A Lovely, Low-Maintenance Alternative to a Tile Backsplash
Tile backsplashes are nice, but if you don’t fancy cleaning all those grout lines, or you’re just looking for something a little more sleek and modern, why not try a glass backsplash? They’re low-maintenance and a great way to add a little color to your kitchen.
Interested? Here are a few things you should know.
1. You have some options for making it happen.
There are three different ways you can do this: installing on your own as a DIY, working together with a contractor, or purchasing from a company that specializes in glass backsplashes.
2. You can add paint or wallpaper.
Most of the glass backsplashes pictured in this post are back painted, which gives them their eye-catching color. You could also hang wallpaper on the wall and then install glass. It gives the wall a cool look while also protects the paper from splashes and splatters.
3. You’ll just need a special paint.
If you want to paint the glass yourself, just be sure to use a paint that is specifically formulated for use on glass, as other paints will crack and peel over time.
4. And potentially special glass.
If the backsplash will be going behind a stove, you’ll need to use tempered glass, which is safe to use in hot locations.
5. Installation can be simple.
A back-painted glass backsplash can be applied to the wall with heavy-duty silicone adhesive. Make sure that the adhesive is rated to hold the weight of the piece of glass you’re attaching. It’s also wise to test the adhesive on a small piece of glass to make sure that it will not show through when the glass is applied to the wall. Once the glass is applied, caulk the seam between the backsplash and the countertop to keep water from seeping in. (There’s a DIY at Frugal Bits that walks you through one woman’s process for creating a glass splash guard behind her stove.)
If you’re not planning on painting your glass, you’ll need to use brackets or fasteners (like you would with a mirror) to mount your backsplash. You can also use channels at the top and the bottom of the glass (although this may distract a bit from the minimalist aspect). In these instructions for installing a frosted glass backsplash, the folks at the DIY Network used a quarter-round molding attached to the upper cabinets to secure the backsplash in place.
6. There are experts to help you.
If your glass backsplash needs to be a more complicated shape, or you require cutouts in your backsplash, like for outlets, it’s best to leave the fabrication and installation of your backsplash to the pros. Companies that specialize in creating glass backsplashes will come to your home, measure your kitchen, and fabricate pieces of glass which will then be professionally installed on your backsplash. The glass can be back painted in any color you choose. The advantage of this approach is that you’ll be saved the hassle of ordering, and installing, glass in exactly the right size. The disadvantage is that it can be quite expensive — anywhere from $1,000 to $7,500 for a whole kitchen. Glasskote USA is one supplier, with partners all over the U.S.
7. There’s a budget-friendly option.
Working on a tight budget? You can always use acrylic. Acrylic scratches more easily than glass and can’t be used in hot locations, but it’s inexpensive and easy to handle. The folks at Fog Modern created the lovely backsplash above from acrylic. You can read all about their process here.
This post originally ran on Apartment Therapy. See it there: Not Your Basic Backsplash: A Lovely, Low-Maintenance Alternative to Tile