When mapping out kitchen remodeling details, most homeowners want to make their tasks as easy as possible. They’re able to do this by buying pre-fabricated assembled kitchen cabinets that are of industry-standard sizes. They also opt for the types of counters and countertops you can just walk into a store, pick up, and take home on the same day.
The fact that they don’t require much effort is certainly appealing.
On the other hand, cabinets may be custom-built when certain creative elements are desired. Generally, a professional is brought in to handle such cases.
Either way, we’re left to determine what’s to be done about the backsplash. This is where anyone can get stumped. It’s easy to pick a backsplash that outshines everything else in the room, but is that what’s wanted?
Best Backsplash Material For Kitchen
The intended function of the backsplash design is simply to protect the wall from water. Often, it is attached to the countertop and covers the wall up to where the cabinets start. That’s always been their main purpose, but they’ve evolved into so much more.
Believe it or not, the right – or wrong – backsplash can make or break a kitchen’s design. It’s basically become a fashion statement. And there are plenty of materials to help determine exactly what you want to say. Anything from hardwood to granite to tile and laminates may be used.
Often for the sake of cohesive style, the same backsplash substance is used for the countertop. Most commonly, laminate material is chosen for both components as it can be the most affordable and convenient, particularly since they are (usually) installed together.
It’s interesting to note that the average laminate backsplash is only four inches tall. But you can design it to be any height, really.
As mentioned previously, it’s a common option to employ full-length backsplashes to run from the countertop to the bottom of the cabinets, however long that may be. This method works best if you install the backsplash before installing the cabinets.
Perhaps the most-used and easily applied laminate backsplash is simply a single piece glued to the wall, its vertical edge inserted into a small metal trim piece connected to the countertop’s horizontal laminate. The metal trim extends to the top and both sides.
Another popular backsplash material is laminated wood. It is created by tiling one-by-four-inch sheets of laminated pine wood and attaching them to the wall using construction adhesive (round-top manufactured laminate wood backsplash sheets are also available).
Hardwood backsplashes are the answer for those who prefer a bit of craftsmanship in the kitchen. They, too, are typically four inches high, although you can get them in any size. These are most often connected to hardwood fascia that serve as the countertop front, providing a matching appearance between it and the cabinets.
A hardwood backsplash with a power finish nailer is nailed to the wall, not glued. It is not waterproof and does not shield the wall from moisture. Ironically, you need to protect hardwood backsplashes by keeping them as dry as possible.
This is why water-resilient finishes of good quality are sold and applied before installation.
Unlike the previously mentioned types, a granite backsplash is often used at six inches (though the four-inch rule still applies). It’s an expensive option, and adding two inches will increase the cost noticeably.
Obviously, the choice of a granite backsplash usually corresponds with a granite countertop. Granite backsplashes (and countertops) should be installed by professionals only.
Nearly always full length, extending from the countertop to the cabinets, the tile backsplash can determine its height by the tile’s dimensions. Tiles available in two-inch high configurations can be combined to meet the four-inch high standard (a four-inch tile can stand alone, obviously).
So whether you’re doing a remodel and determining the sizes for your preferences or working with a kitchen in which the sizes are set and not open to modification, you can apply the backsplash material of your choice. Have fun with it; a visionary choice can make the kind of positive impression you hoped for.
