6 Types of Backsplashes to Consider for Your Home

Backsplashes are much more than just a pretty accent.

They protect kitchen and bathroom walls from the heat of cooking, from grease stains, and from water spots that can damage drywall or even encourage mold growth. They make cleaning easy, and yes, depending on what kind you choose, they can make a design statement.

Backsplashes are most often installed in wet areas and cooking areas, so above sinks, ranges, or cooktops. You’ll typically find backsplashes in your:

·       Kitchen or outdoor kitchen

·       Wet Bar

·       Laundry room

·       Mudroom

·       Bathroom

Backsplashes come in a variety of materials, each with their pros and cons and price points.

1) Tile and Mosaic Backsplashes

Tile and Mosaic Backsplashes are the most common and versatile type of backsplash available in a wide array of materials, colors, and patterns.

Ceramic/Porcelain. This is perhaps the most traditional tile material that’s used for backsplashes. It’s affordable, durable, and easy to clean.

Glass tile. For a more contemporary look, choose glass. Generally, glass tile is just as washable, stain-resistant and durable as ceramic/porcelain tile. Glass’ translucence, however, means it has visual depth, giving the overall tile color a beautiful watery glow.

Natural Stone. Choose natural stone for a classic, luxury look. Natural stone is timeless and elegant, but it’s also easily scratched or chipped and can sometimes stain and be difficult to maintain. Even though, these days, porcelain does a great job of mimicking natural stone, the true luxury look of natural stone can’t be perfectly replicated. Keep in mind, though, that stone costs at least 20-30% more than porcelain.

TIP: If cost is a big consideration when you’re choosing a backsplash, thanks to inkjet printing technology, you can find porcelain tile that looks very much like natural stone.

Tile and mosaic cons: The major con for this material is grout lines. The smaller the tile pieces, the more grout lines the backsplash will have. Grout must be properly sealed, or an epoxy- or acrylic-fortified grout should be used for stain-resistance.

Subway tile is the most popular backsplash, since it’s practical, timeless, and works in interiors of all types.

2) Slab Backsplashes

Slab backsplashes are made of a continuous material that’s sometimes matched to the countertop. Without joints, grout lines or any other areas where dirt can collect, they can create a bold and seamless look. Use timeless traditional materials, installed in a modern way (as one large piece), to balance your contemporary or transitional kitchen.

Natural Stone Slab Backsplash. Unlike stone tile, which has veins going in every direction, a stone slab has connected and structured veins, giving it a totally different overall effect. Know though that, depending on the specific material, some can stain.

Glass Sheet Backsplash. This material offers a minimalistic and modern look. The bouncing light off of glass will make your kitchen look even bigger with glass sheet backsplash. For back-painted glass, color options are unlimited, offering a customizable look while being highly functional and easily maintained.

Other options for a solid backsplash include a Thin Slab Porcelain and Quartz Slabs. Both can be found in patterns mimicking natural stone, in materials like leather, or in a solid color of your choice.

3) Stainless Steel Backsplash

A beautiful reflection from a stainless steel surface will add brightness and an industrial effect to your space. Stainless steel backsplashes come in a variety of geometrical shapes and patterns, making them an excellent choice for just about any kitchen or bathroom design.

MSI

TIP: Stainless steel backsplashes work great for an outdoor kitchen because of their low maintenance and durability. Stainless steel is more resistant to corrosive effects than most kinds of tile.

4) Shiplap Backsplash

Shiplap backsplashes are classic and never go out of style.

Shiplap is a wooden board with a groove cut into the top and bottom, which allows the boards to fit together, giving them a unique appearance.

You can hang a shiplap backsplash horizontally or vertically depending on your space and preference.

If used in the kitchen and bathrooms, shiplap backsplashes require a protective finishing coat to prevent food stains and moisture damage. A cementitious shiplap (like the one made by James Hardie Building Products) should be used behind cooking surfaces.

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McGee

TIP: A shiplap backsplash works well in a mudroom or laundry room. It will protect your walls while also adding texture and interest to your space.

