Backsplashes can be both fabulous and functional
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2009 AT 2 A.M.
Make a big splash with the backsplash design in your home’s kitchen or bathroom. Backsplashes have evolved from standard-issue ceramic squares to stellar glass, metal and stone tiles.
A wipable surface above the countertop and sink that protects the wall from splashed liquids, a well-designed backsplash form follows its function, says Clay Lyon, board member of the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) and owner of Lyon Construction and Design in the Kansas City area.
“The backsplash can be haute design or a simple surface that is easy to clean and contains the mess,” he says. “It all depends on the materials you use and the look you’re going for.”
Before creating a rear-splash revolution, Lyon says to first consider the overall style of the house and design of the room in which the backsplash will be installed.
“Especially in the kitchen, the 18-inch space between the cabinet and countertop is prime real estate for the eye,” he says. “Homeowners have to decide if they want the backsplash to become a visual accent or simply fade into the background.”
Many homeowners get back to basics when considering which materials to use for their backsplash, Lyon says. Ceramic tile still remains one of the most popular materials for backsplashes, with uninstalled prices starting around $2 per square-foot. With glazes that create a nearly unlimited array of colors and designs, fired ceramic tiles have smooth surfaces that are stain-resistant and easily cleaned with a nonabrasive cleanser and soft cloth.
“A sleek, clean-lined backsplash has a contemporary feel,” Lyon says. “But, brick-shaped tiles also can have a traditional look.”
Subway or brick-shaped tiles are a popular design trend. The typically 3-by-6-inch, solid-colored tiles are named for the old ceramic found on the walls in subway stations.
Today’s subway tiles aren’t just ceramic; some are made of glass. Like gems in a kitchen or bathroom backsplash, glass tiles can be iridescent, frosted, tumbled, polished, textured or handblown.
Glass tiles also come in a variety of colors and sizes, starting around $10 per square-foot, uninstalled. Ranging in size from 1-inch squares and larger, to handblown pencil-shaped tiles, cleaning glass requires a soft-touch, as abrasives may etch its surface.
“A metal backsplash complements a more modern-style home,” Lyon says. “While a stone backsplash can fit a more rustic space.”
Popular choices for metal backsplashes include stainless steel and copper, which range from accent tiles to professionally fabricated 18- inch, full-height pieces. A matte, satin or verdigris finish on metal can help hide fingerprints and water spots.
Slate, marble, travertine and granite are popular stones for backsplashes. Part of these natural products’ appeal is the variation from one stone to the next. Stones that are honed don’t reveal scratches or create a glare. While a full-height 18-inch backsplash needs to be professionally fabricated, individual tiles can start around $5 per square foot uninstalled.
For some homeowners, there’s no holding back in their backsplash design. Mixing materials to create a backsplash’s unique look can make it a focal point in the kitchen or bathroom. A stone backsplash can have metal accents, while differently colored glass can complement a predominantly ceramic-tiled area.
“In a kitchen, the backsplash behind a cooktop is usually a larger area, which can be an opportunity to make a style statement,” Lyon says.
By contrast, Lyon says most bathrooms are one-quarter the size of a kitchen, so the backsplash is often simple — “light, bright and white.” To create a washroom wow-effect, consider installing small, contrasting colored tiles from floor-to-ceiling on one wall by the tub, sink or toilet.
Creating a personalized mosaic backsplash can match any color scheme, show off any style or be made from recycled materials, such as broken dishes (also called picassiette, which is French for “broken plate”). A mosaic is a pattern that is made by inlaying small colored, textured pieces (also called tesserae), and gluing them into place.
A mosaic first needs to be bonded to a sturdy substrate, such as backer board, so pieces will not pop off when it is affixed to the wall. When the design is finished, the mosaic is then mounted and grouted in the same way one would finish a conventionally tiled installation.
Whether you’re trying to create an ubercool or understated backsplash, Lyon says it should be an integrally planned part of any kitchen or bathroom design, not an afterthought.
“A backsplash can unify and bridge the gap between the upper and lower parts of a kitchen or bathroom,” he says. “It can be the element that unites the countertop, cabinets, paint, flooring and plumbing fixtures.”
Union-Tribune
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