Kitchen Backsplash Guide: Which is the Right Choice?
Backspalsh protect walls and add colour, pattern and texture. Find out which material is right for your space
Sophie Baylis
21 June 2017
Houzz UK Contributor: I'm a London-based freelance journalist with many years of experience writing about interiors for leading magazines in the UK and overseas. Follow me at @InteriorsInOut on Facebook and Twitter.
Houzz UK Contributor: I'm a London-based freelance journalist with many years of... More
The humble backsplash has come a long way. Once upon a time, its purpose was purely functional, comprising a tiled area behind the hob and sink to protect kitchen walls from stains and splashes. Today, the availability of all manner of materials in a wide array of finishes means your splashback can make more of a statement. To help you decide which material would work best for you, check out this expert advice on the 10 most popular splashback materials.
Professional advice from:
Conrad Hendrick of LWK Kitchens
Charlie Borthwick of Cue & Co of London
Andrew Macintosh of Andrew Macintosh Kitchens
Robin Auld of Topps Tiles
Siobhan Casey of Casey & Fox
Diane Berry of Diane Berry Kitchens
Graham Barnard of Matrix Kitchens
Professional advice from:
Conrad Hendrick of LWK Kitchens
Charlie Borthwick of Cue & Co of London
Andrew Macintosh of Andrew Macintosh Kitchens
Robin Auld of Topps Tiles
Siobhan Casey of Casey & Fox
Diane Berry of Diane Berry Kitchens
Graham Barnard of Matrix Kitchens
Stainless steel
Work an industrial vibe with a stainless steel backsplash, which comes in sheets of flat steel that can be fixed directly to the wall with either glue or screws.
“You should only ever clean it using warm water and an e-cloth,” advises Conrad Hendrick of LWK Kitchens. “Over time, the chemicals in common cleaning agents can create a build-up on the steel’s surface. This will make watermarks and fingerprints show much more prominently, leaving your stainless steel not quite so stainless.”
Pros: Stainless steel is not only affordable, it’s known for its heat-resistant and hard-wearing properties. It’s also easy to clean.
Cons: Although easy to clean, stainless steel can be difficult to keep looking pristine. It is not scratch-resistant – although minor scratches enhance the look over time – and can dent.
Browse through images of beautiful stainless steel kitchens
Work an industrial vibe with a stainless steel backsplash, which comes in sheets of flat steel that can be fixed directly to the wall with either glue or screws.
“You should only ever clean it using warm water and an e-cloth,” advises Conrad Hendrick of LWK Kitchens. “Over time, the chemicals in common cleaning agents can create a build-up on the steel’s surface. This will make watermarks and fingerprints show much more prominently, leaving your stainless steel not quite so stainless.”
Pros: Stainless steel is not only affordable, it’s known for its heat-resistant and hard-wearing properties. It’s also easy to clean.
Cons: Although easy to clean, stainless steel can be difficult to keep looking pristine. It is not scratch-resistant – although minor scratches enhance the look over time – and can dent.
Browse through images of beautiful stainless steel kitchens
Porcelain and ceramic tiles
Tiled backsplash are a popular choice as they offer versatility, practicality and style. Thanks to advances in printing technology, ceramic and porcelain tiles can be produced to resemble natural wood and stone, but with none of the associated performance challenges. The tiles are scratch, heat and water-resistant, and should be reasonably cheap and easy to install. And while they are durable, should a tile become chipped or damaged, you simply need to remove it and lay another.
Pros: While tiles are easier to clean than most other materials, and therefore lend themselves perfectly to backsplash, this is not the only reason they are ideal for the job. “With such a range of shapes, sizes, colours and patterns now available, tiles give you the freedom to put your own creative stamp on your room without compromising on practicality,” says Robin Auld of Topps Tiles.
Cons: The sheer volume of styles and finishes can be overwhelming. “Consider exactly how the space will be used to ensure your choice works with your lifestyle,” advises Robin. “While pristine white tiles and matching grout may look perfect in a modern, low-use kitchen, they are not the most practical choice for a busy family space.” Darker coloured grouts are definitely worth investigating.
5 kitchen tiles that can match any lifestyle
Tiled backsplash are a popular choice as they offer versatility, practicality and style. Thanks to advances in printing technology, ceramic and porcelain tiles can be produced to resemble natural wood and stone, but with none of the associated performance challenges. The tiles are scratch, heat and water-resistant, and should be reasonably cheap and easy to install. And while they are durable, should a tile become chipped or damaged, you simply need to remove it and lay another.
Pros: While tiles are easier to clean than most other materials, and therefore lend themselves perfectly to backsplash, this is not the only reason they are ideal for the job. “With such a range of shapes, sizes, colours and patterns now available, tiles give you the freedom to put your own creative stamp on your room without compromising on practicality,” says Robin Auld of Topps Tiles.
