I would use a silconized grout at the back splash/ counter seam. Depending on how much movement your house has in season changes and the size of your grout lines, you may want to use this stuff. It is basically a silconized caulk with the matching grout color in it so it moves and stretches where regular sanded/unsanded grout will crack or fall out. I charge a tube to every kitchen I do and our call backs on back splashes after about 6 months+ is greatly reduced. Now, when the that joint cracks, I find out that it was never used in the first place by the installers. Not necessarily a box store item but a real tile store will have the product for sure.
Well, just got back from son's house (got there mid-day Tues.). When we showed up, there were about 15-16 boxes that weren't shaped like the "tile" he originally picked. After opening the boxes, the tiles looked like stone, but turns out they're some kind of layered composite material that looks like stone (more on that later). They fit together pretty tightly, and have a very uneven surface, so no grout. We used Versabond mortar to stick 'em on the wall, and if they ever come off due to anything other than a nuke going off in his kitchen, I'll be surprised. We did some final plumbing, a little trim work, and finished the switches and outlets. Adjusted a few of the mis-aligned doors. So, about the "tiles". About every other one cracked or disintegrated when I was cutting them. There were a LOT of cuts. I'm exhausted. I hate tile work. Despite the obstacles, the backsplash is done, except for the trim. To prove this happened............sorry for the crappy pics. The undercab led lighting made for a lot of glare.
The funny part......not, was that when we realized we wouldn't need to grout, the thought was we'd be done with it in a day. Boy, were we wrong. It took longer than that......that's all I'm gonna' say.
What's the saying? Takes me all night to do what I used to do all night.....or something like that. Wait, what were we talking about?
Very nice project. Turned out beautiful. Does anyone know if you can use thinset or mastic on exterior stone for steps? Mortar alone doesn't hold up very well on flat surfaces.
