Glass Splashback Sample Programs Testing Colors Before Full Installation

Glass splashbacks have become increasingly popular in modern kitchen and bathroom renovations, offering a sleek, hygienic, and customizable alternative to traditional tiles. Before committing to a full-sized installation, many consumers opt to order samples to verify color accuracy, quality, and suitability for their space. This article examines the various glass splashback sample programs available through UK-based suppliers, detailing their offerings, costs, refund policies, and ordering processes.

Overview of Glass Splashback Sample Programs

Glass splashback sample programs allow customers to receive small pieces of glass in their chosen colors before making a full purchase. These samples typically measure 100mm by 100mm, providing enough surface area to assess color and quality while remaining manageable for shipping and handling. While some companies initially describe these samples as "free," the majority actually charge a fee that may be refundable under certain conditions.

The primary benefit of ordering samples is the ability to see how the glass will look in your actual space under different lighting conditions. Colors can appear significantly different on a computer screen compared to in-person viewing, and samples help bridge this gap. Additionally, samples allow customers to assess the texture and finish quality of the glass, ensuring it meets their expectations for the final installation.

Most suppliers emphasize the importance of sample testing, particularly for colors that appear different on monitors or when ordering from popular color ranges where variations might occur. The small size of samples makes them cost-effective for both manufacturers and consumers, while still providing valuable visual and tactile information about the product.

Participating Companies and Their Sample Programs

Several UK-based companies offer glass splashback sample programs, each with slightly different policies and offerings:

Me and My Glass provides glass color samples for £3 each, delivered within 5-7 working days. The company describes these as "free glass splashback colour samples" in one section while stating they cost £3 in another, creating some confusion about their pricing model. Me and My Glass offers samples in all RAL colors and other colored glass options available on their site. Each sample is crafted with the same standards as their finished products, giving customers confidence in color and quality matching.

DualSplash currently has its samples unavailable due to changes in production methods, with plans to introduce revised samples in early 2025. When available, they offer a limit of 4 samples per customer. The company notes that their glass splashbacks have the same color qualities as their acrylic panels, allowing customers to use the samples to visualize how glass splashbacks would appear in their space. DualSplash also offers customization options, allowing images to be stretched across one or more panels or repeated as desired.

Kitchensplashbackshop charges £3.50 for delivery of glass splashback samples, with delivery taking approximately 5 days. They offer a full refund policy for RAL color samples returned in good condition. The company requires customers to specify their required color during checkout and notes that they do not supply Dulux colors or pearl and fluorescent colors from the RAL range.

Splashback.co.uk provides samples that measure 100mm wide by 100mm high, posted 1st Class through Royal Mail within 24 hours of receiving an order. The company offers a refund of the sample price when customers purchase a full-sized splashback. They emphasize that samples are only available for glass splashbacks, not other products.

Custom-splashbacks strongly recommends ordering samples before purchasing a splashback to ensure the perfect color match for your space. They refund the cost of the sample that corresponds to the final splashback order, though refunds can only be completed if customers have created an account during the checkout process. The company offers a "Splashback Templates Service" to ensure splashbacks are delivered in the perfect size for each space.

Directsplashbacks charges £10.00 per sample, with samples measuring 100 x 100mm. The company highly recommends ordering samples before placing an order, especially for customers who haven't seen a swatch in person or are ordering from their popular colors range. Directsplashbacks warns that colors on computer screens or devices may look different from real glass, and that there can be slight color variation between samples and final products due to paint being mixed to order for each sample or splashback. Samples are made to order, requiring 10-20 working days for delivery, and must be ordered by emailing the company.

Sample Ordering Process

The ordering process for glass splashback samples varies among suppliers but generally follows similar steps:

1. Color Selection: Customers must specify which colors they want samples for during the ordering process. Most companies use the RAL color system, which provides standardized color references. Some companies, like Kitchensplashbackshop, explicitly state they do not supply certain color ranges, such as Dulux colors or pearl and fluorescent RAL colors.

2. Online Ordering: Several companies, including Me and My Glass, Kitchensplashbackshop, Splashback.co.uk, and Custom-splashbacks, offer online ordering through their websites. These typically require customers to add samples to their cart and proceed through checkout.

3. Special Ordering Requirements: Directsplashbacks requires customers to email them directly to order samples, rather than using an online shopping cart. This suggests a more personalized service approach.

4. Account Creation: Some companies, like Custom-splashbacks, require customers to create an account during checkout to be eligible for sample refunds upon purchasing a full-sized splashback.

5. Customization Options: DualSplash allows customers to specify how they want their image presented on samples (stretched across panels, repeated, etc.) either in order notes when checking out or by calling the company directly.

6. Payment Processing: While most companies charge for samples upfront, the refund policies vary, with some offering full refunds upon purchase of a full-sized splashback, others requiring returns in good condition, and others warning of potential color variations that might affect refund eligibility.

Refund Policies and Conditions

Refund policies for glass splashback samples vary significantly among suppliers:

• Full Refund Upon Full Purchase: Several companies, including Me and My Glass, Splashback.co.uk, and Custom-splashbacks, offer to refund the sample price when customers purchase a full-sized splashback. Custom-splashbacks specifically notes that refunds can only be completed if customers have created an account during checkout.

