Kitchen backsplash is a washable surface extending behind and above kitchen fixtures such as countertops, ovens, sinks, etc., protecting them from liquid splashes. This is true as far as its general aspect is concerned.
In most modern households, however, the backsplash is also seen as highlighting the glamour of the kitchen. Adjudged from these two angles, a copper kitchen backsplash is the best choice irrespective of the look you are trying to create for your cooking corner.
As such, copper has many attributes as a metal. The unique iridescence (showing shifting changes in color or an interplay of rainbow like colors when seen from different angles), malleable nature, resistance to microbes and rusting make copper the ideal metal to be used in kitchens.
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Truly speaking, copper kitchen backsplash along with Copper countertops, lighting fixtures, tables, shelves, sinks and other kitchen accents impart your kitchen the look of your choice.
Copper will help you to get the traditional, modern or contemporary look as you wish. Moreover, copper’s unique polish and nice reflective property help in creating warm, well-lit, energy-efficient environments in kitchens with copper backsplashes.
Ideal Looks For Your Copper Kitchen Backsplash
With aging, copper renders a reddish-brown halo around it. However, it starts showing different color effects. Exposure to heat, similarly, gives rise to a rainbow effect. Yet again, oxidation from water causes the metal to turn green or turquoise blue. This gloss effect has its own beauty and many people opt for copper kitchen backsplashes only to introduce this natural look into the kitchen.
However, if you settle for a tidied up, pristine look for your kitchen, then give your copper kitchen backsplash protective veneer or lacquer coatings. The polish will preserve the shiny look by halting the aging process. Polish also forms a protective covering, preventing denting and scratching. And unless you are a committed lover of a living, roughed up with aging look, you will have to devote some time for polishing the copper kitchen backsplash before installing it.
How To Install A Copper Kitchen Backsplash?
A copper kitchen backsplash gives an artistic enhancement to your kitchen. Its installation is not very tricky as copper is easy to work with (being malleable). However, the best option is to fix the copper flashings to a plywood board and installing the same.
Again, making holes, nailing, screwing, etc. are allowed but then these can dent and scratch the metal surface, hence it is always better to use adhesive caulks. Of course, you will have to select such adhesives that bond well with Copper. The procedure is as follows:
* Cut out 1/4 inch plywood pieces for the area to be covered by the copper kitchen backsplash with specific holes for electric boxes and fittings, etc.
* Mark the copper sheets by placing the plywood pieces on top of the backside of the copper sheet and cut the individual metal pieces with the help of a tool with a Carborundun cutting wheel).
* Coat the backside of the plywood with adhesive and affix the plywood to the wall.
* Next, apply adhesive to the cut out metal backsplash and set it on the pasted board.
You are nearly done. Trim the edges and tack the loose ends. Finish it off with installing the electrical appliances.
by Manuel Kupka
