So with the choices of material so numerous it may seem overwhelming but here is the information you need on the best backsplash materials:



• Ceramic Tile-This choice has recently become the most popular material when putting in a backsplash and by virtue of its sheer variety in color, shape and size, ceramic tile is undoubtedly the most versatile backsplash material. Installation tends to be fairly simple and with some simple tricks like turning square tiles on point, varying and combining standard shapes and adding the occasional accent tile you can spice up your kitchen without emptying your wallet. It is important to keep in mind though that how the tile is set depends on where you live. If you are using an installer be sure you get someone who understands the needs of where you live. Most tiles start at $2 per square foot for 4-in. machine-made tiles and can easily top $20 per square foot for handmade tile. Specialty tiles like mesh-backed mosaic tiles in a 151-ft. sheet start at $5 or less per square foot; their glass counterparts can be considerably more, starting at $25 per square foot. For an artistic flair you can have mass-produced tile murals that cost as little as $45 for a six-tile pattern. But you can also spend thousands of dollars for hand-painted murals designed by an artist who creates original designs. Labor rates for setting tile will vary by region as well as by the complexity of the job. Most wall tiles will require little maintenance (porous stone and clay tiles must be sealed periodically). However grout between tiles should be sealed so it won't stain or absorb water.
•  Stone-This choice for a backsplash offers almost as many possibilities in color and texture as tile. With the rising popularity of polished granite as a counter choice, stone has become equally popular for its use as a backsplash. Stone tends to have a worn, pitted surface, and its colors have been softened and muted by abrasion or an acid wash. Stone tile is set much a lot like ceramic tile: on a mortar bed or cement backer board with thin set adhesive, or over drywall with mastic. Yet one of the drawbacks is that stone tile is less forgiving than ceramic tile because uneven surfaces are glaringly obvious. Some stone can be uneven in thickness, which means it should be set in mortar instead of thin set. Four-inch tumbled-marble tile generally starts at $10 per square foot, but prices can climb to $5 or $6 for each 4-in. stone tile. Dark colors tend to be more expensive than lighter colors. Granite tiles usually begin at around $11 per square foot. Keep in mind that grout is all but impossible to remove from untreated porous stone. So it is crucial to seal or make sure the installer seals stone like limestone or marble before installation for easier cleanup.
•  Solid Surfacing-Using this choice for a backsplash can present an opportunity to give the kitchen a neat and sleek appearance by extending the solid surface counters. Best of all upkeep is minimal; solid surfacing is a tough material, and scratches and other defects can be sanded and buffed out. Solid-surface backsplashes can range from 1/2-in.-tall pieces that serve only as a transition to tile or some other material that runs to the bottom of wall cabinets to a full-height piece that runs from countertop to wall cabinet. Backsplashes using solid surfacing can either be applied using a loose (meaning the backsplash is a separate piece) or a connected (meaning the backsplash is fused to the counter) application. Installers usually set the backsplash in silicone adhesive. The seam between counter and backsplash is paper thin, and when excess silicone is scraped away, it becomes nearly invisible. Possibly the biggest benefit is that if you go with a solid surface, your fabricator might throw in the backsplash for free, as long as he has enough extra material. If the installer has to buy additional material, a 4-in. loose backsplash will cost $25 to $30 per linear foot, and an integral coved backsplash will run $40 to $50 per linear