just not if a cooktop or range is involved. the heat requires tempered glass which some posters have shown with cracks even so.

Actually, international residential code says nothing about the finished wall surface behind a range. It addresses unprotected flammable Horizontal surfaces above a cooking surface only (cabinet corners or bottoms, essentially).

Your local jurisdiction may be more stringent, your range manufacturer may have requirements. But if a standard range were hot enough to melt Plexiglas routinely, the plastic knobs and timer works on the back guard of a free-standing style range would melt when you turned on the stove. That usually doesn't happen.

A commercial style range will definitely have more stringent requirements per the manufacturer for clearances.

I was wondering what you decide to do with your backsplash? I was looking up whether acrylic backsplashes are safe behind an electric range and found your question. I’m also an artist wanting do the same thing- backpaint a design on acrylic that I can change out later.

Hi, I have not found any code restricting plexiglass. I have now decided to get a custom cut glass and paint it before installing.

Send me your final result!!!!! Would love to see your backsplash! You can also just attach a painting from behind which gives you an option to change it when you want.

I just got a glass backsplash quote...yaowza..

Hi Debra,

So excited to hear that there are no restrictions regarding plexiglass! I have not pursued this idea further due to various reasons. However, we need to remodel our country home kitchen soon where I also have my art studio. I entertain the same idea about being able to somehow mount my art behind it. Please send me a picture once you have it installed!

Thank you for writing to me.

Irene

Quote??

Home Depot has some pre-cut plexiglass sheets and they are not too expensive.

Quote means an estimate of cost

How will you affix the plexi? Permanently or removable? I love this idea!

Cass, im not sure how I would attach it but I want to be able to remove it. Magnets?

Carry can you post the final view of the kitchen once you have finished the project. You are way ahead of me. Thank you!!!!

I’m an artist too and this is exactly what I want to do. Was anyone able to get this completed? How did you affix the plexiglass? Any photos of the completed project? Thank you :)

You'd be best to screw a "J" channel to the wall, then drop the plexiglas into it. Remove all toolmarks and no mean corners or edges please.

larvalee, i have since been sidetracked by a basement renovation. However, I did an experiment by laser etching that same design on to plexiglass. I will see how it looks when i add paint.

I don't know about specific codes, but Plexiglass is simply the trade name for acrylic. Acrylic will melt and so is considered a fire hazard. I wanted to do this to the right side of my cooktop and I use electric, not gas, so no open flame. But it was suggested to use tempered glass, stainless steel or tile instead. I just got everything freshly painted and wanted that color to show through, but having second thoughts about it. I will say, I used to have Formica glued to the walls as a backsplash. It was fine. Formica is laminated paper, fibers with a plastic laminate and it's made under high pressure and heat. Super easy to clean. You can get it in 4x8' sheets.

Plexiglass is just a trademarked name for Acrylic sheeting. Acrylic melts. It is flammable so, not a good idea around a stove at all. I wanted to use it to the right of my stove's cooktop and I use electric and was still told it was not a great idea, even though I don't have open flame gas. It was suggested I use tempered glass, aluminum sheeting or tile. I just got everything painted and wanted the color to show through. Now, I used to have all my backsplashes covered in Formica, which is a plastic laminate over paper and other fiberous particles. It's made with high pressure and heat so, that worked. You just glue it on the wall and it comes in 4'x8' sheets.

This is a creative but ill-conceived idea IMO.

Keep in mind you cannot use any standard kitchen cleaner, including most glass cleaners and not expect a 'fog' or 'cloud' marking on the acrylic. The acrylic reacts to the chemicals in the cleaner.

Acrylic can only be cleaned with acrylic/plexiglass cleaner without fear of fogging.

Hmmm, that's a great point about the surface fragility making it difficult to clean . Thanks!