Choosing one over the other may not be as easy as you think
A quartz backsplash offers a seamless, high-end look, while tile gives you unlimited design options to match your kitchen style.
Quartz backsplash costs $80 to $100 per square foot installed, while tile backsplash costs $25 to $50 per square foot on average.
Quartz backsplash requires almost no maintenance beyond wiping it clean, while tile needs periodic grout sealing to prevent stains and water damage.
Hiring a local backsplash installation professional keeps your project on track with precise measurements, proper sealing, and expert installation for either material.
Updating your kitchen may involve adding a beautiful new backsplash. If that’s the case, you could be torn between a quartz vs. tile backsplash. From functionality to design, the options are seemingly endless. The countertop backsplash is an often overlooked yet crucial design element that also serves an important function.
Choosing a design is more than just picking an affordable kitchen backsplash versus an extravagant one. The decision is more about performance, maintenance, cost, and style. An excellent place to start your search for the perfect kitchen or bathroom finishing touch is at the quartz backsplash versus tile cost debate.
The key differences between a quartz backsplash and a tile one come down to appearance, maintenance, and money. While a quartz backsplash costs more for materials, it can increase the home's selling value. However, your design choices are more limited than with tile. A tile backsplash can be almost anything you want it to be at nearly any price. However, there are maintenance details that aren't an issue with quartz.
When taking on this project, expect questions only a pro can answer. With our network of local pros, you'll get the job done and your questions answered—without the hassle and stress of doing it yourself.
A quartz backsplash consists of the same material as quartz countertops. Quartz materials for countertops and backsplashes are solid slabs made from various crushed stones, including quartz, marble, granite, and others. The stones combine with resins and hardeners to simulate a natural stone look. The slabs are then cut, shaped, and installed by a countertop or backsplash installation professional near you to fit your kitchen or bathroom areas with as few seams as possible.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Seamless, rich appearance | Requires professional installation |
| Highly durable material | Costly materials |
| Virtually maintenance free | Appearance limited to manufacturer styles |
Best for:
Kitchens and baths in need a distinctive focal point
Designers seeking a high-end kitchen and bath appearance
Those looking for a durable and maintenance-free backsplash
Quartz backsplashes offer a rich, unique appearance depending on the chosen style and colors. This backsplash material is highly durable and can last as long as the home without much maintenance. Quartz backsplashes make excellent focal points and a strong detail statement in any kitchen or bath, especially if you want a high-end look and feel.
The two most significant drawbacks of quartz backsplashes are the high cost of materials and the potentially limited style options. While quartz comes in many colors and styles, customers are limited to the types, colors, and patterns created by the manufacturer. Quartz's need for professional installation can be disappointing to an avid DIYer.
A tile backsplash is just as it sounds. Tile backsplashes consist of ceramic, porcelain, glass, or other types of tile and add style options unlike any other material. Because of the vast tile size, shape, color, style, and size options, a tile backsplash in a kitchen or bath can be anything you wish it to be. A tile backsplash installation is possible through highly skilled local tile contractors or as a DIY project.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Millions of design and color options | Requires maintenance |
| DIY and wallet-friendly | Long installation process |
| Repairable | Adds less value than quartz |
Best for:
Kitchens and baths in need of a one-of-a-kind look
DIYers looking for a cost-effective yet stylish backsplash solution
Homeowners who may want to change the look someday
Due to the nearly unlimited styles, colors, price ranges, and types of tile choices available, a tile backsplash's most significant pro is that its design is limited only by imagination and budget. DIYers can quickly learn to create a custom look and feel for their kitchen or bath for a fraction of the cost of quartz.
Or homeowners can spend more money on a one-of-a-kind custom backsplash design installation that rivals even the finest materials available. Durable but not immune to all damages, tile is repairable simply by replacing one piece at a time if necessary.
The cons of tile can be tricky to spot until during and after installation. Homeowners can create almost any look they want at nearly any price range. However, installation can take several days. Once complete, the grout between the tiles requires ongoing maintenance to keep it sealed, clean, and looking good. And, while high-end tile backsplash installations can get expensive, they typically offer less of a resale value increase to the home than quartz.
There's no doubt that quartz is the richer and more luxurious option for appearance straight from the manufacturer. However, the appearance category is a tie because of tile's ability to transform into a truly unique and beautiful display when a DIY artisan or professional installer with a large enough budget gets to work on a tile backsplash. For a more natural look, quartz is an excellent choice. For a highly artistic look and feel, tile can make it happen.
