Home Depot sells tile and can do the installation also.

You could probably do the demo yourself and save money on that end.

Getting it out isn't gonna be easy.

Yeah, pull out the granite splash. And a simple backsplash tile on the walls will help out.

How do I get it off??!!?? Haha. Think it's worth anything?

It is attached by construction adhesive, most likely. You have to start at the outside edge with a flat prybar, and very slowly work the slab up with the bar. You should hear a loud "POP" when the adhesive lets go. Then, again, VERY Slowly and carefully, work your way between the cabinets and the slab all the way down the length of the slab. You will have to score the bottom edge with a utility knife to get the slab out where the caulk was applied.

As an alterative, you could apply the tiles to the granite slab. The only problem with doing this is the increase of thickness of the backsplash.

Is it just scrap or is it worth anything? They also added this edge to the window that concerns me.

Removal is the same for that. Replace with a wood sill.

It might be worth something on craigslist...

I'm always amazed what people will buy on craiglist. Failing that, your local Restore might take it off your hands so you don't have to pay for disposal.

Jeff...there's a really good chance the backsplash granite was heavily glued......to sheetrock. If that's the case you have a high probability of having large areas of sheetrock come off with the granite. Then you'll have to decide if it can be patched or if it all needs to be cut out and replaced.

My personal preference is to keep the sill in the granite. But either wood or granite works.

The backsplash tile needs to be simple to contrast with the veining of the granite. Subtle texture to add interest. Light in color as Nancy mentioned.

Good luck, let us know how demo goes!

Hi Jeff, found you. First before you even get into that backsplash. Why not take all your hardware off the doors and spray a brushed nickel to match your appliances.;) they look gold in the photo? what color are they, maybe already silver.

I think I would opt for a golden or a cream glass subway tile (shown in pic below). I would also paint the cabinets a cream color.

Jeff, you and Whitney need to run just one post, it is getting confusing LOL when you get home, No TV, we have some work to do in the kitchen moving things again ;) Are you in? visit her thread to catch up!

Hi Jeff, I agree that so much granite is overpowering your kitchen right now. The question you need to ask yourself is this. If I go to the mess and expense of removing the backslash will that make me happy with my kitchen. If the answer is yes then there are many choices you can use to tone down, and compliment the granite. You already have many good ideas from the other Houzzers. If there are other aspects that you feel need to be addressed to give you the look you need, then you should look at an overall plan which includes new granite. You could get a whole new look by painting out our cabinets and adding new hardware. A good cabinet person could cut out a couple of your panels and add glass. This will give you a new kitchen for a fraction of what a real new kitchen would cost. Then depending on how much counter top you have add a new one with a tile backsplash. If you don't want to go the granite route again . Ikea has solid wood counter tops that are economical and when installed and finished properly are very durable and look like a butcher block counter. They look great with painted cabinets and stainless steel appliances. Good luck whatever path you choose.

I agree the granite is beautiful, but quite busy as a full back splash. I'm not sure you'll really be able to salvage all the pieces whole in the demo process. There may be weak spots around the window and such, and as someone already pointed out, sheet rock will more than likely come off with it. You could try to sell the scrap on Craigslist, but my guess is it will be hard to find a buyer (just from experience as a fabricator).

Once all the granite is off you will need to re-sheet rock before you tile. I would not recommend as someone said above tiling right over the granite. The tile will not be able to adhere properly, and down the road, I think you'd have problems....

There are many tile options once you have the granite back splash off. I don't think you need to limit yourself to subway tile. It's definitely safe, but I'd look at what else is out there.

Best of luck!

JDM Countertops- all I can say is" safe is better than sorry" the counter makes enough of a statement ;)

Jeff, the post above from Margo C is what I was referring to when I suggested honey-colored subway tile. To make tiling a backsplash easier, there is a product out now that is a double-sided adhesive sheet to replace the mastic step. This is what I was thinking of when I suggested you could tile right over the granite. Once the tile is up, the next step is grout as usual. It's amazing, the adhesive properties of this product. I think it is made by 3M, can be purchased at Home Depot. In fact, my installers used it in my own home on the backsplash tiles. Of course, you wouldn't use it in a shower or tub application, but for a backsplash it's great. Simplifies the process a little.

Nancy- nice info, I think I would give that a shot before I took a sledge hammer after the granite ;)

Does this kitchen have under cabinet lighting? That would go a long way to brighten things up.

is this granite magma gold?

Keep the window sill it will tie in the colors of your counters, put the splash around it.

It does not have lighting undernesth. Margo when this going i will definitely be changing to stainless steel on the cabinets to match everything else.

