Wow! I am dumb-founded by this but, after checking with Dawn at Sonoma Tilemakers, I've confirmed that these REALLY are their instructions for installing their crazed product in a wet enviroment. BUT, even after spending hundreds of dollars on the extra sealer and paying even more hundreds of dollars to have someone soak and towel-polish these tiles to prevent streaking, you will STILL have to keep a regular maintenance schedule to re-seal them every 6 months or so!!! I'll admit when I'm wrong, and I was wrong here. This manufacturer really does insist on a 5-minute soak in sealer for it's crazed tiles. Who would'a thunk? So, it would appear to me that this precaution is solely intended to give the manufacturer some legal "cover" as it does not extend any more lasting protection than a thorough sealing prior to and following the application of grout. Shaughnn

Sorry, but crackle tile can be a bad choice for a backsplash depending upon your oven/stove. I have Sonoma, too--lots of it, including my countertops. I didn't know that even after sealing, it will continue to "crackle" for about 90 days and should be babied and re-sealed multiple times. In any case, if you have a Lacanche stove, the gas oven exhausts at the top of the stove toward the backsplash. It has stained my backsplash in a very obvious way. The two colors of tile, by the way are creamy crackle and butter. It does, indeed, get into the "crackle" and it is uncleanable. I have learned to lean a silicone bread board in front of it now to prevent more staining, but the damage is done. This has been discussed on the Lacanche conversations some years ago....

"Crackle" refers to an accelerated process of crazing of the glaze. If you're asking whether the tile is as durable (stain resistant) as un-crazed tile, of course it's not, but then backsplash tile doesn't have to be incredibly durable, really. Some crackle tiles have to be sealed before they are installed, but you will have to read the installation specs to know whether your tile will need this extra step. Most crackle tiles, tile and grout, should be sealed annually to remain stain free. Encore Ceramics produces a very popular, and much GW-beloved crackle tile that, if memory serves, is not outrageously priced. Good luck!

Jenny, have you called Status Ceramics directly? The reason I ask is that I have handmade tile from a Minneapolis tile maker and they asked me to send them photos of my completed install, which I did. Status may be able to send you some installed photos of their Borage from their customers. Artisan tile makers are usually incredibly good to work with. I know my tile maker was a joy. Good luck!