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In a Season 9 episode of HGTV’s Home Town, Erin Napier used honey-toned pole wrap as a kitchen backsplash alternative to subway tile. The slatted wood can add warmth and may cost less than tile, but it needs a protective finish and more careful cleaning because grime can collect in its grooves.
Erin Napier used honey-toned pole wrap instead of subway tile for a kitchen backsplash in Season 9, Episode 6 of HGTV’s Home Town, presenting the slatted wood as a way to bring warmth to the room. The choice offers homeowners a different look from familiar tile, but Napier cautioned that it may not suit every kitchen: wood requires protection from moisture, and dirt can collect between the strips.
Pole wrap is made of thin wood strips attached to fabric backing. In the episode, Napier described the material and its limitations while explaining why she selected it for homeowner Lane. “It wouldn’t work for everyone’s kitchen,” she said, adding that Lane was “extremely neat and tidy” and that she expected her to manage the backsplash’s cleaning needs.
The Hunker report describes pole wrap as a budget-friendly alternative to tile and cites an online listing for a 96-by-12-inch bamboo pole wrap roll priced below $20 at the time of that report. Prices and availability can change, and that material price does not include the cost of adhesive, finish, tools or installation.
For the project, Napier used Minwax Early American stain to give the wood a warm, honey-toned appearance. The report says raw pole wrap should be sealed or treated for kitchen use, suggesting water-based polyurethane or a wax-based wood stain as options. It also notes that Napier’s team used pole wrap on the peninsula island’s base, carrying the material beyond the backsplash.
A Warmer Look With Extra Upkeep
The design shows that a backsplash does not have to be tile: wood slats can add texture and warmth in a room where hard, smooth surfaces often dominate. For people who find standard subway tile repetitive, pole wrap offers a visibly different finish and could coordinate with other wood details in the kitchen.
But the lower material price comes with practical trade-offs. Unlike a typical tile surface, pole wrap has grooves that can collect dirt and grease, and the wood needs a protective coating in a space exposed to splashes. Buyers should weigh the look against their cooking habits, cleaning routine and willingness to maintain the finish. The TV renovation is an example, not evidence that the material performs equally well in every kitchen.
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How Napier Used Pole Wrap
The Hunker report links the design to the kitchen renovation shown in Home Town Season 9, Episode 6. Napier selected pole wrap for Lane’s kitchen and chose a stain intended to create a honey-colored finish. The same project used the material on the peninsula’s base, making the backsplash part of a broader, coordinated wood treatment.
According to the report, pole wrap is flexible and can be cut to fit, with installation described as using tile adhesive. Its relatively simple handling is part of its appeal as a do-it-yourself option. Still, the article’s suggested steps do not establish that every wall, product or kitchen condition is suitable; homeowners should follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the specific material, adhesive and protective finish they use.
Cost and Kitchen Suitability
The cited under-$20 price refers to one product listing reported by Hunker, not a verified current price or a full project estimate. The report does not state the total cost of the featured installation, including labor, adhesive, stain or sealant. It also does not provide testing on the material’s long-term resistance to heat, moisture or grease in different kitchen settings.
The source says the wood should be treated or sealed and that slat grooves need regular cleaning, but it does not give a maintenance schedule or specify how often the finish should be renewed. The exact products and installation details may depend on the wall and the pole wrap used. Napier’s comments about Lane’s tidiness are her assessment of that homeowner, not a general guarantee that the material will be easy to maintain.
Check Materials Before Installation
For anyone considering the look, the practical next step is to check the manufacturer’s directions for the pole wrap, adhesive and protective finish, then confirm that the combination suits a backsplash’s exposure to splashes and cooking residue. Comparing the complete project cost with tile can also clarify whether the apparent material savings hold once finishing supplies and installation are included.
The source report does not identify a follow-up announcement or additional testing. The design remains a featured renovation choice rather than a broad recommendation from Napier for all kitchens; how well it works will depend on the installation, protective treatment and cleaning the surface receives.
Key Questions
What is pole wrap?
Pole wrap consists of thin wood strips attached to fabric backing. It is commonly sold in rolls and can be cut to fit a surface.
How much does the pole wrap in the report cost?
Hunker cited a listing for a 96-by-12-inch bamboo roll priced below $20 when its report was written. That is not a current price guarantee or the total cost of a backsplash project.
Does a pole wrap backsplash need sealing?
The report says raw wood pole wrap should be treated or sealed for kitchen use. It mentions water-based polyurethane and wax-based wood stain as possible options; follow the product makers’ directions for the materials selected.
What is the main drawback of pole wrap as a backsplash?
Dirt and grime can collect in the grooves between the wood strips, so the surface may need regular, careful cleaning. Wood also requires a suitable protective finish in a kitchen.
Source: hunker.com
