Kitchen Backsplash Tile: June 2007

photo: backsplash tile pattern - herringbone

Think of the herringbone pattern and most of us visualize brick flooring. At least, I do. It is, of course, a very traditional pattern for brick floors, but that tradition doesn’t limit the possibilities. A quick look at some of today’s herringbone patterns taught me that!

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This tile, from DalTile Products, is porcelain with an iridescent glaze. The herringbone pattern emphasize the seawater feeling.

The luminous colors in this glass tile (from Mosaic Source) are emphasized by the herringbone pattern. What a lively energy!

This herringbone-patterned installation (from Designer Glass Mosaics) is made of metal tiles.

The herringbone pattern can be conservative, or even dull. But if you want it to be a focal point in your kitchen, just change the colors and materials and watch the pattern take center stage! Any one of these tiles would change the entire room.

backsplash tile pattern - herringbone

Another familiar pattern for tile is herringbone. It’s sometimes called ‘chevron’ as well. Basically, two tiles are laid to form a point, and this arrangement is repeated. The point can be directed up or down, or even on a diagonal.

In some installations, the herringbone formation is very subtle, giving an overall feeling of movement to the design. In other, color and/or texture are varied to make the pattern itself the dominant element of the installation.

Herringbone can also be laid with three tiles, if the third is smaller than the first two. Notice how different the pattern can be with this small variation!

Herringbone patterns generally require cut tiles along the edge. Plan the design working from the center outward to make sure it is visually balanced for your entire space.

kitchen backsplash tile and water

I’ve been looking at some beautiful art tiles that would look lovely in my kitchen. The problem is, I really don’t think they’re suitable for a kitchen backsplash. They look as if they might absorb water and other liquids, which means they would stain easily. So -- I went to read up on kitchen backsplash tiles and water.

Will kitchen backsplash tiles absorb water? Yes, no, and maybe! It all depends on what tiles you choose.

The terms vitreous and nonvitreous are used to indicate the density and porosity of a tile. These characteristics determine how likely a tile is to absorb water. Tile manufacturers rate tiles in four categories.

Nonvitreous
Nonvitreous tiles are very porous, so they will easily absorb water. The standard absorption rate is 7 per cent or greater. These are not a good choice for a kitchen backsplash tile. If your heart is set on a nonvitreous tile, be sure to use a good sealer, and be prepared to reapply it frequently.

Semivitreous
Semivitreous tiles can be used for most indoor applications. The absorption rate is between 3 percent and 7 per cent. If you use semivitreous tile for a kitchen backsplash, a sealer is helpful.

Vitreous
Vitreous tiles are very dense and not at all porous. They are resistant to stains and absorb very little water. Absorptions rates are between 0.5 per cent and 3 per center. Vitreous tiles are an excellent choice for kitchen backsplash tiles.

Impervious
Impervious tiles are very dense. Water absorption is at a rate lower than 0.5 per cent. These tiles can be used in the wettest locations -- even in showers or outdoors, if you like.

If you aren’t sure about the rating of a tile, you can easily estimate it yourself. Put a few drops of water on the back of the tile (not the glazed or finished surface). If the water soakes in quickly, the tile in nonvitreous. If the water beads up instead of absorbing, the tile is vitreous.

I did the water droplet test on a sample tile. It didn’t sink in really quickly, but it didn’t bead up either. I’m guessing these tiles are probably semivitreous. I’d have to use a sealer. Hmmmm . . . I wonder what the colors would look like under a sealer? I guess it’s time for more tests.

Review: Tile Idea Book

written by Andrew Wormer. Newtown, CT: Taunton Press, 2005.

What I really love about this book is the collection of wonderful photos. They make this a book to dream with, a book to help me imagine the beauty of the kitchen backsplash I will create. There are literally hundreds of color photographs here, and each one makes me understand more about the possibilities of tile. I saw kinds of tile I never knew existed and installations that would never have occurred to me.

