Granite Backsplashes for Kitchens - A Complete Guide

Granite backsplashes bring elegance and luxury to any kitchen design. With stunning colors, unique patterns, and unparalleled durability, granite creates a sophisticated focal point while also protecting walls from splatters and stains. This detailed guide covers how to choose the perfect granite to match your style, design considerations to complement your space, proper installation techniques, and care to maintain its enduring beauty.

The Allure of Granite Backsplashes

What makes granite such a popular choice for kitchen backsplashes? Here are some of its best assets:

• Natural Beauty - Granite forms over millions of years, resulting in color variations, striking veining, and one-of-a-kind patterns found nowhere else in nature. No two granite slabs are ever exactly the same.
• Strength and Durability - Granite is resistant to cracks, chips, scratches, stains, and heat. It holds up beautifully to heavy daily use and cleaning.
• Easy Maintenance - Granite needs very little maintenance beyond occasional sealing. It wipes clean easily without harsh chemicals.
• Design Versatility - Available in a diverse range of colors from bold to neutral, granite suits any style from modern to traditional.
• Luxury Appeal - Granite backsplashes elevate a kitchen's aesthetic to a high-end, expensive look that increases resale value.

Beyond protecting walls, granite backsplashes enhance the overall design and atmosphere of a kitchen. The natural material creates a striking focal point.

Choosing the Right Granite

With what seems like endless options for colors, patterns, finishes, and thicknesses, choosing that perfect slab can feel overwhelming. Keep the following considerations in mind:

Types of Granite

While all granite is formed from volcanic rock and quartz crystals, not all granite looks the same. Common types include:

• Quartzite Granite - White, gray, and silver tones with accents of mica flakes for shine.
• Marble Granite - Elegant white background with dramatic gray veining.
• Soapstone Granite - Charcoal gray and deep green shades with high talc content.

Research different granite types to find colors and patterns suited to your tastes. View actual slabs in person to see accurate colors and textures.

Color Considerations

Granite backsplashes come in a diverse palette from solid black, cream, or white to multi-colored options with striking patterns. Cool tones like gray, blue, and green marble granites pair well with stainless steel appliances and chrome fixtures. Warm tones like tan, brown, terracotta, and beige match well with brass hardware.

Take home samples to view in different lighting. Granite can look dramatically different installed depending on the cabinetry, flooring, lighting, and other elements in the space.

Finishes

Granite's naturally high gloss finish beautifully reflects light. For a soft matte look, many slabs can be honed. Flamed finishes have a textured, rippled appearance. The finish impacts the look and feel underhand.

Veining Patterns

The veining in granite adds mesmerizing character. Flowing veins provide subtle movement while bursts and large clusters make a bold impact. Neutral granite with less contrasting veining evokes a more modern vibe.

Thickness

Standard granite backsplash slabs are 3/4" thick. Go thicker for a substantial feel or thinner to save on cost and weight. Thinner granite can crack more easily during installation.

Matching Countertops

Choosing a granite backsplash that coordinates with the edge details, veins, and colors of the countertop creates a flawless, uniform look. The transition between the two surfaces will feel seamless.

Designing With Granite Backsplashes

Granite backsplashes pair beautifully with a wide range of materials and styles. Consider these design options:

Full Granite Backsplashes

For a striking, dramatic statement, full granite slabs can be installed across the entire backsplash surface from countertops to ceiling. This custom look carries the granite's one-of-a-kind patterns up the wall for maximum visual impact.

Accent Strips

Slim granite strips paired with another material like ceramic tile, stainless steel, or marble make a bold statement. Strategically placed behind sinks or stoves, the granite strip brings out the colors and draws the eye to the veining patterns.

Mosaic Granite Tiles

Small granite tiles in mosaic patterns add movement and texture across the backsplash. Thicker grout lines produce a more rustic appearance. Mosaics come in squares, hexagons, or irregular shapes and can be clustered or laid in geometric patterns.

Granite Tile Backsplashes

Larger granite tiles are an easier install than full slabs. Standard sizes include 12x12, 16x16 and 18x18 inches. Tiles allow you to accent certain areas or create patterns like herringbone designs.

Mixed Materials

Consider pairing granite with complementary materials like ceramic, marble, or glass tile. This allows you to build color and texture contrast for dramatic visual appeal. Glass or metal tile next to granite adds modern flair.

Always view material samples together to ensure they complement each other before purchasing. Plan the layout to seamlessly blend the granite with other tiles.

Oversized Subway Tiles

For a trendy look, oversized subway tiles paired with thin strips of granite or marble create an eye-catching geometric pattern. Use various widths of granite between the subway tiles to add interest.

Matching Metal Fixtures

Coordinate metal finishes on lighting fixtures, faucets, cabinet hardware and appliances with the granite's undertones. For example, oil-rubbed bronze pairs well with granite containing brown, black and copper colored veining.

Professional Installation

Measurement

The installer will take precise measurements to custom cut the granite pieces to fit your space. Even small measurement mistakes can lead to cracks during installation.

Cutting and Shaping

Granite cutting requires diamond-bladed saws and cutting tools. Complex curved cuts may need to be formed by hand. Holes are drilled for the faucet, soap dispenser, and outlets.

Adhering the Granite

Granite pieces are set on mortar, epoxy, or silicone adhesive. Proper adhesion prevents cracking, chipping or sagging later on. The stone is set with shims to ensure level installation.

Grouting

Epoxy grout is ideal for sealing the seams between granite pieces. Unlike cement grout, epoxy is waterproof, stain proof and crack resistant.

Sealing

The installer should seal the granite with multiple coats of penetrating sealer. Sealing makes the granite stain and water resistant.