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All About Tile Backsplashes

All About Tile Backsplashes

Everywhere you look, you'll find different size, styles and shapes of tiles on the walls of different spaces. What are they? They're backsplashes! But what exactly are tile backsplashes? Hmm…good question, and we have all the information you need about them to answer that question!

What are Tile Backsplashes?

Backsplashes are an expanse of material that fill the gaps on a certain wall of a room. They provide important functions like protecting the walls from water and stain damage and adding a special splash of color and elegance to your space…see what we did there?

Now, let's learn a bit about the history of tile backsplashes.

History of Tile Backsplashes

Photo courtesy of York Castle Museum
Photo courtesy of NEN Gallery

In the 1940's, the popular farmhouse sink that came with its own backsplash began to be replaced by undermount sinks, which mean the built-in backsplash was no longer there!

Photo courtesy of blackoasis.co

In the 1950's, backsplash designs started to become brighter in color, and they went all around the kitchen. Tile throughout the house was becoming more colorful and the backsplash was evolving!

Photo courtesy of Giorgi Kitchens & Designs

By the 1990's, people were starting to get tired of the mosaics and bright tile arrangements and started to look more toward natural looking tile. They started wanting more neutrals for their kitchen backsplashes. White or cream backsplash tile plus honey oak cabinets and white appliances was a signature 90's look.

Twenties 7 3/4 x 7 3/4 Patterned Tile in Classic available at Avalon Flooring

In the 2000s, subway tiles started to make their entrance into the backsplash world. Subway tiles are usually used as a base when combined with mosaic tile to give a clean look and help make the mosaic tile pop. To learn more about subway tiles, check out our other blog, here.

Popular Types

We all think that a tile type or shape is classic and in one sense, it is. When you see that particular shape nearly everywhere you look, it may be amazingly beautiful, both dream worthy and swoon worthy, but it's still a trend. However, we've chosen the most popular and time-tested choices for kitchen backsplash tile.

Porcelain and Ceramic Tiles

Porcelain and ceramic tile available at Avalon Flooring

These types of tile are so versatile and are available in many different colors, designs and textures making them great choices for backsplash tile no matter what your décor style is. To learn more about porcelain and ceramic tiles, check out our other blog, here.

Mosaic Tiles

Apuano

Michelangelo Mosaic Porcelain Tile in Apuano

 

Since mosaic tiles come in small packs, it's quite a worthy investment. And depending on the range of materials you choose; mosaic tiles can be a great way to turn your backsplash into a work of art. To learn more about mosaic tiles, check out our other blog, here.

Glass tile

Haisen Barcode Mosaic Glass Tile
Haisen Barcode Mosaic Glass Tile in Azuline

Glass tiles come in unlimited colors from neutral and subtle to bright and bold. Depending on your choice of colors, sizes and layout, glass backsplash tile can be playful, classy or modern, while providing clean, sleek lines that will work well in any kind of style space.

Marble

Marble Tile
Arabescata Carrara Select 6x12 Marble in Polished Marble

Whether tiles or slabs, marble is always an excellent choice for a backsplash. It's functional, easy to clean, beautiful, classic—we can go on and on. Because marble is a natural stone, every piece is unique, allowing you to have a one-of-a-kind space. To learn more about marble tile, check out our other blog, here.

Best Places for Backsplash Tile

Home base for most backsplashes is the kitchen, especially surrounding sinks and stoves. As we mentioned before, the backsplash protects the wall from water stains and damage—or, even marks from tools and gadgets that live on the counter.

Still, many creative locations make sense to add a backsplash, like in the bathroom, behind the toilet and sink and even surrounding the showers. There is even a trend of installing backsplashes on the ceiling to clearly define a shower alcove, and to prevent water damage!

In spaces you want to try an unconventional approach to shaping a space with backsplash tile, try using clearly defined borders. This can create a sort of rail for the eye to follow to contain the tile material and ensure tiles are placed at an even level in the actual tiling process.

So, when it comes to picking out a backsplash for your home, find something you love and go for it! And to help even more, stop by one of our locations to see these lovely options in person!


At Avalon Flooring, we want to make sure you're happy from your first step in our showroom to your first step on your new flooring—and as your partner in home design, we'll be there every step along the way. Consider us your "One-Stop Shopping" destination for all things flooring…(and window treatments)!

Our design consultants are equipped with the knowledge to guide you through the wide selection of products we offer, and our expert installation team is professionally trained to make sure everything gets installed the way you envision. We know your home is an expression of your sense of style, and we're here to make sure you'll be proud of it for years to come.

If you have any questions, please email us.

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Deptford NJ 08096
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2030 Springdale Road
Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

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3157 Fire Road
Egg Harbor Twp, NJ 08234
(609) 641-2770

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316 S. Henderson Road
King Of Prussia, PA 19406
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2343 East Lincoln Highway
Langhorne, PA 19047
(267) 580-412

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Manahawkin, NJ

651 Route 72 East
Manahawkin, NJ 08050
(609) 978-9700

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29 U.S. 9
Manalapan Township, NJ 07726
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1158 Asbury Avenue
Ocean City, NJ 08226
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1500 State Route 35 S.
Ocean Township, NJ 07712
(732) 380-5640

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48 Snyder Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19148
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1111 Rte. 47 South
Rio Grande, NJ 08242
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89 Newman Springs Road E
Shrewsbury, NJ 07702
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2323 Route 37
Toms River, NJ 08753
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644 Easton Road
Warrington, PA 18976
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5510 Concord Pike
Wilmington, DE 19803
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