To the initiates, backsplash is a word that would need to be described more than its literal meaning. Imagine cooking your coated chicken that suddenly pops in the oil that hits the wall of raw cement at the back of the stove; backsplash. Give the seeping oil time and it will look really bad.
You do not want that in your new house, so, protect the wall not only behind the stove but also that behind the countertop where you do a lot of chopping. Why not do it all over your kitchen, right? Yes, you can, but backsplash and the tiles that go with it is what we favor for now.
Backsplash tiles come in many types that it may cause queasiness to some at the immensity of the designs available. Subway and Mosaic tiles are among the popular in the market but there are also 3-D, Art Glass tiles to name a few.
Remember, if you’re trying to do a DIY project with tiles, you should probably get the best tile cutter on the market to help you get the job done quickly.
Subway Tiles
Originally used in the low grounds of the subways of New York City, these were initially in the size of a rectangle in the proportion of one is to two (1:2) and particularly in a 3” x 6” measure. At the present, it has evolved into a product of many sizes for many purposes.
Used primarily for wall coating, there are sub-types of subway tiles suited for flooring purposes that can handle the weight and daily traffic of a subway. This does not mean, however, that you can not use this in your house, you can, and you can create an art out of the many designs.
Applications:
- Backsplash
- Accent
- Wall
- Floor
- Exterior
Materials:
- Ceramic
- Travertine
- Marble
- Porcelain
- Glass
- Quartzite
- Slate
- Limestone
Combine these with more than 15 colors, 5 shapes and more than a dozen sizes, you have to have a considerable time to sort out what exactly you want to have.
Mosaic Tiles
As the name says, this tile is a composition of small pieces of material glued to a sheet. These small pieces may be cut out from various material or from one single material to form a specific pattern.
Like Subway tiles, Mosaic can be made from travertine which is a mineral of calcium carbonate that may be light to rusty in color depending on where it had been sourced out, from a hot spring or a limestone cave or quarry.
Applications:
- Accent
- Wall
- Backsplash
- Shower Pan
- Exterior
- Floor
Materials:
- Quartzites
- Travertine
- Rock
- Porcelain
- Marble
- Glass
- Limestone
- Stone with Glass
- Metal
- Slate
With more than 15 colors, more than a dozen sizes, and ten edges to choose from, a sound decision would have to be influenced also by a professional’s suggestion. With all that, you cannot go wrong.
3D Tile
This type of tile uses the three dimensions and is made intentionally to exude artistry in each design with subtle to dramatic textures. With such intricacy in design and purpose, it comes in only two materials that are traditional as they are hardy in nature.
Applications:
- Shower Pan
- Backsplash
- Exterior
- Accent
- Wall
Materials:
- Porcelain
- Ceramic
Geometric Tile
This is the kind of tile that utilizes the different geometric shapes. Coupled with artistry from being refined to ornate, the tiles when combined in the proper formation, is the art and the design in one single assembly to express a statement.
Applications:
- Shower Pan
- Exterior
- Backsplash
- Floor
- Accent
- Wall
Materials:
- Limestone
- Ceramic
- Glass
- Porcelain
Large Format Tile
These come in larger sizes as well that has appealed to a discriminating market. The larger sized tiles create a bigger space in effect as compared to the original tile sizes of old. Because of the larger sizes, they are suitable for high traffic locations also.
The illusion of a bigger space is not only the advantage for this type of tile, but a bigger coverage of the wall or floor is achieved in one setting making it slightly less in economic demand.
Applications:
- Floor
- Exterior
- Shower Pan
- Accent
- Wall
- Backsplash
Materials:
- Metal
- Glass
- Ceramic
- Brick
- Porcelain