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cyndi_lycan

Remove 6" granite backsplash before adding tile?

12 years ago
When my granite counters were installed 4 years ago, I had planned to add a tile back splash myself. Apparently there was miscommunication so the installer added a 6" backsplash free. If I decide to add tile, should I have the granite removed first or just tile above what's there. I fell in love with some small glass tiles but realize they'd be pretty busy with the granite counter so I was thinking of white or cream subway tile with just a line of my favorite tiles. Or should I forget the whole thing and just paint?

Comments (49)

  • 12 years ago
    Have the 6" backsplash removed so you can install your new backsplash properly.

    I don't think your glass tile is busy at all. It looks like it's just different solid colors, and it appears to match you granite quite well from what I can see. It should look very nice when you get it up.
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    I would agree & remove the granite backsplash. It would look choppy otherwise...
  • 12 years ago
    Remove the 6" backsplash. It's not hard, I did mine, although it won't come off in one piece :)
  • 12 years ago
    Will I leave big holes in the wall board?
  • 12 years ago
    Go with the white subway tiles and keep the granite the way it is.
  • 12 years ago
    Wait I didn't see the picture! I'm sorry go for a CREAM/BEIGE COLOUR! Wow a picture is always worth a million words...
  • 12 years ago
    Or leave it the way it is...
  • 12 years ago
    I honestly don't like either of the choices of tile
  • 12 years ago
    Agree with Alison ,neither one with your granite
  • 12 years ago
    Remove backsplash and I agree with others I don't like either of the tile choices
  • 12 years ago
    I would try paint or bead board first. The bead board can be painted to match a color from the granite. Taking out the backsplash will probably damage the walls and require repair.
  • 12 years ago
    I'd leave the 6" granite backsplash and just paint.
  • 11 years ago
    I'd remove the tile and use a creamy/bone or light taupe subway tile. If cost isn't a problem, I'd use a crackle milk glass type of tile with softer edges (rather than a sharp edge). I think my granite is the same as yours and I still haven't taken the plunge, as I'm trying to decide if i want to paint over my medium stained maple cabinets. Best wishes!
  • 11 years ago
    Depends on your budget. I had to make the same decision (with the same or similar granite). I left the backsplash and went with a cream marble tile. If money were not an object, I would have taken down the backsplash, repaired walls (which will be necessary and gone with a glass tile. Either will look nice. Just depends on how much $$ (and time) you want to invest in the job.
  • 11 years ago
    Take off the 6". The multi color looks better with your stone. Otherwise go warmer colors on the subway.
  • 11 years ago
    take off the 6", but I wouldn't add anything yet. It appears from the picture that your granite is either yellow-based or green-based. Your top tile choice has too much red in it. That's why it appears off. The granite color is "muddier" than the white tile, which is why that looks off. I would work with the beadboard suggestion/just paint first, as you can easily match a paint to a color in your granite. Then, if you're just not feeling it, continue with the search for a tile. You want the granite to be the star/focal point and the other parts the supporting players.
  • 11 years ago
    I would remove the granite backsplash, otherwise it wouldn't look right. Also, I don't think the glass tiles are busy, in fact, with that color granite countertops I would choose the glass tile over the subway tile.
  • 11 years ago
    That's just based on the counter though. What does the rest of the kitchen look like?
  • 11 years ago
    Ditch the 6 inch backsplash. The tiles you selected don't match your granite. I don't know what the rest of the kitchen is like, but I'd use standard size subway tile. The granite is busy as is, with lots of speck and color. You want one color for the backsplash that blends overall with your granite. Tan, taupe or maybe cream. You'll have to stand back and look at the overall effect. I think subway tile is the way to go. The tiles shouldn't be too small and the grout should match the tile, IMHO. Good luck!
  • 11 years ago
    take out the 6" splash and use beige travertine, keep the materials all natural or all man made, don't mix them.
  • PRO
    11 years ago
    Yes ...otherwise it will look like a home-maker's nightmare!
  • 11 years ago
    Can you add a wider angle pic of your kitchen? I think it would help to visualize more of the space.
  • 11 years ago
    So, I've decided to leave as is and just paint. If I'm going to do tile, I'd rather do it right, but I don't want to spend the $$ to repair the walls. So, I've decided to leave it as it is. Thanks for all the advice! It really helped.
  • 11 years ago
    Actually you could leave the granite and add your glass tiles all the way up. I did it and I liked the result.
  • 11 years ago
    I love that mini subway mosaic! I also think it looks pretty darn good with your granite. The standard white subway is too white, too contrasting. Mixing the two would be a disaster. I think you could get away with leaving the 6" granite piece and dressing it up with the glass (at least I think it's glass?) mosaic. The added benefit is that you won't need quite as much either! I'm also worried that the "free" piece may have been added to hide a mistake along the wall when the granite was measured or installed! This can happen when walls are not straight. That mistake may not be covered by the tile as it won't be as thick. (p.s. before I retired I was a kitchen designer)
  • 11 years ago
    1)Remove the 6" piece, there is a reason it was free mostly to hide the gap along the wall
    2) take whatever material you choose to use and run it along the wall to check and make sure the gap between the drywall and granite will be covered up
    3) if the gap is not covered you can float the wall out using mastic don't worry about messing up the drywall you can cover it up with the material you choose
    4) the hardest part about doing backslashes are the cuts around receptacles, faucets, and/or corners
  • 11 years ago
    Here are better views of the kitchen. The granite was from Home Depot, if I remember correctly.
  • PRO
    11 years ago
    Professional opinion have the granite backsplash removed. It will look better just tile.
  • 11 years ago
    Julie Smart- love your tile choice. Do you know the manufacturer, style, color and where you bought it?
  • 11 years ago
    Kcarty1--good ol' HomeDepot for the tile. The colored ones are called honey gold, I think.
  • PRO
    11 years ago
    We got them from Lowes, but just barely, LOL! They had decided to discontinue them and we had to go to seven different Lowes to get enough! I think they are by Orleans and is the Sand color. We went with the small pencil edge granite because I had not picked out my tile... Took about a year before I decided what I wanted. And as a previous poster said, it was to help with the gap between the countertop and the wall, especially behind the sink. I decided to keep mine , since it was so small, but the one you have is pretty big and I think I would have it removed prior to installing the backsplash. Good luck!
  • 11 years ago
    Thanks Julie:) Bummer they are discontinued.
  • PRO
    11 years ago
    ITs a much cleaner look if you remove the backsplash. Do keep in mind, depending on the granite company they may have left a little more spacing then what you normally would with a tile backsplash install. It is a possibility you could have gaps up to 3/8" that your current backsplash is covering. If that is the case, you may need a little float work performed before tile install. Its a strong possibility you will have an amount of drywall repair after removal anyways. No Mosaic. Simple glass or ceramic subway would be a better fit.
  • PRO
    11 years ago
    Kcarty, I did a quick search online and you can get something very similar! http://www.tilestoreonline.com/2_X_4_Brick_Subway_Glass_Tile_s/258.htm
  • PRO
    11 years ago