5) Brick or stone veneer

Brick or stone veneer is often a good fit for a farmhouse or industrial style. This type of material has an undeniable rustic charm and easily becomes a focal point of your space.

Keep in mind, though, that while a brick backsplash is known for its strength and durability, it’s extremely hard to clean, and especially when it’s above a range.

6) A mix of materials

Sometimes, the best choice is to use a variety of materials when designing your backsplashes.

For example, some natural materials look unique and are gorgeous, but they’re extremely hard to take care of – they’re sensitive to stains, have tendency to chip, and they can’t withstand harsh chemicals. You can use these hard-to-care for materials in some spots, but then, use a more durable material in areas where stains, heat or water will affect the backsplash. You can enjoy the best of both worlds.

You might also use a mix of materials as an aesthetic choice. A variety of colors, textures or shapes can be a design statement, and make your backsplash a focal point.

TIP: Mixing a marble backsplash with quartz slab, or metal sheet with marble slab are good examples of how to take advantage of both aesthetics and practicality.

With so many backsplash options, choosing one might at first feel overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be. Start by thinking about what aesthetic you’re going for. Then, consider how much time you want to spend cleaning. Finally, factor in your price point. With the wide variety of options, you should be able to find material that meets all your criteria at a reasonable price.

Follow these tips to save money on your new build. Learn where to cut and compromise when building your home!

A fancy bathtub, kitchen tiles sourced from Italy, a wraparound porch. As you’re planning your new, custom build, it’s normal to be excited about all the possibilities—the special features and finishes you’ve always wanted in your dream home.

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But often, budgets are limited. Some busy future homeowners also want to help customize and personalize their home by choosing the features and finishes themselves. That takes time, however, and will likely add to the length of the project as the number of features continues to grow and the homeowner struggles to find time.

With custom home builds, it’s okay not to have it all. To make your project less stressful and more pleasant, it helps to decide which features you can’t live without and which you can compromise on. Some homeowners find only after they’ve completed a build that they included items they rarely use. Think about your needs, and current and anticipated future lifestyle, as you plan your project. Setting realistic goals that include possible compromises and cuts also helps to reduce overconsumption and protects the planet.

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Consider these top six types of compromises and cuts that can be made during planning and construction of new home builds:

1. Forgo a tub in the master bath. A big, freestanding bathtub can be a nice focal point in a master bath, but in recent years some homeowners have decided to leave out a tub in the master bath and instead use the space for a shower. Not including a tub can save both money and time spent agonizing over the right tub.

2. Saving items for future installation. Maybe you want a pool or an elevator installed in your custom build, but you just don’t have the funds. The groundwork can be laid for items like pools and elevators during your build, making it less expensive for you to complete the installation down the road.

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3. Think about rooms you can combine. Some homeowners choose to combine rooms they don’t use all the time to cut down on costs. For example, if you don’t frequently have guests who stay with you, you could combine a guest room with an office. Other homeowners have paired their dining room with a library.

4. Ditch the porch. Porches in Houston, where temperatures can top 100 degrees in summer, are more often than not designed for a particular look and are infrequently used, especially on the front of the house. On a tight budget? Consider forgoing a porch.

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5. Reconsider sky-high ceilings. High ceilings look and feel great. They can open up rooms and researchers have found they just make us feel good. But they also cost more to build and they can cause heating and cooling costs to add up.

6. Scale back the size of your kitchen island. Kitchen islands can help your kitchen flow and provide a great space for food prep. The average kitchen island measures at about 3 feet deep by 6 ½ feet long. Some people like to have even bigger islands, but those over 5 feet deep are just too large to efficiently use or clean. Creating a large island for your kitchen also adds a good deal to building costs.

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As you’re planning and executing your custom home build, keep in mind these six compromises and cuts. If you find yourself nearing the end of your budget or you’re too busy to take the time to browse all the features and finishes you might want, consider scaling back, at least for now. It’s okay not to have it all, and you can always add additional features later.

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