I am surprised you can't remove the backsplash without damaging the cabinets. Under cabinet mouldings can be unscrewed fairly easily . The wall of course could be damaged but that's not usually that big of a fix.
Doing it right will actually save you time, money and effort. There really isn't a shortcut that will look good and last for more than a year in my opinion.

They're all asleep, Fred.

I think they'll say gray paint Fred. And I'm pretty sure it will be some wild Rustoleum product. But seriously, tiling over stone cane be done if the stone is VERY secure to the substrate. Take a diamond wheel grinder to abraded the stone surface to achieve a bond with the modified thinset.

Why not consider some large piece or panel material that won't require adhering to the granite. I'm thinking STAINLESS STEEL, if that would work with your decor. It would also be thin and not require you to fuss with electrical outlets too much. There must be some other materials that could be put up in large panels...but nothing is coming to mind at the moment.

Copper? It's right on trend, but would it conduct electric from the outlet?

No more than the metal on the range, microwave, toaster, refrigerator, range hood, garbage disposal, light fixture, decorative outlet cover, ........

METAL BACK-SPLASH will not conduct electricity. Live wires are contained in box, wrapped, connected to switch or outlet not exposed to random contact. No different that a metal switch/outlet plate cover.

Hehehehehe! Another cover-up/electrocution/fire/disaster discussion! I'm in! :D

If you run an electric current through a metal pot with chowder in it, will the clams feel it?

Sorry, Jeannie. Sometimes certain topics cause excessive electrical brain stimuation in a select group of Houzzers :D

Fred, go to "where do I find quality bedding" and read everything. Having today off from Houzz, see ya happy, Fred and all.

Quick question, Chook - do you ever sleep? Isn't it like 5:30 am in Aussieland right now?

G'nite, chook :)

Ok, Fred.. It took me awhile, but I get it!!! :D G'nite to all from East Texas!

How about pressed metal painted a light neutral colour?
You can get so many patterns and then you just cut it and place...

Jeez Fred, I'm going to have to wear sneakers and rubber gloves just to microwave my dinner and do dishes

Irornwood Builders has steered you in the right direction, you can tile over your existing granite backsplash with the proper surface prep. You do need to be thoughtful about exposed ends, etc- to make sure you have a graceful way of dealing with them. I would highly recommend leaving this project to the pros!
Best of luck!

What did you end up doing?

We had a dark slab granite backsplash and my tile guy said we would cause damage to the cabinets if we tried to remove it. He installed our new glass tile right over our granite backsplash and it looks great!

Tiling over granite is no problem at all - not a bad surface to tile to.

Great. Now how did he to it?

The tiler will know - or you can ask an adhesive company - usually just a case of scoring the granite first.

This is great info. One question. What do you use to score the existing granite back splash?

You should be able to buy a tile scorer from a builders / tile shop - or you could use an angle grinder. All you need to do is break the surface (scratches) of the granite. Some people wouldnt even do that and it would still be ok. However I think it is worth doing , hope all goes well. Simon.

I know this post is from awhile ago, but anyone have before and after pictures of tiling over a granite backsplash? We need to do it in our kitchen too very soon