The quartzite sounds stunning! Any chance you can wait to choose your tile once the counters are installed? It might simplify the process a great deal for you -

Yes-I won't make final decision until the counters are all installed and ready to go. I just like getting ideas ahead of time since I tend to be one who has to work through a lot of different ones before I can make a decision. I'm going to try to find pictures of what others have done, but I haven't found many pictures with finished pictures, just slabs. The place I bought from actually used the stone itself mixed with a tumbled stone in the b/s, but using my stone and using the split face machine is $$$, so that idea is out.

Oh bahacca - I am soo excited for you. The Fusion is amazing and will look awesome with your rich cabinets. Oh good, I am so glad to hear you aren't settling.

As far as backsplash goes, in your case, I really would wait until the counter top is installed. How the granite Fusion looks vertical in the showroom is going to be different than horizontal on your counter tops, let alone with your wood cabinets and your lighting. Is there any need to decide now?

Yes, grout color affects the overall look. Someone just posted their cream subways and said they originally did a cream grout and it looked like painted drywall, not tile. I spent some time studying grout color on Houzz photos b/c there was a certain look I didn't like and I wanted to be able to identify it and make sure I didn't do it. Houzz is a great place to see lots of photos and get ideas for backsplashes.

In general, mini-bricks, even if they are just the same color, look busy IMO. Longer-skinnier subways look more modern and contemporary, which I don't think will work well with your cabinets. The 3x6 size might be too boring or "classic" as some people say for your bold Fusion. Perhaps something like 4x8 or 4x12. I think less grout lines makes it look calmer and less busy. Again, IMHO.

NSB-thanks so much for the input. Don't worry, i'm not ordering anything. The info you gave about the grout and the less grout lines the more calm is actually really helpful. And looking at houzz has become a new obsession. Paying attention to the actual GROUT patterns, etc is a grand idea. I'm often a better shopper if I can tell someone what I DON'T want.
I do know my space can use some help with light. I almost have to do a light backsplash because once about 2-3pm hits, my kitchen no longer has sunlight and is in my house's shadow. I have plenty of canned lights, but I have no under cabinet lighting(though I found something really cheap I may try to rig for when I do want it) and I'll wait to find either pendants or track lighting for the peninsula once the counters are in.

Bahacca, I'm so glad you're going with the Fusion. The slabs you showed us all were stunning. I am envious. I also think glass tile would be perfect with it and with your dark cabinets as it will add some light to the room. I am a little biased though as I used glass subways in my kitchen. I have a very busy granite and fairly traditional cabinets and the 3x6 size looks fine with my busy granite. I think the traditional size of a 3x6 subway would blend your traditional cabinets with the more modern look of the Fusion. But, as previous posters have said, you'll have to play with it once the granite is installed. What I did to play down the grout lines was to basically use a grout that matched the color of the tile. Because glass tile is reflexive, the grout is never going to completely blend in, so it's not like it will wash the tile out.

Here are a couple of pics. SOrry they are so big. You're kitchen is going to look beautiful when it is done!

Here's a pic ya'll have seen before. It's my glass backsplash with a hint of color (4x12) with a very busy soapstone.

remodelfla-what color/manufacturer are those?

I believe it was from glasstileoasis or glasstilestore. The color was frosted spa green. It's barely barely a seaglass color. We did a purposeful random installation. Let me know if you need more pics.

Namarie - your kitchen is beautiful. I love the glass backsplash.

Hi Bahacca,

My wife and I are in a similar positioned you were in. We both like the Fusion and have seen both MSI's and Arizona Tile's supply. We actually have 4-slabs on hold at MSI but are trying to negotiate a better price. Our story is we had 4-slabs of "Elegant Brown" selected that were very unique in color. But when it came time to finalize the selection, all the nice ones were gone and what was left does not leave us feeling good. So, we spent another 3-days hunting for granite and have decided to go with the Fusion. A big cost increase, but you only redo your kitchen once, so it better be right. We are refinishing our cabinets in a very dark finish and believe the Fusion will bring some light back to the room over a darker stone. We intend to use the original back-splash tile we purchased for the Elegant Brown as it will play well with all the colors (flooring tile, cabinets, stainless appliances and Fusion counters) and we have already taken delivery of the inventory necessary to complete our kitchen. It is called "Fusion Bronze" and is mfg by La Fabbrica Tile in Italy. It is mfg in both a smooth and rough texture. We have chosen the rough texture. Look it up online and if you are interested, I can tell you where to purchase it and/or see samples in place. It is a single color so it will not conflict with other designs. The texture is what makes it unique and v=creates the differing color appearance.

Can anyone tell me if they had any problems with the Fusion Quartzite?

This is an 8 year old thread, many of these people might not frequent this site anymore.

I installed a green Fusion about 2 years ago and it still looks brand new.

I installed Fusion about 16 months ago - kitchen island, powder room vanity and backsplash, and outdoor bar - and mine also looks brand new. Had it re-sealed after the first year. The outdoor bar is under an awning so is protected from the elements.

All of the comments about stains appearing seem to be occurring with the white Quartzsite. My fabricator wanted me to be aware of the possibility. I have not found anyone with Fusion having problems. I am in love with the look and haven’t found anything else that I want. Thanks for the encouragement.

Nope, no stains with my Fusion! 😊 Good Luck!

Thanks so much!