Cons: The sheer volume of styles and finishes can be overwhelming. “Consider exactly how the space will be used to ensure your choice works with your lifestyle,” advises Robin. “While pristine white tiles and matching grout may look perfect in a modern, low-use kitchen, they are not the most practical choice for a busy family space.” Darker coloured grouts are definitely worth investigating.
5 kitchen tiles that can match any lifestyle
Glass
For those wanting a sleek, streamlined look to their kitchen, glass is a popular choice because it can be fitted in large, seamless panels. “You should always ask for tempered glass, which is harder than ordinary glass and will be far less likely to scratch,” advises Siobhan Casey of Casey & Fox. “Also, ask for polished edges so there’s less chance of scratching the surrounding furniture on installation.”
The beauty of a glass backsplash is that you can choose anything from a bespoke piece of artwork screen-printed and mounted on the back of the glass, to a digital image or a painted finish. “I would always recommend that a professional takes care of the painting,” advises Siobhan. “It could be a costly mistake to attempt this yourself without the experience and knowledge of a professional.”
Pros: Strong and durable, glass backsplash are also easy to clean and install, being either screwed or glued to the wall. While they used to be expensive, the good news is that prices have decreased dramatically in recent years.
Cons: Make sure you choose a colour you and your family are happy with. “While changing this after installation is not impossible,” says Siobhan, “It’s not an easy job.”
Find a designer to design your kitchen
For those wanting a sleek, streamlined look to their kitchen, glass is a popular choice because it can be fitted in large, seamless panels. “You should always ask for tempered glass, which is harder than ordinary glass and will be far less likely to scratch,” advises Siobhan Casey of Casey & Fox. “Also, ask for polished edges so there’s less chance of scratching the surrounding furniture on installation.”
The beauty of a glass backsplash is that you can choose anything from a bespoke piece of artwork screen-printed and mounted on the back of the glass, to a digital image or a painted finish. “I would always recommend that a professional takes care of the painting,” advises Siobhan. “It could be a costly mistake to attempt this yourself without the experience and knowledge of a professional.”
Pros: Strong and durable, glass backsplash are also easy to clean and install, being either screwed or glued to the wall. While they used to be expensive, the good news is that prices have decreased dramatically in recent years.
Cons: Make sure you choose a colour you and your family are happy with. “While changing this after installation is not impossible,” says Siobhan, “It’s not an easy job.”
Find a designer to design your kitchen
Engineered stone
Also referred to as quartz composite, an engineered stone backsplash is made of crushed quartz mixed with resin. “Look out for leading brands, such as Silestone and Caesarstone, that make their engineered stone using the lowest percentage of resin,” advises Andrew Macintosh of Andrew Macintosh Kitchens. These high-performing engineered stones are heat and scratch resistant as well as extremely tough.
To keep costs under control, Andrew suggests teaming an engineered stone backsplash with matching worktops. “If you do this, the templating and fitting charges are much lower than using a different material and supplier,” he explains.
Pros: Engineered stone is durable, scratch-resistant and non-porous, meaning it won’t stain. It’s easily cleaned with warm, soapy water and comes in a wide range of different colours to suit all tastes. It’s supplied in large panels resulting in fewer or no joins on a larger wall run.
Cons: Installation of an engineered stone backsplash must be carried out by a specialist. “It is certainly not a DIY job,” stresses Andrew.
Take a look at more kitchen designs
Also referred to as quartz composite, an engineered stone backsplash is made of crushed quartz mixed with resin. “Look out for leading brands, such as Silestone and Caesarstone, that make their engineered stone using the lowest percentage of resin,” advises Andrew Macintosh of Andrew Macintosh Kitchens. These high-performing engineered stones are heat and scratch resistant as well as extremely tough.
To keep costs under control, Andrew suggests teaming an engineered stone backsplash with matching worktops. “If you do this, the templating and fitting charges are much lower than using a different material and supplier,” he explains.
Pros: Engineered stone is durable, scratch-resistant and non-porous, meaning it won’t stain. It’s easily cleaned with warm, soapy water and comes in a wide range of different colours to suit all tastes. It’s supplied in large panels resulting in fewer or no joins on a larger wall run.
Cons: Installation of an engineered stone backsplash must be carried out by a specialist. “It is certainly not a DIY job,” stresses Andrew.
Take a look at more kitchen designs
Granite
Granite is still a favourite for backsplash, working equally well in traditional and contemporary settings. What’s more, no two slabs of natural stone will ever look exactly the same, so you are guaranteed a unique look.