There are lots of books available about laying tile. I’m glad I passed them by for this one. It’s titled Tile Idea Book because that’s exactly what it is: a book that contains hundreds of ideas about beautiful ways to use tile, and a book that will stimulate you to think of more ways on your own.

Resources - Index

These are resources I've used to research kitchen backsplash tiles. Some are books, some are websites, some are videos -- and there may even be a few oddities thrown in by the time I'm done! I hope you find them as interesting and useful as I have.

Tile Idea Book
written by Andrew Wormer. Newtown, CT: Taunton Press, 2005.
read my review here

photo: running bond pattern

I like the way this photo shows how a simple running bond pattern can really give some style to a kitchen backsplash! There’s nothing difficult about this design. It’s easy to plan and easy to install, but just look how it ads to the feel of the kitchen.

The tiles are adapted from the tiles found in older Paris subway stations. The pillowed profile gives a feeling of depth to the installation, and the smooth surface is easy to clean.

The photo is from tile idea book

tile pattern: running bond

Running bond is an old pattern, one I really like. You see it a lot in brickwork, but I think it looks good in backsplash tiles too! The tiles in each row are set so that the grout joint is directly above the center of the tile in the row below.

This pattern can create a subtle variation when it is laid in tiles of just one color, or a wildly exciting effect in tiles of different colors. Imagine zig-zag, wave, or lightening designs! Now that would liven up my kitchen, wouldn’t it?

Running bond is an easy pattern to lay, but you have to work out the pattern carefully in advance. It’s easy to lose track of the color changes and end up with an unbalanced design. I’ll try it on graph paper first, then do a dry run on the table to see how I like the design.

I’ve seen running bond laid vertically instead of horizontally. It gives a whole different feel when it’s laid this way. I think this would be good for a shallow space that I wanted to look taller.

If you work outward from a center axis in planning your design, you’ll have a pyramid-shaped design, sometimes called pyramid running bond. This is a wonderful pattern to use if you want a mirror-image design.

choosing kitchen backsplash tiles

Kitchen backsplash tiles are the perfect place to explore -- and experiment with -- all the kinds of tile now available. Because the backsplash is a small area with high visibility, you can really explore the decorative possibilities of ceramic, stone, glass, and metal tiles. You won’t have to spend a fortune to create a beautiful design.

Don’t worry too much about choosing the perfect tile for your kitchen backsplash the first time you visit a tile showroom. The chances are good that the first tile you admire won’t be your final choice, because the variety is so great. Just choose a tile that appeals to you in some way -- color, texture, shape, size, or any combination of those elements. That will be a starting point, while you learn and discover which tiles are best suited to your project.

A kitchen backsplash doesn’t get the same kind of wear that a mudroom floor, for example, gets every day. Backsplash tiles don’t need to be as durable as many others. A really wide range of tiles can be used for backsplashes! Experiment with materials and colors that you’ve never considered before.

This is a great place to splurge on a more expensive choice. You get a lot of bang for your buck with kitchen back tiles! The area to be covered is quite small, but it makes a huge difference in the look and feel of your entire kitchen. A little luxury here will make the entire room feel luxurious.

It’s important to consider how easy a tile is to clean when you’re going to use it in your kitchen. Unglazed tiles have a beautiful texture, but they are more likely to stain than glazed tiles. Stone tiles are also quite porous, but they can be sealed to make them suitable for use as kitchen backsplash tiles.

The best way to find out whether a tile is suitable for use in your kitchen is to take home a few sample tiles. Put them on your countertop and lean them against your old backsplash. Leave them there for a few days, and use your kitchen as you normally do. You’ll soon discover which tiles can stand up to the wear and tear of your family’s life!

kitchen backsplash tiles for Everyman

Tile is for Everyman, not just the rich. Setting tile has never been so easy to learn. The cost of good tile is down, and the kinds of tile available increase every year. Now is the best time ever to choose tile for your kitchen backsplashes! Why settle for look-alike wallpapers when you can have the real thing?

