Floor tile as cheap back splash?

[Jay Y.]

Hello all,

I have a class C rental which I'd like to do some minor upgrades, will also give me an excuse to raise the rent later on!  Below is what the kitchen looks like, this is 1980 construction:

I was planning to replace the counter top but wasn't sure what to do about the back splash?  I don't want to keep the existing one but am afraid if I tear it off it might damage the existing wall.  Then it dawned on me, I could use the cheap vinyl squares that cost 75 cents at Home Depot to either stick on top or I can take off the existing back splash and stick on the wall behind?

Here's a picture of the vinyl I was thinking of using:

So what do you guys think, good or bad idea?  And I am planning to replace the flooring with the 57 cent ceramic tile from Home Depot as well.

Thanks so much!!

[Sylvia B.]

Here is a bathroom wall I tiled today.

The white 6x6 tiles were $24 for a box of 50 at Home Depot. The glass tile was $11.50. The metal edging along the top was $5. Thinset & grout was about $7. Total cost less than $50, perceptual value is HUGE!

I used the same white tile in a kitchen backsplash without the glass tile this last weekend. It looks fantastic! Crisp and clean, matches the white sink, and sets off the black appliances. The tile is very easy to use. It has nubs on the edges, so no spacers are needed for a 1/8" grout space. The snap type of tile cutter works very well with this tile, so I don't have to break out the wet saw in the winter. :-)