Quartz countertop and backsplash manufacturers offer many colors, styles, and patterns. However, even that vast selection pales compared to the unlimited design options tile can deliver.
A quartz backsplash's nearly seamless and dense single-slab design means little can go wrong with durability. The material is tough, impermeable, stain resistant, rarely needs maintenance or deep cleaning, and is spot-repairable by a skilled pro.
Most tile materials are impermeable. However, tile installations are only water resistant and not water-proof. Water and stains can discolor, damage, and get behind the grout between tiles. Periodic sealing is necessary to maintain the grout's integrity to avoid durability issues with the installation.
There's no getting around the fact that quartz backsplash materials are costly. An installed backsplash costs an average of $80 to $100 per square foot. However, tile can be expensive, too, depending on type, style, and quality. High-end installations can easily cost well over $50 per square foot.
Tile can also be cost-effective, though, at an average of around $25 per square foot, and still look excellent, depending on the skill and creativity of the installer. Homeowners will encounter a similar issue when negotiating the value and cost of quartz countertops versus other types.
Once you know how to measure for a backsplash, installing a tile masterpiece is a fun and straightforward DIY project. DIY quartz backsplash installation is possible but often requires the skills and tools of a professional to do the work properly. Maintaining the warranty on quartz backsplashes sometimes also requires professional installation.
Tile installation is a two-step process that can take several days, whether doing it yourself or hiring a pro. A nearby quartz installation professional can install a quartz backsplash and matching countertops within several hours to a single day.
With just a few type exceptions, most tiles don't need upkeep. However, even the best kitchen backsplash grout requires periodic sealing maintenance. Quartz, on the other hand, will seldom require any maintenance beyond simply wiping it off between uses.
Terrible experience. Walls/trim/floors/cabinets/doors all have drip marks, overspray, etc. Tiling at the fireplace had to be redone by another vendor due to incorrect and shoddy install by Profect. Contractor had his children in our house while he was on site without prior authorization or...
Profect painting & exteriorsIt was wonderful working with Yordy and his team. They were very professional and are experts in what they do. They have completed the work on time, with better quality and with in fairly reasonable price. We just started with backsplash work , but liking his work, we went on to provide...
Flooring SolutionsWe were having 2”x 2” tile installed . There was a small installation error and the new additional replacement tile was from a different lot and the colors didn’t match. Joe assured us that he would rectify everything , which he did without hesitation. We decided to go with the 18” x 36” tile...
CarifaTileFor several months I was looking for somebody to tile a wall in my master bath and move lighting fixtures, and could not find anybody who was responsive. I contacted Rowe through Home Advisor and within days they came by to assess the job and provide an estimate. The cost was very...
Rowe House DevelopmentIt went very well! The end product was amazing and we keep getting a lot of compliments from friends! M&E were very professional and they made sure we were happy with the product before leaving. They met with us in our home and at the tile shop to make sure we were okay with our tile and...
M&E RemodelingInvolved an extensive bathroom remodel, including removing tub & installing walk in shower, new drywall, custome tile work to ceiling, plumbing, etc. Overall, job was done on time and on budget. Nick & his team were very professional and had high attention to detail. Quality was great. Highly...
Stamos Flooring and Remodeling LLCVery pleased with the service and level of professionalism. Courteous and very unobtrusive in performing service. Unlike several other companies, Bradford Xteriors was willing to perform work on a three story home with a clay tile roof. <br />
Bradford XteriorsThis company did a very good job on the brick wall and it looks just amazing. The staff was always professional and was practically OCD on how the bricks were stacked and how they were laid. Although it took longer than expected, I am willing to sacrifice time over perfection anyday. The...
My Handy Mate LLC Improvement & RemodelingHe did the tile work and he was good at it. He used other subcontractors for the rest of the work (like putting in the cabinetry) and they were okay but not great. He was a great guy! He was easy to work with and had a good eye for the detail of his work. There were a couple of things that I...
Brian Miller Custom RemodelingI was very impressed with Miller Cantrell! I live in an old home in which the sewage line that runs from my home to the sewage system is a line of clay tile. These eventually collapse and need to be replaced - an expensive problem and sure to happen at the worst time. I told them that my...
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
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