Metal Tile for Kitchen Backsplashes, Accent Walls and Bathrooms

Shop Metal Tile by Finish

Antique Copper Tile

Antique copper tile has a warm,
aged patina quality that suits traditional, transitional and rustic design
directions. Copper tones pair naturally with warm wood cabinetry, stone
countertops, and aged brass or oil-rubbed bronze hardware. As a kitchen backsplash
it creates a surface with genuine material warmth that no painted or ceramic
surface replicates. Browse the antique copper
tile collection.

Aluminum Mosaic Tile

Aluminum mosaic tile is the
lightest and most neutral of the metal tile finishes. The clean silver tone
suits contemporary and modern kitchens and bathrooms without the directional
warmth of copper or the industrial edge of gunmetal. Aluminum mosaic is popular
for backsplash feature areas, range hood surrounds and accent wall applications
in open-plan spaces where the tile is visible from multiple viewing angles.
Browse the aluminum mosaic
tile collection.

Stainless Steel Tile

Stainless steel tile, including
subway formats and pencil rail accent pieces, suits commercial-adjacent design
directions and contemporary kitchens where stainless appliances are part of the
material vocabulary. The cool silver of stainless steel reads as harder-edged
and more deliberately utilitarian than aluminum, which gives it a specific
appeal in industrial and modern loft spaces. Browse the stainless steel
tile collection.

Brushed Gunmetal Tile

Brushed gunmetal mosaic tile has
a dark, slightly matte metallic finish with three-dimensional surface texture.
The dimensional quality of the tile face creates shadow variation across the
surface that makes it read as more sculptural than flat metal tile. It suits
modern, industrial and dramatic contemporary design directions. Browse the brushed gunmetal
tile collection.

Where Metal Tile Works

Kitchen Backsplashes

Metal tile on a kitchen
backsplash creates material continuity with metal appliances, fixtures and
hardware throughout the kitchen. A stainless or aluminum mosaic behind a range
pairs naturally with stainless appliances. Copper tile on the backsplash reads
as a warm counterpoint to cool countertop materials like white quartz or gray
concrete. Metal tile in a kitchen requires standard thinset installation and
performs well against the heat, steam and grease of daily cooking. Clean with
mild soap and water. Avoid abrasive scrubbers that can scratch the metal
finish. For the full kitchen backsplash tile catalog, visit the kitchen
backsplash tile collection and the backsplash blog.

Accent Walls and Feature Surfaces

Metal tile as a full accent
wall, particularly the dimensional gunmetal or the warm copper mosaic formats,
creates a surface with visual weight that functions as an architectural element
rather than a decorative covering. In open-plan living spaces, a metal tile
feature wall behind a fireplace or as a living room focal point reads from a
distance in a way that smaller backsplash applications do not. The light
interaction with a full metal tile wall, as daylight shifts across it and
artificial lighting hits the dimensional surface from different angles, gives
the space a quality that changes throughout the day.

Bathroom Accent Walls and Shower Surrounds

Metal tile in bathrooms is most
commonly used as an accent element rather than a full-surface covering. A
horizontal strip of copper or aluminum mosaic at eye level in a shower
surround, a metal tile niche within a field of ceramic or stone, or a feature
wall behind a freestanding tub all create deliberate material contrast that
elevates the bathroom. For shower wall applications, metal tiles cannot have constant water spraying on them. They are fine for a taller accent area.. For the
bathroom tile catalog, visit the bathroom tile
collection.

Installation Notes for Metal Tile

Thinset and Substrate

Metal mosaic tile installs with
standard thinset mortar over a properly prepared flat substrate. Unlike glass
tile, gray thinset is acceptable because the opaque metal surface does not
allow mortar color to show through. For shower applications, the substrate must
be waterproofed before any tile goes on. Metal tile is the surface finish over
the waterproof system, not a waterproofing material.

Grout Selection

Use unsanded grout for metal
mosaic joints under one-eighth of an inch wide. For joints at or over
one-eighth of an inch, sanded grout is appropriate. Choose a grout color that
complements the metal finish rather than contrasting sharply. A gray or charcoal
grout suits stainless and gunmetal. A brown or warm gray suits copper. A light
or medium gray suits aluminum.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Clean metal tile with a soft cloth and mild soap and water. Avoid
abrasive scrubbers, steel wool and harsh chemical cleaners that can scratch or
corrode the metal finish. Dry the surface after cleaning to prevent water
spotting, which is more visible on polished and brushed metal surfaces than on
ceramic or glass. Copper tile may develop patina over time with exposure to
moisture and air. Whether this is a desirable characteristic or requires
prevention depends on the specific product and the design direction of the
space.