Asked on Sep 17, 2015

Faux brick wall and backsplash

Looking for opinions! I keep think it would be really cool looking and help cover up some flaws in the drywall
I've started on my kitchen and went with a medium grey for the soffets and pass through wall to the living room.
I'd like to put faux brick paneling here after I get my new windows and doors in
To give it a more industrial look
What I'm wondering is if I can use that same material for a backsplash and if so, would I brush a sealer over top of it it to help with keeping it clean?
  16 answers
  • Z Z on Sep 17, 2015
    Yes, you could and you are correct in that you would need a sealer to protect it from splashes. Do take loads of before, during and after pictures to share your process please.
    • See 1 previous
    • Z Z on Sep 17, 2015
      @Amy Harmon Kowalski I do too, though the total look wouldn't fit our home, It's a Victorian Revival with late Vic early Craftsman crossover style wood trim.I do have a few industrial style things though. Not overly so, but with that idea. I can't wait to see how this looks. This is the most industrial thing I have in our home. M'Daddy was a tinner so I love anything made from sheet metal/galvanized. Makes me think of him.
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Sep 18, 2015
    I definitely recommend sealing the product.It will help cut back on excessive grime.
  • Clbensch Clbensch on Sep 18, 2015
    We had a house with that nasty brick veneer in the kitchen. Don't know what people are thinking when they put that on the walls. It was nasty, hard to clean and generally just looked awful. I tore it all off and re-drywalled the area and painted. I was going to put up a tile back splash, but opted for a vinyl wall paper that was easy to clean. When we sold our house, the new owners loved it, and it was easy to change when we tired of it. Tile back splash is all the rage now, but is very costly, so be sure you like the pattern before you do something permanent.
    • Amy Harmon Kowalski Amy Harmon Kowalski on Sep 18, 2015
      @Clbensch I totally know what you mean, the owners of the house I am in, had wall board that looked horrible, my ex took it off and tried to repair the drywall, but short of putting all new dry wall up, there really isnt much you can do for these walls. That's why I am considering putting the brick wallboard up. I do not have the time or resources to put all new drywall up and feel that this brick option is really the best alternative.
  • Mary Hefleng Mary Hefleng on Sep 18, 2015
    Check out the faux tin or copper panels at Home Depot or Lowe's. These are plastic, super-easy to install AND wipe clean! I've used them behind the stove in a couple of our rentals. I think the brick would really darken your space.
  • Alta Alta on Sep 18, 2015
    How about painting on the faux brick? I just saw a post on a blog about doing that. It was more industrial looking and would go great with the gray and white. Here is a link if you're interested http://www.designasylumblog.com/diy-making-faux-brick-walls-look-old/
  • Audrey Trubshaw Audrey Trubshaw on Sep 18, 2015
    My house had faux brick on the soffits in the kitchen and dining area when I bought it. I wanted it taken off, but my contractor said he'd have to build all new soffits. So I decided I'd pretend I like it, and had "brick" colored laminate put on the counter tops and painted the cupboards "mountain mauve", the palest color in the bricks. It's different, I'll say. Now, 25 years later, I want to paint the cupboards and bricks all off-white but will have to change the counter tops too. I vote for Mary Hefleng's idea above.
  • Mary Stanley Mary Stanley on Sep 18, 2015
    I had those faux brick panels in a house I owned once and it was just awful. I hated the stuff.
  • 9530106 9530106 on Sep 18, 2015
    You could also see about just having a "skim coat" of mud applied to help blend and cover flaws, and that would give you the option to just paint the area. It would be inexpensive, and an experienced drywall-er can work wonders!
  • Marie Marie on Sep 18, 2015
    I painted my wall with scattered "bricks" and the look is great. I used the many tutorials as a guide and it's worked out well. If you don't like it, no big deal, it's only paint!!
  • Kate Sullivan Kate Sullivan on Sep 18, 2015
    Sounds pretty, but kitchens generate a lot of grease. How easy will it be to clean?
  • Shannon Rooke Shannon Rooke on Sep 18, 2015
    I bought some textured wallpaper and applied it to my backsplash area, then painted it a pewter metallic paint. It totally looks like tin tiles, but cost $45 in total, instead of $45/tile!
  • Saz703268 Saz703268 on Sep 18, 2015
    I think it would be too much brick & hard to keep clean. For a sleek industrial/modern look, have glass cut to fit your backsplash. Then, pick a paint color from your bricks, paint the back of the glass with high gloss and attach it to the wall. A rust color will warm up the gray. Don't go too dark though because it can really suck the light out if your room. However, if the pics are deceiving and your room is flooded with light, go with a black and install under cabinet lighting. I did have a black granite backsplash that looked sharp with the direct lighting. I wish I could attach a picture but I can never seem to do it. Depending on what you do with your countertop, you could also bring that color right up to the cabinets.
  • Marcia Neiss Marcia Neiss on Sep 18, 2015
    It would be difficult to keep clean - I've done tiling in my house it is very easy to do - and very durable worth the effort. Good luck!
  • Bob N Rose Yanok Bob N Rose Yanok on Sep 19, 2015
    Please see the comments below!
  • HouseLogic.com HouseLogic.com on Sep 21, 2015
    There are several faux brick backsplash tutorials on HomeTalk that appear to be easy to DIY and clean. You may also want to consider one of these affordable backsplash ideas: http://goo.gl/YyO3az
  • Connie Phillips Connie Phillips on Sep 26, 2015
    From your photos, I am guessing you are a very creative person. Creative people usually need to have their things out so they can see what they have. I would use something very simple with a flat surface as a background to your stuff. I just told someone I was over the boring subway tiles but simple white subway tiles would help cleanse your creative palette in the kitchen. Good luck.