We did Typhoon Bordeaux - I didn't want to add another material either.

We went with a slab as well. I also didn't want to add another material. The only pictures I have are really dark before everything was finished.

If you can plan for it by pulling out the cabinets for the additional width, the slab backsplash is beautiful and is, of course, a perfect match for the counters. If your replacing existing counters, the thick slab might take up more of your counter depth than you want to give up.

I have considered a slab (or very big tiles) backsplash myself to minimize the grout lines, but mine would be a different material then my countertops. I was talking to the guy at the Tile Shop and he was trying to talk me out of it. He said the only time it looks good is when the material is the same as the countertops. He also said that because the backsplash area is generally small (18-20 inches) the larger tiles look "off".

As you can see from those that posted above, it looks beautiful when you match beautiful countertops!

Oh wow! Thank you so much for sharing those lovely pictures! I love the simplicity of minimizing the number of materials. And I love how the slab backsplashes really showcase the stone.

How much depth is lost with a slab backsplash? Can you have the slabs cut thinner to take up less space? I did not realize that people usually pulled the cabinets out for the additional width. Did those of you sharing pictures pull your cabinets out slightly to account for the depth of the slabs? If not, do you notice a loss of counter space?

That makes sense that the slabs look best when matched with the counter material. That is definitely the look I like.

Is the cost of slab backsplashes higher or lower than that of doing tile? I'm guessing higher, but then I haven't priced it yet.

chocolatebunny,
I agree with the guy at the tile shop. I think large tiles in the backsplash look off because of relative proportion of the tiles vs. the space they're installed in

Slab backsplashes I would imagine are definitely expensive if you consider the costs of slabs per sq ft vs. tiles. Slabs are usaully in the $80s tiles are in $10s.

Hi pricklypear! We did not adjust our cabinets forward and have not noticed any loss of counter depth. That may be an issue for others, but it was not one for us. The depth of the slab backsplash did become an issue for us around the window over our sink - we have to reconfigure how the window was trimmed along the bottom bc the window trim + slab backsplash + faucets became complex. That was nerve wracking since it was not what we planned and the trim carpenter had to do it on the fly (I think I was curled up in a ball somewhere...) but ultimately I really like the simplicity of what he did (I included a photo below).

I do think the slab cost us more than tile would have - but we were able to use quartzite leftover from our counter slabs so we did not have to pay for additional material, just labor. The slab also saved me from my total tile paralysis - the millions of gorgeous choices plus grout color considerations was seriously too much for me to bear. I knew I would love the slab, but I was not sure I would love my tile and grout choices. And overall, it is a simple and integrated look, which is really like. Good luck!!

{{!gwi}}

I never thought about the depth when we decided on the full backsplash.

I just went and measured and my counters are 24 1/2 inches deep. We do have a 1 inch overhang - I don't know if this is typical or if it's a little more because of the granite depth.

Hubby really loved the look of granite from the counter top all the way up, he installs high end home theaters, so he had seen it done REALLY well in the million dollar homes he gets to "tour". Well.....we realized doing that would nearly double the cost of our granite! So yes, it is more expensive than ALMOST any tile, of course you can go crazy (and I say that in a good way) and find tile in any price range, but generally you will pay close to the same cost per sq foot for a solid backsplash slab as you would for the countertop slab. Hope that helps!

Honestly its all personal preference, it is expensive, essentially you're putting another countertop on your wall, you can almost double the cost of your counters doing it.

Surprisingly I really like all the pictures here, I'm really not a fan of the slab backsplashes. the few that I've seen in person certian dark granites which look tacky to me. looks like a nightclub bathroom. I really like the marble though.

I'd say be careful what stone you do it in, as it can really change the look of a kitchen for both the good, or the bad.

I think that looks great! Both kitchens.

I also chose slab backsplash. For us, we felt we had a lot going on in a small space and in some ways it simplified and tied the space together. Additionally, my previous kitchen was tiled countertop and backsplash and I was so tired of cleaning grout, so the less grout the better. I also wanted the marble to be the focus of the kitchen. The main issue for us was that we were limited to 2cm marble. It was possible for the marble installer to slice 3cm to make it work but the cost increase was a consideration as well as worry the stone would break. Perhaps if we had narrowed down our countertop/backsplash choice earlier in the planning, then 3cm would not have been as big of an issue. The only other thought would be that you will have seams. We have a 12 foot wall behind the range and you can see the two seams. It felt more noticeable at first, now it doesn't bother me at all.

I always envisioned a brick or subway tile backsplash for an "Old World" look; but recently having seen pictures of soapstone-slab backsplashes (especially with a wall-mounted faucet), I love the chemistry-lab vibe. It does seem that slabs cost an order of magnitude more than tile; but given the cost of labor for individual tiles vs. a few slabs the costs after installation may be comparable in the end. The only factor with tile that bothers me, as others have mentioned, is the grout lines; and never having had tile before I'm not sure how much using gray grout and sealing it will cut down on cleaning time. Anyone out there know how installation costs compare, and if grout color/sealing makes a difference?

We won't have slabs, but are going with glass sheets. I don't really love the busy look and grout lines with tiles. It's been a chore finding a place, but we're going with backpainted sheets of glass.

Do people ever do a piece of countertop behind the stove, and tile the rest of the way around? It seems like you wouldn't have to worry about grout except for behind the cooktop.

We are planning the same countertops, backsplash, and new island in quartzite. The reason for us is we don't like cleaning between our current granite tile grout lines. It's a pain!!! Wiping a solid surface is much easier and my wife cooks many different types of food.