Vinyl Press and Stick Tiles? Yea or Nay?
September 23, 2024 6:26 PM Subscribe
After replacing our stove, we have a backsplash issue. I can figure out something using paint and wood to match our existing situation, but I'm wondering about press and stick vinyl "tiles".
I'm specifically talking about the cuttable vinyl ones, like this, not the press and stick ceramic ones that require grouting. I know they won't look exactly like ceramic tile, and we're fine with that. My main concern is that we'll be using them behind the stove. Our stove vents in the back, so the wall is likely to get warm. The ones I've found seem to use adhesive that loosens when hot, by design for removal, so this seems like it could be a problem. Does anyone have experience with these in a similar situation, or recommendations for a particular product?
I'm specifically talking about the cuttable vinyl ones, like this, not the press and stick ceramic ones that require grouting. I know they won't look exactly like ceramic tile, and we're fine with that. My main concern is that we'll be using them behind the stove. Our stove vents in the back, so the wall is likely to get warm. The ones I've found seem to use adhesive that loosens when hot, by design for removal, so this seems like it could be a problem. Does anyone have experience with these in a similar situation, or recommendations for a particular product?
The peel and stick vinyl is unlikely to do well with the heat and steam that comes with cooking. I tried some subway-tile-textured ones in my bathroom and it lasted a few months before starting to peel at the edges, probably from the humidity.
posted by erst at 6:57 PM on September 23, 2024 [3 favorites]
posted by erst at 6:57 PM on September 23, 2024 [3 favorites]
We put up peel and stick vinyl in our kitchen remodel two years ago, including behind the stove and behind the sink. Still looks brand new in both places. It doesn't look or feel like real tile, but I get comments on how beautiful it is from new visitors to our house. I'm delighted with it, especially for the cost.
posted by peanut_mcgillicuty at 7:21 PM on September 23, 2024 [1 favorite]
posted by peanut_mcgillicuty at 7:21 PM on September 23, 2024 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Please go with ceramic, metal, porcelain, stone, or marble. Anything other than vinyl. That stuff emits toxic pollutants - especially when exposed to heat. Would you coat the area with crude oil? Of course not! But vinyl is essentially made of the same stuff.
We are learning more and more every day about the health effects of petroleum byproducts like microplastics and nanoplastics. I cannot emphasize strongly enough about the need to avoid petroleum products in our environments, especially in food/beverage & home environments.
Source: I have graduate degrees in relevant fields and 25+ years experience in research in these areas.
posted by acridrabbit at 1:56 AM on September 24, 2024 [9 favorites]
We are learning more and more every day about the health effects of petroleum byproducts like microplastics and nanoplastics. I cannot emphasize strongly enough about the need to avoid petroleum products in our environments, especially in food/beverage & home environments.
Source: I have graduate degrees in relevant fields and 25+ years experience in research in these areas.
posted by acridrabbit at 1:56 AM on September 24, 2024 [9 favorites]
I would check the flammability of the tiles. I had been thinking of doing this with some peel and stick and found out that they have a low temperature ignition point. So I thought: Nope, not next to the stove, no thanks.
posted by storybored at 8:30 AM on September 24, 2024
posted by storybored at 8:30 AM on September 24, 2024
Response by poster: I appreciate all of the answers so far. I should note that the stove in question is induction, so flammability isn't a concern in this application, but it is a good point.
posted by mollweide at 8:51 AM on September 24, 2024
posted by mollweide at 8:51 AM on September 24, 2024
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