Stainless Steel Kitchen Backsplash

A stainless steel kitchen backsplash provides that "professional look" that you often see in restaurants. Its basically alloy steel with a limited amount of chromium to resist rust. It is usually installed with plywood as a backing, in order to stabilize it and suppress noise.

Most of the time, a stainless steel backsplash is installed as one solid piece, thus there is no grouting or cracks to attract & trap food and grease. Also, the ability to mould and cut stainless steel to fit your desired area makes it extremely popular amongst homeowners.

Some other materials that stainless steel cooperates well with are copper and brass. Otherwise, all stainless steel for both your backsplash and countertops also looks sharp.

The main reason many homeowners go with stainless steel is to give their kitchens a highly professional look, or to have a surface that is neutral enough to not interfere with other colors and decor. This way, homeowners have the opportunity to mix & match different colors in their kitchen without having to worry about what matches with their backsplash.

Main Advantages

• Stain & corrosion resistant
• Highly durable
• Handles a high amount of heat
• Very sanitary (non-porous) & easy to clean
• Flexibility to help fit into unique spaces
• Most importantly, its friendly to our environment
• Reflects light to create the illusion of a bigger space

Main Disadvantages

• Tendency to make knives dull
• Scratches can show, although new multi-directional surfaces can limit the visibility
• Food & grease will show very clearly
• It can be dented
• Can be quite noisy if not stabilized to a strong backing

Cleaning

A major reason that a stainless steel backsplash kitchen is a top choice for restaurants is the ease of cleaning. All you need is a little warm water and soap, and off comes the food & grease. However, abrasive cleaning tools can cause scratches, so only soft towels and pads should be used.

Typical Cost

A stainless steel kitchen backsplash, depending on pattern & quality, can range from $30 to $100 per square foot. We don't recommend spending anymore than $75/ sq. ft., and paying no less than $50/ sq. ft.

Basic Installation

The first thing that you need to do is get some stainless steel. Your local hardware store or specialty home shop should carry some stainless steel. It may not be available in the exact length you need, so you might need to order it.

Here are the materials you need to install a stainless steel backsplash:

• Cut to size stainless steel
• Carpenter's square
• Drill
• Saber saw
• Tape Measure
• Trim washers
• Screws

It is very important to lay out the job properly. This requires accurate measuring of your countertops, cabinets, and the area where the backsplash will be installed.  Pay special attention to corners and unique spaces. Make marks where the screws will be inserted.

Make the necessary cuts to fit around outlets. The cuts don't have to be precise, because the edges should get covered up. To make the cut, start by drilling a small hole and then opening the cut with a blade designed for cutting stainless steel.

Next, put the metal place according to your marks and measurements. Drive the screws into the studs, fitted with trim washers. All you need to do is drive two screws in every other stud, since stainless steel is quite stiff and supported by the cabinets. Make sure not to scratch the surface or cause damage, which is another reason that lengths cut to size are extremely important.

Stainless Steel Countertops Provide Best Defense Against Germs in the Kitchen; New Study Reveals that Steel Helps Prevent Food Contamination in the Home
Press Release issued by the Hospitality Institute of Technology and Management

Stainless Steel Backsplashes
A do-it-yourselfers guide to stainless steel backsplashes that about the benefits of a stainless steel backsplash.