Solid surface backsplashes are...

[pitterwoo]

here.  Think they will become the trend?

[mrs.jacinthe]

I like the 2nd photo a lot. None of the others do much for me, honestly. However, as an overall idea, I like the idea of a solid surface as a backsplash, since it would be so easy to clean.

[pitterwoo]

The second one looks like it's glass, right? I think it could be very versatile. I like the look of the marble ones, but since I won't even be getting fancy counters, I don't see getting a fancy backsplash.

[Blueper]

I can only see the first two pics, but I like that there aren't a million grout lines. Love the marble backsplash, but I don't see the point of the second backsplash- it just looks like high gloss paint.

[SusanBAnthony]

I don't know about those specific materials but I like the idea.

I actually kind of hate tile backslashes bc they get nasty. Our old house had tile behind the stove and it got so gross. This rental has it behind the sink, and same thing. I think I would rather just have paint, and get some kind of sup durable kitchen paint that could be scrubbed off easily, or repainted if it got stained.

[FoxInFiji]

Yeah they are totally in for million dollar homes. They are very pricey so I doubt they will start becoming a trend in the average home. Think of the cost of a stone coutertop and then double-triple the cost of the labor to cut around every outlet and light switch. You'll notice that all of the stone pictures don't have either in the backsplash zone. You need to re-wire all of your outlets and light switches to be hidden under the cabinets to do that.

Painted back glass (the second photo) has actually been used a bit in modern homes. It's much more economical than solid surface stone. My aunt and uncle used back painted glass along with a number of their friends when they remodeled their kitchen about 5 years ago.

[munkii]

Supposedly, solid glass backsplashes have been quite popular in Australia for a few years now--I have no idea if this is true or not. I like it and hope it sticks around for a while.

Someone in Indianapolis put it up in her kitchen last year (maybe?):
www.indystar.com/article/20120808/LIFE10/208100303/Photos-Take-look-inside-Mid-Century-Modern-kitchen

[simpsongal]

I'm not sure abotu the glass one. I'd want like a low sheen glass if possible, so it doesn't just look like shiny paint. I wonder what frosted glass would look like. I like the marble ones but holy $$$$. I tend to like the "pattern" impact of tile backsplashes -- whether it's a brick pattern, little squares, etc. I can see why it would be a plus for cleaning (except marble).

On that note, I'm seeing SO MANY marble counters these days. I absolutely love marble but have written it off b/c it's so porous. Should I reconsider? One day I would like to get a material that sort of looks like marble - maybe a granite w/marble-like pattern.

[crispnclean]

I can't imagine that they would ever be cheap enough to truly become a trend. I like the look, but between the cost of materials and cuts, I would imagine it will always be a very pricey option!

[decoraholic]

Jan 30, 2013 15:57:00 GMT -5 simpsongal said:

I'm not sure abotu the glass one. I'd want like a low sheen glass if possible, so it doesn't just look like shiny paint. I wonder what frosted glass would look like. I like the marble ones but holy $$$$. I tend to like the "pattern" impact of tile backsplashes -- whether it's a brick pattern, little squares, etc. I can see why it would be a plus for cleaning (except marble).

On that note, I'm seeing SO MANY marble counters these days. I absolutely love marble but have written it off b/c it's so porous. Should I reconsider? One day I would like to get a material that sort of looks like marble - maybe a granite w/marble-like pattern.

I love the look of marble, but it's not worth it to me to use anywhere that gets real wear and tear. I won't even use it in a bathroom because it etches, scratches, and chips so easily. Grab a sample from a stone yard, then put a little lemon juice on there. It will likely leave a permanent etch almost immediately. When I started doing stuff like this to our samples, I knew that marble counters weren't for me. We did use it on our backsplash, but it doesn't run behind our stove since our cooktop is on a peninsula. When we were installing it, I wanted to smooth out some of the cut edges, so I took a little sandpaper and barely used any force to sand it. The chips came right out, that's how soft it is. The cost of materials was like $250, so in the event it doesn't hold up well, it wouldn't be that big of a deal in 10 or 15 years to rip it out and put in another backsplash. I've tried incorporate it in "safe" places, then used more durable materials elsewhere.

[Susie]

Jan 30, 2013 16:33:50 GMT -5 crispnclean said:

I can't imagine that they would ever be cheap enough to truly become a trend. I like the look, but between the cost of materials and cuts, I would imagine it will always be a very pricey option!

Agreed.

I don't love the glass, but I think it's a more modern look than I tend to go for.

[TBM]

I love the glass. I have been eying them for quite awhile now, and hoping that they wouldn't become a trend.....that way I could have them some day and it would just be different, not out of style. ;p


Several of the mid range houses that I have seen for sale in FL have had marble or granite backsplashes. These houses have been too small or maybe the wrong style for it....or maybe it's just me.

I do love stone...the way it feels and the difference in the way it looks. I have seen some seriously amazing slabs that I would hang on the wall as art if I had a lot of money and had a huge wall to hang one on, so I am not sure why I am not a huge fan of it as a backsplash.

