Should I do a backsplash with new granite countertops?

[luvdzne]

On monday I am having new granite countertops put in. We are having them add the back splash, but now I am wondering if I should do the countertop with a tile back splash. Also, if I go with the partial granite back splash would it look good if I decide to add tile? I hate making desisions like this, I am always sure I am going to hate what I decide on. Drives DH crazy! Oh and did I mention, he is no help on this at all. His answer is what ever will make you happy.

 

[Caradana]

I'd go with the granite backsplash.

 

[Minnie824]

We have corian countertops, and just yesterday got our tile backsplash put in. It looks SO good. We love it. I like having it a different material. Just bring the samples of tile home to see it in the setting, and when we went to choose the tile, we brought a counter sample with us as well. I really think it would look good either way.

 

[Mercy]

We have granite counters and are going to do a tile backsplash. I personally don't care for granite going all the way up the wall. Our tile will go all the way down to the countertop. I just need to pick the tile

 

[Sandy V.]

I would go with a granite backsplash because I like the consistency between the counters and the walls.

We just finished out our basement and had 12-inch black granite tiles with gold flecks in them installed on the counters and the backsplashes. It turned out beautifully.

Best of luck!

 

[cardaway]

I would go with the granite. IMO it would look fine to have both the granite backsplash and tile above that.

 

[Mishetta]

I'm married to a wonderful man, just like you. He always tells me "whatever makes you happy makes me happy." What a guy!

Anyway, I had white backsplash tiles & in a few different areas, I have one herb tile. I think I have 9 herb tiles in all but placed stratigically in different areas. Then this summer we got our granite countertop. Giallo Ornamental (looks like cookies & cream ~ it's always about food with me! ) I was quite concerned that my tile would not look good with the granite but decided to wait before pulling my tile down. After I had my granite installed & it has it's own 4 inch backsplash which just made it up to my tiled backsplash.....it looks great!

You can either have your entire wall backsplashed with the granite ($$$$$) or just wait till after your granite is installed & then bring home different tile samples & see which one looks best. When I borrowed sample tiles (when I originally did my tile backsplash), I asked for several so that it would be a big area you could view, instead of just 1 tile (make sense?) I cannot make a decision on a tiny swatch or paint sample or 1 tile, I need as much as I can to try to really understand the scope of what I'm going to be looking at for a very long time. I taped the tiles to the wall to see how I'd like them.

How exciting to get granite ~ I just LOVE mine! We also did our powder room & upstairs master bedroom bath. What color did you order?

 

[PlutoPony]

Just this morning a guy came to template for our granite counters. I asked him what he's seen in granite vs. tile backsplash and he recommended tile because walls often aren't straight or plumb and it's can be easier to use tile to handle the wall imperfections. Doesn't mean it can't be done with granite however... I'm going to use tile of some sort as I think it will do a better job of tying in counters and cabinets. Good luck - I'll be agonizing over tile samples next week.

 

[m&m's mom]

We bought a house a year and a half ago that has a pretty large kitchen. The entire countertop surface, island, bar and backsplash up to the cabinets are black granite. I would have never done it on my own but really like the continuity of the look. I also have not noticed any problems in the walls that have the granite. I am sure they probably used a thinner granite than the countertops. It is a pretty light filled kitchen do it does not make it look dark. I really like it.

 

[Pugsley]

So, where do you get your tile for the backsplash? I'm going through this right now and am having a hard time finding much variety. The only place where I've found many types of tile is Expo Design Center (division of Home Depot). Does anyone have any other ideas?

 

[Minnie824]

We went to a flooring place for our tiles. They have ceremic tiles for floors and walls, just different sizes of each.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Here is a picture of mine right after it was grouted. It's tumbled marble:

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/smbnobles/detail?.dir=669c&.dnm=bf0e.jpg&.src=ph

Here it is finished:

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/smbnobles/detail?.dir=669c&.dnm=49fb.jpg&.src=ph

This is just my opinion, but I think a break in the colors is a good thing.

 

[Lynn CC]

I got the backsplash, it sits flush underneath the window sill 5 1/2 in off the countertop. I think the countertops look great with the backsplash. You can always add tile or whatever you like over the backsplash, we added beadboard and painted it white!
There is so many different ways to do it, but I do think a backsplash all the way around really finishes the granite countertops.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

So, where do you get your tile for the backsplash? I'm going through this right now and am having a hard time finding much variety. The only place where I've found many types of tile is Expo Design Center (division of Home Depot). Does anyone have any other ideas?

Mine came from Lowe's.

 

[Melrosgirl]

Personally I can't stand a granite countertop with a matching granite backsplash. I think backsplashes need to be different no matter what type of counter you have. (wouldn't prevent me from buying a house with a matching backsplash, of course, but it wouldn't be my first choice.)

 

[PlutoPony]

So, where do you get your tile for the backsplash? I'm going through this right now and am having a hard time finding much variety. The only place where I've found many types of tile is Expo Design Center (division of Home Depot). Does anyone have any other ideas?

I'm having the same problem! Ah - we're in the same general area .... our kitchen remodeler referred us to Conestoga Tile just north of Dulles off 28 (Conestoga Tile) . I don't see a lot of variety either tho. So far I like several at Expo but they're more $$ than is budgeted (like most other things in this job ). I won't have my granite down until next week and then I'll take another run thru the tile aisles and try to decide..
Will let you know if I find any other good tile sources.

 

[damo]

We've got granite for both and it looks wonderful. I have never regretted my decision. It really opens up the space.

 

[LoveWDW]

We just had granite countertops put in and asked for wall grade formica between the countertops and cabinets- for ease of cleaning mainly. I was unpleasantly surprised when I found out that granite backsplashes were not included. Instead they put a bead of silicon to seal the wall to the countertop. I think I am satisfied. A granite backsplash would not add that much to the appearance and would still have the seam. As it is there is a kind of rustic look. I do really really like my granite. We drove down to the warehouse in Baltimore where granite and marble is stored before being picked up by the contractors, and of all the thousands of granite and marble slabs, this was the one we liked best.

 

[golfgal]

I like what my Dad and Step-mom did in their house. They did a matching granite backsplash but they had the granite guy router out a space to add tile. They can slide the tile in there and just use a light glue to hold them in place. They can change them pretty easily if they want. It breaks up the space some. They have a light tan granite though. I don't know that that would look as good with a dark one.

 

[Pugsley]

I'm having the same problem! Ah - we're in the same general area .... our kitchen remodeler referred us to Conestoga Tile just north of Dulles off 28 (Conestoga Tile) . I don't see a lot of variety either tho. So far I like several at Expo but they're more $$ than is budgeted (like most other things in this job ). I won't have my granite down until next week and then I'll take another run thru the tile aisles and try to decide..
Will let you know if I find any other good tile sources.

Yes, please let me know if you find anything good and I'll do the same. I like Minnie's idea about flooring stores - I think I'll try that this weekend. If that doesn't work I'll end up at Expo, but you're right - it's so expensive. I'm thinking about getting tile that matches the tile on my floor and adding a couple of those metallic accent tiles. I think the silver would look nice since I have SS appliances and silver specks in my granite.