Walking into a tile store showroom is a lot like walking into a candy store. There are hundreds - literally, hundreds! -- of types, styles, and sizes of tile available to you.

Ceramic and stone tiles are classics. You’ve known these materials all your life, and appreciated their durability and beauty, but you may still be amazed at the range of colors, size, and textures you’ll find.

The new tiles will dazzle you. These are not the tiles from your grandmother’s kitchen! There are tiles made of shimmering glass and gleaming metal. There are tiles that mimic other materials, like the concrete tiles that are nearly impossible to distinguish from ceramic. There are composite tiles that look like solid metal or stone.

Go to a real tile showroom to see what the possibilities are, even if you have to take a daytrip to do it. Local ‘big-box’ stores are convenient, but you won’t see nearly as many tile materials there, or as many choices in each material.

Go and look at tile! It’s for everybody now.

photo: jack on jack diagonal

Diagonal jack-on-jack is a classic design that has a very different appearance in different materials!

The shining finish on this diagonal jack-on-jack design gives a special impact to this simple pattern. The small insets appear random, but in fact are set at carefully-chosen points.

Two layers of diagonal jack-on-jack stone tiles separated by a heavy “frame” of ceramic tiles give a sense of richness and ease to this large kitchen.

photos: simple jack-on-jack in two sizes

Simple variations in tile size can make an amazing difference in jack-on-jack designs. When color and texture are added to the mix, the results are truly breathtaking! The design in this kitchen is heavily influenced by Craftsman designs of the Arts-and-Crafts movement. The top and bottom rows, or courses, are stone tiles. The decorative strip in the middle is made of smaller handmade square tiles. The change in size is enhanced by the difference in texture between stone and glazed ceramic. The colors were carefully chosen to enhance the wood cabinets.

This kitchen uses a simple variation in size to create a strong, straightforward design.

The tiles in this kitchen were handmade in Italy and have a distinctive, old-world look. Note the art tile inserts and the course of smaller tiles near the ceiling.

The photos are from tile idea book

tile pattern: jack-on-jack variations

Jack-on-jack is a wonderfully adaptable pattern. Even the simplest combination of straight stacked and diagonally laid square tiles can have a charming result. Variations in color and texture can give a subtle effect or a vivid design.

Inserting smaller squares at predetermined corners adds a sparkle to the jack-on-jack design. The insets can be set as diamonds or triangles. This is a classic tile pattern.

Simple jack-on-jack has a different effect when the tile is rectangular instead of square. Rectangles can be laid horizontally or vertically to create special effects.

tile pattern: diagonal jack-on-jack

This is the same stacked pattern as jack-on-jack, but the pattern has been turned sideways 45 degrees so that the squares become diamonds. All the grout joins are in a line, but the line runs at a 45-degree angle.

Diagonal jack-on-jack makes a lively backsplash pattern even when all the tiles are the same color. Imagine how it would look with two or more colors!

This pattern is a little more difficult to install, because the tiles at all four edges have to be cut. This also means that project will have a little more waste material. Remember to balance the layout over the entire space, so the design doesn’t end up looking lopsided!

photos of jack-on-jack designs

You can see how effective a simple jack-on-jack layout is in this photo. What makes this design so special is the contrast between the subtle coloring of the fieldstone tiles and the metallic glint of the decorative strip. Also, notice how the warm tones in the tile pick up the tones of the wood cabinets.

I also like this example of a straightforward jack-on-jack design. It’s wonderfully simple, but the shine of the glazed ceramic tiles and the variations in color wake up the entire space!

The first photo is from tile idea book and the second photo is from Ideas for Great Tile.

tile pattern: jack-on-jack

Jack-on-Jack is probably the most basic pattern for kitchen backsplash tiles. It’s the easiest way to lay any wall tile. Each tile is stacked directly above the next in columns. In this system, all the grout joints are aligned.