“One of the main factors that will determine the appearance of your granite backsplash is whether you opt for a honed or polished granite,” advises Conrad Hendrick. “Shiny polished granite is popular for traditional and country-style kitchens. Alternatively, honed granite has a matt finish that’s much more textured, yet understated, so the ideal choice for a contemporary kitchen.”
If choosing a honed granite, do test samples with water and oil as certain variations of the stone can show up wet marks for longer.
Pros: Granite is easy to clean, very hard-wearing and is available in a range of different colours.
Cons: Among the more costly backsplash options, granite is porous, so needs sealing to prevent staining.
Granite is still a favourite for backsplash, working equally well in traditional and contemporary settings. What’s more, no two slabs of natural stone will ever look exactly the same, so you are guaranteed a unique look.
“One of the main factors that will determine the appearance of your granite backsplash is whether you opt for a honed or polished granite,” advises Conrad Hendrick. “Shiny polished granite is popular for traditional and country-style kitchens. Alternatively, honed granite has a matt finish that’s much more textured, yet understated, so the ideal choice for a contemporary kitchen.”
If choosing a honed granite, do test samples with water and oil as certain variations of the stone can show up wet marks for longer.
Pros: Granite is easy to clean, very hard-wearing and is available in a range of different colours.
Cons: Among the more costly backsplash options, granite is porous, so needs sealing to prevent staining.
Polished plaster
There are many reasons to choose a polished plaster backsplash, not least because it can be specified in almost any colour. “Texturally, it can range from highly polished and smooth to rough and weathered,” says Charlie Borthwick of Cue & Co of London. “It also doesn’t have to be one flat colour; veining can be introduced to add depth and interest.”
Pros: It’s easy to maintain and needs minimal care once installed – simply wipe it down.
Cons: Although polished plaster is fairly hard-wearing, accidental chips cannot be repaired. “If this is a concern, use your worktop material to create an upstand – a small skirting around the edge of the worktop – to help protect the plaster,” suggests Charlie.
There are many reasons to choose a polished plaster backsplash, not least because it can be specified in almost any colour. “Texturally, it can range from highly polished and smooth to rough and weathered,” says Charlie Borthwick of Cue & Co of London. “It also doesn’t have to be one flat colour; veining can be introduced to add depth and interest.”
Pros: It’s easy to maintain and needs minimal care once installed – simply wipe it down.
Cons: Although polished plaster is fairly hard-wearing, accidental chips cannot be repaired. “If this is a concern, use your worktop material to create an upstand – a small skirting around the edge of the worktop – to help protect the plaster,” suggests Charlie.
Composite
Composite (or solid surface) materials, such as Corian and Hi-Macs, are usually made from a blend of one-third resin and two-thirds natural mineral. Available in a diverse colour range, they also offer extraordinary design flexibility and can be seamlessly moulded into angles and curves, so there’s no join between your worktop and backsplash. This makes them easy to keep clean and hygienic, because there are no joins where dirt can gather.
Pros: Composites are non porous, easy to care for, hygienic and durable. Joints are inconspicuous, providing a seamless surface.
Cons: Composite materials such as Corian can scratch, but very often these can be sanded out. “Corian is not heat resistant, so you can’t install it behind a gas hob,” says Conrad Hendrick.
Composite (or solid surface) materials, such as Corian and Hi-Macs, are usually made from a blend of one-third resin and two-thirds natural mineral. Available in a diverse colour range, they also offer extraordinary design flexibility and can be seamlessly moulded into angles and curves, so there’s no join between your worktop and backsplash. This makes them easy to keep clean and hygienic, because there are no joins where dirt can gather.
Pros: Composites are non porous, easy to care for, hygienic and durable. Joints are inconspicuous, providing a seamless surface.
Cons: Composite materials such as Corian can scratch, but very often these can be sanded out. “Corian is not heat resistant, so you can’t install it behind a gas hob,” says Conrad Hendrick.
Laminate
If your budget won’t stretch to a natural stone backsplash, laminate is not only affordable, it comes in numerous colours and finishes designed to look like real wood or stone. Although laminates don’t offer the same sense of luxury, high-definition print and texture innovation means they are looking and feeling increasingly realistic.
Pros: Easy to keep clean and water-resistant, laminate is a hard-wearing and affordable choice for your kitchen backsplash. “Match it to other finishes in your kitchen so it becomes part of the whole colour scheme rather than just a statement feature,” suggests Diane Berry of Diane Berry Kitchens.
Cons: Laminate is not suitable for use behind a gas hob because of the open flames, and Diane also recommends a gap of at least 10 cm between a laminate backsplash and all other hobs. “You also need to make sure it’s installed well, particularly around wet areas, to stop water soaking into any joints, just as you would a laminate worktop,” she says.
