Free Kitchen Backsplash Samples How To Get Quality Samples For Your Renovation

Kitchen backsplashes serve both functional and aesthetic purposes in home design, protecting walls from splatters while adding visual interest to cooking spaces. For homeowners planning a kitchen renovation, selecting the right backsplash material can be challenging without seeing and feeling the actual products. Fortunately, several manufacturers offer free backsplash samples to help consumers make informed decisions before committing to larger purchases. This guide explores how to obtain free backsplash samples from various manufacturers, including details on sample sizes, ordering processes, shipping policies, and geographic restrictions.

What Are Free Backsplash Samples?

Free backsplash samples are small pieces of actual backsplash materials that manufacturers provide at no cost to consumers. These samples allow homeowners to evaluate the appearance, texture, quality, and color of potential backsplash options in their own homes and lighting conditions. By examining samples, consumers can make more confident decisions about which materials will best complement their kitchen design.

Most manufacturers offer samples of their backsplash panels, tiles, or wall coverings in various materials including waterproof laminated panels, porcelain tiles, and decorative panels. The samples typically range in size from 4" x 4" to 12" x 12", depending on the manufacturer and product type.

Where to Get Free Backsplash Samples

Several manufacturers currently offer free backsplash samples to U.S. consumers. Each company has its own policies regarding sample quantities, sizes, and shipping arrangements.

Innovate Building Solutions

Innovate Building Solutions provides free samples of their Waterproof Laminated Kitchen Backsplash Panels. To request samples, consumers can either fill out a form on their website or call 1-877-668-5888 to speak with an experienced staff member who will process the request. The company does not specify sample size limitations, quantity restrictions, or shipping costs on their website.

Otile

Otile offers free samples for most of their tile products, including backsplash, kitchen, floor, and wall tiles. Their samples are typically 4" x 4" in size, though consumers can request larger samples. The company limits customers to five samples per shipment. Samples are dispatched the next business day after ordering and are of the same quality as the actual products. While the samples themselves are free, Otile charges a flat shipping fee within the United States. To order samples, customers select their desired products and click the "Order Sample" button.

Fasade and DIY Decor Store

Fasade, distributed through DIY Decor Store, provides free samples for their backsplash, ceiling, and wall panels. Consumers may order up to 10 samples, with the understanding that orders exceeding this quantity will be placed on hold until the company can contact the customer to ensure they receive exactly what they need for their project.

The sample sizes vary by product: - Fasade Backsplash samples: 6" x 6" - Aspect Backsplash samples: 1" x 4" - Palisade samples: 4.5" x 11" - Most wall panel and ceiling tile samples: 12" x 12" - Genesis ceiling samples: 6" x 6" or 12" x 12"

The company states that samples are completely free of charge, with customers only responsible for shipping costs. Samples are shipped in proprietary DIY Decor Store bags via FedEx directly to the customer's door. Packages are generally dispatched within 24 hours and arrive via ground shipping within 4-6 business days. The packages include tracking and are delivered without requiring a signature.

How to Order Free Backsplash Samples

The ordering process varies slightly among manufacturers but generally follows a similar pattern:

1. Browse the manufacturer's website to select desired backsplash products
2. Locate and click the "Order Sample," "Get Sample," or similar button
3. Provide necessary contact and shipping information
4. Submit the request

For Otile, customers can choose their products and click the "Order Sample" button to initiate the process. Innovate Building Solutions requires either filling out a form on their website or calling their toll-free number. Fasade samples are ordered through their website, which redirects customers to the DIY Decor Store e-commerce site to complete their sample selections.

Commercial customers and retail stores should contact manufacturers directly. For example, Fasade and DIY Decor Store can be reached at 1.800.434.3750 for commercial orders.

Sample Sizes and Quantities

Sample sizes and quantity limits vary by manufacturer:

• Innovate Building Solutions: No specific size or quantity limitations mentioned
• Otile: Standard samples are 4" x 4", with larger sizes available upon request; limit of five samples per shipment
• Fasade/DIY Decor Store:
  • Up to 10 samples per order
  • Sample sizes range from 1" x 4" to 12" x 12" depending on product type
  • Orders for more than 10 samples require consultation with a specialist

These variations in sample sizes reflect the different applications and characteristics of various backsplash materials. Smaller samples may be sufficient for evaluating tile patterns and colors, while larger panels may be necessary to understand the full effect of continuous wall surfaces.

