Solid surface backsplashes....

18 years ago

It seems these days when planning a kitchen, most people have the complete backsplash in granite, tile, or another solid surface. Is this a trend? I realize it makes for easy clean-up, but so does a semi gloss paint where a color can be changed out over a period of time. Using a material that is so permanent when building a home which is 'our forever home', or a home where 'we'll raise our kids'(18 years or more)leaves me asking....why?. Hard surface flooring could also be lumped into the same category, but for some reason, that doesn't bother me. Maybe it's because so much of our time is spent in the kitchen, and we have to look head on at the backsplash....everyday.

Seems i'm the odd man(woman in this case)and just couldn't imagine living with a backsplash I was 'stuck with' for what could be a very long time. I decided to use a 6" tile on the diagonal, with a two inch border of the same tile, and possibly adding a contrasting braided tile above that. This will leave me with a bit of wall space to paint, wallpaper, decorate, etc. I'm building in a development where a designer helps with choices, and he was even surprised. He assumed I would want the whole space either tile or granite, which every home owner he had helped had done. He *did* appreciate my vision. LOL

Just wondering if those of you who have your entire backsplash in a solid surface, thought about the permanence beforhand. If you've been in your home 5 years or more, have you tired of it yet? TIA

Featured Answer

lsst

18 years ago

When we built 4 years ago, my kd talked me out of a vented hood. She suggested a OTR microwave.

I had purchased a beautiful tile mural to go above the cook top.

She talked me out of all of it.

I ended up with a re-circ. OTR micro, a 4 inch granite back splash and a painted wall that I hated every time I walked in to the kitchen.

My husband and I took down the OTR micro and installed a vented range hood. We removed the 4 inch backsplash and I have just pick out the tile for the backsplash that will look great with the mural I bought 4 years ago.

I do not intend on changing my kitchen for at least 10 to 15 years if then, ( I hate change- LOL) so I estimate that I will have recouped my money by then and will just rip it out and start over.

I do want everyone to know I do not think there is anything wrong with OTR microwaves- a 4 inch backsplash and painted walls. It was just that I wanted that tile back splash from the beginning and regret that it was one battle in the building process I chose not to fight.

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Comments (11)

patty_cakes
Original Author
18 years ago
1sst,we all choose what *we* like,not what someone else *thinks* we should like. I'm fairly stubborn, pig-headed,want my own way,so have a very difficuly time letting anyone trying to change my mind. Besides,it'syour
money.

I'm things worked out and you're happy,even if it has been four years,and you had your beatuiful,long awaited mural installed. It's just too bad that your KD felt it was more important to have her way.
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lsst
18 years ago
Patty cakes,
You are lucky you have an understanding KD. What you have chosen sounds beautiful. Post pics when it is done.
mightyanvil
18 years ago
Backsplshes of the same material as the counter have been commonplace for well over a century for obvious reasons: a painted plaster wall cannot take the abuse of repeated cleaning no matter what kind of paint is used.

The "trend" you are observing is more likely that the entire wall between the counter and cabinets is the same material and the traditional short "backsplash" is omitted although this was common in Victorian kitchens behind the sink.

I often find that men want a short functional backsplash and a plain wall and women want the full space covered with a decorative material. Since the cost difference can be large, it can be a tough issue to resolve. I'm dealing with it on a job this week. It all starts with a visit to an "appointment only" tile shop.

The only caution I would give is to not allow ceramic tile to touch a counter. If the joint is filled with grout it will be difficult to clean and it will crack and discolor eventually. If the joint is sealed with silicone it will also be difficult to clean and it will discolor unless it is dark. Other sealants might work better if the tile does not expand and contract more than the counter. This would be the case if the counter and tile were the same material.

When I have the floor space, I usually pull the standard 24" deep lower cabinets out from the wall 6 inches and put a bullnosed maple shelf on top of a 4" or 6" backsplash. The counter remains 25" deep. This creates a raised space for the things that collect on a counter top, allows easier cleaning of the work surface and reduces the need to decorate the wall with incredibly expensive hand-painted tiles that you will probably get tired of within a year (I can't help it, it's a guy thing).

The deeper counter also allows the cabinets to not be right in your face and allows more overhead light to reach the counter. The upper cabinets can be lowered but if they are kept at the original height, it is not more difficult to reach the upper shelf because it is easy to lean forward 6" against the counter.

I've even run it behind a range but the material changes to stone for that distance.

I've done it in at least a dozen kitchens and it is the detail I get the most compliments about after occupancy.
meldy_nva
18 years ago
Mighty ~ you didn't mention epoxy grout. Because it's not suitable for a kitchen or for some other reason?

A friend used white epoxy in shower and bath, and five years later remains extremely pleased with it. Since he mentioned it, I've been wondering if epoxy grout could be used for tiling in the kitchen.
mightyanvil
18 years ago
When two dissimilar materials meet, the joint must be sealed with an elastomeric sealant. Any kind of grout, even epoxy, will crack in this condition. The counter to backsplash joint is not a good place to change materials.
lsst
18 years ago
mightyanvil,
If I already have my granite and counter tops in place, what can I use to seal the small gap between the countertop and wall tile?
Thanks!
ponydoc
18 years ago
I will not have a solid surface backsplash at this time- or in the forseeable future. Our zodiaq will go up a few inches then the painted wall for now. I have no idea what I would like at this point so it will wait for now. Our cooktop is on the peninsula so we don't have a heavy use area to cover at this point.

pd
lsst
18 years ago
What is an elastomeric sealant?
lyfia
18 years ago
I've always used caulk that is color matched to the grout and never had any issues with cleaning where the counter meets the tile. Wouldn't worry about it.

I don't like the same material on the counter and the backsplash as I like the contrast of different materials.
mightyanvil
18 years ago
Elastomeric sealants are able to accommodate a lot of movement and are generally based on synthetic or natural rubbers.