If your budget won’t stretch to a natural stone backsplash, laminate is not only affordable, it comes in numerous colours and finishes designed to look like real wood or stone. Although laminates don’t offer the same sense of luxury, high-definition print and texture innovation means they are looking and feeling increasingly realistic.
Pros: Easy to keep clean and water-resistant, laminate is a hard-wearing and affordable choice for your kitchen backsplash. “Match it to other finishes in your kitchen so it becomes part of the whole colour scheme rather than just a statement feature,” suggests Diane Berry of Diane Berry Kitchens.
Cons: Laminate is not suitable for use behind a gas hob because of the open flames, and Diane also recommends a gap of at least 10 cm between a laminate backsplash and all other hobs. “You also need to make sure it’s installed well, particularly around wet areas, to stop water soaking into any joints, just as you would a laminate worktop,” she says.
Mirrored glass
A mirrored glass backsplash suits all styles of kitchen, often adding a contemporary twist to a more traditional look. Its reflective surface bounces light around a room, making the space feel bright and often larger than it really is. “If you want mirrored backsplash in your kitchen, then general safety regulations dictate that you must have toughened or tempered glass,” stresses Conrad Hendrick.
Pros: Toughened so it’s strong and durable, mirrored glass is also easy to clean. And because panels are available up to 3 m in length, it’s possible to create a seamless look.
Cons: Mirrored backsplashs can’t be used behind a gas hob because continuous expansion and contraction of tempered glass created by an open flame can, over time, cause visible cracks to form behind the glass, cautions Conrad. “Although easy to clean, mirrored glass needs a regular polish, because marks show up easily,” he adds.
A mirrored glass backsplash suits all styles of kitchen, often adding a contemporary twist to a more traditional look. Its reflective surface bounces light around a room, making the space feel bright and often larger than it really is. “If you want mirrored backsplash in your kitchen, then general safety regulations dictate that you must have toughened or tempered glass,” stresses Conrad Hendrick.
Pros: Toughened so it’s strong and durable, mirrored glass is also easy to clean. And because panels are available up to 3 m in length, it’s possible to create a seamless look.
Cons: Mirrored backsplashs can’t be used behind a gas hob because continuous expansion and contraction of tempered glass created by an open flame can, over time, cause visible cracks to form behind the glass, cautions Conrad. “Although easy to clean, mirrored glass needs a regular polish, because marks show up easily,” he adds.
Marble
Nothing beats the natural beauty of a marble backsplash, which never fails to bring a luxurious look to the kitchen. It’s important to be aware, however, that marble is porous, so it needs sealing and resealing against staining. It also scratches more easily than other materials.
Pros: Graham Barnard of Matrix Kitchens describes marble as “naturally occurring pieces of art”, because no two slabs look exactly the same. “Choosing which marble to use is immense fun,” he adds. “A trip to the stone yard is always an adventure for the designer and the client.”
Cons: Cost can be an issue, depending on the marble you source. What’s more, marble can stain easily. “You have to accept marble for what it is,” says Graham. “It’s beautiful, but not maintenance free. However, lots of marbles have wonderful streaks and patterns that tend to help hide any areas of staining.”
9 unconventional ways to use marble
Read more:
Feast on These 9 Steamy Backspalsh Tiles
Tell us:
Do you have experience with any of these materials, and which would you recommend? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
Nothing beats the natural beauty of a marble backsplash, which never fails to bring a luxurious look to the kitchen. It’s important to be aware, however, that marble is porous, so it needs sealing and resealing against staining. It also scratches more easily than other materials.
Pros: Graham Barnard of Matrix Kitchens describes marble as “naturally occurring pieces of art”, because no two slabs look exactly the same. “Choosing which marble to use is immense fun,” he adds. “A trip to the stone yard is always an adventure for the designer and the client.”
Cons: Cost can be an issue, depending on the marble you source. What’s more, marble can stain easily. “You have to accept marble for what it is,” says Graham. “It’s beautiful, but not maintenance free. However, lots of marbles have wonderful streaks and patterns that tend to help hide any areas of staining.”
9 unconventional ways to use marble
Read more:
Feast on These 9 Steamy Backspalsh Tiles
Tell us:
Do you have experience with any of these materials, and which would you recommend? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
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Brilliant concept with the splashback wall and beautiful images. We use brick slips on our projects and have a number of project ideas which can be viewed at www.thebrickslipbrothers.com
Very informative article; thanks!
Can I have your opinion, if you don’t mind;
I have a white Carrara quartz splashback and worktops. I’m planning the floor covering and have come across matching marble tiles (80x80).
Do you think it will complement the kitchen or be too much of the same?
Your advice would be greatly appreciated.
This is the first I've read that you can't put toughened heatproof mirror behind a gas hob. Is it incorrect and/or has the technology moved on from when this was first written? Or is there an actual issue with it?