Do I have to tile backsplash?

15 years ago

Okay, I'll admit that I've been bitten by a wallpapering bug. Which got me thinking about my backsplash for the perimeter counter. Right now, it is just drywall, as we had the builder leave the tiles off, know that we'd want to install a granite countertop.

I'm focusing on a granite choice, but am wondering about the backsplash. So many goregous tiles to choose from that I'm a bit overwhelmed. And, I'm not sure that I want to be tied down to a certain tile just yet.

Would look silly to wallpaper (and cover in a varnish) the backsplash or the part behind the stove (and paint out the rest)? Or use metal behind the stove, a pattern on either side? I could always tile over paint or paper in the future....

For the island, I would like to tile.

Photos (rather dark - sorry) are in this thread:

Here is a link that might be useful: kitchen pics

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Comments (10)

palimpsest
15 years ago
How about back-painted glass for the backsplash behind the stove. Use Starfire or other ultraclear glass to reduce the green cast.
heyker
15 years ago
I *just* read an article in This Old House mag about wallpapering a backsplash, then covered with 1/4 inch tempered glass. They said you just make a cardboard template of the backsplash area and bring it to a glass fabricator, where they'll cut the glass to fit and polish the edges. Then you paper the wall, and attach the glass by screwing on outlet cover plates. Then run a bead of clear silicone along the bottom and top edges. their sample shows a geometric pattern, wide enough to be hung horizonatally. I though it sounded like great idea, so it's funny you asked about it this morning :)
I'm not sure about varnishing the paper--it could make it much harder to remove down the road....
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Lady you have a good eye for detail :) Actually the bathroom isn't finished yet so I haven't posted it all (more pics are in the espresso cabinet thread). On top of all of the other little things that need to be done (that cabinet is missing it's corbels and trim) I'm also having switch plates made from the travertine we used for the floor and walls of the tub. The switch plate on my side (that is DH's side) is causing some problems, but I finally found a company who will make it custom for me, so I just need to send off the tile next week and in a couple months we'll have switch plates that match the room better (I hate plastic plates...they're up there for inspection purposes only). I wish I could take better pictures of my glass. It and the croc tile are two of the best features. I had the glass actually made for us, so it's unique to us alone. I keep leaving tongue prints on my cabinet doors from licking it.... :oP I was trying to find a pic of the ugly switch plate...that above one isn't it...here it is: The artist who did the walls will do the plastic portions of the switches and the fan controls in the same finish as the walls. His touch up is the very last thing that will be done so it's a ways off. In my other rooms he's finished all of the switch plates...this is the one in my son's safari tent: My son's room is a 1930's safari tent. Where the tent fabric pulls back you see all kinds of animals and plants peeking in. On all of the plates, they have just covered up the plate with their finish. He did the same in the entry hall and kitchen (which have plaster finishes).
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I'm posting my reply to your misplaced reply here so we don't have 2 threads going at once. I didn't quite understand what you meant about it not working. I have a regular vanity in this house that fits right up against the wall and we have the beadboard here also. I don't think there is a situation where you couldn't have it. If you are interested in this option, but don't know how it would be installed, I can get DH to answer any of your concerns. I know it can be done, I just don't know the technical parts. LOL
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Many people have done this. I am not sure if I have seen examples of having the 4" backsplash removed though. Scroll down to tergar's Fnished Backsplash! post for the latest GW example of this.
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So what you're saying is that you don't want a plain boring white rectangle offset tile, which is wise since everything else in your room is white. There are SO many choices in many different shapes, textures and colors. You can be creative with pattern--stacked, offset, herringbone. You can do square offset, arabesque, fishtail, in a dizzying array of colors and textures. Texture is a great way to add interest, I like glossy glazed brick, zelig or crackle tile. Try to find hand-made tiles which are much more interesting than the mass-produced ones in the big box stores. Go to a good tile showroom and bring home samples--these stores usually have talented designers on staff who can help you select something you love! And definitely do not rush. You can cook in a kitchen with no backsplash for as long as it takes for you to find your preferred tile. Here are some of my favorites: Zelig tile: Gray-green mottled color: Close up of zelig tile dark navy or black fishtail: Green glossy with accent on top: Another green with varying color: Square and rectangular white tile in an interesting pattern: Bright green glossy: Gray rectangle with smaller rectangles in niche: Gray rectangles with black liner: Large turquoise arabesque: gray crackle with black and beaded liner:
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debsan
15 years ago
Before we redid our kitchen, we had a single row of ceramic tiles coming up from the counters and above it was a good quality vinyl wall paper. It was there for at least 15 years and had held up very well. Even behind the electric cook top, it seemed to have held up well to years of heat, grease, and cleaning.
2ajsmama
15 years ago
I read the same article in TOH. How much do you think tempered glass (might be able to get standard 18" high but lengths and cutout would cost $$$) would be? I would think tile would be less $$. Plus TOH instruction to just use electrical covers to hold in glass didn't seem to be too safe to me..
rnest44
15 years ago
Our current kitchen has wall paper the PO put up in 1980 as the backsplash, even behind the electric coil cooktop. I'm in the process of removing it and believe me it has held up well! It's coming off w/o wall damage but the process is slow.
I've read on this forum and am leaning toward getting a piece of metal from my auto repair shop for behind the range in my new kitchen back in the planning stage again. Having removed much wall paper from several houses over the years I will be painting the remaining backsplash areas until our $$ has recovered enough to tile a backsplash. Not a bad thing really since it is one less decision for now.
Fori
15 years ago
I don't know if you can tile over wallpaper, so you might need to remove it later, but there are wallpapers made for kitchens ("scrubable") and they are TOUGH. If my mother installs it, it peels off, so be sure to follow the instructions. :)

My mom wallpapers everything, but in her new house (of 15 years) the kitchen was already done. There is wallpaper all over the 'splash, even behind the cooktop (with a grill). Good stuff!
chloe_s_mom
Original Author
15 years ago
Fori, your mum is not alone - some of the wallpaper that I've installed gracefully unfurls about a half hour after being applied. My flooring installed offered to nail it to the wall for me :)

Thoughts on what to use/colour of tile behind the butcher block?
palimpsest
15 years ago
If you did just behind the stove with a rectangular piece and no cutouts, it would be about $200 for plain glass, $300 for starfire glass, in my area.

The backsplash can sometime be held up by weight, gravity and clear caulk around the edges.

Mine is held in place by the above and one outlet.

In one kitchen I did just behind the stove as I suggested to you and was able to sneak in a couple mirror clips, but I don't know if you have the ability to hide them

To do your entire stove wall would require three rectangular pieces, several cutouts. It would be well over $1000 in my area.
lightlystarched
15 years ago
I wanted to do the same thing - a wallpaper backsplash with a piece of tempered glass behind the stove. My quote for a 1/4" 30x36 piece of glass was only $75. Do it!!! And post pics!!!

I haven't done it yet because NOW I'm hung up on all the wallpaper choices, lol!
chloe_s_mom
Original Author
15 years ago
I wonder if plexiglass would be a good substitute? Something on rivets, so that the wallpaper behind it could be changed (can you tell that I'm unwilling to commit??).

I walked into a tile store today (to buy extra floor tiles - a good insurance policy, in my mind) and almost had to lie down. Sooooooo many awesome tiles. I felt more panicked than ever.

At Home Depot tonight, I also picked up a flyer for faux tin tiles - to be used as backsplashes. Came in a variety of colours. Which made me think of the paintable wallpaper (peelable too?) that looks like tin.....

Do I have to tile backsplash?

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palimpsest

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Do I *have* to tile backsplash?

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Do I have to tile backsplash?

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