Kitchen backsplash installation in Plano

Ceramic tile is made from clay and fired with a glaze. It's easy to cut and comes in lots of colors and shapes, which is why it's such a common backsplash pick. Porcelain is denser and soaks up less water. It's often used on floors and in wet areas, and it works just as well on a backsplash.

Natural stone, like marble, travertine and slate, has a natural variation that factory tile can't copy. Most stone is porous and should be sealed. Softer stones like marble can etch where acidic food splashes.

Zellige is handmade glazed tile from Morocco. Each piece differs in tone and surface, and the edges are uneven. That's part of the look, so expect some chips and bumps. Glass tile bounces light around well. It needs careful setting because the adhesive can show through.

Size and pattern matter as much as material. Small tiles mean more grout lines. Large tiles mean fewer lines but less forgiveness on an uneven wall. A herringbone, a vertical stack or a simple offset will each give the wall a different feel.

Grout fills the joints between tiles, and it affects both looks and upkeep. Sanded grout is for wider joints. Unsanded grout is for narrow joints, generally about 1/8 inch or less, and it's gentler on polished or glazed tile that sand could scratch. Cement-based grout is usually sealed to resist stains.

Epoxy grout resists stains very well and needs no sealing, but it's harder to work with and costs more. Ready-mixed grouts, like urethane, sit in between. Color is a design choice too. A grout that matches the tile makes the wall read as one surface. A contrasting grout shows off the pattern.

Unlike a shower, a kitchen backsplash usually doesn't need a waterproofing membrane. Drywall in good shape is generally fine under wall tile in a dry area. The tile setter checks that the wall is flat and solid, and repairs it first if needed.

A lot of what makes a backsplash look good is decided before any tile goes up. Where tile stops at the end of a counter or beside a window, it needs a finished edge. That can be a rounded bullnose piece or a slim metal or PVC trim. The layout should center on focal points like the range or a window, so the cut pieces land in less visible spots.

Outlets and switches need attention because tile adds thickness to the wall. Box extenders bring them forward so cover plates sit flush. The joint where tile meets the countertop is usually filled with flexible caulk instead of grout. The two surfaces move a little, and grout there tends to crack.