No, you don't. the tile starts and ends w/the cabinets or the countertop,usually. I don't recommend you tile above your current backsplash. Here's why:

This one they stayed w/the end of the upper cabinet. both the upper and lower cabinets should be equal to each other. this upper cab should have been brought over to the left a bit more to match up w/the countertop edge. regardless, tiling above the 4" piece likes this looks horrible.

You can remove that 4" piece by scoring the joint and carefully peeling it from the wall.

both of these show proper tiling of a backsplash w/o the 4" piece. both of these end w/the countertop, not the actual cabinet, which look better IMO.

if you show us a pic from farther back, it would be easier to advise you.

If you take of the granite splash, be aware that some people have found gaps that tile will not cover.

rantontoo,,,that would happen for an extremely out of level wall. she could prob lay a 6' level across the wall right above the 4" piece and see how flat/plumb it is. If it shows a level surface, or very close to level, there won't be an issue w/gaps.

Here is the whole kitchen .

you already have a backsplash. no tile placed on top. it's not professional

In your photo it looks like the upper goes past edge of the counter; is it the photo angle?

Leave it be. You already have a backsplash in place: 4" of granite. No tile needed. You're finished. Doesn't that feel good.

I like the idea of going down the side with tile. That looks good. I’m using 3x12 white first two rows subway tile and using a 4 inch glass strip for third and the subway tile under the cabinets. I going to use stainless steel wall plates with black rocker outlet and light switches

Remove the 4” piece or don’t tile why do you want your switch plates to stand out they should be white on white tile and the rockers the same

I don't see any need for additional backsplash. Your kitchen looks nice. Adding tile will just highlight the odd mismatch of uppers and lowers on the left, and you'll have to remove all that stone, and you won't gain much.

James,,"I’m using 3x12 white first two rows subway tile and using a 4 inch glass strip for third and the subway tile under the cabinets".

If you don't remove that 4" piece, all that tile above it is going to look horrid. The fact that you're using two different types of tile is even worse. you don't have the space (with that 4" piece in place) to do large 3x12 tiles and run a 4" glass strip w/something else! Trust us on this. Either leave it as is, or remove the current piece and tile with ONE type of tile.

I would remove the 4" piece. I would tile all the way to the molding and all the way down to the floor (and do the same next to the refrigerator). I think it would look even better if you tiled to the ceiling all the way around the window. I would only use 1 type of tile.

For want of a three inch filler by the DW, the kingdom was lost.

I don’t want to remove that backsplash. I like the look of it.

Enough said.

does anyone have pictures of granite 4 inch backsplash with subway tile?

James- it’s your kitchen but there’s nobody on here better than Beth that gives backsplash advice.....

James, you won't find many pictures, because most people don't find it a pleasing look. Most people think it looks busy and squished to do 2 materials in that small space.

It's hard to find photos of tile above a 4" granite backsplash because no one does it that way. Here is one:

i need to do something different. I dont know what to now. I’m more confusss than ever now

Here’s your other problem no one is mentioning. You have a light switch where you want to end the backsplash. If you end it at the counter, the plug will have backsplash, the switch will not. The finish won’t be flush and have a gap. Plus, you have to adjust the switches out for the gap. This is a problem. Leave as is.

I was going to tile all the way to the wall. So that’s not an issue

James, just take the 4" splash off. You won't regret doing that when you are done tiling. Really, you won't. You might even come back and thank us for stopping you from making a design mistake! ;-)

After you have removed the 4 inch granite...but before you tile...move the outlets & switch boxes forward of their current position. (They are nailed or screwed to the side of the stud.) You DO NOT want them "recessed" into the tile. The actual "plug-in" part should be even with the face of the new tile. You're investing money and labor...we want you to have a beautiful outcome.

Movevthe outlet over under the cabinet. Remove the 4“ stone splash. Tile from the counter to the upper cabinet.

Or leave everything as is.

Yes, the electrical boxes are probably nailed and/or screwed to the side of the stud. You'll play hell getting them off and pulled forward. I'd rather spend $1.28 to fix each.

James, I posted a pic of granite piece and glass tile way up in one of my first comments. did you not see it? I said, 'this is how it will look.' Not good. Here are some others

I posted numerous other pictures of what it looks like w/o that piece. Just remove it like this:

Without the 4" piece. doesn't it look better?

You come on here asking for advice/opinions. you have over 10 people telling you to remove the 4" piece before you tile. You say you like the 4" piece. You are more the free to disregard what everyone says here and go ahead and tile above your backsplash piece. And you can further disregard design advice about adding the smaller glass accent row. If you like the look, it's your kitchen. have at it. You've gotten all the advice on the matter. Ignore it or heed it.

Thanks for everyone’s comments and advice. We can end this session. How do I close this out?

You can't close out a thread and people can make comment for years to come! There used to be a limit of 150 responses when it was owned by GW, but I don't think Houzz has a limit ... I think one post is up to 2000+ comments!

Just go on with life and pretend it doesn't exist!

Not an expert but have always figured the 4" backsplash was a cheap builder short cut.

Leaving the 4" and adding tile is a personal preference. Below is a picture from my recent reno. I originally thought I wanted just the 4" and after about 6 weeks I realized I wanted tile as the paint did not work for me.

I now have both and love it. Just showing picture so you can see how it looks. Color selections will determine how it look long term but do what works for you. Also tile and 4" backsplash ends with counter top

@bikertoni You have a great example of how it can look good with the 4” backsplash. It blends nicely because of the tile selection being a good color match. Generally, people will do more dramatic backsplashes, which don’t work.

I agree-Bikertoni’s is the only one with both that looks good that I have ever seen. Very subtle transition and good color match. Nice job!