Backsplash info?

8 years ago

Hi - I found this photo on a thread regarding quartz countertops, as we're looking at a medium grey quartz (Pental Stormy Sky perhaps) and I see you're unhappy with the darker quartz you got. While looking at your photos, I noticed this wonderful backsplash. We're looking at something similar, and I wondered if you could tell me what this is and if it's difficult to keep clean, especially behind the stove. Did you use any particular sealant and/or grout that helped with the cleanability of it? Thanks in advance!

kitchen reno 2006 · More Info

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susandan

8 years ago

We purchased our tiles from a tile store in the north end of Toronto... unfortunately, I can't remember the name, it was 12 years ago. The tiles are much paler than the ones you posted (I think) but they were very easy to install. Finishing the project has been the difficult part.

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Comments (9)

susandan
8 years ago
This is a slate tile that we installed ourselves 10 years ago and we haven't gotten around to grouting or sealing it yet! I thought it might be a problem behind our gas cooktop but it looks as good now, I think, as the first day it was installed. After such a long time, I am almost afraid to grout and seal it now! It was our first ever tiling project; and yes I know that if you look closely you can see that it hasn't been grouted... but lots of other projects have gotten in the way of finishing the job!
susandan
8 years ago
p.s. this is a fairly recent picture, not when we first did the tiling!
susandan
8 years ago
I wish we had chosen a grey similar to what you are considering, but when we did the kitchen in 2006, the range of counter top choices was quite limited compared to now.
A R
Original Author
8 years ago
Wow, thanks for such a quick response! The slate backsplash we're considering is PetraSlate Mosaic in Buff https://petraslate.com/products_catalog/flooring-walls/mosaics/buff-plank/ or PetraSlate Mosaic in Silver Sands https://petraslate.com/products_catalog/flooring-walls/mosaics/silver-sands-plank/ I thought yours looked like it wasn't grouted, but I couldn't quite tell from the photo. It's amazing that it's held up so well without sealing or grouting. It's natural slate, correct? If by chance you remember the brand name, I would love to know what it is. It looks wonderful, and has that nice, natural (non-shiny) look we're going for. Thanks again!
A R
Original Author
8 years ago
I was trying to figure out how to post a photo of the "dream kitchen" that inspired us to find a grey quartz countertop and natural stone backsplash, but I can't seem to do it (technically challenged, I suppose!) Anyway, if you're curious, look at "Kitchen Design Stratham NH" by Dream Kitchens. You can see they used a ledger stone backsplash behind their cooktop, but we thought a flatter, grouted surface would be easier to clean. This kitchen is much fancier than what our budget allows, but the style and color scheme are right up our alley!
susandan
8 years ago
I can't remember the price tag, but they were not expensive...and not from a high end designer tile store.
susandan
8 years ago
I will be interested to hear what counter choice you eventually make... I keep wanting to change ours out but the silestone we have has been pretty bullet proof re chipping etc...just the maintenance issues mentioned in my earlier post. Every watermark and fingerprint shows and it drives me crazy!
A R thanked susandan
A R
Original Author
8 years ago
We're going to look at a few more quartz samples and make a decision. Whatever we get will be lighter than what you have, so hopefully it won't show watermarks and fingerprints quite as much. Silestone is one of the brands we're considering, and I'm glad to hear that you've been happy with the quality, if not the color. I'll do a little sleuthing and see if I can figure out what your backsplash is. It's really gorgeous! Thanks again for all the pictures and info!