How to Install Kitchen Backsplash

By Fred & Daniela

Posted December 16, 2022

A backsplash should be a major part of any kitchen. Placed behind your stove or range top, the surface of a backsplash is easy to clean and resistant to stains. Any splatter or mess from the cooking process can easily be cleaned off your backsplash at the end of the night, and the surface should be able to withstand harsh cleaning products if you need to use them. The most common choice of material for a kitchen backsplash is ceramic.

If you’re thinking of doing a kitchen renovation, a backsplash is a great addition if you don’t already have one. Maybe you already have a backsplash, but you’ve decided that it needs an update or want a new colour scheme. Read on! We’ll introduce you to everything you need to know about installing a new backsplash.

What’s Important In A Backsplash Design

While your backsplash will serve a mostly functional purpose, it will also take up a lot of real estate at eye level and can make a great design statement. When designing your backsplash, it’s good to look at the big picture first.

Budget: Like everything else in your kitchen, your budget will go a long way to determine what kind of backsplash you’ll be installing. Some materials, like glass, are much more expensive, especially for a larger backsplash.
Pick The Backsplash Last: If you’re putting in a new kitchen, the backsplash should be one of the last elements that you design. Picking other fixtures like countertops, kitchen cabinets, and floors first will allow you to fit a backsplash into the rest of your space.
Decide On A Style: A subdued white backsplash will have a much smaller impact on your space than a colourful mosaic. Once the rest of your kitchen is in place, you can choose what style of backsplash you’d like.

Materials And Colours For Your Backsplash

There are a wide variety of materials available for a kitchen backsplash, each with its own colours, properties, and design strengths.

Here is a quick run-through of the most popular choices:

Ceramic or Porcelain

A classic choice, ceramic or porcelain tiles are resilient, easy to clean, and resist moisture. Even better, they are available in a huge variety of different shapes, colours, and textures. It’s hard to go wrong with white tile paired with white or black grout.

Glass

Glass tile has similar properties to ceramic or porcelain, but is more expensive. However, glass is very compatible with a range of different kitchen styles and can really make your space stand out!

Stainless Steel

More common in restaurant kitchens, stainless steel has great durability and resistance to staining. It’s also one of the easiest materials to clean. Stainless steel is another expensive choice, but can give your kitchen a unique, industrial appearance.

What Type Of Tile Is Best For Kitchen Backsplash

For most kitchens, we recommend most homeowners opt for a basic ceramic or porcelain tile. Porcelain is a similar product to ceramic, but more durable and resilient. Whichever product you choose, we recommend following some basic rules – such as avoiding any tiles with deep grooves or gaps, as they will make it harder to clean, which defeats the purpose of a backsplash.

Ceramic tiles come in a wide range of shapes and styles – rectangular, square, or even more exotic shapes can all be a great fit depending on your design.

Tile Installation Tips

If you’ve picked out your backsplash design, it’s time to consider tile installation! While backsplash installation is considered one of the easier home improvement tasks, it’s always a great idea to consult a professional if in doubt. If you want to install a tile backsplash, we’ll outline the basic procedure here.

Make sure you work in small sections to avoid mistakes and overwhelming yourself. You’ll need to apply thinset mortar to wherever you’re installing the tiles. Then, apply your tiles in your chosen pattern. Plastic spacers can be a great choice to make sure your tiles are aligned in an even way. You’ll also need to apply grout between the tiles. Depending on your pattern and the space you’re working in, you may need to cut some tiles to fit. The best way to do this is using a tile saw and jig.

It’s worth mentioning another choice for those short on budget, time, or patience: peel and stick backsplash tiles. These tiles come in ready-made sheets and adhere to your wall. While this won’t look as good as a full tile installation with mortar, they’re good in a pinch and can be cut to fit with a utility knife.

Summary

A backsplash is a big part of keeping your kitchen clean, hygienic, and looking its best. Whether you opt for a tile, glass, or stainless steel configuration, we hope this post was a good introduction and helps you to design your own dream kitchen.

Fred & Daniela

Prior to Final Draft Cabinetry’s existence, Fred owned CTI Industries, a cabinet installation company. Prior to that, he had developed a trade school program specific to cabinet installations that was recognized by the North American governing body of kitchen and bath design. Fred then decided he wanted to put his energy into CTI Industries where he led his crew of 21 installers to install over 1200 kitchens throughout the lower mainland, for over a dozen different cabinet manufacturers. Daniela’s artistic and creative abilities started at a young age. She pursued her dream of becoming a ballet dancer and had a professional career in dance that lasted 20 years. Upon retiring from dance, she turned her creative flair towards interior decorating and became a Certified Interior Decorator. Daniela brought her creative background and skill set to Final Draft Cabinetry in 2013 where she discovered her passion for the cabinet industry.