Q: My husband and I are in the beginning stages of a kitchen remodel, in other words, checking out all of our options. We currently have a copper backsplash up and it's extremely difficult to clean which has brought up the question, are other backsplashes as difficult to clean? Does a tile backsplash clean easily? What about resin? Are there any wallcoverings that could be used, such as a grass matting?
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If you want easy to clean - you don't want grasscloth!!!
A glossy ceramic tile - preferably one in a larger format to minimize grout lines - is going to be your best bet.
High gloss painted backsplash is the easiest for cleaning.
If you get a manufactured solid surface countertop (corian and the like), they can make a backsplash out of the same material and bond it right to the countertop.
I have found tile to be difficult, the grout lines never come clean around the stove or sink.
Keep the copper! I think a copper backsplash is very unusual! To clean copper super simply: combine flour, salt and white vinegar. Add enough of these three ingredients to create a paste. Apply this to the copper. After about two hours rinse the paste off. This home made cleaner is effective for copper cleaning and will not blacken your hands. White Corian counters would be gorgeous with the copper.
I'll chime in on washable paint. The pros: it's inexpensive, it's easy to clean (you don't have to go high gloss so long as the surface is smooth) and you can always change your mind. I know subway tile is very popular, but even sealed grout gets dirty and is a pain to clean. I love the look of a solid backsplash (no grout lines, simple, quiet) and paint is much less expensive than a solid surface.
subway tile!
Yeah, Corian seems a good choice if easy-to-clean is your main prerequisite. They're non-porous so dirt and stains don't stick, and there's no grout to think about. They come in different colors too.
The best backsplash I've EVER had is mirror. Cheap, easy to clean, and available in an amazing array of tints (even copper!). I'll never go back!
Our backspash is a single piece of glass where the backside has been sandblasted and then painted. The result is a high-gloss backsplash that ties in nicely with the walls and cabinetry, and has the durability/cleanability of glass. It's still tough to clean if hot oil/grease dropplets from the frying pan are allowed to dry and harden on its surface. But I don't think any backsplash can solve this problem.
The easiest backsplash (and one of the nicest) was simple mirror. In our last kitchen, the landlord had put simple slabs of mirror as the backsplash for the whole kitchen. At first, I was worried that I might break it, but over time I realized it was pretty durable and simple window cleaner cleaned up the greasiest messes quickly. It also lightened up the whole kitchen, too. In our new kitchen, we're going to put in the same type of mirrored backsplash. It's just so easy, simple, elegant, pretty and light-giving, oh, and CHEAP!
I second back-painted glass. Gorgeous.
no doubt about it, i would keep the copper, just as G speaks said, it is so unusual but also a real eye-catcher, and you can restyle your kitchen any style you want, from design to modern to classic to nostalgic. it would be a waste to lose them, and for the cleaning-problem, it might be an option to search for that stuff you use on cars and car windows, that makes that rain and dirt doesn't stick, so cleaning will be a once every 4 months event. personally i use car wax on my bathroomtiles too, for the same reason. but you'll have to search for a product that doesn't react with the copper, but greassy stuff is usually a blessing because it protects the metal from corroding (if thats how you spell it?) good luck!
What is the difficulty with the copper? Real copper actually kills germs all by itself, so I'm curious what the issue is. Is it just the dull penny color it gets over time, or are there seams that are difficult to clean out, etc.?
we have granite (put in by someone else), easy to clean, but, meh... I'd take your copper in a flash...
1. Glass/mirrors clean super-easy (think windex!)
2. There are grout additive that are a one-time application and make clean up easy as pie!
3. Beware of just painting - high gloss paint is easy to wipe BUT it shows all sorts of oil spots, water spots, etc, and if a portion gets dented or stained it needs to be replaced (drywall and all)!
4. You can save up to 35% by not doing a granite or solid surface backsplash, but if money is no problem, go for it!
If you do tile please do not do a light coloured tile and grey grout in a kitchen. I wish someone had told my home's former owners this. Just a painted wall is easy to clean if you use the right paint.
Easiest to clean is anything absolutely smooth, seamless, and hard finished. Grout, texture, matte finishes, anything like that is what collects dirt and grease. So sheet glass, granite, Corian, Silestone, stainless, mirror, etc. are options to consider, but mosaic, slate, wood, cork, rubber, and other porus, soft, textured, grouted, etc. materials are for people like me who rarely cook! (Love my slate mosaic!)
People who've had mirror backsplashes please elaborate. Love the idea. You're not talking about mirrored tiles, but rather sheet mirror cut to size, right? What gauge of mirror?
I have tile and will never, ever do that again. The grout wears away and gunk gets in the gaps, and will only come out if we scrub it with a toothbrush.
i would do a a plain painted backsplash, but as you have so much white i would be sure to do a nice bright color like: benjamin moore neon green 2032-10 or tawny day lilly 2012-10
Pressed tin panels is a new trend being used here in Australia. It is not actually made from tin, but steel. There are a ton of patterns available, can be painted and is easy to install. I have it installed in my own kitchen and I love it. My home is modern, but the spashback makes a nice contrast, and creates some texture. Check out http://www.heritageceilings.com.au/index.php for ideas. Jean is lovely to deal with and she does ship overseas to the States.
Large laminate companies should also have cheap options for backsplashes that are also budget friendly.
www.chantaeuxcarter.blogspot.com
1. High gloss paint. Really.
2. A solid surface like Silestone. (pricey)
3. A solid surface like granite. (pricey)
4. I don't know about mirror but it sounds great.
I've had a mirror backsplash before, too. Mine was just a couple of those really cheap back-of-the-door mirrors. They happened to be the perfect width - I just wedged them into place and used silicone caulking along the counter.
Next time I'll do a glass backsplash, I think.
After reading so many comments about painted glass backsplashes, I decided to check it out for myself...and I'm totally sold on the idea! Not only is it easy to clean, but it's a reflective surface that reflects light nicely with so many color options. Here's what I've found online: http://www.eurostyleglasscolours.com/Photo_Gallery_2.php
Chalkboard paint could be another creative option. Also saw textured wall paper than can be painted with a durable, washable paint in any color you'd like!