November 15, 2002, Newsletter Issue #44: Kitchen Backsplash

Tip of the Week

Dear Guru;
> Have painted my cupboards a deep green colour but the backsplash is brown
> (and I don`t like it) and I want to put either a treatment of some type or
> 3" x 3" pieces of mirrors (that will look like tile)over it and I don`t
> want to paint it. Is this a possibility?
> Please advise.
> Thank you

Dear DIY`er;
It is possible to install 3"X3" mirrors on the backsplash, but I don`t
advise it. They would be installed like tile, but there would be no
practical way to grout between them. The backsplash is designed to catch
splashes and be easy to clean. I`m afraid the spaces between the mirrors
would be difficult to clean.
I did recently see a backsplash made of stainless steel. It was just a piece
of sheet metal cut to fit between the upper cabinets and the counter top. I
have to admit it was very pretty, and virtually indestructible. Cleaning was
a snap. It was installed by gluing each sheet to the wall.
If that is not your cup of tea, consider installing tile, or even solid
surface counter material. While tile is a do-it-yourself project, I suggest
that solid surface be done professionally.
While we`re on the topic of professional installation, you could have a
solid mirror installed as a backsplash. It would have to be cut to fit, and
each outlet would have to be cut, so doing-it-yourself is not really an
option here.
Let me know what you decide.
Home Improvement Guru

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