Shipping Information and Costs

Shipping policies differ among manufacturers:

• Innovate Building Solutions: No shipping information provided
• Otile: Samples are dispatched the next business day; customers pay a flat shipping fee within the United States
• Fasade/DIY Decor Store:
  • Samples shipped via FedEx Ground with tracking
  • Generally dispatched within 24 hours
  • Delivery within 4-6 business days to Continental U.S. addresses
  • Customers pay only for shipping; samples are free
  • No shipping to Canada, Alaska, or Hawaii without special arrangement
  • International shipping restricted to Continental U.S. and Canadian addresses with standard ground postal delivery

Residents of Alaska, Hawaii, or Canada who wish to receive samples from Fasade/DIY Decor Store must call 1.844.407.2853 for a shipping quote. Similarly, international customers outside the U.S. and Canada should call 1.920.886.6763 to inquire about shipping costs to their location.

Geographic Restrictions

Several manufacturers have geographic limitations on their free sample programs:

• Otile: No explicit geographic restrictions mentioned for the continental United States
• Fasade/DIY Decor Store:
  • No shipping to Canada, Alaska, or Hawaii without special arrangement
  • International shipping restricted to Continental U.S. and Canadian addresses with standard ground postal delivery
  • Special phone numbers provided for orders from these restricted areas

These restrictions typically relate to shipping costs, customs regulations, and logistical challenges in delivering to certain regions. Manufacturers may adjust these policies over time, so consumers in restricted areas should contact companies directly to inquire about current options.

Quality of Free Samples

Manufacturers emphasize that their free samples accurately represent the quality of their actual products:

• Otile: Explicitly states that free samples are the same quality as the actual products
• Fasade/DIY Decor Store: Ensures each sample is an accurate representation of the application it represents
• Innovate Building Solutions: Implies quality representation by offering actual product samples

This consistency between samples and final products allows consumers to make informed decisions about durability, appearance, and suitability for their specific applications.

Tips for Using Backsplash Samples Effectively

Once received, backsplash samples can be used in several ways to help with decision-making:

1. Visual Assessment: Place samples in the actual kitchen space to evaluate how they look in your lighting and against existing cabinetry and countertops.

2. Texture Evaluation: Feel the samples to understand their texture and how they might complement or contrast with other surfaces in your kitchen.

3. Color Matching: Compare samples with adjacent materials to ensure proper color coordination throughout the space.

4. Pattern Evaluation: For patterned tiles or panels, arrange multiple samples to visualize how the pattern will repeat across the backsplash area.

5. Durability Testing: While limited, samples can provide some indication of durability through simple tests like scratching or staining (with appropriate caution).

6. Combination Testing: If considering multiple materials, arrange samples together to evaluate how different backsplash options might work in combination.

Commercial and Retail Orders

For commercial customers and retail stores, manufacturers typically have separate ordering processes:

• Fasade/DIY Decor Store: Commercial customers and retailers should call 1.800.434.3750 for sample orders. Customer service hours are Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 4:30 PM Central Time.
• Other manufacturers: Commercial ordering information may be available upon request or through dedicated business contacts.

These separate channels for commercial orders often accommodate larger sample requests and provide specialized support for business clients.

Frequently Asked Questions About Free Backsplash Samples

How long does it take to receive free backsplash samples? - Otile: Samples are dispatched the next business day - Fasade/DIY Decor Store: Generally dispatched within 24 hours, delivered within 4-6 business days - Innovate Building Solutions: No specific timeframe provided

Are there any hidden costs with free backsplash samples? - Most manufacturers charge only for shipping - Some companies may have flat shipping fees while others calculate based on location and weight - No sales tax is typically charged on samples as they are not considered purchases

Can I request samples for backsplash materials I'm considering but don't intend to purchase? - Yes, manufacturers provide samples specifically to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions - However, excessive requests without intent to purchase may be discouraged

What if I need more than the maximum number of samples allowed? - Fasade/DIY Decor Store recommends consultation with a specialist for orders exceeding 10 samples - Some manufacturers may be willing to make exceptions for legitimate projects

How should I handle leftover samples after making my selection? - Many manufacturers encourage proper disposal of unused samples - Some creative homeowners repurpose samples as trivets, decorative accents, or craft materials

Conclusion

Free backsplash samples offer an excellent opportunity for homeowners to evaluate materials before committing to larger purchases. Several manufacturers including Innovate Building Solutions, Otile, and Fasade/DIY Decor Store provide these samples with varying policies on quantity, size, and shipping. By understanding these differences and following proper ordering procedures, consumers can access high-quality samples that accurately represent the appearance and texture of potential backsplash materials in their own homes.

When planning a kitchen renovation, taking advantage of these sample programs can help ensure satisfaction with the final result while minimizing the risk of choosing materials that don't match the desired aesthetic or functional requirements. By comparing samples in actual lighting conditions and against existing elements in the space, homeowners can make more confident decisions about their backsplash selections.

Sources

1. Innovate Building Solutions - Free Sample Request
2. Otile - Free Samples
3. Fasade - Resources/Samples
4. DIY Decor Store - Samples
5. Better Homes and Gardens - Kitchen Backsplash Ideas