Whether you’re designing a new kitchen, or simply renovating the old one, you’ll soon become aware of the backsplash. The backsplash is that special area behind the sink and the stove where water, food and oil splash back onto the wall. Pretty self-explanatory really, but that small tiled space has become one of the most important areas in kitchen design in recent years. It’s the final touch that can tie the whole aesthetic of your culinary workspace together, and deciding on whether to choose tiles, wood, steel, mirror, marble or stone can be a daunting task. So here’s handy little guide on how to choose tile for the backsplash in your kitchen.
Stainless Steel. For that semi-industrial sleek and chic look you just can’t go without the stainless steel look. The material comes in flat sheets that can be fixed directly to the wall with glue or screws. It’s advisable to only clean with warm water as chemicals can cause the material to stain over time. Stainless steel is very affordable and it’s very easy to clean.
Ceramic or porcelain. There are a vast array of styles, shapes, sizes and colors when it comes to ceramic or porcelain backsplash tiles. They seem to be the most popular for that reason. Whether you’re looking for something simple and clean, or more of an elaborate pattern or cut, ceramic and porcelain are really the way to go. Tiles are resistant to scratches, stains, heat and water and are still very cheap and easy to install. The sheer volume of styles can be a little overwhelming so it’s good to consult someone like Tiles Direct who provides a great range for a great price.
Glass. For that ultra clean, modern and streamlined design, you can’t say no to glass. Whether it’s mirrored or frosted, it offers an air of sophistication to your cooking space. Glass is strong and durable as well as easy to clean. Glass can be one of the more difficult materials to install so be sure you choose well!
Quartz. Also known as engineered stone, quartz can be an expensive option, but is possibly the most durable and clean of all of the kitchen surface options. It is a completely non-porous material and therefore won’t stain – and it comes it a wide variety of colors to suit all tastes. The installation of quartz, however, needs to be done by a specialist and can be a little more pricey than your average surface.
Laminate. Laminate is certainly the most affordable of all of your kitchen backsplash options. It’s very durable and it comes in a multitude of colors as well as a very convincing faux wood and stone. Something to keep in mind – If you are cooking with gas, you might want to avoid laminate as it can damage from too much exposure to heat.
Marble. If your budget permits, marble is a beautiful classical finish to your kitchen. It’s easy to clean and no two pieces of marble in the world are exactly alike, which means you have a naturally occurring piece of art right there as your kitchen backsplash. Marble is a porous material, however, and therefore needs to be resealed over time. It’s also expensive and tough to install.
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