Backsplash Tiles: Materials, Designs and Ideas

Backsplash is the part of the wall behind the worktop in the kitchen or the sink and bath area in the bathroom. Its function is to protect the wall from water, heat, grease and other impurities.

They say the kitchen and bathroom sell a house. While that might be an oversimplification, there’s undoubtedly truth to it. Carefully designed kitchens and bathrooms that complement your home’s overall style can significantly boost its value.

Backsplash, which once had a purely practical role as a wall protector, is experiencing its big design momentum and offers possibilities that can raise the entire interior to a higher level. 

By some estimates, your backsplash costs will be about 5% of the total average cost of renovating or building a new kitchen. If everything fits together so that your property is a functional and stylish unit, your life will be more comfortable and potential buyers will agree to a price that will exceed your investment.

So make a smart decision and carefully choose materials, design and type of installation.

Backsplash Tiles in Kitchen and Bathroom

Kitchens are not only places where you cook, they are places for meetings and gatherings, so it is important to have a kitchen that will be carefully planned, both functionally and aesthetically. When renovating or building it, there are many decisions you need to make, all the while keeping in mind the budget.

For a cheaper version of a complete kitchen renovation, costs range from $5 to $15,000. If you can do some work yourself, you will approach the lower limit of 5000$. A mid-range kitchen can cost you from $30 to $70,000, while luxury ones go for over $75,000.

Carefully chosen backsplash tiles can be a wonderful addition to your kitchen and a visual focal point. With them you can upgrade the style and add colors. You can use bold and lively combinations to make a statement. 

In small kitchens, backsplash tiles that extend to the ceiling can visually enlarge the space and can serve instead of classic kitchen decorations.

The bathroom is no less troublesome and requires many decisions. Although in some situations it is possible to have a bathroom where you do not have a backsplash around the sink and bath area, it is highly recommended. 

You can install a traditional panel 4 inches high and it would be best if it goes to the ceiling. This will give you a protective layer that provides maximum hygienic protection and gives an attractive appearance. 

There are different styles, materials and options for bathroom arrangement. A complete bathroom renovation costs an average of about $5,500, while a partial renovation that includes new toilet and sink tiles costs about $3,000. If you have the budget space to install  backsplash tiles, you will be on the winning side.

Choosing the Right Backsplash Material

Your backsplash must be resistant to dirt, grease, moisture, steam and high temperatures. It is best to choose a smooth tile surface without cracks and joints that is easy to clean.

There are several traditional materials you can use for a backsplash.

Ceramic and porcelain tiles are the usual choice. Ceramic tiles are crafted from clay and hardened through high-temperature firing, resulting in a vast array of colors, sizes, and patterns. Porcelain tiles, made from finer clay and fired at even higher temperatures, offer superior durability.

Cheaper ceramic tiles cost $2 to $5 per square foot. These tiles often contain more sand and lower-quality clay. As a result, they offer a limited color and pattern selection and are less durable, being more susceptible to damage and cracking.

The middle price range goes from $5 to $10. Most of the tiles in our houses are of this type. Mid-range ceramic tiles offer good quality, a wide variety of designs, and are often easier to install than their more expensive counterparts, making them a potential DIY project.

Luxury ceramic tiles can cost you from $10 per square foot and up to several hundred. They are made of the highest quality clay and represent the most durable ceramics. Resistant to water, acids, cracks, scratches. Material whose lifespan is estimated at 75 years.

Ceramic tiles have a number of other advantages. For cleaning, you will only need a mild detergent and water. They are resistant to bacteria and microbes, do not contain allergens, volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde or plastic. It is a natural material that is healthy for both you and the environment.

Glass tiles are another traditional backsplash material that exudes elegance and modernity. Glass is more difficult to cut than ceramics and porcelain and more difficult to install, so they represent a more expensive option. 

Price can be a challenge since a square foot without installation costs $10-$50. If you opt for glass, your back panel will be waterproof and easy to clean. Glass reflects light, so every kitchen will get extra shine. Tiles with various color gradients and patterns are available.

Natural stone tiles bring a touch of luxury to your space. Each piece has its own unique natural pattern, and it is a very durable material. The pinnacle of elegance is certainly marble, but it can be very expensive and prone to stains and scratches. 

The cheapest natural stone tiles range from $20-$50 per square foot. This is usually granite or limestone of a lower quality, the surface of which may be uneven or with cracks. 

