hi @JacobZ

Thank you for your reply! 🙂 And do I need heat resistant paint?

JacobZ

Hi @Cathllyss,

There are heat resistant paints that are available, but I don't feel they would be necessary as it won't be receiving direct heat, just deflected heat. A good quality interior paint such as the Taubmans 4L Gloss Water Based Professional Enamel Paint used in this project should suffice.

Jacob

Gracie1

Do the Axon sheets have to be fixed to batten/timber frame or can these be direct sticked (to a masonry/rendered wall)? 🙂

JacobZ

Hi @Gracie1,

A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community and thank you for your question.

As this is not a standard use for Axon Cladding, I can't point to specific information on how it should be installed.

I imagine using silicone to attach it to a wall would be fine as long as there is adequate coverage of the silicone, and it is compressed against the substrate when it is put in place.

Perhaps @homeinmelbourne can advise how their splashback is holding up.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

Gracie1

Thanks @JacobZ 🙂

Ive used the Axon in a kitchen before but was attached to frame. renovating another place and have masonry/plaster walls that are a bit rough and would love to direct stick to use as a spashback. Thanks for your reply.

JacobZ

Hi @Gracie1,

It should be fine, but you can always use masonry plugs and screws alongside the silicone.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

twochicks

@homeinmelbourne

Is there any issues with dirt building up in the grooves? Obviously cleaning up after each use would be ideal.

EricL

Hello @twochicks

That is a good question. Let me tag @homeinmelbourne as well to make them aware of your query. If you are diligent and clean the splashback daily, then the dirt build up would be minimal. But it would be interesting to find out how the splash is doing since it was installed.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

homeinmelbourne

@twochicks @EricL We have since sold that house and moved but after 3 years of daily use and cleaning (food and oil splatters, steam, cleaning products), it was like the day we installed it. No stains, marks or wear to the enamel paint. 👍

EricL

Hello @homeinmelbourne

Thank you very much for the update. it's good to know that the splashback was working very well even after three years.

Eric

DebraE

Hi, I note this discussion has been over a couple of years, I want to cover over a poor choice of mine in the kitchen, dark mirror splashback, I have paneling like this around the breakfast bar, could this be glued over the glass splashback, otherwise the other threads I had read all suggest thin tiles over the glass, but that would be introducing something new into the space. Thanks Bunnings

JacobZ

Hi @DebraE,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

Apologies for the delayed response.

Unfortunately, as the Axon Cladding Installation Guide calls for mechanical fixings to be used, you wouldn't be able to simply glue it over the old tiles.

You could certainly use it in this application, but you would need to remove the tiles so you have clear access to the studs to screw it in place.

Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob

EricL

Hello @DebraE

One other option is to cut the plasterboard the splashback is on and attach new plasterboard. This is of course on the condition that your wall is made of plasterboard. By cutting the plasterboard you skip the labour-intensive part of removing just the glass and trying to repair the damaged wall. With a brand-new board attached the Axon cladding can be placed and fixed over the new wall.

Eric

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