A backsplash’s basic function is to protect your walls and cabinets from water, grease and spills. It’s sometimes treated as nothing more than an extension of the countertop, yet this decorative surface can set the tone for an entire room. When you enter a kitchen or bathroom or view it from afar, the backsplash is often the first thing you see.
A backsplash is a vertical surface set back from the main work area behind a sink or stove; it catches cooking and cleaning splatters, so unless you’re willing to clean after each use, you might want a surface that hides minor messes. In selecting backsplash materials, consider your cooking and cleaning habits, as well as the tasks you usually perform near the range or sink. Factor in durability and cost, and remember that the backsplash is the place to add personality, bold color accents, subtle glimmer or souvenirs from your travels.
Soapstone Slab or Tile
Smooth, soft, nonporous stone
Pros:
• Durable; won’t burn or stain
• Requires little maintenance
• Acids and alkalis won’t etch surface
• Nearly seamless joints possible
• Endures temperature changes
Cons:
• Nonrenewable material
• Monthly mineral-oil reapplications recommended to maintain luster and color
• Can look worn over time
• Only available in light gray, which oxidizes to dark charcoal
Cost: Tile (12×12-inch)–$8 to $12 per tile; Slab–$70 to $85 per square foot
Installation:
• Install with conventional cutting and finishing tools
• Cut to size on job site
Care & Maintenance:
• Apply initial coat of mineral oil upon installation; reapply monthly
• Clean with damp sponge and cleanser
• Sand scratches out by hand
• Stains may dissipate and patina over time
Green Points:
• Natural, inert material
• Not polished or honed, so requires less off-site finishing, lowering embodied energy
• Nontoxic sealant
Find it:
• Green Mountain Soapstone; (802) 468-5636
Recycled-Glass Tile
Mosaic tiles containing a percentage of recycled glass
Pros:
• Adds light and beauty to a small space
• Reflective surface adds texture
• Wide variety of colors that blend well with many materials (granite, wood, concrete)
• Easy to clean and maintain; smaller tiles means less grout
Cons:
• Cost can be high for large areas
• Custom mosaics entail labor costs
• Some sanded or matte finishes inappropriate behind cooking range (unless properly sealed)
Cost: $45 to $100 per square foot
Installation:
• Hire a qualified tile contractor experienced with glass tile installation
• Use sanded grouts
• Mastic (also called “organic” adhesive) isn’t appropriate for places that will get wet–and it can turn yellow behind clear or translucent tiles
Care & Maintenance:
• Requires little maintenance
• Clean with mild detergent and warm water; avoid abrasive cleaners
• Sealer recommended
Green Points:
• Uses a percentage of recycled glass, depending on style and color.
Find it:
• Oceanside Glasstile (up to 85 percent recycled content)
• Sandhill Industries (100 percent recycled content); (208) 345-6508
Handmade Tile
Handmade tile made from post-consumer and post-industrial glass waste
Pros:
• Adds personality and character
• Wide range of colors and design
• Cost can be controlled by limiting intricate details
Cons:
• Unique tile designs may not suit all aesthetic tastes
• Larger grout joints require more grout and frequent sealer reapplication
Cost: $13 to $90 per square foot
Installation:
• Use sanded grout with acrylic additive
• Seal grout according to the sealant manufacturer’s instructions
Care & Maintenance:
• Requires little maintenance
• Clean with mild detergent and warm water; avoid abrasive cleaners
• Sealer recommended
Green Points:
• 100 percent recycled glass
• No pigments or any other material added
Find it:
• Blazestone Tile; (206) 283-7625
Vulcanite Tile
Large tiles made from slabs of volcanic lava that are fired and glazed
Pros:
• Natural material with a variety of textures and finishes–from high-gloss to matte glazes
• Available in 20 standard colors with 200 shades available through special order
• Durable and easy to care for
Cons:
• Is fired (twice) at extremely high temperatures, using lots of energy
• Limited sizes available
• High cost
Cost: About $150 per square foot
Installation:
• Use a multipurpose thinset (available in hardware stores); pieces may vary somewhat in thickness
• Apply penetrating epoxy to adhere compound bullnose edges
• Sanding grout is optional
Care & Maintenance:
• Vulcanite is presealed; reseal twice a year with water-based sealant
Green Points:
• Stone is noninvasively harvested (lava boulders are collected from open fields in Mexico and cut into slabs)
• Glazes produced without lead
• All glaze overspray and waste is collected and recycled
Find it:
• Vulcanite Tile; (408) 275-1182
Recycled-Plastic Sheets
EcoResin Sheets from 3form are translucent, copolyester sheet materials made from 40 percent postindustrial, reclaimed plastic
Pros:
• Variety of textures, colors and patterns
• Unlimited custom capabilities
• Easy to clean; chemical resistant
• Very durable; has 40 times the impact strength of glass
Cons:
• Though inexpensive, cost depends on the sheet thickness; some textures only available in thicker gauges
• Limited sheet sizes (4×8 or 4×10 feet) can increase waste; custom cuts available
Cost: $10 to $17 per square foot (1/8-inch thickness)
Installation:
• Install like composite wood-based boards with traditional tools (saws, drills, screws)
• Cut on site, shatter resistant
• Requires no finishing
• 3form offers a variety of custom-installation hardware
Care & Maintenance:
• Requires little maintenance
• Easy to clean; impervious to harsh products, such as bleach or citrus acids
• Sand scratches out by hand
Green Points:
• Made from reclaimed plastics
• Nontoxic, PVC free
• LEED certified
• Panels can be recycled through 3form and its partner companies
Find it:
• 3form; (800) 726-0126