Here's Why A Stainless Steel Backsplash Just Might Be The Most Durable For Your Kitchen

If you have stainless steel appliances and you're looking for a uniform kitchen design, you can add the same material to your backsplash. Besides having a modern and sleek appearance, a huge benefit of stainless steel is that it's extremely durable. It doesn't easily rust, corrode, chip, crack, or get discolored or damaged by heat, meaning you can install it behind your sink and oven. In fact, some homeowners decide to only add it behind one of their appliances and cover the rest of the backsplash with traditional tiles. As long as you maintain it with the right cleaning and polishing products, this material will last a long time.

Unlike those tiles that have grooves filled with grout between each piece, stainless steel can be purchased in large sheets that are easy to install and clean. The main reason why this material is used in commercial settings like restaurants is because food splatters, fingerprints, and smudges can be removed with ease. Additionally, stainless steel is hygienic, as it's a non-porous material. 

To understand why stainless steel is more durable than other backsplash options, it's important to compare it to the most popular types. One commonly used material is ceramic tile, which is also long-lasting and easy to clean, but ceramic can crack if exposed to heat or pressure. Porcelain is another strong, water-resistant material, but its potential downside is that it can chip along the edges. While glass won't stain, it could also chip or crack when exposed to heat, and marble needs to be regularly sealed, or else it gets stained or scratched. Stainless steel, on the other hand, will not chip or crack, and it requires less maintenance than marble. 

If you really like the tile look, there are stainless steel tiles. Just keep in mind that any type of tile will require grout, where a solid sheet of stainless steel does not. Grout stains easily and it's a challenge to keep clean, so if you do go that route the finished product will be more difficult to wipe down. Finally, if you're thinking about installing peel-and-stick tiles, know that this is a temporary solution at best and the least durable. Furthermore, the adhesive can easily wear off or damage whatever is underneath.

There are a few more things you should consider before choosing a stainless steel backsplash for your kitchen. The first is that, while it's undeniably durable, it's not indestructible. Stainless steel can get tarnished by acidic foods like lemon juice, red wine, and tomato sauce or scratched and dented by kitchen tools. Additionally, though easy to wipe down with warm water, dish soap, or vinegar, a stainless steel surface should also be maintained with a mineral oil polish, which you could purchase from a store like Walmart. And, because it could get scratched by steel wool or another abrasive tool, you should only wipe it down with a soft rag.

Think about the overall aesthetics of your home as well. Would this modern material benefit your space, or would it take away from the comfortable vibes you're trying to create? Since the surface literally feels cold, it will remove warmth, yet because it's reflective, it could also make your kitchen appear larger and brighter. A good compromise may be keeping it contained to behind the stove. Finally, consider the price; the typical cost for materials and installation of a tile backsplash is $10 to $40 per square foot, but stainless steel will most likely cost you more like $30 to $40 for the same size, making it more expensive than some options.