Jul 13, 2022
The kitchen backsplash. Not only does it catch the eyes of any resident or visitor, but it also serves an understated purpose. Cooking in the kitchen emits heat that can cause slight damage to painted walls. With the toughness and thickness of backsplash tiles, kitchen walls receive an added level of protection and durability while also giving the kitchen a more aesthetic appeal. Thus, we have two primary criteria when choosing your backsplash tiles. What material can endure best the exposure to heat and other exterior elements? What design best suits your kitchen walls? Today’s article will answer these two questions by listing down a few types of tile materials you can choose from, as well as each of their pros and cons you need to know.
Perhaps the most common and popular material for backsplash tiles is ceramic. Not only is it among the cheaper materials for wall and floor tiling, but they are also highly versatile in design and can be molded in any shape or form one wishes. Maintenance is also as hassle-free as installation. They are easy to clean and quick to replace when one piece breaks.
One downside, however, is its lack of resistance to damage. Cracks can form over time, and the tiles can get easily stained. In addition, despite its malleability, giving your ceramic backsplash a more intricate pattern is more costly than opting for a simple and more refined design.
A tiling material that has gradually grown in popularity recently is glass. Of the types this article covers, this one is probably the most colorful, making it a preferred material for those who wish for a more decorative look for their kitchen backsplash. A standout characteristic of glass tiles is their gleaming and shining impression. They can look as glossy as the ocean or have a frosty and opaque appearance.
Conversely, an issue with choosing glass as your backsplash is the material’s susceptibility to damage. Glass, as you may have guessed, is quite fragile, and if it breaks or cracks, you have to replace them entirely. Additionally, they are heavy to carry and install, so they may require additional strengthening to give them more durability.
It may not be a common preference as the other materials mentioned above, but stone still adds a unique appeal to your kitchen. Where ceramic exudes a vintage aura and glass gives off a post-modern vibe, stone’s timelessness as a home aesthetic style combines the best of both.
But, the stone material is an umbrella term for various types, forms, and colors, one of this material’s noticeable perks. Granite stone, for instance, comes with the most color assortment, while soapstone (ex.: talc) tiles have the best neutral colors. White limestones such as travertine give a clean and glossy look. For a luxurious appearance, marble is a favorite among wealthy residences and high-end establishments due to its unique vein patterns and shiny features.
Although stone is the most durable of tile materials (at least those listed in this article), this may depend on the type manufacturers used. Some may easily scratch or break, while others may not have sufficient heat resistance or are too porous when water seeps in. Hence, engineered stone tiles such as quartz exist as an alternative option.
Regardless, know that stone tiles are one of the most expensive in the market, even for backsplashes. In addition, stone tiles are heavy, so install and care for them cautiously.
If you wish for a less costly but appealing style for your kitchen, go for the wooden tiles. Granted that they might be an unorthodox choice of backsplash tile material, wood has a natural feel and comes in various designs.
Like stone, wooden tiles may come from different types of trees, but for this article, we will look into three of them. You have mahogany, whose reddish brown color and smooth texture make it favorable for luxury furniture and furnishings. Then, you have teak wood, one of the toughest and most durable types and one of the easiest ones to utilize.
However, wood’s inexpensive pricing and easy-to-use qualities have a trade-off. Depending on how manufacturers made them, wood is a not-so-durable material and can be prone to damage from scratching, splashes, heat, and termites.
Lastly, we introduce a new and trending material for backsplash tiles. Although it may look like a metallic tile, this type is actually made of strongly compressed plastics, giving it extra strength and high durability while also being lightweight. In addition, it is perhaps the easiest kind to install on your kitchen wall and the most preferred for DIY builders. Stick the backsplash tile to the wall using double-sided tape, and you are all set.
That said, because of its plastic material, this tile is not suitable for hot areas such as stoves and ovens, so it is best to install these in parts of the kitchen far away from a heat source that will gradually deform it.
And these are our five recommended backsplash tiles that will make your kitchen a standout in your home. For further information about how you can install them on your walls, check out our previous blog entry here!
AllHome has a plethora of tiles and other home items that we hope would inspire you to bring new life into your abode, so come to your nearest branch or visit www.allhome.com.ph to shop online! Furthermore, you can learn more home-related tips and stay updated on our latest product features and promos by following our official Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube pages.
Once again, thanks for reading, and we’ll see you again in our next entry!
