Tile Backsplashes Made for Outdoor Kitchens in Oxford

Indoor Tile Rules Don't Apply Outside

Indoors, tile rarely gets wet for long and never freezes. Outside, it sees soaking rain, baking sun and occasional freezing nights. Tile that absorbs water can crack when that water freezes, and glossy finishes can fade or craze. The backer must be cement board or masonry rather than drywall, and the thin-set and grout need to be rated for exterior use.

Tile Choices That Hold Up

• Outdoor porcelain: dense, stain-resistant and available in stone, wood and patterned looks.
• Natural stone such as slate or granite: beautiful and durable, with periodic sealing.
• Brick tile: thin brick that gives a classic look with less depth.
• Exterior-rated glass mosaic: for small accents only, where impact is unlikely.

For bigger masonry work around the kitchen, see our outdoor backsplashes and masonry in Oxford.

Heat Near the Grill

Built-in grills come with clearance and insulation requirements, and those come first. Behind and beside the cooking area, tile and stone handle radiant heat well as long as the substrate is non-combustible. We plan the layout with your grill's specifications in hand. See our built-in grill installation page for more.

Retrofitting an Existing Outdoor Kitchen

Adding a backsplash to an island you already own is very doable. We check that the surface is solid, add cement board if needed, plan around outlets and gas valves and finish the top edge with a cap or trim piece that ties into your outdoor kitchen countertops. Most retrofits take a few days.

Common Questions