Do you have other options for backsplash material?

It's going to come back to the discussion of marble or not; whether you can handle the etchings or not.

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I have 25ft of Vt Danby marble countertop, and 7ft of same marble slab for backsplash.

Everything is sealed so I'm not concerned about stains.

As for etching, the backsplash is not in direct light, so I hardly see the etches, unlike those on my countertop (those etches are everywhere).

Amanda's marble backsplash slab during reno

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If you have other options for backsplash, definitely consider them.

I love marble; couldn't imagine another material (except for stainless steel, but my DH couldn't agree to that).

Amanda

I propped up a tile of honed bamboo finished carrara & it got some oil splatters, which were removed with mild soap & water. I am definitely gonna do it, but I will seal the tiles too. I think the backsplash is the perfect place for marble- you can't see the etching if it happens, and it doesn't take too much abuse. I will be squeezing my lemons on the island which will be marble free ;)

Hmmmm yes you will be squeezing your lemons on your island but you may not be there one day when somebody else doesn't, you need to be OK with that. Yes backsplash is a better place for marble but it is still tricky.

etching really only shows up when light is hitting it directly. backsplashes typically don't have direct light.

I have looked at a lot of crackle tiles and they are very pretty....but it is always the marble pictures that make my heart sing and, when I see it, I think it is perfect. I appreciate each of your responses. It helps to validate my plans. So many people use marble for back splashes, it must be okay, right? I am okay with etching, I just want to be confident that the sealer with protect from staining.

One more point:

- how soft is Calacatta Gold backsplash tile?

My Danby chips easily, and I don't know how but we've managed to knick/scratch/ding our backsplash ~3-4 spots. Probably sliding a big pan or some ladle or something.

Just another thing to think about...

(We cook about 7-10 meals a week, big meals from scratch, so we probably abuse our kitchen more than others who have "pretty" marble kitchens.)

Huango, you give me pause again! (Your kitchen is so beautiful! )

I don't know how soft calacatta is compared to danby --- I thought danby was one of the more durable marbles. We, too, are real cookers. Are you saying that, if you had it to do over, you wouldn't have marble as your backsplash?

Quick summary:

I love my marble.

If I could have fallen in love with some other material (still affordable) that requires less babying/maintenance, then I would have jumped on it.

These years of waiting for patina is not fun nor easy.

Just know that lots of things can happen, and may happen...

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Have you read my many posts with real feedback regarding my marble trial and tribulations?

Amanda's thread crying about a marble stain, which has faded

I truly wanted stainless steel countertop and integrated backsplash and sink, but DH wouldn't go for it. He thinks it looks too commercial, like a school cafeteria.

I think I'm realistic, knowing how untidy and abusive cooks that we are. Like right now, my entire countertop is covered w/ stuff:

- composter

- meat defrosting/soaking in bowl

- trivet/baking sheet from last night's dinner

- big old bowl of fruit, w/ the plantains begging to be cooked

- crockpot base that didn't get put away

- aluminum foil and saran wrap from making/packing this morning's lunches

Gone are the first 1.5years of feverishly clearing off my countertop, making sure there's no drip that could stain or etch, etc.

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I don't like grout/seams, so we had to get the marble slab.

We already had chosen marble for the countertop, so I couldn't go with another material for backsplash.

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Good:

- a backsplash is not as large real estate as countertop, so less impact/etching/potential stains/chips

- not in direct light, but you may have lighting from the hood and under cabinet lighting

"marble pictures that make my heart sing" - like I said, just be prepared for what may happen...

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Good luck,

Amanda

Haha, I DO remember reading that thread --- even "bookmarking" it (however, I never seem to revisit my bookmarks -- go figure)! That thread impacted my decision NOT to put marble on my kitchen counter (which I really wanted). But, I thought a backsplash might be "safer" ...? I DID commit to carrara countertops in my bathrooms and the etching there does not bother me. Thanks for sharing....think I'll sit on this decision a little longer (one deterrent to all the crackle tile I like - Encore, Quemere, Heath, Pratt & Larson - they are not available in my area).

Ack! I tore out a stainless countertop and sinks -- back in 1975. SS reads grey -- and 'commercial kitchen'. I want durable, but 'home'. However, we're talking *working kitchens* here, and "Pretty is as pretty does." IMO marble doesn't meet that test.

My kitchen serves me. I don't serve it.

I have marble backsplash, quartz countertop. The marble is linear mesh pattern with long and skinny pieces. We lived in the house for 3 months and so far it is holding up very well. I do lot of cooking. IMO, if you go with smaller marble tile it will be less visible even if there is etching or staining.

I've had a marble backsplash (3x6) with quartz counters as well. I also have a region of marble counter on a raised area behind the sink, and a marble table. It's been over two years. I've splashed the entire backsplash with a broken bottle, splattered tomato sauce and have forgetten to seal every six months. I don't have so much as an etch, grease spot or stain on my backsplash. I did get one stain on the raised counter (poultice is your friend) and a *dent* from a crystal vase. However, I tend to cook messy stuff in the center burner or in the front, and wipe up splatters when they happen. (my reveal is somewhere around here)