You can make this simple pattern look lively by using different colors for the tiles. This basic pattern will appear very different with different color choices. For example, imagine it as a black-and-white checkerboard, then as a random mix of tiles in varying shades of a single color. Try inserting an art tile at intervals for an especially individual look.

Always work out the pattern in advance! You can experiment on graph paper first, then lay out the tiles on a flat surface to check your design. This will also let you see how the space works with the size of your tiles. For instance, if you have partial tiles at the edge, are they the same size on both ends? Your backsplash can end up looking lopsided if you don’t check ahead of time.

caring for granite tile

Granite kitchen backsplash tiles are easy to care for.

On a daily basis, the best method is just to wipe down the surfaces with a soft cloth that has been wetted with soapy water. You may wish to brighten the tile by polishing it occasionally with a product like GG Granite Polishor using a cleaning-and-rejuvenating product designed for granite surfaces like GG Granite Cleaner.

Because granite is a porous material, it will stain. It’s important to clean up all spills promptly. A paper towel will blot up a spill quickly. Avoid wiping; that will just spread the spill! After the spill has been blotted up, use a soft cloth to dry the area completely.

Organic stains, caused by coffee, tea, or food, are the most common type. Red wine is the worst! Biological stains like mold or mildew are also common.

If your granite tile is stained, proceed cautiously. Ask your supplier about recommended cleaners when you buy the tile. Liquid cleaners are usually not very effective. Poultice powders are designed to re-absorb a stain from a stone surface, and they are often the best choice. Be sure to follow directions carefully. Never use lime and scale remover on granite. They are strong acid-based cleaners and they will etch the stone.

Granite tiles can be sealed to reduce stains. Sealers can be water or solvent based, but most professionals think the solvent-based sealers do a better job. GG Stone Sealer is a good example. The sealer works by penetrating the stone surface and creating an invisible barrier. Sealer is easy to apply and usually dries in about an hour. Stone surfaces should be resealed periodically. Generally, kitchen countertop and backsplashes need resealing every 6 to 12 months, depending on how much use they get.

choosing quality granite

You will have to ask your supplier some questions to choose quality granite tiles for your kitchen backsplash.

How was the granite quarried? Because it is such a hard material, quarrying granite can be an expensive and time-consuming process. Using explosives makes the work easier, but the force of the explosion can create tiny fault lines throughout the granite. These are often too small to be seen with the naked eye, but they can widen and create problems over time.

What solvents were used in cutting the stone? Kerosene and other petroleum-based byproducts are sometimes added to the coolant used when the stone is cut and shaped to make the work go a little faster and reduce processing costs. Afterward, the stone is washed to remove the chemical smell. It looks just the same as stone cut using only water as a coolant when it is viewed in the showroom, but it doesn’t wear as well. When the petroleum product comes in contact with the ferric content of the stone, rust begins to form. The marks will be visible sooner or later, often within a year.

How much variation is there in the dimensions of each tile? They should meet ASTM standards. All the tiles should have a uniform thickness, and the maker should calibrate them carefully. Each tile should should have precisely square corners. The sides should be slightly smoothed. If the tiles are shaped to standard, they will be easier to install, and the kitchen backsplash will be satisfactory.

Who is responsible for replacing tiles if any are broken during shipping? Although granite is a very hard stone, granite tiles are somewhat brittle. Tiles are usually shipped in styrofoam boxes placed inside a wooden crate, with 5 to 10 tiles in each box. Some companies place a thin foam sheet between each tile.

Were the tiles sealed? Granite tiles are typically shipped unsealed, so that the homeowner can use their sealant of choice. If your tiles were sealed in advance, you need to know what kind of sealer was used.

Knowing the answers to these questions will help you choose the highest quality for your kitchen backsplash tiles.

granite tiles

Granite is a wonderful material for kitchen backsplash tiles! It’s both practical and beautiful.