    I always say use tile from countertops to top cabinets. It is just more modern and is very nice.

  • 11 years ago

    I would remove the 6" backsplash and install a copper tile backsplash. Check out Homedepot.com They have a beautiful alloy copper 3 x 6 subway tile. It's a polished copper stainless steel mounted over porcelain, and the tiles need to be grouted. They are NOT the stick-on type! A copper tile backsplash all the way up to your cabinets would look stunning with your granite which appears to be a Ste. Cecelia type.


  • 10 years ago

    I agree with Lazarus. Copper would be awesome. Paint your cupboards.

  • 10 years ago
    Original post over a year ago
  • PRO
    10 years ago

    Great question! Leaving the 6" granite would work just fine when using our Aspect Peel and stick tiles whether it be the 3x6 size tile or the Aspect matted size. The tiles are offered in a variety of styles and colors that can match pretty much any look you are going for! http://www.houzz.com/projects/1338183//aspect-glass

  • 9 years ago

    People,.... remove the back splash.... the product you use will repair the wall. Anything else will look like you don't know what your doing. Always tile from counter top to top cabinet, use whatever you like. You live there, don't be afraid to mix it up with a combo of glass, porcelain, metal.... we are in 2017 it not the 1990's you will add interest on your investment later. Its ok to use subway but..... use one that brings color and interest, that won't lock you into one color scheme. Buyer want modern not grandma kitchen, if your doing farm house, buyers want farm houses kitchen thats are using modern ideas but look dated. I've seen your granite on model homes many, many times, its beautiful i know they used a combo of small one inch tiles or they used the long 1" in tiles out of porcelain and glass and metal. I also know they use 4x4 porcelain or travertine stone placed on a diamond pattern with dropping in something in the middle every so offen. But .... your kitchen says to me its farmhouse especially with the color of your cabinets. They are warm. Subway white tile will look fine but not exciting, it will be expecting. You should step out of that and go with modern farmhouse and use 1" strips mixed combo set with glass, metal and porcelain. Give it color! It will warm up the kitchen even more. Use a nice trim on the walls that aren't covered with a cabinet. Lastly consider using a stain on the cabinet to further warm it up.

  • 9 years ago

    Post what you've done

  • 9 years ago

    Update those appliances, don't rebuy everyhing but choose one color pick black or white but not both, lastly if you can change them to metal when you can will be 100% better then you have a kitchen everone would want.

  • 9 years ago

    Hire someone to install glass pendants over your island. There im finish.

  • 9 years ago

    Keep your 6" granite back splash and tile on top. When you take out the granite back splash you will never get a line you are happy with between the backspash and the counter.


  • 9 years ago
    I know you posted your question and picture a while ago, but I still want to thank you for posting it. We have almost identical granite and cabinets and I have been looking for tile for several weeks. For some reason I didn't think about that 4" granite backsplash until today. That's when I started searching the Internet for solutions. I am so glad I ran across your post.
  • 8 years ago

    In my opinion the 4-6" granite backsplash always makes the kitchen look lower grade. If you can remove it.

  • 8 years ago
    Remove the 6 inch granite. The glass tile is super busy. I have the same granite and I am in the process of removing the glass tile!! I like the idea of a larger off white- cream- milky white subway tile. Good luck!
  • 8 years ago
    Old post...