• Return for Refund: Kitchensplashbackshop offers a full refund for RAL color samples returned in good condition. This suggests customers must physically return the sample to receive their refund.

• No Explicit Refund Policy: Directsplashbacks does not explicitly mention a refund policy for samples but warns that there can be slight color variations between samples and final products due to paint being mixed to order for each item.

• Account Creation Requirements: Custom-splashbacks requires customers to create an account during checkout to be eligible for sample refunds, adding an additional step to the refund process.

These varying policies highlight the importance of carefully reading each company's specific terms before ordering samples, as the financial commitment and potential for reimbursement differ significantly between suppliers.

Color Considerations and Limitations

When ordering glass splashback samples, customers should be aware of several color-related considerations:

• Color Accuracy: Directsplashbacks explicitly warns that colors on computer screens or devices may look different from real glass, and that contrast and brightness settings can significantly affect color appearance. This underscores the importance of physical samples for accurate color assessment.

• Color Variation: Several companies, including Directsplashbacks, note that there can be slight color variations between samples and final products. This is because paint is mixed to order for each sample or splashback, potentially resulting in slight batch-to-batch differences.

• Color System Limitations: Kitchensplashbackshop specifies that they do not supply Dulux colors or pearl and fluorescent colors from the RAL range, limiting the available color options for customers seeking these specific shades.

• Lighting Considerations: Splashback.co.uk emphasizes that samples allow customers to experience the actual color of their splashback at different times of the day, which can be crucial for making color decisions as lighting conditions significantly affect how colors appear.

• RAL Color System: Most companies offer samples in RAL colors, which are a standardized color matching system used throughout Europe. This consistency helps ensure that the color selected for a sample will match the final product.

Understanding these color considerations can help customers set appropriate expectations and make more informed decisions when selecting glass splashback colors.

Customization Options

While most sample programs focus on providing solid color samples, some companies offer additional customization options:

• Image Printing: DualSplash allows customers to order samples with printed images. The company explains that an image can be stretched across one or more panels or repeated as desired, with no restrictions on presentation. Customers can specify their preferences in order notes when checking out or by calling the company directly.

• Special Requests: Some companies may accommodate special requests beyond standard color samples. For example, Directsplashbacks mentions that customers can get in touch for a quote on printed or mirror samples, indicating they offer options beyond standard colored glass.

• Template Services: Custom-splashbacks offers a "Splashback Templates Service" designed to ensure customers receive splashbacks in the perfect size for their space. While primarily focused on sizing rather than color, this service complements their sample program by addressing another important aspect of the purchase decision.

These customization options can be particularly valuable for customers with specific design visions or those looking to match existing elements in their space.

Delivery Information

Delivery policies for glass splashback samples vary among suppliers:

• Delivery Timeframes: Delivery times range from 5-7 working days (Me and My Glass) to 10-20 working days (Directsplashbacks). Most companies quote delivery times of approximately 5-7 days, with some specifying exact timeframes (Kitchensplashbackshop) and others providing ranges (Directsplashbacks).

• Shipping Methods: Splashback.co.uk specifies that samples are posted 1st Class through Royal Mail within 24 hours of receiving an order, indicating a quick processing time. Other companies don't specify shipping methods but provide estimated delivery windows.

• Shipping Costs: Most companies include shipping costs in their sample prices, though some explicitly separate them. Kitchensplashbackshop charges £3.50 for delivery, while others don't specify separate shipping charges.

• Processing Times: Some companies indicate that samples are made to order, which may affect delivery times. Directsplashbacks explicitly states their samples are made to order, requiring 10-20 working days for delivery.

• Availability Status: DualSplash currently has its samples unavailable due to changes in production methods, with plans to introduce revised samples in early 2025. This temporary unavailability highlights that sample programs may have periods where they're not accessible.

Understanding these delivery policies can help customers plan their renovation timelines and ensure they receive samples well in advance of making final purchasing decisions.

Conclusion

Glass splashback sample programs offer valuable opportunities for customers to verify color accuracy, quality, and suitability before committing to a full installation. While most companies charge for these samples—typically ranging from £3 to £10 per sample—many offer refund policies when customers subsequently purchase full-sized splashbacks. The samples, usually measuring 100mm by 100mm, allow customers to see how the glass will look in their actual space under different lighting conditions, which is particularly important given that colors can appear different on screens compared to in-person viewing.

Customers should carefully review each company's specific policies regarding sample costs, refund conditions, color availability, and delivery timeframes before ordering. Some companies require account creation for refund eligibility, others have limitations on color ranges, and some warn about potential color variations between samples and final products. Additionally, while most samples are for solid colors, some companies offer customization options such as printed images or special requests.

For those planning kitchen or bathroom renovations involving glass splashbacks, ordering samples represents a relatively small investment that can prevent costly mistakes and ensure satisfaction with the final installation. By understanding the various sample programs and their policies, customers can make more informed decisions and achieve better results in their renovation projects.

Sources

1. Me and My Glass - Glass Colour Samples

2. DualSplash - Samples

3. Kitchensplashbackshop - Glass Splashback Samples

4. Splashback.co.uk - Order Samples

5. Custom Splashbacks - Samples and Templates

6. Directsplashbacks - Samples