Kitchen Wall Panels in Goa

The best places are the backsplash between counter and upper cabinets away from the burners, the wall beside the sink, the wall of a back kitchen or wash area, and the dining corner. These see splashes and steam, not direct flame.

Directly behind a gas hob, keep a strip of tile, stone or another heat-resistant surface — a plastic-based panel there can discolour or soften from the heat over time. We plan the layout so the panel meets that strip neatly instead of stopping in an awkward line.

Many Goan kitchens have small, dated tiles with darkened grout. If the tiles are firmly stuck and the wall is flat, panels or sheets can often be fixed straight over them, saving the mess of breaking tiles out.

Damp walls need more thought. A panel will hide a damp stain, but it will not cure the water behind it. If a kitchen wall is wet because of a leaking pipe, a blocked gutter or rising damp in laterite, that needs fixing first; otherwise moisture is trapped behind the panel. We look at the wall on the visit and tell you honestly whether it is ready.

In a kitchen, the edges matter more than the face. Every joint and the line along the counter top should be sealed with a waterproof sealant so water and grease can't creep behind. Trims around sockets, switches and window reveals should be neat and tight.

Plan sockets before the panels go up. If you're adding a new point for a mixer or a microwave, have the electrician fit it first; cutting a clean hole in a finished sheet is possible, moving one afterwards is not.

Wipe splashes the same day — turmeric and tomato are the two that stain if left. Warm water and a mild detergent are enough; avoid scouring pads and abrasive powders, which dull a glossy marble-look surface.

Every so often check the sealant line along the counter and the sink. Sealant is the part that ages first; re-running a bead every few years keeps water out from behind the panels.