Question for those who have a tiled backsplash

[Mishetta]

We have a ceramic tiled backsplash in the kitchen which goes up to the upper cabinets. I love them.

In the meantime, we've been discussing getting granite countertops & was just wondering if in the process of tear out or installation of my new counter, would I lose any of my tiles? Did any of yours break if you had tiled backsplahes & then years later had granite counter tops replaced?

TIA!

 

[cynsaun]

I would imagine the tiles along the bottom would have to come out. We were having problems with our granite, and were told they would have to break the tiles in order to move the granite countertop.

Good luck!

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

Originally posted by Mishetta
we've been discussing getting granite countertops
TIA!

He must have really missed you!

 

[Mishetta]

cynsaun ~ that's what I was afraid of. I really love my tiles & I have a couple speciality ones (with handpainted herbs on them) on the bottom row which would kill me ($$$) if I lost them. I don't think I can even find the same kind to replace them anymore either.

Mootoo ~ you are waaaaaay too funny! Not only discussing granite counter tops but also under cabinet lighting, new bedroom furniture for our guest room & having it painted & having crown molding installed in that room also (painter is scheduled for 9/14). Yep, he's agreeing to anything right now, so might as well schedule the work to get done while DH is still in this mood! I even just bought Barry Manilow tickets!!

 

[Lisa F]

Our current counter is laminate and I am doing a full tiled backsplash with the plan that someday we may upgrade the counter. I'm addressing this issue by starting the first course of tile 1/8" off the counter (I haven't figured out yet what I am going to use as a spacer) and then instead of grouting down the counter, I will use a flexible caulk that can be cut/scraped away if I ever want to try to take out that counter and put a new one in. I probably won't ever do that without wanting to do a more serious remodel but I like to plan ahead just in case.

If you anticipate that you might you should get some extra tile NOW before they stop making it. I took out the old backsplash which was just a single row of tile and am having to do some serious wall repair. If you get to the point of needing to take out that full backsplash to accommodate granite it will be a pretty big demo/rebuilding job to put something else up there. It would probably be easier to replace a few cracked/popped tiles.

If you have already grouted down to your current counter you can take your old counter out (if it's not already stone or tile) by running a dremmel under the bottom tile... if you are going to cut into something, cut into the old countertop and not the tile. That shoud allow you to get the bulk of it out and then you can carefully chip away whatever is sticking to the grout and hopefully slide the countertop in (make sure thickness is compatible) then use caulk to seal the old backsplash to the new counter.

 

[Mishetta]

Wow Lisa F ~ you sound like you should be on HGTV!! Yes, my tile goes all the way from the counter backsplash to the cabinet bottoms & it has a line of grout right up to the counter. We had the tiling done when we first built the house 8 years ago. Over the years, with the house settlement, some of the grout between the last row of tiles & the 4" counter backsplash has chipped away but that hasn't happened all the way around the counter.

Truthfully 8 years ago, I never imagined I'd be thinking about changing my counter top. But next time, I will plan everything out, just in case!