Too cold for a desk top. You need a wood top.

I've seen studies with all sorts of tops, but never one with a backsplash. Unless you work with a nib pen and an inkwell, there's no point. A corkboard would be more practical, or one of those magnetic bulletin boards.

It is not a backsplash like in a kitchen but a 4 inch piece. We had wood originally and after 23 years showed wear. We are redoing due to Harvey flooding.

No backsplash of any size this is a desk .

No need for a back splash since there will be no splashing.