4in Stone Backsplash-Problem later?

16 years ago

Some of you may remember some of my backsplash drama a month or so ago (can't decide what to do, and now we're probably selling the house next spring :(

Anyway, it turns out we have enough left over soapstone (we DIY'ed it) to do a 4" backsplash. I'm just wondering, if someone (either us if we don't move or a future owner) wants to do a tile backsplash in the future, will it look funny on top of the stone or do people do this all the time?

Since I'm posting on this topic, our leftover soapstone is the same thickness as the counter tops (~1") and we really don't have the means to make it thinner. We set a test piece on the counter and the thickness actually looked ok but I'm just wondering if its normal to have these short backsplashes the same thickness as the counter stone?

Finally, we have a peninsula area with a raised counter. We're thinking we should just cover the whole raised area (approx. 8") with soapstone (we do have enough stone to do this. If we did the 4" high there we're just thinking it would look funny...not to mention it would bisect the outlet there. Thoughts!

Thanks!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

dlfrun66
16 years ago
I had drama over our 4 inch granite backsplash and tile when I had it finished in Oct. I wasn't crazy about how it seemed a little busy where they met. I ended up putting a trim piece in between and now I'm happy with it. If you don't have alot of movement in your stones, it probably won't matter much, butif I was doing it over, I'd probably make it easy and not have added the 4 inch backsplash. Here's a photo of my finished backsplash.
jb1176
16 years ago
dinobambino - I think you did a fantastic job with your backsplash. Not only do the colors blend between the granite and the tile (tumbled marble or travertine?) but not having to deal with grout near the surface of the counter will make for easier cleaning. What stone and tile did you use?

Guess I'm in the minority for I like the 4" backsplash and even the idea of a narrower 2" backsplash.
Related Discussions
onyx kitchen backsplash
Q
Comments (3)
We used our glass tile on the wall behind the range. We figured, we can always start out with it, if it does happen to discolor badly over time, we can always get a taller riser for our range at a later date. We felt that a SS riser or splash behind the range would be likely to show some scorch marks, discoloration, and/or scratches, so it was a 6 of one, 1/2 dozen of the other type of decision for us. FWIW, if I look closely, I can see the slightest am't of discoloration on some tiles right near the riser (only over one side of the range though). It seems as though it's more of a heat discoloration than cooking stains. If that very faint discoloration is as bad as it ever gets, I'm fine with it. If it does get worse over time, then we'll consider the other option I mentioned.
...See More
Does this backsplash look right in my kitchen?
Q
Comments (42)
I'm back again! I think I am close to finally picking out a tile. I should have a asked this in the very beginning - About "Side Splashes" ...when I had the old laminate countertops, there was a 4" laminate strip of "backsplash" running behind the countertop and it extended all the way to the side walls. Now there is an ugly mess on the wall where I removed the strip, and am wondering if the new tile backsplash should extend to the side walls again. I have read a lot that the "side splashes" are not always necessary and sometimes not appealing to the eye. Should I do a "side splash", meaning should I extend the tile where the wall changes direction and make it the same height as the rest of it? Or should I sand and paint those areas? This post was edited by dms11 on Sat, Mar 8, 14 at 9:30
...See More
HELP! Dont know how to install electrical outlet in back splash
Q
Comments (7)
Thanks so much! I think (all fingers crossed), we may have a solution - but if you think not, PLEASE post! Todds: we have about 4-1/4-in. from front of engineered stone to the wall behind - so about 3-in. from back of stone to wall. I think the pic below is a blue retrofit box, and it's about 2-7/8-in. deep. It has the dog ears that may be tightened to grab onto the stone. (At Lowe's suggestion, I also bought a bigger one just for the longer screws). Markw: We are replacing countertop, not installing new, so the box was there before. We removed the box so I could take it to Lowe's and hardware store to try to find something without the protruding pieces. In both cases, I was told that our old box was no longer made (it's about 30 yrs old), and that the new boxes are a bit larger. I did find metal ones with no protruding edges, but the blue plastic one seems to be the keeper (I hope). It won't be a problem for the installer to cut a bigger hole - it was just those protruding pieces that fell within the 1-1/4-in. depth of the stone that caused problems. Circuspeanut: We don't have drywall immediately behind the stone, but rather 4-inches away on the outside wall of the house. But I think I see what you mean about attaching the outlet to box, and the box is held on to the stone by the dog ear flaps? Brickeyee: I bought a box extender, but I think it won't be needed with blue retrofit box? You're no doubt right about the installer. He's been installing countertops for 8 years, often with a 4-in. backsplash, but none of the photos on his website show any electrical outlet cutouts in the backsplash. I definitely selected him because he was much less money that others, and believe me, I sweated that decision. But there was no vendor whom I could afford. Thanks so much, all -- thankfully, my stupidity in things mechanical does not extend to all areas of my life!
...See More
Backsplash tile question
Q
Comments (2)
I think what you're proposing is to just do a few rows of subway tile and then finish it off with a trim piece. Is that correct? That sounds like a bathroom backsplash to me. I'd just tile the entire backslash at a later date.
...See More
Fori
16 years ago
People tile over the 4" splash all the time--Dino, that trim piece is unusual and extra-nice! It's a busy granite and that's a perfect solution. With something less busy like soapstone, I don't think it would be needed (but would still look good).
pcjs
16 years ago
Dino, thanks for posting that - we were wondering too as we have a 3 inch and I love that rounder piece to transition the granite to the tile.
vizslalover
Original Author
16 years ago
dino-I also think it looks great-thanks for sharing!

