Latest Trend! Metal Accent Tiles for Backsplash Poise
Posted by Mike Belk on Aug 09, 2016
These days, more and more people are keeping up with the trend of using metal tiles as accent tiles in their backsplash. They are unique, attractive, and easy to install; in fact, anyone with DIY skills can install them. Aside from their charm, metal accent tiles for backsplash are also quite easy to maintain. Like other things in the house, you will eventually need to clean metal tiles to keep them looking good as new.
You may use different types of maintenance and care for metal accent tiles, depending on the type of metal tile you have and the effect that you want. For instance, copper may be stained when it is exposed to moisture and air unless you seal it. However, there are some people who prefer this type of aging. Others want their metal accent tiles for backsplash to look as shiny as they did on the day they were installed. For iron metal accent tiles, they will rust if you do not care for them regularly. If you want to keep iron pristine, you need to seal and clean it.
Sealing the Metal Tile
There are only two types of metal tile that need to be sealed: copper tiles and iron tiles. Sealing the metal accent tiles for backsplash will help protect the finish of the metal and prevent oxidation that will eventually happen as the surface acts with moisture in the air. As mentioned, iron will show rust, and in the case of copper, it will turn darker and acquire a patina.
You can prevent this from happening by using a reliable solvent-based sealer. You can spray or brush it on the metal tiles and it will create a barrier to keep moisture from passing through the metal accent tiles for backsplash. However, make sure that you cover the whole surface of the tile because even a small area that is left untreated will oxidize.
Cleaning the Metal Tile
You can clean most metal tiles using dishwashing detergent and warm water. Wash them down using micro fiber cloth, making sure you rinse them thoroughly so there will be no smudges.
Do not use water and soap on metal accent tiles for backsplash that are made from stainless steel. Instead, use a proper cleaner for stainless steel. Apply it using a dry, lint-free cloth and make sure that you do it carefully because stainless steel tiles scratch easily.
For copper, you have a few choices, unless you have sealed the surface. You may allow the metal tiles to age and simply clean them on a regular basis using water and soap. You may also use a copper cleaner if you want your metal accent tiles for backsplash to remain shiny. However, patina copper tiles have a clear coat protection, so it will not do any good if you use a copper cleaner on them. Instead, just stick to water and soap to keep them clean.
You have to apply special care on titanium tiles, even if they are only titanium-colored. Never use water and soap on them. Instead, prepare a solution with equal parts of water and vinegar, and then apply it on the tiles using a clean, dry cloth to keep them shiny and clean.
Removing Stains
Stainless steel tiles may still end up having blemishes caused by hard water deposits. In these instances, the tiles tend to look unpleasant, but these blemishes are quite easy to remove. Create a paste using either water and baking soda, or water and borax. Apply it to the whole surface using a cloth, rinse it using warm water, and then wipe it with a dry cloth. Do not rub too hard so you will not scratch your metal accent tiles for backsplash.