Take a look around your renovation-in-progress kitchen and tell us what you see, aside of course from the piles of debris and empty spaces where the appliances, cabinets and counters should be (if you have made it this far yet)! Have you given any thought to installing a backsplash, and if so do you have any clue on where to start?
Don’t Put the Backsplash on the Back Burner!
A lot of homeowners are quick to choose brand new appliances and most can rattle off a few types of countertop selections with relative ease (e.g. granite, solid surface, marble, etc.), but few are knowledgeable about the importance and availability of the space behind the counter.
Why do you need one? For starters, tile backsplashes look simply amazing, and every homeowner knows the value of a cooking/dining space that looks the part. What is more, they also protect your walls from those nasty, airborne grease particles every time you turn on the stove; they are a must-have even in kitchens that are equipped with ventilation (range) hoods.
That being said, it will be a good idea now, before the renovation progresses even further, to allocate a decent amount of the budget to the ideal backsplash material. This is where things can get a little difficult. Now that you know why you need one, what kind of backsplash should you purchase and what price should you expect to pay?
The Definitive (more or less) Guide to Buying a Backsplash
- Granite Backsplash
- Marble Backsplash
- Ceramic Tile Backsplash
- Glass Backsplash
The gorgeous stone that never fails to impress, granite works just as great on your kitchen’s wall as it does the countertops. Beauty and durability are its top selling points, but note that for maintenance purposes this material needs to be re-sealed every 6 months.
The porous composition of marble makes it a top contender for any backsplash. Instead of deflecting grease particles from the wall, it literally absorbs them (which is a good thing). This material is also super, low-maintenance, but does cost a bit more per square foot than the alternatives.
If you are ok with cleaning and re-sealing the grout lines every few months, the color, texture and finish variations of tile are guaranteed to make your kitchen stand out.
A lot of homeowners like the modern, contemporary feel that glass offers. It can be installed in tile or plate formation, and features a wide selection of color options. Glass is more prone to scratching though, so it may not be the best option for families with small children.
When choosing a kitchen backsplash material, you will need to balance both function and aesthetic appeal. The primary purpose of these is to keep the walls safe and clean of grease splatters. Appearance matters, oh boy does it ever, but no one wants to spend hours cleaning away spilled sauce from a backsplash that should be doing its job better.
Check out our designers ideas for kitchen designs and backsplashes.