So it sounds like I don't need to worry about that aspect...

Anyone have any thoughts about the thickness or peninsula area?

Thanks again!
Katalina
16 years ago
I have soapstone with a 4" high splash. It's as thick as the soapstone itself (also DIY) and I like it a lot. I have no plans to tile over it but the configuration of my kitchen lets me get away with that. I would someday like to tile behind my stove but I can get away without that, too.
The problem comes in because of the thickness of the splash. Tiles are much thinner so a step would be created if tiles were added over top. I guess it's only a problem if you don't like the way that looks.
vizslalover
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks katalina! That helps a lot! I was thinking that if we did tile later we could just put up a cement board and tile on that to even up the thickness (but you would have to use end caps on any exposed ends). But I don't know that much about tile so that might be a nutty idea :)

What kind of adhesive did you use to attach the splash? We used silicone caulk on the cabinets but I'm not sure if it would hold ok on a vertical surface?

Thanks again!
Fori
16 years ago
Hmm. If the thickness is the issue, it doesn't have to be. After all, the soapstone is solid, so the top is pretty too. A step to the tile wouldn't be objectionable.

Are you a good enough DIYer to bevel off the leading edge a bit?
vizslalover
Original Author
16 years ago
Yes, we were planning to bevel the edge a bit :)

I don't know that thickness is a big issue for us personally, we were just trying to make sure we weren't doing anything too weird by using the full thickness stone.
cooperbailey
16 years ago
I think the full thickness of soapstone would look nice- kinda traditional.
I have the 4" backsplash of 3cm granite for backsplash and its attached with silicone. Since they are different minerals this may not help much. We will do beadboard and it will just run to the backsplash with a molding to finish off the cut end of the beadboard. No bevel, just an eased edge. I think the "step back" is no problem.
BTW I love your kitchen. You inspired us to do a DIY soapstone top for a hutch - still not done Sue

4in Stone Backsplash-Problem later?

Comments (10)

dlfrun66

jb1176

Related Discussions

Fori

pcjs

vizslalover
Original Author

Katalina

vizslalover
Original Author

Fori

vizslalover
Original Author

cooperbailey

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

4in Stone Backsplash-Problem later?

Comments (10)

dlfrun66

jb1176

Related Discussions

Fori

pcjs

vizslaloverOriginal Author

Katalina

vizslaloverOriginal Author

Fori

vizslaloverOriginal Author

cooperbailey

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

vizslalover
Original Author

vizslalover
Original Author

vizslalover
Original Author