Hi, Jeff! OMG to your kitchen! You MUST check out Granite Transformations. I am serious! We have used them and loved them. I have no idea where you live, but I pray they have a site near you. They have all sorts of granite to choose from and back splashes and trim and everything! They come in and measure and make a template and then go back and make it all from what you have chosen. Then they come back and install it in a day with NO demolition! It all goes over the top!!! NO MESS! And the granite does not need to be sealed or anything! I used it in our other home for a NEW kitchen and when we moved, I right away had them come and do our bathrooms. There is a website and you can see the transformations, too. You will be able to choose the sink you want, too, so no worries there.

Abby jean I love the granite I have I jus want to replace the backsplash with something else and get rid of the granite backsplash.

OK......they can do that for you, too. It makes it sound like I work for them, but I soooo do not. It all goes over the top. They could even do a solid color, but it would still be granite. OR they can do tile for you, too.

granite transformations is a manufactured product. It is not natural stone, but crushed stone in a resin, similar to silestone.

When we did our other kitchen, we did run the counter granite up the wall.....I know......strange.......but it worked! Our granite was a little, um, safer than you what you have, but I swear......everyone commented how nice it looked that way.

Picture? Mine is a little to wild of a granite to run it up the wall unfortunately. Just to dark I think.

Add under cabinet lighting even if you change the backsplash.
Makes a huge difference.
http://houzz.com/photos/1144343

http://houzz.com/photos/476714

Hi Jeff! Good luck with your kitchen remodel. It sounds like you are concerned about the removal process for your granite backsplash. In this aspect, it sounds like we are the perfect solution for you. As abbyjean mentioned, we install our products over existing surfaces to minimize disruption to your daily life, as well as unnecessary mess and demolition.

If you are in fact looking for a honey-colored tile, we offer a honey tile in a few different styles. The window edge won't be a problem to accommodate either. Check out the tile colors here: http://www.granitetransformations.com/products/mosaic-tiles/colors/subway/

If you would like to consider Granite Transformations, we encourage you to schedule a free, no obligation in-home consultation where you can see samples of our high-quality products in your kitchen and decide if we are the right fit for you. http://www.granitetransformations.com/consultation/zipsearch/

And thank you for the high praise, abbyjean! We place a lot of emphasis on customer service, so we are happy to hear you have had pleasant experiences with us. We hope you continue to enjoy your remodeled kitchen and bathrooms.

Nancy are you speaking of what Home Depot calls "smart tile" ?

No, that is adhesive-backed tile. They are adhesive sheets, so you have your choice of tile. You will find it where all the mastic and grout is. I'm pretty sure it's a 3M product.

abbyjean, I think running up granite from counter to backsplash is a good idea in many cases. Yours does not sound strange at all! Jeff does need a change and Granite Transformations sounds like one way to accomplish this as well as Nancy's idea. Good luck, Jeff. :)

Nancy I saw those and they are literally just stickers. I think I'd rather have actual real tile.

No, Jeff, that's not what I'm talking about! You use the adhesive sheets in place of the mastic to glue the tile in place. They are about 12" x18", and the adhesive is really strong. The installer that did my backsplash said it would hold up just as good once it was grouted. You need to talk to the tile dept. people in Home Depot--they will know what it is.

Okay I will thanks!

Really a shame that the previous owner didn't choose a more subtle granite.
I am a big fan of the counter and backsplash being all granite, but it's really not working in your case.
Good luck with the removal!

He guys! It the process of the backsplash upgrade and was wondering what you all thought for a new cabinet color including the island. I'm having a hard time deciding based on the granite color.

Thanks!

I think if it were me, I would go with a light color, to bring some much-needed lightness to the kitchen. Maybe a sand color to go with the floor and the light streak in the countertop. You'd want a yellow-toned sand color, though, not a pinky toned sand.

Hey Jeff, when we installed granite in our kitchen 15 years ago, we chose a dark green for the countertops. I didn't run it up as a backsplash because it was so dark. We used tumbled marble tile instead, and had it sealed. 15 years later, it still looks great, even after multiple tomato sauce splashes and various other mishaps behind the cooktop. Oh, and we never resealed it, which we should have, but it still has held up well. It is a nice contrast to the glossy granite, with its matte finish. We also had under cabinet lighting installed and I highly recommend that.

If you could add a picture that would be great!

I just saw the pictures, the granite is gorgeous, exotic,the problem is no the backsplash or the counter top, for me is the color of the cabinets and the handles Imagine them in white with this handles. Also help light under the wall cabinets.
It is and easy DIY project. Enjoy your awesome granite.

Thinking about doing some backsplash but don’t know what kind to do .... Help!

H Moore. This is a very OLD dilemma, with probably no one following anymore. You would be better served to start your own dilemma.

Thanks! New to this ♀️

We are trying to tile over a granite backsplash. Has anyone found the 3m double sided adhesive sheets Nancy was talking about?