We just finished a full-height porcelain backsplash installation in our Oakville kitchen — tile from counter level to the 9-foot ceiling. This was the final piece of our kitchen reno and it transformed the space.
What we tiled:
- Full backsplash area: counter to ceiling (aprox 8.5 ft height)
- Two walls behind the range and main prep area
- Total area: approximately 85 sq ft
- Tile: 12x24 Porcelain in a vertical stack bond, matte white
Why full height:
Short story — our kitchen designer showed us both standard height (18 inches to upper cabinets) and full height. The full height version looked $50,000 more expensive. It was maybe $1,200 more expensive in tile and labour. Not a difficult decision.
Challenges with full height:
- Required 6 cuts per column at upper cabinet and soffit interface
- Had to remove the upper cabinet and re-mount after tiling behind them (2 cabinets)
- Range hood required tile behind and around it — more complex cuts
- More tile needed above upper cabinets (the section between top of cabinets and ceiling)
Cost:
- Tile supply (12x24 porcelain, 110 sq ft with 25% overage): $1,320 (at $12/sq ft)
- Grout (charcoal matte): $85
- Labour (tile setter, 2.5 days): $2,400
- Patching behind unmounted cabinets (minor): $180
- Total: $3,985
Previous partial-height backsplash (same kitchen): was $1,100 for 30 sq ft. The full-height addition cost $2,885 extra. Worth every dollar.