Countertop Backsplashes
Design
Limited only by how imaginative you and your contractor can get, planning for your countertop backsplashes design can be fun. A well-designed backsplash can bring about the drama and help inject your personality into the kitchen to make it truly, your own. Play with colors, textures and recreate the area to match the room’s overall design from modern minimalist to rustic to elegant to lavish, and everything in between. You can opt to have it in solid color, in a plethora of delectable hues, mosaic pattern and even murals of painted tiles for an artistic touch.
Layout
Generally, you can choose to have a full backsplash where the entire exposed wall is covered or leave some portion of the wall as is, usually four-inch high style. A full backsplash can be beneficial by giving protection to the entire length of the wall. Precise fitting and cutting of materials is crucial to make accurate cutouts to give space for essentials such as switches and outlets—making the help of a qualified contractor invaluable.
Materials
Countertop backsplashes can be made from any material that posses the practicality of kitchen use.
- Plastic laminate or Formica backsplash, popularly used on prefabricated cabinets, is a less expensive alternative that comes in a very wide range of colors and patterns, even imitating the look of its more popular and costly counterparts. Though stylish, this material can be hard to install especially if the intersection of your wall and counter curves.
- Stainless steel is popular in modern settings and industrial-styled kitchens. This can be applied to the walls as is, or cut into pieces to fit together forming a pattern. The problem with this material is that it can be noisy and easily gets stained and dirty.
- Tile backsplash may come in ceramic, porcelain, or glass. Whichever tile surface you pick, all of them make up for a low maintenance, hygienic and economical choice. However, the grout can be hard to clean and being porous might become breeding ground for bacteria and molds.
- Natural stone backsplash offers an unmatched luxurious look and feel. Granite falls among the most popular choice with its inherent elegance and durability. Coming in an extensive array of grain, colors and patterns; finding one to match your kitchen would not be difficult. Though opting for this can cause you to squeeze out a huge budget for material and contractor labor, it can instantly boost the equity of your property.
Craftsmen Network,
New York, NY