Granite is a practical choice for kitchen countertops and backsplashes because of its durability. It is the most durable of natural stones; in fact, it is one of the most durable rocks on earth, right after diamonds, sapphires, and rubies -- all of which would be a little expensive for kitchen surfaces! It is unlikely to scratch or be harmed by heat, admirable characteristics for a countertop material. Even pots heated to 900 degrees Fahrenheit will not harm granite!

The natural beauty of granite makes it a good choice for the kitchen, a room where most people spend a lot of time. Granite is formed from magma, the molten material beneath the earth’s crusts. As it cools and comes to the surface, it develops a beautiful crystalline structure. Granite is composed of feldspar and quartz, with small amounts of mica and other minerals like magnetite, zircon, sphene, ilmenite, and apatite. These variations account for the range of colors in granite as well as for its beautiful patterns and speckles. There are literally hundreds of granite colors available, ranging from pinks and peaces through shades of gray to charcoal and black. Right now, black, gold, and green granite are the most popular shades.

Granite can be polished to an almost mirror-like shine or given a rough, earthy texture. The finishes are technically named polished, honed, flamed, and brushed. A polished surface is very flat and smooth, with a shiny look that reflects a lot of light. This finish is often used for decorative objects as well as countertops. A honed finish is also very smooth, but it has a matte appearance and reflects less light. Both polished and honed finishes are easy to clean. Flamed and brushed surfaces have a rather rough texture and are more likely to be used where some traction is needed. Using more than one finish in a backsplash can create a pattern that is both natural and artistic.

There will be natural variations in color and patterning in any box of granite tiles. Lay out your tiles on a flat surface and experiment with different arrangements to take advantage of the differences. The subtle changes in color and pattern can be used for a wonderful overall effect.

Italian style

Italian style in kitchen backsplash tile

I love this example of creating a style for the entire room with kitchen backsplash tiles. What a great way to way to get a huge impact from a very small area! The farmhouse-style sink has a beautiful backsplash that is based on the village fountains found in Italy. The interlace design of the frame is made of custom-made terra cotta tiles. The center is glazed ceramic tiles set in a diamond pattern. The lines separating the diamonds are made of tiny travertine mosaics.

This photo comes from the tile idea book, which contains many wonderful pictures of imaginative and beautiful tile designs.

kitchen backsplash tiles are stylish

I can give my kitchen real style with kitchen backsplash tiles. It’s kind of surprising that such a small space has such a big impact! I can set the mood for the entire room from that one small area.

I can use tiles that create an ethnic feel. I can have brightly-colored Mexican tiles for my kitchen backsplash, or I can use subtly-colored Raku-fired tiles for an Asian mood. I can use the brilliant blue-and-white combinations typical of Portugal or the stone and quarry tiles reminiscent of England.

I can create a mood with my choice of kitchen backsplash tiles. Do I want my kitchen to be warm and energetic? Maybe I’ll use bright colors and patterns that give a feel of movement. For a calm, soothing atmosphere, I could choose natural (or natural-looking) stone tiles, with their gentle color variation. If I want the room to feel modern and efficient, I might choose metallic tiles.

Maybe I’ll go for something a little more unusual. I could have a mosaic of kitchen backsplash tiles. Or a mural. Or art tiles. Or . . . just about anything my imagination comes up with! The possibilities of tile are just about endless.

Portfolio

These posts all include pictures!

black-and-white idea for kitchen backsplash tile

photo: grout as a design element in kitchen backsplash tiles

Monet's kitchen backsplash tile

photo: backsplash tile pattern - herringbone

photo: running bond pattern

photos: simple jack-on-jack in two sizes

photo: jack on jack diagonal

photos of jack-on-jack designs

Italian style

simple and beautiful

simple and beautiful kitchen backsplash tiles

The simple squares of yellow glazed ceramic tile in this kitchen backsplash have been carried up the entire wall. Notice how the individual tiles vary slightly in color, but every shade looks good with the yellow cabinets. The color on this wall will change with the light, but it will always look good.

