Tile · Maui, Hawaii
The backsplash is a small area that everyone looks at. We plan it like a piece of finish carpentry — centered, aligned and cut cleanly around every outlet, window and range hood.
Tile · Maui, Hawaii
The backsplash is a small area that everyone looks at. We plan it like a piece of finish carpentry — centered, aligned and cut cleanly around every outlet, window and range hood.
A typical backsplash runs between the countertop and the upper cabinets, then opens up behind the range or around a window. That short band is interrupted by switches, outlets, cabinet ends and appliance edges, and each one is a place where a careless layout leaves a sliver of tile or a crooked line that catches the eye every day.
Before we set anything, we lay the pattern out on the wall: we find the focal point (usually the range or sink), center the design on it, and work out where the cuts land at the ends of the counter and under the cabinets. If an outlet would fall in an awkward spot, we flag it early so you and your electrician can decide whether to move it or use a different box or extender.
Zellige and other handmade tiles are popular in island kitchens because their uneven surface catches light, but they do not behave like machine-made tile. Thickness varies, edges are not square, and chips are part of the character. We blend tiles from several boxes as we go so color variation looks intentional, set them with tighter joints that suit the style, and accept a slightly undulating face rather than forcing it flat. Many of these tiles are porous or have unglazed edges, so they may need to be sealed before grouting to keep grout from staining the surface.
Machine-made porcelain and ceramic are more forgiving and lower maintenance. We will talk through the trade-offs honestly so the tile you pick suits how you actually cook and clean.
The wall behind a cooktop sees heat, grease and splatter; the wall behind a sink sees water. For these zones we look at grout choice carefully. A stain-resistant epoxy or urethane grout can make sense for light-colored grout lines that would otherwise darken over time. Natural stone such as marble is susceptible to etching from acidic foods like citrus, vinegar and tomato, so a sealed, honed finish and sensible cleaning habits go a long way. Where the backsplash meets the countertop and the cabinets, we use a flexible sealant rather than hard grout so the joint can move without cracking.
A backsplash is often one piece of a bigger remodel. We can carry the same attention into floor tile or hardwood flooring, or into a plastered range hood finished in Venetian plaster or lime plaster. Like all of our tile work, backsplashes are installed following TCNA Handbook methods and the setting-material manufacturer's instructions. We work from our Kihei shop to kitchens across the island, from Wailuku to Upcountry homes in Pukalani and Haiku.
It depends on the kitchen. Full-height tile works well on walls without upper cabinets or behind a range hood, while a standard-height backsplash keeps the focus on the cabinets. We can mock up both options on site.
The backsplash goes in after the countertops are installed, because the tile sits on top of the counter. Slab backsplashes are usually coordinated with the countertop fabricator.
Electrical work is done by a licensed electrician. We identify outlets that conflict with the layout during planning and coordinate with your electrician so the tile and devices line up.
Zellige has a textured, uneven face, so it shows less than you might expect, but it needs a gentle cleaner. Sealing and grout choice make the biggest difference in day-to-day maintenance.
It depends on scope, including the area, tile type, pattern complexity and the number of cutouts. We provide a free on-site estimate with a written, itemized quote.