Kitchen Backsplashes: Material Options, Perks, and Tips

The kitchen is often one of the most important gathering places in a home. If you love a home-cooked meal or getting creative in the kitchen, the details you choose for your custom home can make all the difference in style and functionality. Your kitchen backsplash is no different!

A well-chosen backsplash protects your walls from spills and splatters, ties together your custom kitchen’s design, and can even become a focal point for the room. In this post, we’ll explore some common material options for kitchen backsplashes, discuss their key perks, and provide tips for choosing a material and maintaining it.

Types of Kitchen Backsplash Materials in Custom Homes

When it comes to backsplashes, some materials are more common than others, but there are quite a few options. Here is a list of some popular materials and their key traits.

Tile

Tile is the most common type of backsplash available. It is available in a wide range of colors, textures, and finishes, making it a versatile choice for many homeowners and homebuilders. Depending on the tile you choose, you can find many different perks such as heat resistance, easy cleaning, and stain resistance. They are additionally relatively easy to clean and maintain.

Glass Tile

Glass tile is similar to ceramic tile, but some types of glass can reflect light and complement a kitchen that lets in a lot of natural light. They come in both glossy and more frosted finishes, allowing for creative design options. Glass is also a non-porous material, making it great for easy cleaning and stain resistance.

Natural Stone

Options like granite, marble, and slate add a natural and rustic touch to your kitchen. Each piece is unique and offers an organic look for your backsplash. Natural stone materials tend to be quite durable, but depending on their finish, some are more difficult to clean than others. 

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel has a sleek, clean look that is often reminiscent of professional kitchens and modern fixtures. Steel is one of the most practical kitchen materials overall due to its heat resistance, durability, and easy cleaning. If you spend a lot of time in the kitchen and don’t want to worry about damage, stains, or other issues, stainless steel is an excellent choice.

Wood

Wood is a less common backsplash material, but it is definitely a unique one. It tends to be less costly than other materials, but it must be laminated or sealed in some way because wood is naturally very porous and absorbent. Wood also requires ongoing maintenance to retain its look and it can be a safety concern due to its lack of heat resistance.

The Pros and Cons of Backsplash Materials

Tile

Pros:

• Endless design options
• Lower cost in most cases
• Easy to clean

Cons: 

• May crack or chip over time
• Grout can stain and be difficult to clean

Glass

Pros:

• Many design options
• Reflectiveness for natural light
• Easy to clean

Cons:

• Cannot be repaired if they break (must be replaced)
• Can be pricey depending on the type of tile
• May reflect sound and create an echo in some spaces

Natural Stone

Pros:

• Adds a natural look that can be difficult to achieve with other materials
• High durability
• Unique and variated look

Cons:

• Some stone requires regular re-sealing and maintenance
• May chip or stain depending on the stone

Stainless Steel

Pros:

• Easy to clean
• Extremely durable
• Won't break, crack, or stain

Cons:

• Can be difficult to install near windows or in uniquely shaped kitchen areas
• May show fingerprints, grease, and spills more than other materials
• Can be dented or scratched

Wood

Pros:

• Inexpensive compared to other options
• Versatile in appearance with a lot of wood-type options
• Offers a unique finish

Cons:

• Lacks heat-resistance
• Must be well-maintained and resealed often
• Will stain, wear, and change over time if not maintained properly

Tips for Choosing the Right Kitchen Backsplash

Consider Your Kitchen’s Style

Your backsplash should compliment the rest of your kitchen and home design. More traditional kitchens often work well with classic tile backsplashes, while more modern kitchens may appeal to glass or stainless steel materials. Natural stone tends to work well in cozier designs.

Think About Maintenance

Consider how much time you are willing to spend on maintenance. Glass and tile are easy to clean but can sometimes show smudges or water spots. Wood requires the most upkeep and needs frequent cleaning and sealing. Metal is the easiest to keep up with in terms of cleaning and maintenance. 

Factor in Durability

Kitchens house a lot of activity, from cooking to entertaining guests. If you use your kitchen frequently, you’ll want to invest in durable materials that resist heat and can tolerate cleaning solutions and spills. Some materials are better than others depending on how often you use your kitchen.

How to Maintain Your Backsplash

Regular Cleaning

For most materials, wiping your backsplash down with a damp cloth and mold cleaning solutions is all you need to do to keep it clean. You should avoid using harsh chemicals on most materials, especially those with sealant on them or that have porous surfaces like stone. 

Deep Cleaning

Occasionally, you may need to do a more thorough cleaning of your backsplash, especially in the grout between tiles. Using baking soda and vinegar solution can help with deep-cleaning your backsplash grout if you have tile. Other materials, like glass and stone, may require different deep cleaning techniques to ensure you don't harm the surface.

Immediate Stain Removal

Preventing stains is key to keeping your backsplash in good shape. Don’t let spills or splashes from cooking sit too long on the surface - clean them up as soon as you can. This can save you time on cleaning and maintenance in the long run and prevent stains that are impossible to remove.

Conclusion

A backsplash is not just functional but a creative element in your kitchen’s design. By choosing the right material and keeping up with simple maintenance, your kitchen backsplash will serve both aesthetic and practical purposes for years to come. Whether you opt for the natural elegance of stone, the sleekness of stainless steel, or the colorful versatility of ceramic, your backsplash can be a stunning centerpiece of your kitchen.

If you’re looking to build a custom home in Oklahoma and researching the details, consider us at Heim Custom Homes. We’ve built dozens of homes in Edmond, Guthrie, and more, bringing dream homes to life for dozens of families. Take a look at our gallery for some of our example work, and learn more about us. Give us a call or send us a message to get started with Heim Custom Homes.