I'm a little concerned that your countertop sub (is he a fabricator?) is talking about making a tight seal between vertical and horizontal. With modern fabrication, say over the last 20 years, there has not been a problem with that, the way there used to be years ago when counters were formica and fabrication methods were less refined and precise. And the "sanitary" comment is out of left field--did your contractor say that? In any case, I will list the reasons why I do not like a small strip of granite (usually 4") on the backsplash: - you will spend a lot of effort designing a beautiful tile backsplash; why cut it short by 4". - the additional horizontal line of the 4" strip will visually make the space between your counter and upper cabinets look smaller and more cramped - some people think the 4" backsplash looks dated, though opinions vary on this - the 4" backsplash creates a small "ledge" which collects dust. Yet one more thing to clean. - you will be charged for the material and installation for the 4" backsplash; money that you may have preferred to spend elsewhere. I think that a 4" backpslash would be good if you were NOT installing tile and just had drywall on the rest of the wall. Or, if you simply like the look, as a lot of people do. Get what YOU want, not what makes life easier for your contractor. BTW, who is installing your tile backsplash? You may want to find someone outside of your contractor's subs. I was recommended someone by the tile store where I bought my tile. He specialized in tile--all he did is tile, and had been doing that for many years, so he really knew what he was doing. I am only mentioning this because of my concern that your contractor is saying he needs the granite strip to "make a tight seal". How elaborate will be your tile backsplash? If it's just, e.g., plain subway tile, that's pretty easy. But with a more complex pattern, tile backsplashes can be exacting work, and if your contractor isn't so painstaking, you will have to live with a backsplash that may not look so great (we've seen that happen on this forum several times).

The wall is shared with the inside wall of the Garage. We did use the thinset recommended by the manufacturer (nice to know I did ONE thing right). I used 1/16" joints because we are also using strips of mosaic tile and I wanted all the joints to match. The manufacturer also recommended sanded grout, but now with my joints so small would it do any good to switch to unsanded? It is 5am and I am actually considering ripping all the tile off. Would that work? Would I be able to reuse the tile? Ugh, what a mess.

Yes, subway tiles have been done so much…why? because they are a default. Large, small, white, stainless, glass, the subway tile will continue into the next century, along with the hex and black dot. The ultimate “little black dress” for a bath or kitchen. (Boston knows its subway tile.) Fish scale…great, as well. Kind of beachy or maybe a nod to art deco. Watch out though for the color of the grout you use. It is more noticeable with fish scale than with subway.

Thanks all. I ended up tiling around the window, but stopping underneath the top shelf and at the same level on the other side so that it was symmetrical and framed the window. I felt tiling above the cabinets would have been too much and I even changed the design from herringbone to this stacked soldier pattern last minute because I thought it might have been too busy with my Taj Mahal countertops, which should be the star. The tile is from Emil Group and is called Totallook Blanco Matte and Blanco Lux. Just google and I'm sure you can find a store near you. I chose to do 75% matte and 25% glossy for a bit of pop, but not too much. Way too many decisions every day!!!