Backsplash options and how to choose one
Your kitchen is the heart of your home. As much as you’d like everyone to congregate in the living room or dining room, the kitchen is often where people find themselves at parties, gatherings, and relaxing at home. Why not make it a focal point of your home? An easy way to take your kitchen aesthetic up a notch in terms of aesthetics is a new backsplash. Dreamstone Inc. is here to walk you through it.
What is a backsplash?
What is a backsplash, for starters? Essentially, it’s a panel of material that goes on the wall behind a sink or a stove. Its main purpose is to protect the wall from splashes, grease, and other messes that can damage the paint and drywall. However, kitchen backsplashes aren’t just functional. They’re also an easy way to add color and design to the room and change its appearance.
Do you really need it?
Ultimately, you could forgo having one. However, the damage that will result to your paint and drywall will require time and money to fix (not to mention a headache). A kitchen backsplash can be easily and quickly wiped clean over and over again.
Additionally, a kitchen backsplash is an easy way to pull the whole room together in terms of design. In turn, this makes the home easier to sell down the road.
Backsplashes are more often than not tile (it’s easy to clean and maintain over the years). There are multiple size options; you can go for a partial backsplash, which extends just a few inches above the counter. Or you can go all the way up to a full backsplash that reaches all the way up to the ceiling to make the room look larger and more cohesive. Here are the most common types of backsplash tile we use in Orlando homes.
How to choose the right tile
Ceramic. Ceramic tile is known for its durability, and it’s also one of the most affordable and easily installed options out there. It’s water and heat-resistant, and doesn’t stain easily. Additionally, this common backsplash tile comes in endless colors and patterns so you can customize your design easily.
Glass. Glass tile is impervious to water (so splashes won’t affect it) and it’s easy to clean. It’s also reflective, which can make the room feel lighter and brighter. Plus, it comes in a huge range of iridescent colors and designs. It’s not quite as easy to install as ceramic and can be more expensive. However, our Orlando tile installation team can help walk you through the design process and options to help you stay on budget.
Porcelain: Porcelain tile is also another great kitchen backsplash tile. It’s made from compressed clay dust, which means it’s super durable and waterproof. You can also find it a large variety of colors and glazed finishes. It can be more expensive than other options, but again… our Orlando tile installation team is here to help you find your dream tile AND stay on budget.
Stone. Stone tiles aren’t just for floors. Stone slab kitchen backsplashes are becoming increasingly more popular and are easy to clean. They also look very high-end in terms of design, and they can be fabricated from a variety of stone including granite and quartz. One caveat – our Orlando tile team doesn’t recommend using marble as a backsplash, as it’s prone to stain and scratch. If you want a marble look without the price tag or risk, porcelain is an excellent substitute.
Are peel & stick backsplashes worth it?
If you’ve walked into Home Depot any time in the past few years, you’ve probably noticed the peel and stick tiles for kitchen backsplashes. They’re fine for what they are – they’re very inexpensive and are pretty simple to install – but buyer beware. These kitchen backsplashes usually have a max life of just a few years because they’re not nearly as durable as a traditionally-installed backsplash and will need to be replaced often… which means more money, time, and frustration on your end.
Schedule a consultation for your new backsplash with our Orlando tile installation team
Ready to take your kitchen design to a new level? Call our Orlando tile installation team today. Dreamstone Inc. is ready to help you choose, design, install, and care for a new kitchen backsplash – call us at (407) 677-5657 today, or email us for more information at info@dreamstonefl.com.