Why not do the sheet metal behind the stove where splashes are likely to occur and use the subway tile for the rest of the room?

I think with your slab front cabinets and solid white counter the pattern added by tile is important for interest.

As an aside, are you planning to take out the 4" backsplash that is already there? It's not technically necessary to have both (4" and full wall) backsplashes and some people say it's not good design.

Never heard of sheet metal b/s. Like outside the box thinking BUT won’t steam, water droplet splashes, cause eventual partial rust? Seems like whatever you use needs close cleanup attention. IMO, easiest is solid surface b/s, though not fashionable right now.

I have a sheet of cheap patterned metal from the DIY shop over the tiles behind the stove top ..cheap to change if I get bored with the patten and to be honest when I planned the kitchen ..I never thought about the wall behind the stove apart from the tile !

When I read that the sheet metal would be powder coated I just assumed it would be a colour or white, not steel colour. That would also cut out the possibility of rust, wouldn't it?

I have a glass cutting board that I lean up against the wall if i'm cooking fried food. I wash it and put it away and the backsplash stays clean. it's just easier to clean the board than cleaning the wall.

Thanks all - just a note - there is currently NO backsplash, I think in the photo you're seeing the line where a 4" backsplash USED to be :) I like simple and streamlined and I love the look of painted glass - but where I live, contractors are very expensive and both estimates I got for glass were quite an expense for us, compared to tile. Esp. since we do already have the tile to use. We also still have 2 bathrooms to remodel :P And that is genius about the cutting board!

I like the tile all the way, without interruption.

If you have your heart set on sheet metal, why not a quilted sheet metal like this? You get the sheet metal and a little texture. Best of both worlds

your kitchen looks very similar to mine. I did do back painted glass and sadly, it was expensive, but looks great. We had it painted in silver metallic to pull in the stainless of the appliances and some colors in the counter. I think that something in a silvery color would look great in your kitchen.

Looks like I found an article on this very thing, along with a local distributor:

[https://www.houzz.com/magazine/the-future-of-backsplashes-stsetivw-vs~29887594[(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/the-future-of-backsplashes-stsetivw-vs~29887594)

https://www.chemetal.com/designs/160-white-gloss-magnetic-dry-erase-steel/

There are companies that make sheets of material to be used for back splashes (among other things) that look like metal, but easier to work with. Very inexpensive and you can install yourself. Comes in many color finishes and styles. They sell Fasade brand at Home Depot.

http://fasadeideas.com/

You might have a hard time getting the sheet metal to lay flat on the wall. I would go with the tile BS

Kitchen · More Info

To revisit the glass, do a search for digitally printed glass backsplash here on Houzz. You can also order tempered glass, incl. cut outs for outlets, and attach it yourself with tracks or clips.

The trick to get lower cost glass backsplash is to go with a commercial glass shop in your area.

My exhaust hood has matching stainless steel that I used as a backsplash behind my range. Easy to keep clean.