The conventional height for a backsplash is 3-4 inches, but a higher backsplash will offer elegance and a custom look.
Consider installing wall-mounted fixtures with a high backsplash. Taking the backsplash all the way up the wall will give a dramatic effect while also serving as a focal point.
Here Is How To Calculate Your Backsplash Size
Measure the width and height of each section and mark it with a capital letter. Multiply the width and height to get the total area in inches, then divide by 144 to get the square feet (amount of inches in a square foot). If your space measures 48′′ (width) x 18′′ (height), the answer is 864/144 = 6 square feet.
How Many Square Feet Is The Average Kitchen Backsplash?
The average kitchen backsplash is 30 square feet in size and costs around $1,500 to install for a basic, white backsplash with a framed cooktop area.
How do you figure out the square footage of your backsplash?
- Divide the spaces into a sequence of rectangles, each with a length and width of its own. The normal backsplash height is 1.5 feet (18 inches).
- Determine the length in feet of the countertop run. Multiply that by 1.5 feet to get the square footage of that area. Repeat for the remaining sections.
- Typically, the range backsplash is 24-30 inches high, or 2-2.5 feet. Multiply the height by the range’s length (standard 30-inch range is 2.5 feet or 36-inch range is 3 feet.)
- Total the square footage and then add 10% to the total.
If you require it, don’t forget to include bullnose pieces for the exposed edges. Don’t forget to keep your units consistent. Both must be measured in feet or inches.
How To Know What Size Backsplash Do You Need?
Some homeowners like to extend their countertop material up the wall to make a simple backsplash, but others cover as much or as little as they want with tiles or other long-lasting materials.
To help you know what backsplash size you need, determine between a standard or full backsplash, which is ideal for you and your kitchen design.
The Standard Kitchen Backsplash
Standard backsplashes are an excellent choice for cost-conscious homeowners because they use less material and require less labor than a full backsplash.
As a result, a 4-inch backsplash may save you money, especially if you’ve chosen a more expensive countertop material. While the concept of “standard” may seem out of the ordinary, you don’t have to be frightened to experiment with the design.
The Full Kitchen Backsplash
A full backsplash makes a seamless transition from your kitchen’s countertop to the upper cabinets. For a consistent yet varied design, combine eye-catching flashes of color or texture with unique tile work and other stylish details.
A full backsplash adds depth and dimension to the entire kitchen design while also serving as a refined focal point. Another advantage is that it protects the walls in your kitchen. If you entertain frequently, cook frequently, or enjoy handicrafts, installing a full backsplash — particularly behind the burner and sink — may be the way to go.
What Is the Distinction Between a Full and a Standard Backsplash?
The biggest distinction between a full backsplash and a normal backsplash is the amount of space each takes up on the wall. A full backsplash reaches all the way to the ceiling, the bottom of the cabinets, or the exhaust hood over the stove.
It could be made of the same material as the countertop, for example, natural stone. A full backsplash may also be built of a different material than the countertop to give aesthetic contrast, such as glass, porcelain, or ceramic tile.
A standard backsplash is shorter than a full backsplash, reaching only a little distance above the counter or stovetop. A standard backsplash is usually three to six inches high.
This is not a must, and you are free to make your backsplash eight or ten inches high if that is what you need. A taller backsplash is deemed standard rather than full as long as it does not extend to the ceiling or the bottom of the cabinets.
Choosing the Best Kitchen Backsplash Depending on Size
If you are looking to choose your kitchen backsplash based on size, you can either go for a standard backsplash or a full backsplash. Go for a standard backsplash if you are looking for a smaller backsplash or if your materials are costly.
Alternatively, choose the full backsplash if you are looking for a larger backsplash or if you need your backsplash to extend to the ceiling or the bottom of cabinets.
What Size Are The Tiles On The Kitchen Backsplash?
The standard tile size for a kitchen backsplash is 3 × 6 inches, however additional sizes such as 2 x 4 inches and 4 x 8 inches are also available.
Stick with a basic field tile size like a 3 x 6 subway tile or a 4 x 4 in a straight-set pattern if you want your kitchen to be ageless. Alternatively, a herringbone pattern can be used to enhance design intricacy. Field tile will outlast fashion, making your tile backsplash a long-lasting design highlight.
How Many Boxes Of Tile Do You Need For A Backsplash?
Calculate the size of the area you intend to tile
Based on the geometry of the area you’re tiling, take the following measurements:
To calculate the area in square feet of a square or rectangular area, multiply the length by the width.
If the dimensions aren’t a whole number (i.e., the measurement contains feet and inches), divide the number of inches by 12 to convert to feet, add that decimal to the number of feet, and repeat the computation as explained above to get the area in square feet.
When the area includes a decimal, always round up to the closest foot.
Square the radius (half the diameter of the space) and multiply it by 3.14 for round sections like a floor.
View and handle irregularly shaped sections, such as an L-shaped floor, as two halves. Calculate and total the areas of the individual pieces.
What is the number of tiles in a box?
There are 6 to 48 boxes each box, with 20 to 50 boxes per pallet. For tiles larger than a square foot, you’ll often find 6 to 12 per box or case. Smaller varieties, such as subway and glass, can contain up to 48 per box.
Now that you’ve determined the space that the tile should cover, calculate how many tiles you’ll need to purchase to cover that area.
The estimate differs depending on whether you intend to purchase tile boxes containing numerous tiles (more usual for standard-sized walls or floors) or individual tiles.
Divide the area’s square footage by the box’s specified square footage when ordering tile boxes.
The total square footage that all of the tiles in the box will cover will be specified in the box. There is no need to consider the tile size. If the figure is a decimal, round it up to the next whole number.
How Much Extra Backsplash Tile To Buy?
You should buy between 10% and 20% more tile than you think you’ll need. You may need up to 30% extra for several size designs, mosaics, and huge tiles.
This takes into account breakage and waste. More tiles should be kept on hand for larger types. A 2-foot by 2-foot (2’x2′) piece wastes significantly more than a 2-inch by 2-inch (2″x2″) piece.
Purchasing at least 10% extra tile than you calculated should suffice. Multiply the tile figure by 1.1 and round up if it is a decimal.
So, if you thought you’d need eight boxes of tile, get nine instead (8 x 1.1). If you calculated that you would need 200 tiles, buy 220 instead (200 x 1.1).
If you’re attempting a more unusual pattern, such as herringbone or a diagonal offset, allow for up to 20% of a buffer.
In these designs, installing tile diagonally (at a 45-degree angle from the base of the wall or floor) rather than horizontally (where the edge of the tile meets the edge of the floor or wall) often results in more tile fragments.
What Is The Avg Price For Backsplash Tiles?
The average cost of a kitchen backsplash is $400 to $600 for every 16 square feet. Lower-priced ceramic variants will cost between $300 and $400 for every 16 square feet, while high-quality ones will cost between $650 and $1,000 per 16 square feet.
Here’s a look at some of the greatest tile for this, along with their average prices:
- $3 per square foot for mosaic. They are eye-catching because they are smaller and more condensed, with more light shining off them.
- Subway charges between $7 and $13 per square foot. It has a clean appearance, is easy to maintain, and matches most decor schemes.
- The cost of natural stone is $50 per square foot. Marble, for example, is aesthetically superior and offers a polished appearance.
- Glass costs between $7 and $30 per square foot. Very adaptable and the easiest to clean.
- Stainless steel is priced at $20 per square foot. Ideal for shielding your walls from grease splatters and commonly used in industrial kitchens.
Bottom Line
Standard backsplashes are 4 inches tall, but they can be made taller, even up to 8 inches tall. You have complete control over how it appears.
