Kitchen & Bath: Choosing a Backsplash

An important but often overlooked part of designing a countertop for a kitchen or bath is choosing the backsplash. Many designers and builders mix different materials — a practice that can make the final product more interesting, but can also cause problems. You’ll lessen the chance of mistakes if you follow a few simple guidelines. Backsplash Heights The first decision is height. A partialheight backsplash is usually 4 to 6 inches high and is molded or glued onto the surface of the countertop where it meets the wall. A full-height backsplash extends from the countertop to the bottom edge of the cabinets. Full-height backsplashes are easy to clean, and serve to visually join the countertop and the wall cabinets.