If you opt for higher-end tiles, which can cost anywhere from $50 to $200 per square foot, you will get high-quality granite, marble, onyx or quartzite. It is the most durable material and you can choose many colors and patterns.

Metal plates used to be placed on the ceiling, but now small metal wall tiles have appeared on the market and you can have them with various textures and finishes. They are easier to install than other materials because you can just glue them to the wall. 

The main disadvantage is the price, which ranges from $25-200 per square foot. In addition, they are subject to scratches and abrasive damage and will not react well to acidic food. However, customers love their chic design and 24% of new kitchens have designs that include metal elements. 

For the full effect, you can mix metal tiles with other materials.

There are several non-traditional backsplash materials, including laminate, vinyl and stainless steel.

Stainless steel is a popular choice for modern kitchens. It gives an industrial look to the space and we know that, like steel, it is durable. The price will vary depending on the type of steel, thickness and finish.

Laminate boards and vinyl planks can also be used for backsplash. They can have an attractive pattern and are easy to install. Vinyl is waterproof to moisture, but laminate is less so, along the seams and edges. That’s why we need you to raise the panel a little from the edge of the work surface and fill that space with sealant.

You can find vinyl planks for as low as $2 per foot. It is a thin layer of vinyl stuck to paper. For 5$ per foot you can get thicker and more durable vinyl that will be resistant to heat and moisture.

Installing the Backsplash Tiles

If you are new and inexperienced to DIY projects, you may want to consider professional installation, because for long-term results and installation quality you will probably need the help of professionals.

The cost of installing backsplash tiles depends on various factors. From the type of material, the size of the surface and its complexity to the location.

Vinyl and metal wallpapers are the easiest and fastest to install, so the price is the lowest, from $10 to $30 per square foot. Ceramic and glass installation ranges from $20 to $50, and stone tile from $50 to $100 per square foot.

A more compact design or a larger space with lots of corners can affect the price. Cities with a higher cost of living will certainly be more expensive in that area as opposed to smaller areas. 

The price is also affected by the availability of good craftsmen. Of course, a cheaper installation implies a basic installation service by less experienced professionals without removing the old substrate, final sanding or protecting the joints.

For instance, a $50 per square meter installation price for natural stone typically involves less experienced installers working with lower-grade granite. This basic service includes cutting, gluing, and grouting but excludes finishing touches and protective treatments.

The price of $100 per square meter implies higher quality stone, an experienced installer who pays attention to precision and detail, along with final sanding, protection and polishing of the stone surface.

A similar principle is present in other materials.

Backsplash Design

The backsplash is undeniably having a momentum in the design spotlight. Bold, personalized style is back in vogue, and the backsplash is the perfect canvas for self-expression.

At the same time, don’t just choose your favorite material or color and simply insert it into the kitchen or bathroom. Consider the style and architecture of your entire home and match the back panels carefully. Thus, you will round off the entire interior and give it a new level.

Trends for 2024 predict wallpapers that are installed all the way to the ceiling, mixing and matching different materials. Instead of the traditional linear subway pattern, templates such as herringbone or mosaic are used. 

There is an abundance of colors, shapes and possibilities with ceramics, and handmade pieces are especially priced now. 

Not all tiles have to be made by hand, there is industrial production of pieces that look like they have small differences in color and texture, which is a feature of handwork and gives the background an irresistible look. 

You can play with the colors of bathroom elements and backsplash. So, take a look at the tile selections and find the one that excels at meeting your needs at Proximity Mills:

DIY Project – Installation of Ceramic Wallpaper in the Kitchen

• Apply a thin layer of mortar to the wall or cement board.

• Press the tile into the wet mortar. Start with straight rows of tiles and maintain those rows.

• Insert the T-shaped plastic spacers. When the layer dries, remove them.

• Press the mortar with a rubber float to strengthen the structure of the tile.

Tips for maintaining ceramic tiles

1. Clean the surface from dry dirt.

2. Only clean water is sufficient. If it is more dirty, use a neutral agent or one special for grouts and tiles.

3. Avoid using aggressive products. Frequent use can break down the protective layer.

4. Always rinse the tiles with warm water after cleaning to remove soap and detergent residues so that the tiles do not lose their shine.

5. Use nylon or plastic scrub brushes that won’t scratch your tiles.

Conclusion

The backsplash is an important part of the kitchen and bathroom that protects the walls from damage. This is why backsplash tiles can play a key role. If you correctly choose the material and design in accordance with your taste and the rest of the interior, you can add a visual stamp to your space and make it unique.