A natural stone backsplash brings undeniable and effortless beauty of nature into any kitchen. With the wide variety of natural stones like marble, travertine, slate, limestone, and granite, you can add a backsplash that is uniquely beautiful and inherently durable. A stone backsplash made from natural materials connects your cooking space to the beauty of the natural world.
Why Choose a Natural Stone Backsplash?
A natural stone backsplash has many benefits that make it an ideal choice for any kitchen remodel or new construction. Here are some of the top reasons to choose real stone for your backsplash:
Timeless Beauty
Natural stone like marble, travertine, and granite have effortless beauty that is classic, elegant, and timeless. The colors, veining, and patterns in natural stone are created by nature, not man, so no two pieces are ever exactly the same. This uniqueness brings organic, natural beauty into the kitchen.
Stone’s enduring good looks and durability mean a natural stone backsplash will stay beautiful for years to come with proper care and maintenance. It won’t go out of style.
Durability
Natural stone is extremely durable and withstands heavy use. A stone backsplash can handle heat, moisture, and the bumps and spills of a busy kitchen. Properly sealed and maintained, natural stone will keep its beauty for decades, even with daily wear and tear.
Stone won’t warp, peel, crack, or scratch like man-made materials can over time. It’s impervious to heat, so it won’t scorch or discolor when cooking. Natural stone backsplashes are built to last.
Easy Maintenance
While stone requires proper sealing and care, it is relatively easy to maintain. Simple cleaning with mild soap and water keeps stone splashes looking fresh. Resealing every year or two replenishes the protective barrier.
Proper sealing prevents stains from setting into the pores of natural stone. Well-maintained and properly sealed stone retains its like-new beauty for years before needing professional honing or polishing.
Hygienic Surface
The polish of natural stone creates an impermeable surface that prevents bacteria, molds, and mildews from penetrating. This makes stone naturally hygienic.
Liquids don’t soak into the surface, so spills can be easily wiped away leaving no trace. This prevents the spread of germs and keeps your cooking area clean.
Adds Value
Upgrading to a natural stone backsplash is a remodel investment that offers excellent return. Natural stone is a premium material that instantly increases the value of a home. It also improves resale potential.
Granite, marble, travertine, and slate backsplashes are features buyers look for and are willing to pay more for. Choosing stone adds equity and marketability.
Popular Types of Natural Stone for Backsplashes
Many types of natural stone make beautiful, functional backsplashes that bring the essence of nature into the kitchen. Here are some top choices:
Marble Backsplash
Prized through the ages, marble is elegant, timeless, and sophisticated. The soft veining and swirls of marble bring depth and luxury to backsplashes.
- Pros: Marble has endless style options from subtle veining to bold patterns. It has a refined, upscale look perfect for formal kitchens. Marble adds instant luxury.
- Cons: Marble stains easier than other stones and requires vigilant sealing and wiping up of spills. The cost is higher.
Travertine Backsplash
For a laid-back, earthy feel, travertine brings warm, rustic elegance. The crevices and holes add Old World charm and texture.
- Pros: Travertine comes in a range of earth-inspired colors like ivory, tan, brown, rust, and gold. The holes give great visual interest and traction for installing shelving.
- Cons: The holes and cracks mean it’s more porous and requires extra sealing. The finish scratches easier.
Granite Backsplash
Granite is arguably the most popular option for backsplashes. Available in a stunning spectrum, granite brings unmatched durability and style.
- Pros: Granite comes in every color from bold jewel tones to muted neutrals. It has almost no porosity, so it rarely stains. Granite stands up beautifully to heavy, daily use.
- Cons: Some people find very bold granites too busy. Darker colors show dust, smudges, and water spots easily. Granite requires yearly sealing.
Slate Backsplash
For an edgy, contemporary look, slate backsplashes bring dark color and visual intensity. The layered, foliated finish has an appealing texture.
- Pros: Slate comes in gray, black, purple, and green giving bold pops of color. The foliated layers and rippled texture add visual drama. Slate is naturally slip-resistant.
- Cons: Being a softer stone, slate can scratch and dent easier than granite or marble. The dark color shows dust, dirt, and grease stains readily.
Limestone Backsplash
Understated and organic, limestone offers soft earthy tones from cream to taupe. Tiny fossilized shell fragments add subtle character.
- Pros: Limestone gives a clean, contemporary edge in soft whites, beiges, and light grays. The creamy colors keep the space bright and airy.
- Cons: Being very porous, limestone requires diligent sealing and maintenance. The soft finish mars and stains easily.
Quartzite Backsplash
With the look of marble or granite but more durability, quartzite brings the best of both worlds. Quartzite has less maintenance needs than softer stones.
