Brick is not a splashback. A splashback is designed for splashes and brick is a material which is not. I've seen brick covered in clear glass but that would still introduce another element, matt and reflective. Unless there's something available that doesn't reflect, like in some non-reflective picture frames? I think it still wouldn't be an exact match though, you'd see the difference between the splashback and below the breakfast bar? And it would need to be safe to use behind the cooktop. You could cover both maybe and that could be useful for protecting knees too if you'll have stools there.

I suppose the other possibilities are match the benchtop or match the overhead cupboards.

You need something to protect the porous surface of the brick and mortar otherwise it will soak up grease and stains and become discoloured and hard to clean. Either a really good sealer or a sheet of glass. This pic is over wallpaper but the same concept.

I would look into a brick sealer, something like this Crommelin product. Whatever you use, it must be a non combustible application.

Another option is polycarbonate clear sheeting, which is fire resistant.

I really love brick & I have wondered what a brick for kitchen splashback would look like. Plus how to make it practical for use/seal it.

I had wondered if glass could it be sandwiched up close enough? Beautiful old bricks are not smooth. Glass would add reflections & remove the depth as Macyjean said. But I'm thinking glass would be way easier to wipe over than sealed brick with all the crevices.

If brick is the desired look, maybe being behind glass or sealed will be preferable to a patterned tile. I LOVE a pattern, then tire of it.. yet I my love for brick has stayed true.

Hope a picture when decided is posted.

Check out this photo from Houzz - https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/magnolia-house-transitional-kitchen-sydney-phvw-vp~170466232

I think you would need to cover the bricks behind the stove to avoid oil stains

I managed to remember how to add a Houzz photo to a post, but then I couldn't find a way to add any text.

Edited to add acknowledgement that the photo is the one Cee linked to in post above.

That's a beautiful kitchen.

There is a small splashback at the bottom of the bricks. Whether that is enough I suppose depends on how you cook, for example it wouldn't be enough for someone who does lots of frying in a big wok.

I imagine it's also not easy to get the proportions looking aesthetically right with a mini splashback? It works in that picture, but it could also look awkwardly chopped in half if you're not careful.

Whatever happened to those cooktops with the flip-up lid that then functioned as a splashback?

Or this, but it is bringing another surface. You could have the splash back hinged, and folds over cook top when not using cooktop.

Oh I like this idea! Thank you.

Thank you everyone for your feedback and suggestions. You’ve given me some food for thought and some ideas to chat with our cabinet maker and builder. Much appreciated.

One other option that may work is a boatbuilders product , called clear acrylic embedding resin -- there is the main liquid , and a catalyst . It can be sprayed or brushed , from memory you allow 6 hours or more between coats . In the 90's we did several bartops using this , using slabs of timber but with 'natural' edges -- bark and all . The resin soaks into this , and we'd build up 8-10mm of clear , over the top and sides , over several days . To get it to really set , we'd use large workshop heaters , especially once the last coat had gone on .

It is quite thick and wouldn't fall off the sides , but doing a whole vertical brick wall , gravity may cause it to become larger/thicker at the bottom as it dries ? You'd need to talk to an expert .

The advantage , of course , is you start by slowly filling the gaps around the bricks and mortar , so at least in theory , over several days and several layers , you'll end up with a clear , mainly flat wall , but without the gaps of glass or perspex behind it .

That looks really cool !

Probably not really for this thread , but I wonder how would a custom fishtank go as a splashback ? In theory , your splashback shouldn't get too hot , reasonably thick glass on the front should help even more ( the rear of the glass , of course , is water cooled haha , so there shouldn't be too much heat dissipation into the water ) , and if really worried , you could have two sheets with maybe a 1cm or more gap ?

A stone backdrop , with a tank in fornt , and lighting , and colourful fish , would look amazing IMO .