3 tips for picking the best kitchen backsplash tile

Splashback tiles, in particular, give a means of finishing and enhancing your complete kitchen scheme by establishing a link between your chosen cabinetry finishes, benchtop, wall paint, and flooring.

When it comes to choosing your new splashback tiles, there are numerous crucial elements to bear in mind, including the material utilised, sizing and scale, as well as grout types and colours, in order to achieve the perfect aesthetic. 

What materials are appropriate for a kitchen splashback?

Materials for kitchen splashback tiles range from porcelain to ceramic, glass, and stone. It's vital to remember that in order to fulfil Australian Standards, some limits and criteria must be observed if you want to include a gas stove in your new kitchen. A gas cooktop differs from other types in that the heat radiates from the burners rather than being directed directly to the underside of your cookware, as induction cooktops do. Because this radiant heat will pass to any surrounding vertically placed surfaces (such as the splashback), a minimum gap of 200mm between your splashback and the nearest gas burner is required. 

To eliminate any potential fire threats in the kitchen, your splashback must be made of a non-combustible material (i.e. a substance that will not readily catch on fire, stopping the spread of flames) in designs were attaining the required clearance isn't practical.

Porcelain is the greatest alternative in these scenarios, and happily, there is a huge selection of porcelain tiles that are ideal for use as a splashback, assuring your safety in the kitchen while also providing a wide range of both trendy and timeless options to fit any budget and style. 

What sizes of tiles can I use for a kitchen backsplash?

When it comes to selecting tile sizes, there are once again a staggering number of options. The possibilities are practically endless, from tiny mosaic tiles and classic subway tiles to elongated rectangular forms or more artistic feature pieces like a lantern or fish scale-shaped tiles.

Conventional kitchen backsplash heights are usually 600mm; however, this figure can be altered to suit as necessary, especially in the installation of custom-designed kitchens, often varying between the standard 600mm up to 700mm or 750mm depending on your personal preferences. 

Both mosaic and subway tiles provide a simple and attractive option that can be used on any size kitchen splashback. These solutions, of course, come with a somewhat larger price tag when it comes to installation, as they require more time and attention to detail to get a high-quality result. Larger tile sizes are also an option, with a common trend being to use rectangular-shaped tiles that run vertically rather than horizontally across the length of your splashback, giving your kitchen a magnificent sense of added height. This style is particularly well suited to splashback heights of 600mm, as this is a common tile length found in most collections, providing for an almost limitless range of colour and texture options. 

Color, pattern, and texture are all important factors to consider.

The most fascinating aspect of choosing new kitchen backsplash tiles is perusing the almost endless array of colours, patterns, and textures available. Your splashback gives you complete creative control, serving as the ideal canvas for showcasing your distinctive style and personality in the home. Splashback tiles, on the other hand, give you the option of choosing from a more decorative range of pieces, such as 3D effect tiles, silky textures, and decorative shapes like the popular Moroccan lanterns or fish scale-shaped tiles, giving you the opportunity to incorporate pattern into your kitchen design. 

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