In any kitchen, the backsplash – the guard on the wall behind the sink or stove – might seem like a small design consideration. However, it has big implications. Like a sparkly brooch on a grey blazer or the one quirky guest at an otherwise quiet dinner party, the surface can add colour and personality.
At the same time, it must also protect the wall from myriad threats, including sloshing water, splattering grease and flying bits of food. A good one is durable and eye-catching, even years after it is installed. A bad one quickly looks like a Jackson Pollock painting rendered from culinary stains.
Complicating things, there are a zillion backsplash materials to choose from (various metals, stones, ceramics, porcelains and more). What’s a style-conscious cook to do?
Judith Taylor, a Toronto-based interior designer, keeps the criteria simple. “You want a material that is wipeable, does not absorb moisture and is fire retardant,” she says. “I typically specify tile, stone or engineered quartz.”
For tiles, Taylor prefers Zellige, a hand-crafted terra cotta option from Morocco that is finished in a shiny, easy-to-clean glaze. Coming in many different colours and shapes (Taylor prefers rectangular subway tiles), each one tends to look a bit different.
“I like them because they add an artisanal note to a space that is otherwise filled with hard surfaces,” she says. “The result is a kitchen that feels soft, layered, soulful and timeless, rather than overly uniform or mass-produced.”
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In terms of stone, Taylor likes marble, a somewhat controversial choice because it can stain – unless it is coated with an impregnable sealant. “Homeowners are often hesitant to use marble,” she says. “But I like to remind clients that people walk on marble in Europe. It ages beautifully with a nice patina. I love homes that age gracefully and don’t look ‘forever new.’”
Melissa Maker, a house cleaning influencer whose YouTube channel Clean My Space has 2.2 million subscribers, says the choice between tiles and stone depends on your priorities. “Porcelain and ceramic, I find, are the easiest to maintain,” she says. “Natural stone looks stunning, but the greasy splatters from cooking an intense meal don’t hold up well to classic degreasers and abrasive cleansers. If your kitchen is more of a showpiece, don’t worry as much. But if it’s a workhorse, choose a backsplash that can tolerate cleaning agents.”
For a more durable marble “dupe,” as interior designer Jacquelyn Clark of Toronto’s Lark & Linen calls it, she opts for an engineered quartz – stone that has been crushed and compressed into something extremely dense – from Canadian company HanStone. The material, which comes in large slabs (up to 10 feet long and five feet high), has the veining of marble without the porosity.
“I used HanStone’s Montauk in my own kitchen,” she says, referring to a pearl-toned, veined pattern. “It’s a breeze to clean and maintain because the slab is solid – no grout lines.”
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Ottawa interior designer Tanya Collins likes a grout-less backsplash for its clean-lined, minimalist quality. She points out, however, that grout itself is not the enemy. “With new stain-resistant grouts,” she says, “the cleaning process has improved significantly.” Epoxy-based grouts such as Mapei’s Kerapoxy CQ are popular for their durability.
In terms of backsplash materials, Collins would like more people to consider copper. The cost can be a drawback – the metal is more expensive than porcelain or ceramic – but the installation is comparable and the metal has unique properties. “It adds a beautiful warmth as it patinas and is naturally antimicrobial, unlike stainless steel or plastic.”
Ryan Boshart runs Backsplash Decor Inc., a company based in Kitchener, Ont., that specializes in backsplash installations. He has worked with many different materials and notes that it is best to have a 15-per-cent surplus of the finish you are using to account for any potential wastage. In his experience, porcelain tends to be highly durable (and can come in slabs as large as pre-engineered quartz).
Glass, however, is perhaps best avoided. “It scratches easily,” he says. “It only comes in a few different colours – even white glass has a blue/green tint. These days, I’m removing a lot of glass rather than installing it.”
Also on the “not” list is wood, which some design publications are calling a trend. Boshart says it is “fine for a cabin, I suppose, but not good around moisture or anywhere near a stove.”
Six buys to try
Here are some durable, low-maintenance options that add character to a kitchen.
Vintage Augusta tiles
Produced by Quebec-based Smart Tiles, Vintage Augusta tiles have the look of old-fashioned, Mediterranean ceramics, but are in fact made from a synthetic, heat- and moisture-resistant material. Their peel-and-stick backing means they can be applied without grout and removed from a wall quickly, making them ideal for renters. $8 a tile
Premier Copper tiles
Copper has a few advantages as a backsplash. It is naturally anti-microbial, which helps cut down on germs, and resists corrosion. The colour can either patina over time or stay with the same with regular polishing. These hammered copper tiles are made from recycled metal and are also recyclable, minimizing their environmental impact. $275 a square foot
Dekton, Artik Nodes collection
Dekton’s backsplashes, made in Spain, look like solid slabs of stone, but are composites made of compressed porcelain and other materials. The surfaces stand up to high heat, moisture, dings and dents, and come in large formats (up to 10 feet by 4.5 feet) so they can be installed without grout. The new Artik Nodes line was inspired by Arctic landscapes, including glacial shades of white. Price upon request
Zellige tiles
Zellige tiles are terra cotta ceramics from Morocco. Because they are handmade, each one is slightly different, with uneven edges and variations in colour. The glazed surface, however, is easy to wipe down. $10 a square foot
Earthsmith’s terra cotta series
Earthsmith’s terra cotta tiles, handmade in Edmonton, have a rich, red surface with a certain Mediterranean warmth. The thick ceramic is hard and durable, but because the ceramics are unglazed, they must be finished with a sealant to prevent staining. $36 a square foot
HanStone backsplashes
HanStone’s engineered backsplashes, manufactured in London, Ont., have the appearance of natural stone. Their quartz collection offers the veining and subtle colour variations of marble with a surface that is non-porous and won’t patina over time. Prices vary depending on installation