Hammered Copper Backsplashes for Kitchen

A copper backspash gives your kitchen a warm, rustic appearance. It not only provides a sleek and shiny backdrop for your kitchen decor, but also makes it look more spacious. Hence, it is a great option if you have a particularly small kitchen. Copper is a popular material for backsplashes, along with stainless steel.

Copper Sheets
Copper is a versatile metal and comes in various types. Copper backsplash is made from simple malleable copper sheets, that are trimmed for installation. The most common size for copper sheets is 8x3 feet, and it is priced per foot. Copper tiles are an innovation in hammered copper backsplashes and are a preferred way for creating custom designed backsplashes. They are also less expensive and easy to install.

Thickness
Hammered copper sheets are available in various thicknesses. The thickness is associated with a number, larger the number, thinner is the sheet. The selection of thickness or gauge should be done depending upon the intended usage. For residential purposes, opt for a thinner gauge, since you will be installing it yourself. A thinner gauge can easily be trimmed with metal sheers and can be molded around the edges. The problem with a thin gauge is that it can neither withstand dents nor can it hide imperfections.

Surface Finishing
Copper allows you to choose from a variety of finishes such as hammered, textured, embossed or brushed. Mostly, these finishes are machine made, however hammer finishing can be done at home also. All you have to do is buy a plain copper sheet and hammer it with a ball peen hammer.

Installing a Hammered Copper Backsplash
The installation process is similar to that of installing a roof flashing. Copper metal sheets are never nailed or screwed onto the surface. The best method of installing it is by gluing it with an adhesive. Another method of installing is by laminating it to a backer board such as plywood, sheetrock or particleboard, and then installing it.

Maintaining Hammered Copper Backsplashes
Your previous experience with copper might warn you against going for copper backsplash, since copper demands routine cleaning. Surprisingly, copper backsplash won't bother you much with cleaning. Copper, when comes into contact with air results in formation of a greenish layer on its surface, called as patina. Although, applying multiple coats of lacquer on your backsplash prevents it from exposure, there are many people who love this patina for its deep, aesthetic appeal. Applying lacquer also prevents it from smudging and provides a glossy effect.

Advantages of Copper Backsplashes
In addition to style and versatility, copper also offers many advantages. Copper backsplashes are extremely durable and low on maintenance. Since, copper acts as a natural anti-microbial surface, it repels the growth of micro-organisms or algae. This is a particularly useful property of copper, because the damp conditions in and around the sink area are favorable for the growth of micro-organisms. Thus, copper backsplashes for kitchen give you more than one reason to choose them over backsplashes of other materials.

While opting for copper backsplashes for your kitchen, make sure they go well with the decor of your house. Do not install copper backsplash if you have an ultra modern kitchen, go for a stainless steel backsplash instead. Copper backsplashes are best suited for country-themed or tastefully decorated homes.