This photo came from Ideas for Great Tile
There are lots of ideas for simple but dramatic kitchen tiles in that book.

You don’t have to create a complex pattern or use exotic materials to make your kitchen attractive. Even the simplest tile can make a kitchen beautiful!

Kinds of Tile - index

These posts are about the materials used for kitchen backsplash tiles:

granite tiles

choosing quality granite

caring for granite tiles

kitchen backsplash tiles are practical

Planning a Kitchen Backsplash Tile Project - index

These posts are about planning a kitchen backsplash project:

review: Tile Idea Book

photo: running bond

tile pattern: running bond

choosing kitchen backsplash tiles

photo: jack on jack diagonal

kitchen backsplash tiles for everyman

photos: simple jack-on-jack in two sizes

tile pattern: jack-on-jack

photos of jack-on-jack designs

tile pattern: diagonal jack-on-jack

tile pattern: jack-on-jack variations

Decorating with Kitchen Backsplash Tile - index

These posts are about design:

review: Tile Idea Book

Italian style

kitchen backsplash tiles are stylish

simple and beautiful

kitchen backsplash tiles are beautiful

kitchen backsplash tiles are beautiful

Okay, yesterday I wrote about kitchen backsplash tiles being a practical choice, but that’s not the only reason I’ve decided to have them. Tiles are just plain beautiful!

Tiles bring color to a kitchen. Yes, I know paint can do that too -- but there’s something about the luster of a polished tile that paint just can’t match.

I love the way tiles play with light. My kitchen doesn’t have as much natural light as I’d like, and besides that, we use it a lot at night. Like most two-career families, we’re not home during the middle of the day on weekdays, so our kitchen has to have good light. I can make an efficient, well-lit workspace with spotlights and under-the-counter lights, and I will. That won’t make a beautiful space, though -- and after I’ve spent all day at work, I want to cook dinner in a beautiful space! Tiles will make my kitchen beautiful.

kitchen backsplash tiles are practical

If you want a really practical surface for your kitchen walls, use kitchen backsplash tiles! Kitchen walls take a beating, especially those over the sink and the stove. They get doused with water and splattered with grease. They get bumped by small appliances. They get covered with bits of food. They get scraped by utensils. They get touched again and again by greasy hands. Kitchen walls have to be tough!

Kitchen backsplash tiles come in the toughest materials available -- metal, ceramic, clay, glass, and even cork and rubber! All of these materials hold up to abuse better than simple drywall or wallpaper.

Kitchen walls have to be easy to clean, because a kitchen is the most-used room in any house. Kitchen backsplash tiles have surfaces that are practically designed for cleaning! Their smooth, hard surfaces hold up to daily scrubbing without showing signs of wear.

My kitchen walls need a practical covering -- so I’m getting tile!

Besides that, I think tiles are economical. They’re not cheap, but you get a lot bang for your buck! Also, they don’t need to be redone every two or three years. I think they’re a good use of my money.

Househuzzy Loves Kitchen Backsplash Tiles!

I’m called the Househuzzy because I love old houses. And new houses. And, well . . . just about all houses!

I especially love making my house more beautiful and practical. Right now, we’re working on remodeling our kitchen, step by step. I’m thinking a lot about kitchen walls!

I’ll probably go with some kind of kitchen backsplash tiles. They’re practical, beautiful, and stylish. They can be relatively inexpensive or very expensive. They can be a good do-it-yourself project, if I decide not to hire a professional.

Besides that . . . I just love kitchen backsplash tiles!

I’m collecting a ton of information to help us make a decision, so I decided to post it here. Maybe you’ll find it useful. Maybe you have something useful to tell me! Maybe we’ll just enjoy looking at kitchen backsplash tiles together.

So . . . here goes the new adventure!

Kitchen Backsplash Tile