Our RV kitchen backsplash in our fifth wheel is a bit different from the popular peel and stick backsplash tiles that other RV owners installing in their RV kitchens. Here’s our cool DIY backsplash that is affordable and durable with a fun pop of color and texture! We also are including our step-by-step installation guide.

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RV Backsplash Upgrade for Our 5th Wheel RV Kitchen

After researching several RV backsplash options for our fifth wheel RV kitchen, we honed in on one that’s lightweight, easy to install and can be painted any color we want. And, if we choose later down the road to change the color, it’s as easy as picking up a paint brush and a half hour of our time.

So, let’s get down to showing you what we chose and simple DIY installation instructions of our newfangled RV kitchen backsplash.

RV kitchen backsplash requirements

The product used in our RV backsplash had to fit the  following criteria:

• • • Lightweight
    • Durable
    • Flexible
    • Withstand temperature
    • Affordable
    • Easy to clean
    • No special tools
    • Customizable
    • Easy to install

I looked extensively at what other RV owners were using for their RV backsplash. However, they weren’t satisfying my craving for creativity and uniqueness. I’ve looked at those smart tiles or peel-n-stick tiles but they just weren’t going to meet our expectations or the look.

While those may work for a contemporary or even a farmhouse theme, they didn’t really fit into our vividly colorful Margaritaville beach theme we were vying for.

After several hours of researching kitchen backsplash options, I came up with something totally unexpected.

RV Kitchen backsplash we chose

The backsplash product we chose is manufactured by Fasade. They are decorative thermoplastic panels made, not only to be used as a backsplash but also for ceilings and textured wall treatments.

We found Fasade’s small kiosk in The Home Depot near the flooring and tile department. However, there were a few problems.

First, they don’t stock them regularly. So, they didn’t have the amount of tiles I needed. Second, what they did have in stock were damaged or chipped by careless handling. And third, ordering them became an issue as full-time traveling RVers, it would have taken them upwards to a couple months to receive them.

On a good note though, after handling the product, I was quite satisfied with their construction and feel. I took one of their brochures back to our fifth wheel to reference their website.

Fasade has 19 different metallic-colored finishes, 16 18″ x 24″ backsplash designs, twenty-eight 4′ x 8′ wall panel designs and twenty-six 2′ x 2′ ceiling tile designs. The manufacturer also has moulding for edges and corners.

Fasade also manufactures rolls of specially made two-sided tape for these panels. I’ll explain why you will need this further down in this article.

The panels are easy to manipulate because of their flexibility. Each panel is beautifully embossed down to detail. Each 18″ x 24″ panel costs about $25 plus tax. A two-pack of the recommended adhesive tape cost about $10 plus tax.

Where to find them…

Fasade products can be purchased in the United States at Menards, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, Ace, Do it Best, Marvin’s, 84 Lumber, Sutherland’s, True Value, United Hardware.

In Canada, you can find them at The Home Depot Canada, Lowe’s Canada, Rona, Home Hardware, BMR, Kent, Patrick Morin, Castle and Timber Mart.

However, again, most times, stores do not keep a lot of stock and you’ll run into the same issue we did at Home Depot.

So, what’s a girl to do? We found them on Amazon!

Product Information…

I was going to write out this whole blog paragraph answering questions when I noticed on their website that they’ve listed them all. So, if you’ve got questions and inquiries about the product, here’s the best place to get them answered: Fasade FAQ’s

Now, onto our designs…

Galley Backsplash…

I chose the Traditional I design in pewter finish however, our plans were not to keep it in as it looks in the photo below. I had an awesome idea of adding a splash of color.

Prior to purchasing the product, we measured the area we were wanting to transform and figured out how many panels we need to buy. We went to The Home Depot and bought three panels and a single two-roll pack of the adhesive.

Once we got back to our RV, Dan dry-fit the panels and marked them  what sequence they were to be mounted. With heavy duty scissors, he cut the tiles where they were going to be fit under the cabinets and convection microwave. Once he finished dry-fitting the panels, he handed them to me to do my part.

Since we were at an RV park, Dan set me up a work table away from other RVs. The first thing I did was peeled off the plastic protective sheeting off. I then, evenly spray-primed the front of the panels; allowing them to dry for about two hours in the warm Nevada sun.

After I was satisfied that the primer had dried, I rolled two coats of Glidden ‘Orange Slice’ in a matte finish; allowing two hours between coats to dry in the sun. I let them dry thoroughly overnight.

The next day, I distressed them. With a block and medium grit sandpaper, I lightly sanded the raised portions of the embossed design. I sanded heavier on some areas and lighter in others to give it an uneven distressed appearance. Sometimes, I would knick and scrape the areas with small rocks at my feet for added texture.

Once that technique was complete, I wiped the panels down completely; making sure there was no paint dust left behind on the panels. Again, at my workspace away from the RV’s, I sprayed two coats of matte finish polyurethane coats; allowing an hour to dry between coats. I let them dry overnight.

The next day, Grunt Man took over the project by installing them. Because he dry-fit them previously, they were a breeze to install.

About the adhesive…

We applied the adhesive on the perimeter edge of all panels. Once he was happy with placement, he then stuck them on. Be aware that once that tape sticks, it’s STUCK! It’s that effective. There is no ‘repositioning’ so be sure of where you want to stick it before pressing the panels on.

From THAT…

To THIS!

I’m happy to report they’ve not warped, melted or been affected by the heat. Everyone who enters our coach absolutely loves it. It’s become the focal point in the living area of our RV.

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