Kitchen / Bathroom Backsplashes | Milwaukee & Wauwatosa
Add a WOW factor to your kitchen or bathroom with a new backsplash. Give us a call today to discuss your project and to schedule a FREE in-home estimate.
Backsplash FAQs
What is a backsplash?
A backsplash is a functional extension of the counter meant to protect the wall behind a sink from water damage. In kitchens, backsplashes can be extended to protect the wall behind all counter space from grease and food splatter. In choosing a backsplash, you can pick from a wide variety of different materials and styles. Installing a new backsplash is an easy way to let your creativity and personal style shine through in your home.
Why a new backsplash?
The backsplash is the WOW factor of any kitchen. It’s the part where you can really let your personality shine in the kitchen. And with all the available options, it’s easy to have form, function, beauty and a little bit of yourself shine through in the backsplash.
Backsplashes also play an important functional role in protecting your wall from damage due to water, food, and grease splashes. They are generally easy to clean and can last for decades.
How do I choose a kitchen or bathroom backsplash?
You have a lot of options when it comes to materials for a backsplash. Depending on the look and feel you have in mind, you can choose from back-painted glass, sheet glass stainless steel, an extension of our countertop material, tile, tin squares, wall paint, wood, or a combination of materials.
Here is some more information on each of these types of materials:
Back-painted Glass
Glass tiles, painted on the backside provide color, sparkle and a durable backsplash in various sizes. Back-painted glass is an affordable and easy to clean material for creating a one-of-a-kind kitchen backsplash.
Countertop Extension
Extend the countertop material up the wall to create a backsplash that is durable and will provide a unified look in the kitchen. Extend the chosen countertop material up the wall as high as desired anytime a new countertop is installed. This will give you a unified look, and make for easy cleanup.
Combination Material
You can also mix it up and use a combination of materials. A kitchen backsplash doesn’t have to be all the same material. Create your own unique blend of materials by applying wall paint in some areas, ceramic tile in other areas, and then add a pop of color by using sparkling glass tiles, and you’ll design a kitchen that is functional, unique, and beautiful.
Tile It
Tile is a durable, easy-to-clean and there are many styles, sizes and colors to select from – Mosaic tile, subway tile, glass, ceramic and terra-cotta are just a few of the types and styles of tile you can select from. Sheets of tile make installation quick and easy and tile prices are affordable for everyone looking to update the kitchen.
Tin Squares
Copper, painted or natural tin squares can provide your kitchen with a vintage look and feel. Decorative tin squares are easy to install and provide durable function and beauty to any kitchen. Tin squares are easy to cut to size and install as a backsplash, cabinet fronts, baseboards, toe-kick protectors on door and elsewhere in the kitchen to create a cohesive look.
Wall Paint
The most affordable and changeable backsplash option is wall paint. An oil based, high-gloss paint is easy to clean, resists staining and will lasts for years. Applying wall paint to the backsplash area is an easy DIY project.
Wood
Wood beadboard is an affordable and decorative backsplash option for a kitchen update. Beadboard can be purchased natural, primed or primed and painted and cut to size at any home improvement center.
How can I ensure my backsplash style won’t look dated in a few years?
No matter what material you choose, as long as you choose a backsplash that fits the style of the rest of your home, you don’t need to worry. Do some research and figure out what backsplash styles are commonly found in a home similar in style to yours, and draw inspiration from that. For example, an older house with antique features may look great with a clipped stained-glass style backsplash, while a more modern home would probably work best with a painted or larger-size tile backsplash.
What is the purpose of a kitchen or bathroom backsplash?
A backsplash is a durable vertical surface that protects your wall from water damage, grease splatters, and the general mess and mayhem of a kitchen or bathroom. In a bathroom, the backsplash is often found only above the sink. In a kitchen, the backsplash often extends from behind the sink to cover all vertical space above the counters. Backsplashes are made of material like glass that is easy to clean.
A secondary (but fun) purpose of a backsplash is to add some style, color, and creativity to your space. There are infinite possibilities when it comes to choosing a backsplash, and finding a style and material that you love adds a ton of character to a home.
Should my backsplash match my countertops and cabinets?
That largely depends on what you want to be the focal point of your kitchen or bathroom. If you have a beautiful stone countertop, or a bright pop of color on your cabinets, you may choose a more neutral backsplash that allows these other elements to stand out. If your kitchen or bathroom style is more neutral overall, you may choose to have a decorative, dramatic backsplash that adds a unique element to the room.
Can I install a backsplash myself?
While you certainly can install a kitchen or bathroom backsplash yourself, it is often worth it to bring in a professional. Here’s why: a well-designed and properly installed backsplash will protect your walls for years to come, and can add a pop of color, interest, and drama to your kitchen or bathroom. If it is not properly installed, you can run the risk of water damage and a highly-visible element of your home not looking quite right.
You will have enough on your plate in picking out the style and material you want for your backsplash, let us take care of making your vision a reality. Professional installation of a backsplash is often a project that only takes a couple of hours so you can quickly get back to enjoying and using your space. Give us a call to discuss your project today.
How do I take care of/clean my backsplash? What materials are easiest to clean?
Since the purpose of a backsplash is to protect your wall from water, grease, and food splatters, it needs to be durable and easy to clean. The simplest-to-clean materials are ceramic tile, glass, or glazed porcelain because you can clean them with household products and don’t have to worry about sealing them. Natural stone does need to be sealed when installed and again from time to time and cleaned with a specific stone cleaner.
No matter what material you choose, backsplashes are, overall, very low maintenance.
How much does a kitchen and/or bathroom backsplash installation cost?
That depends on the type of material you choose and the size of the project. What we can tell you is that, at Best-Handyman, we provide exceptional service at competitive pricing, and guarantee all of our work for a year after it is completed. You will never be charged for trip costs, and payment is only due upon satisfactory completion of your project. Looking for specifics on your backsplash installation? Give us a call today!
How long will it take to install my backsplash?
That depends on the material you choose and size of the project. Backsplashes come in many sizes, from small ones in bathrooms to larger kitchen projects, and materials may need to be cut and sized, so the timing may vary. Backsplash installation can also go longer when the design is more complex. Regardless, most backsplash installations take less than one day. Give us a call to discuss your project today!
Do I need to be home during installation of the backsplash?
Yes! Not only do we need someone to let us in the home, but we may have questions during the installation that only you can answer. Also, we can offer helpful maintenance tips while we are there, and answer questions you may have about the project. We are happy to speak with you to find a time that works with your schedule. Give us a call today!
Why should I hire Best Handyman for my backsplash project?
We may be biased, but when you choose Best Handyman for your backsplash installation project, we know you will get the best work for the best value. We have more than 20 years of experience providing handiwork services to homes in Wisconsin, offer a 1-year guarantee on all labor, and are proudly to be locally owned. But don’t just take it from us – give us a call to schedule your appointment today!