Brick is always a bad choice for backsplash without a lot of sealing, not sure what will happen if you poly it , maybe a matte finish poly might keep the fnish looking close to the same.

What you did with the brick looks nice with the cabinets, however I would be worried about cleanup and I'm not sure a good way to solve that.

I really like the brick and the wash you gave it! Nice! VERY current! Yes a satin poly will seal it and make it cleanable. I'm wondering since it's "real" brick if a cement sealant would work.....call a paving company and see what they suggest.

I just installed a brick look tile backsplash in my last remodel. Dal tile and you think alike!

well poly doesn't allow the brick to breathe. (it's real brick??) why don't you try a sealer meant for masonry?

Use some type of water based clear matt or satin sealer. Nothing with an amber tone poly or it will yellow the appearance. I think it looks great.

Even though my wife usually has to dress me, the granite with the brick splash pictured above is awful. Painfully so.

Wow, Joseph Corlett that is pretty rude!

mine isnt real brick. its a brick paneling so its just like wood... i just painted it to look like that. it was red and black. yuck! My granite countertop is different than her picture but if she likes it thats great! I personally like alot of different textures in rooms.

"Wow, Joseph Corlett that is pretty rude!"

No, 2014diane, pretty rude would be saying "Your'e a jerk for installing brick with granite." I said no such thing.

People come to houzz looking for ideas and advice. I applaud the good ones and respectfully criticize the bad, that's what we're here for. You don't get to pick how readers will react to your idea. I promise you there are more people agreeing with me about the brick/granite than are saying so and that's because of the attempts like yours to shame posters into silence.

Joseph....I'm not only NOT looking for advice....I don't like plain subway tile. :0) The granite itself is petri-dish granite, I'm surprised you didn't mention THAT. lol Oh...and planning desks are not trending either. :0)

My intention is not to be insulting or rude, but .... if you are re-doing things, why didn't you just take down the faux brick paneling and put up a "real" backsplash?

The brick paneling was on a wall we tore out and we have real brick throughout our home i wanted to keep the look flowing into the kitchen. I like the brick look for a back-splash. If it doesnt happen to be functional after sometime i will change it, just something i wanted to try.

Since it's not real brick, a matte finish poly should be fine to protect the finish. Looks great with your cabinets!

D.J. Doss, if you are looking for a matte finish, Varathane Unique Soft Touch Matte Polyurethane (also available on Amazon, elsewhere) gives a non-yellowing, very matte finish on wood. I've used it a couple times, and thus far, I've been able to gently wipe down the surfaces - including an outdoor but under the porch roof baker's rack). You could try a couple coats, see how it acts, then another coat. If it's not tough enough, move to a satin, as the more sheen, the stronger the finish, just as with paints (example: semi-gloss and gloss are much more resistant to moisture). Since you are looking to keep the brick look on your paneling, I'd go with matte first, and perhaps in a non-noticeable area if you have one and look at it from various angles in light for sheen. I find there is always a certain sheen to any poly (the above being the least I've found).

You didn't ask, but I'm volunteering this: I wouldn't recommend wood of any kind above a range. Having said that, you've done a lovely job of lightening brick look paneling!

nicole___ Oh...and planning desks are not trending either. I actually am saddened this is considered out of trend, and if I had room, I'd add one. I find them highly functional. I'll never consider a functional item to be 'out of trend' no matter what anyone says. If it's useful to you, do it!

thank you everyone! 2ManyDiversions thank you