- Pros: Quartzite has marble’s elegant white veins but resists etching and acid damage. Itapproaches granite’s hardness but has more character.
- Cons: Being harder to extract, quartzite costs more than marble. The limited supply also means less color/finish options.
How to Choose the Best Natural Stone Backsplash
Choosing the right stone for your backsplash is key to bringing natural beauty into your kitchen that will give you enjoyment for years. Consider these tips when selecting materials:
Color/Pattern
The first decision is color and veining patterns. Do you want bold, vivid colors or soft, neutral earth tones? Think about the look you want to achieve – sleek contemporary, old world rustic, formal elegance, or cottage chic.
Select colors/patterns that complement your cabinetry, counters, appliances and overall decor style. Stone that matches or contrasts nicely pulls the whole room together.
Usage
Factor in how your family uses the kitchen. For heavy-duty cooking zones prone to grease splatters and food spills, durable granite may be best. For formal areas or lightly used zones, elegant marble may work better.
Consider durability, porosity, stain resistance and ease of maintenance given your family’s habits. More durable stones like granite hold up better in busy kitchens.
Finish
The surface finish impacts the look, durability, and maintenance needs. Honed finishes have an ultra-smooth, matte look many love for sleek contemporary spaces.
However, polished finishes better resist staining and etching. Tumbled, flamed, and cleft finishes provide old world, rustic visual texture.
Budget
Natural stone costs more than ceramic or porcelain tile but is still available in a range of price points. Granite and slate tend to be the most budget-friendly options, while marble and travertine are more premium-priced.
Set a realistic budget and select the best material you can afford in your preferred color and finish. Shop sales to stretch your dollars further.
Professional Installation
Proper installation is crucial to a backsplash looking beautiful and functioning properly long-term. Hire an experienced stonemason for best results.
Consider thickness, weight, cutouts needed, and grout joints when deciding whether to DIY or hire a pro. Most homes benefit from professional stone installation.
Bringing the Beauty of Nature into Your Kitchen
Upgrading to a natural stone backsplash introduces effortless, organic beauty into your cooking space. With myriad stone types, finishes, colors and cuts to choose from, you can find the perfect materials to complement your kitchen’s style.
Proper sealing and care keeps natural stone looking like new. Take time to clean and reseal it regularly. Use trivets and cutting boards to protect the surface. Promptly wipe up spills and messes to prevent stains.
With a stone backsplash, every meal prepared is a joyful, beautiful experience. The connection to nature it provides make cooking and sharing food with those we love even more meaningful.
FAQ About Natural Stone Backsplashes
Many questions come up when considering installing a natural stone backsplash. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions:
Is natural stone durable enough for kitchen backsplashes?
Yes, natural stone is extremely durable and ideal for backsplashes when properly sealed and maintained. Materials like granite, marble, and quartzite withstand heat, spills, and heavy daily use. Softer stones like limestone may scratch or etch easier.
What’s the best natural stone for kitchen backsplashes?
Granite is the most popular choice for its range of colors/patterns and durability. Marble, slate, travertine, quartzite and limestone also make excellent backsplash stones with proper sealing and care. Choose the look you love best.
How much does a natural stone backsplash cost?
Natural stone tile runs $20-50 per square foot installed. Premium stones like marble and travertine cost more. Factors like stone type, thickness, finish, color, and installation complexity affect overall costs. Most stone backsplashes cost $1000 to $3000+.
Should I seal a natural stone backsplash myself or hire a pro?
Either option works well. Pros have specialized tools and experience for best results. DIY sealing (liquid or grout kits) saves money if directions are carefully followed. Reseal every 1-2 years minimum.
How do I clean and care for a natural stone backsplash?
Use mild soap and water for regular cleaning. Reseal yearly. Wipe spills quickly to prevent stains. Use trivets and cutting boards to protect the surface. Avoid harsh cleaners or abrasive pads. Let pros handle heavy cleaning or repairs.
Enhance Your Kitchen with Natural Stone Backsplash Beauty
For a cooking space that nourishes your spirit as well as your body, bring the natural world closer with a stone backsplash. With proper planning and care, natural stone backsplashes add undeniable and effortless beauty to any kitchen.
The organic uniqueness of natural materials like granite, marble, travertine, and slate introduces timeless elegance. Stone’s durability and easy maintenance ensure that beauty endures for decades.
Whether aiming for sleek contemporary, cozy cottage, or traditional warmth, natural stone backsplashes offer countless options. Choose colors, patterns, and finishes that perfectly complement your existing decor.
Upgrading to natural stone backsplashes brings you closer to nature’s splendor each time you cook and gather. It provides beauty to uplift the spirit during everyday moments shared around the table.