Alternative to Bathroom/Kitchen Tile - Stainless Steel Sheets! Inexpensive and Modern!

During our recent rental apartment renovation our builder and I worked together to come up with a solution to cut down on both the material and labor cost for installed tile in multiple kitchens and bathrooms.  Together we came up with an interesting modern detail using large sheets of stainless steel that slashed our budget to at least 1/10 of what it would have been with even the cheapest tile.  We even wound up using at for the backsplash of our own kitchen. 

First off, you'll need to find a local supplier that sells 4 foot by 8 foot sheets of stainless steel.  You can usually find them from restaurant equipment supply places.  We used a place called American Circle in Williamsburg Brooklyn who claim to be able to wrap just about anything you want in stainless steel.  

The most important part of the process is taking extremely precise measurements for the size of the stainless steel sheets.  For any cuts you can have them machine an overlap on the edge so they are not sharp.  They will continue to cut and reuse that same 4x8' stainless steel sheet and make as many small pieces with it as you like.  They would also be able to make as many bends and folds in the steels as you want, but that can add slightly to the cost.  Again, precise measurements are key when you are asking them to bend. 

Picking a gauge for the stainless is also important--obviously the lower the gauge, the thicker the steel which means it more sturdy and more expensive.  We found for most residential applications that anywhere from 20 to 28 gauge worked.  For places that will get more wear and tear, we chose lower gauge and for shower bodies we used higher gauges. 

For any seems or overlaps of the steel you will need to use a silicone caulk--clear works best and it gets a grey-ish, blue-ish hue when it dries and blends well with the stainless. 

For actual installation, you would install it over concrete board just like tile.  Use self drilling screws, 1 1/4 or 1 1/2 inch #6 or #8 screws with a finish washer to give the screws and nice, on-purpose look.  Make sure to line the screw holes up well so you get a nice rivet effect. 

WARNING--Make sure to use stainless steel screws and washers or else they will start to rust over time when water gets on them.  We learned that the hard way after our tenants took a few showers, so we changed all the screws and washer out. 

The most complicated application of the stainless steel was when we used it around a Zuma soaking tub.  The lip of the tub was damaged so we lapped the stainless steel over the edge.  We had to use a little bit more muscle to get those screws into the porcelain tub, but the overall effect is a seamless-looking stainless application.

This look isn't for everyone; it takes a modern, minimalistic sensibility.  But if you like the idea you will be shocked at how easy and cost effective it is compared to tradition tile.  And how fast it goes in. 

Check out the photos that show our various stainless steel applications, in a tub/shower, stall shower, kitchen/countertop and full kitchen backsplash.