There are quite a few threads about crackle tile and its durability. I think the consensus is, it's fine.

I've had a Sonoma crackle tile backsplash for almost 5 years. The tile itself seems to have a glaze on the edges, so that pre-sealing before setting and grouting isn't necessary. After the backsplash was installed, I sealed the grout and that has been the extent of sealing and babying it. There are NO leaks, stains, or dreaded spaghetti sauce infiltrating the crackles. In short, it behaves just like tile that isn't crackled. Other manufacturers may vary, but I chose this tile for its looks and affordability (about $12/sq.ft in 2002).

Thanks, that is the impression I'm getting. We haven't seen the Sonoma tile yet, but I found somewhere close by that has it so we'll check it out.

neilw -- You didn't mention if price was a factor, but by way of update (to Linelle's 2002 pricing), we were recently quoted for our ~ 30 sf backsplash (to include an additional 10% for breakage):

• Sonoma Tribeca: 3x6 - $15.26/sf; 3x9 - $17.72/sf; 4x12 - $16.40/sf
• Sonoma Stellar: 3x6 - $20.80/sf; 4x8 - $23.85/sf

Ultimate per-sf pricing may depend on your dealer. Also, don't forget the shipping charges, dependent on how close you live to No Cal, I'd guess. We're in TX and received a $500-$600 estimate for $600 (pre-tax) worth of tile.

No doubt, Sonoma makes a beautiful tile. Good luck with your project!

Our backsplash is Fireclay crackle. No issues, and we haven't sealed it since it was installed in January 2014. (It may have been sealed upon installation, I'm really not sure).

We just put in the Sonoma crackle a couple of months ago. We sealed before we tiled, sealed cut edges as we went along, and sealed everything after it was grouted as per instructions. We put a large plastic drape over the island and used that as a work surface. I've been canning tomatoes recently, which is a bit of a mess. I tend not to notice incidental tomato splashes on the tile until "later" and have not had any problem at all with wiping them off. We may someday seal it again, but I'm not worried about it.

Sonoma Creamy Crackle: 3" x 9" approx. $16/sf (it comes listed as $3.28 per piece) We live just a few miles from Sonoma County which is where I presume they make it.

Stellar Stone Blue Crackle 2" x 4": $1.51 per piece, so approx $27/sf. (this is special order)

Just a followup. Due to long lead times and high cost of all crackle variations we could find, we changed gears and went with Shadebrick instead: http://test.worldoftile.net/departments/shade-brick-grey-480.html

Between the tile color variations and the slight waviness of the tile surface, it gives nice movement without being overly busy. And no worries about prep sealing. :)

Suzanne has it just right. A lot of installers will skip the step of sealing fresh cuts, but long-term it will make a difference. I learned the hard way. My installer did not seal my Rixi even though I asked him to, and as a result I got the red sauce in the crackle. I was able to flush it out with a dental syringe full of hydrogen peroxide. And then, you bet, it got sealed. I love crackle. Go for it!

Whoa, I wrote 2002, but I meant 2012. Four years ago, not 14.

Suzanne, I have Creamy Crackle too. I love it. Their headquarters are in Windsor, but I don't know if they make the tile there. Possibly. About 8 miles from where I live.