Facade Backsplashes
Photographer: Christina Wedge
If it's time for a new backsplash in your kitchen—but you're not looking to break the bank on high-end materials and costly installation—you may want to consider your options for façade backsplashes.
Dreamy Kitchen Backsplashes
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Economical façade backsplashes mimic the appearance of common backsplash materials like stone, ceramic tile, and a host of metals from stainless steel to copper.
Generally made of heavy-duty plastic, façade backsplashes may not prove as durable as the traditional high-end materials they mimic, but for the most part they are just as low-maintenance. In most cases, façade backsplashes will wipe clean with a damp cloth and warm water or cleaning spray. Additionally, façade backsplashes are now available in such a wide range of styles that you should have no trouble finding the style that approximates the look of the high-end material you want your backsplash to mimic among these inexpensive alternatives.
Your first step when considering a façade backsplash is to determine exactly how much of your kitchen design you want to cover. Many homeowners have a vision in mind that covers anywhere from 25% to 100% of the walls between the kitchen's countertops and cabinets (or even covering the entire area between the countertops and ceiling, for a more dramatic execution). The space you have to work with, as well as how much cooking you do—not to mention how much cooking spatter is generated when you cook—will go a long way toward determining how much façade backsplash material you'll need. Once you've decided on the surface area to be covered, just measure the square footage to determine the figure that'll guide how much material you'll source.
When you've settled on the scope of the project, it's time to start thinking about the style of façade you want to feature in your kitchen design. The overall design will likely go a long way to determining which façade style you'll choose, but you're in luck—façade backsplashes come in just about every imaginable backsplash style, from ceramic subway tile to tin, copper and stainless steel. In addition to their low cost, another benefit of façade backsplashes is that they're much easier to install and configure than traditional backsplash materials. Most façade backsplashes can be cut with scissors or a utility knife, and they're easily installed using durable two-sided tape or a construction adhesive.
Despite their general ease of installation, you may still choose to have your façade backsplash installed by a professional if the DIY route isn't an option. If you're in the market for professional installation, most home improvement contractors will offer this service, and many big box home improvement retailers and tile specialty stores will also offer installation services.