[stumpy]

Really rich people or ones that have to have clean lines have been doing this for awhile. My sis put in A Silestone slab about ten years ago . . . on the counter and backsplash. It looks amazing. My kitchen is much smaller so I didn't feel the need to do it in my kitchen. People also do it in their shower. Talk about easy -- no grout lines!

I don't think it will become widely popular b/c of the cost.

[munkii]

Thinking about it, one could DIY this type of backsplash with PaperStone since it's available in thin, long sheets. It might not look as good as stone or glass, but it would look decent and be a lot more affordable.

[pitterwoo]

Jan 30, 2013 18:44:14 GMT -5 munkii said:

Thinking about it, one could DIY this type of backsplash with PaperStone since it's available in thin, long sheets. It might not look as good as stone or glass, but it would look decent and be a lot more affordable.

See, this was kind of what I was thinking.  Everything that the rich do eventually filters down to the masses with a knock-off.  

[kristilynnmy]

I had that in my apartment once... but it was a laminate sheet. We also had a laminate sheet backsplash in our current home before we tiled. These are nice but it just reminds me of the cheap laminate stuff I've encountered.

[sillygoosegirl]

It seems like it would be a lot of money for not a lot of value to me. We have large black granite tiles with black grout, which really looks a lot like a solid surface, but was probably way cheaper. I always assumed the reason for tile was price rather that style.

That said, I kind of wish it was just paint on drywall back there. It's a lot of black and I can't even put a damn hook in... Hopefully it will grow on me in time.

[simpsongal]

Just wanted to add that I would definitely move my outlets from the backsplash wall to under the cabinets. It would probably cut down on the installation cost too.

Thanks for reaffirming my decision on marble, decoraholic!

[adhdfashion]

The clean simple look of the solid backsplash is really nice. I love the marble.

[kellikans]

Jan 30, 2013 15:57:00 GMT -5 simpsongal said:

On that note, I'm seeing SO MANY marble counters these days. I absolutely love marble but have written it off b/c it's so porous. Should I reconsider? One day I would like to get a material that sort of looks like marble - maybe a granite w/marble-like pattern.

we just put in carrara marble counters and I looove them.  if you seal it with a good sealer, you don't really have to worry about food stains.  nothing will prevent etching, but you have the option of getting them honed so that the etching isn't that noticeable.

I wouldn't do it any differently.  there's nothing that compares to marble.  you just have to be a bit more careful, and kind of accept that something will etch them.  I just consider it as adding to the patina.  if you have to have everything pristine, then marble isn't for you.

here are some good links on etching:

www.granitegurus.com/2010/05/experiment-of-etching-marble-part-one.html


www.granitegurus.com/2010/05/experiment-of-etching-marble-part-deux.html

[simpsongal]

Etching doesn't look too bad on google images. We're nowhere near replacing countertops so I have plenty of time to do soul searching and researching. I've always loved marble.

I still don't get the granite hate - maybe it's gotten too common to be considered upscale by folks?

eta: I've thought about doing the marble painting tecnique on our laminate countertops.  I just don't think they would hold up well to abuse to which I subject them (mostly the rough side of a sponge).

[Deleted]

Wow! I'm surprised how many like the look of solid surface backsplash. I was asked about it while building the house. I said, no way. Maybe I'm odd. I don't like it. Yes, it's easier to clean, but I don't like the look. Too much solid surface. I didn't even bother to ask the cost because I just don't like it. LOL.

Even if someone told me solid surface would be a lot cheaper than tile, I would still have chosen tile.

[bunnymendelbaum]

I like it, but to be honest I don't like any backsplash because I'm not a fan of upper cabinets. I find them hard to work in front of, and create a darker junk space.
We designed our kitchen to have either counters w lower cabs or full height cabs. No uppers.

[barefootcontessa]

Feb 1, 2013 0:11:27 GMT -5 kellikans said:

Jan 30, 2013 15:57:00 GMT -5 simpsongal said:

On that note, I'm seeing SO MANY marble counters these days. I absolutely love marble but have written it off b/c it's so porous. Should I reconsider? One day I would like to get a material that sort of looks like marble - maybe a granite w/marble-like pattern.

we just put in carrara marble counters and I looove them.  if you seal it with a good sealer, you don't really have to worry about food stains.  nothing will prevent etching, but you have the option of getting them honed so that the etching isn't that noticeable.

I wouldn't do it any differently.  there's nothing that compares to marble.  you just have to be a bit more careful, and kind of accept that something will etch them.  I just consider it as adding to the patina.  if you have to have everything pristine, then marble isn't for you.

here are some good links on etching:

www.granitegurus.com/2010/05/experiment-of-etching-marble-part-one.html


www.granitegurus.com/2010/05/experiment-of-etching-marble-part-deux.html

Ditto this.  We had our marble honed rather than polished.  It is so beautiful.  I looked and looked for marble looking granite and really nothing compared.  I have always used cutting boards and trivets, even with granite. 

[kellikans]

Genevieve Gorder did a kitchen with sea life illustrations covered with plexi-glass. I think it could be a cool way to personalize your backsplash.

[hbomdiggity]

We lived in condo built in 2005 that had a full granite backsplash. It never dawned on me that it was a trend, but I did like not having grout lines.