Installation Guide

This guide been produced by Genie Splashbacks to act as a reference for installing panels bought from Genie Splashbacks. This guide is for information purposes only and must not be construed as full instructions. It is advisable that any persons not fully comfortable or confident in installing or amending panels seeks professional help from a trades person. Genie Splashbacks cannot accept any responsibility for damage or errors caused to panels by customers or trades persons.

Please read carefully before installation:

1. Your New acrylic panels are not suitable for behind gas or electric ring cooker hobs unless they have a glass lift-up hood/lid that protects the wall behind when in operation. They can, however, be installed behind induction and ceramic hobs if a minimum distance of 50mm is maintained.
2. Where a direct heat source is in use (i.e. behind gas hobs), one of our low iron toughened glass panels should be installed as an alternative.
3. Due to temperature variations, your panels will expand and contract slightly. With this in mind, the panels should always be installed with an expansion gap. Our recommendation is a to allow 2mm expansion on each side of your panel.
4. If storing your Genie Splashbacks panels for any length of time, refrain from outdoor environments or extreme temperatures. Failure to do so can result in damage or bowing of the panels. Ensure that your panels are kept flat.
5. Avoid your acrylic panels coming into contact with hot cooking utensils, cookware or naked flames. Failure to do so can result in damage of the panels.
6. Where installing your panels over existing tiles, it is important to check that the existing tiles are safely secured to the wall. Loose tiles may result in improper adhesion of your Genie Splashbacks panels to the surface or result in an uneven or wavy panel effect. (For further information, see our Installing over existing tiled walls guide.)
7. Your new panels should only be used with a low modulus silicone adhesive. The low modulus silicone will take at least 24 hours to cure and so should be left for this period of time before further work or components are fitted to your Genie Splashbacks panels. Failure to use low modulus silicone will have a detrimental effect on your panel and could result in damage.
8. Please ensure that walls are sealed and non-porous. Any boarding boards that have been used behind the splashbacks must also be sealed.

Measuring your wall

Measure your wall at the widest point and select the panel size most adequate to your wall. Take into consideration window cut outs or other large features that may impose on the panel size. Don’t forget that you will need to factor in a 2mm expansion gap to all sides of the panel. If the area you require the panel for is not square, it is recommended that a template or guide is made to accurately determine the right shape for a perfect fit. The template or guide should clearly and accurately show all dimensions of cuts to be made by Genie Splashbacks within the manufacturing period.

Adjusting, cutting and drilling your panel

Before any cutting or drilling of your panel takes place make sure appropriate PPE is worn. This should include eye protection and thick gloves as the sides of cut panels can be sharp.

Marking out the area to drill or cut

Marking of your panel can be used with a soft felt tipped pen. Do not scratch or scribe the panel. For extra protection, cover the immediate area of the panel in masking tape and make marks on the masking tape. This will also help to protect the panel when cutting or drilling commences. Double check all measurements and markings before undertaking work. Remember, check twice, cut once.

Be Safe!

Whenever you cut or drill a panel, make sure you wear the appropriate personal protective equipment, including gloves and eye protection. The edge of the panel could be sharp, so sand the edge after cutting.

Cutting of your Genie Splashbacks panel

When cutting your panel only use a sharp fine toothed blade suitable for cutting plastics or aluminium. Be sure that the blade is sharp to avoid melting or chipping of your acrylic panel. Circular saws and table saws can be used to cut this product but ensure that the blade is suitable for cutting acrylic without splintering. It is recommended that any areas requiring cutting be masked for protection of the panel before cutting commences. Always cut your panel on a table or support board with the back side of the panel facing up.

When cutting power socket holes, apertures or small cut-outs or notches, ensure the corners are always made using a drill. When cutting, do not allow the blade to overheat as this will melt the acrylic. Ensure the panel is fixed firmly to a table or work platform with soft grip C clamps to minimise vibrating. Cut at a steady speed and pressure, cleaning the swarf away at frequent intervals.

