Tile down to the counter is what most people prefer. It gives a cleaner look without a "break" in the vertical plane. But, there's no reason not to do it if you like the 4" backsplash :)
Monica

I'm with monicakm...If you like the look, do it, if you don't, go all tile. I'm not as fond of 4" granite + tile as I am of tile down to the counter, but I can see its plusses in cleaning. The worst splash zone is likely covered with a long expanse of granite, rather than many, many tiles and grout seams, so it'd be easy to wipe, especially at that tough spot where counter meets wall. There's probably an additional ledge to clean, which negates some of the advantage.

I think all-tile has a more planned appearance, whereas the tile over the granite may look as if the granite was already there, you didn't think it was enough, so added the tile in the space as an afterthought. You also may have more options in tile choice and design if you don't have to take that little bit of granite into account.

Either way is fine. It's all a matter of taste, and I've done them both ways. here are a couple of similar backsplashes, one with, and one without:

Is your home new? That may factor into your decision. Mine is not, and floors are unlevel. I went with the 4inch surround first. It serves to disguise the uneveness in between the window over the kitchen sink and the countertop. The whole piece is cut at a slant, whereas individual tiles would have made the slant more obvious. I also chose solid surface white counter and surround which abut the white window trim to make the transitions blend.

I agree with my brother Bill V.

I have found that this is a matter of aesthetics, and
either way will work.

Personally, I prefer a full height splash without including
the 4" slab splash - IMHO - keeping the 4" slab splash, and
then adding on the tile afterward looks more like an afterthought,
but then that's stirctly MY OWN opinion for MY home...

Ya gotta follow your heart and do what works best for you

kevin

though, if the BS tile were porcelain or ceramic tile, I would rather not have the 4" granite BS.

Ahem..... :-)

The house I'm in right now has a 4" granite backsplash with no tile above it. Although I personally prefer tile (and no 4" granite strip), I think this does look nice. And it certainly functions well; I have never wished for a higher backsplash here. The only place I might want it is above the stove--but there's a perfect spot for a more decorative tile application anyway.

Just a thought. You don't have to do both.

That's what I'm planning to do (though can't remember if I've ordered a 3" or a 4" granite BS).

As rhome410 stated, I think it will MUCH easier to clean.

I also think it will show off the granite- My kitchen is visible from the front door, (though up a flight of stairs). So visitors will see some of my granite (full backsplash under windows + granite window sill), rather than just the edge.

This will give me protection and time to contemplate what to put above the granite (if anything), as I will have a full granite BS behind stove and sink.

My granite may actually be getting installed within the next two weeks (dare I get my hopes up?), so I'll post a pic then, but here's a pic of my inspiration kitchen (Dorothy's)to give you an idea of how nice the granite BS can look.

{{!gwi}}

I did both in the same kitchen. Wanted to avoid the mess in that area behind the sink and prep. On the island I tiled all the way down. I did a three inch splash and all the way to the window sill behind the sink. Keep in mind you don't want to to use grout where the counter and splash meet. That area cracks and gets messy. Find a caulk that matches for that.

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

karencon, what is the cutout in your island for?

kaarencon,

I love your window shelf. My templaters will be here soon. Could I ask the depth of your shelf? Is it working for you?

I have a 4" backsplash too and wondered if I dare try putting up tile. I had thought maybe you could put a thin/short tile on top of the granite as a transition and then start with larger tiles on top of that. What do you think?

This is all a matter of taste. Whatever fits your taste is what's right. :-)

karencon, what is the cutout in your island for?

DEALING BLACKJACK!! ROTFLMAO

Thank you so much for all the advice. My husband saw a bs at a store in Anaheim, Ca and his hope is to do the granite in the back of the range similiar to what raehelen posted in her inspiration kitchen. He says it will be much easier to keep clean and we both love our granite (called Saturnia) and wan't to highlight it as much as possible. Our dilemia is our electrician put our plugs really low so they will need to be moved in order to accomodate the 4 inch bs.

So sorry to be late to respond about the cutout in my island. 1. I have cabinets and a susan under the seating side (can't tell from the picture but the cabinets are U-shaped underneath); 2. Wouldn't be able to easily reach to clean the island with the half wall; 3. Wanted the three of use to be able to see eachother when we eat (I sit right in the curve). I did a partial renovation of the kitchen and reused cabinets and then added some. My window shelf is so convienent. Its six inches deep... the same as the regular window sill, (2x6 framing)

And Bill, It is not for Blackjack! It's for when DH and I play, "lets be two strangers whose eyes meet at the Japanese Steak House and suddenly"........... (fill in the blank)........

karencon, you may want to think about changing that duct work to 6" all the way out, you are really cutting down on the efficiency of that blower

Karen-- I like your idea better!! :-)

Island cutout gives a whole new meaning to "belly up to the bar"! :-)

kompy-- hey stranger!! LTNS!!

I know the cutout is unusual, maybe even weird, but I haven't yet bonked my head when I was coming up from being in the cabinet under there. I'm a..... "it's how you use it girl"
K