Drilling of your Genie Splashbacks panel

Before drilling your panel ensure that you mark accurately where you wish to place your hole. When drilling your panel, only use a wood drill bit that has a steeper angle than a normal drill bit. Do not use a sharp metal drill bit, this will result in chipping or cracking of your acrylic panel. A stepped cone drill bit can also be used to bore holes.

Do not attempt to drill large holes close to the edges of your panel. This will reduce the panel’s strength and integrity and may result in cracking or damage to your panel. As a recommendation, do not drill holes any closer than 10mm from any edge of the panel.

Drill a small pilot hole to be sure of hole placement then slowly build the hole size using slightly larger drill bits until the desired hole diameter has been achieved. Always support your panel on a table or work platform using soft grip C clamps to avoid bending, breaking or cracking of your acrylic panel. Stepped drill bits and hole saws can be used to cut your panel. Ensure when drilling your panel, you use the slow to medium speed setting on your drill and apply a light pressure. Do not use screws to fix items to your acrylic panel. For securing fittings, drill a clearance hole through your acrylic panel and fix the item to the wall structure behind.

Finishing the edges of your Genie Splashbacks panel

The cut or drilled edges of your panel may be sharp or rough. These edges can be sanded with a medium grit sandpaper or file and finished using a finer grit sandpaper. Be careful not to sand the front face of the panel as this will result in abrasion to the panel. For best results when sanding, use a sanding block to be sure of an even finish. A de-burrer can also be used to give a clean finish before fitting.

Panel Installation Guide

Existing tiled walls

1. Your Genie Splashbacks panel can be installed to existing tiles. Where installing your panels over existing tiles, it is important to check that the existing tiles are safely secured to the wall. Loose tiles may result in improper adhesion of your panels to the surface.
2. Ensure that the tiles are level with no high spots. Remove any loose, high or uneven tiles. These could cause your Genie Splashbacks panel to look bent or wavy when fixed.
3. Be sure that the tiles are thoroughly cleaned, degreased and dried before panels are fitted.
4. Fit your Genie Splashbacks panels as per the installation guide below.
5. Any exposed tiled edges can be finished neatly with silicone or finishing trims available from DIY stores.

Panel installation

1. Make sure the desired wall is clean and free of any loose dirt, grime, paint or wallpaper.
2. Test fit your Genie Splashbacks panel to the wall. Ensure you allow for sufficient expansion gaps around the panel.
3. When happy with the fit of your panel, lightly key the rear of the panel and wipe clean.
4. Apply beads of low modulus silicone sparingly. Make sure that there is an even covering of silicone across the panel. Where cut outs or holes are present, apply a bead of silicone around the aperture.
5. With spacers under the panel to give room for the expansion gap, guide the bottom of the panel to its location against the wall. Rotate the top of the panel towards the wall and apply firm pressure.
6. Firmly apply pressure with your hands across the panel to make sure it is securely fastened correctly against the wall ensuring good contact with the low modulus silicone.
7. Allow at least 24 hours for the silicone to cure before removing all spacers.
8. Using masking tape, mask the edges of your panels. Seal the expansion gaps as required with an adequate sealant. Once satisfied, remove excess silicone using a silicone finishing tool. To give a smoother finish to the silicone, use a mild solution of soap and water. Keep the room well ventilated.
9. Once all joints and edges are smoothed, remove all masking tape and allow the sealant to dry.
10. Stand back and admire your new Genie Splashbacks panels.

How to clean your Genie Splashbacks panel

To clean your panel, use a soft cloth and warm soapy water. Do not use a brush, scouring pad or high strength cleaning products. Never rub the panel to clean it if the surface is dry as this may cause damage to the surface. While the hard-coated range of Genie Splashbacks panels is scratch resistant, cleaning with abrasive materials can result in light scratches and abrasions. To remove silicone or stronger substances from your panel, use a small amount of Turpentine on a soft, lint-free cloth.