Kitchen Countertops & Backsplash Installation in Tacoma, WA

Your countertop does the heavy lifting. Your backsplash takes the splash, the steam, and the daily cleanup. The right pair should match how you cook, clean, and live—not just a showroom photo. That’s where Artisan Kitchen Works comes in.

Kitchen Countertops & Backsplash Tacoma

Call Us Now

(253) 204-7271

401 Broadway Suite 100 Tacoma, WA 98402

Need help picking the right surface? We compare durability, stain resistance, and upkeep, then match the look to your cabinets and lighting. Design & 3D selections support can make decisions easier before anything is ordered.

What do you install? Quartz, granite, porcelain slab, quartzite, and butcher block counters, plus tile or slab backsplashes.

Can you match my cabinets and floors? Yes. We help you compare samples and confirm the finish story with your other selections.

What happens first? A planning visit to confirm layout, sink and appliance cutouts, and edge details before templating.

Doing a bigger kitchen project? We can coordinate with full kitchen renovation and permits & project management so the schedule stays smooth.

Need more storage or a new island layout? See islands, pantries & storage. Ready to start? Contact us for a countertop planning consult.

Material Guide: Find the Best Fit for Your Kitchen

Quartz (low-care favorite)

Engineered stone with consistent color and pattern. It is nonporous, which makes everyday cleanup simple. Great for busy homes that want a modern, uniform look. Works beautifully with slab or tile backsplashes (finish boards & edge profiles).

Best for:

  • Low maintenance, consistent aesthetics
  • Busy kitchens

Keep in mind:

  • Use trivets/heat pads near hot pans
  • Avoid harsh abrasives

Granite (natural movement)

A natural stone with unique veining and depth. Polished or honed finishes change the look and feel. With proper sealing and care, granite handles daily use well (integrate into your full remodel plan). while adding character no engineered surface can replicate.

Best for:

  • One-of-a-kind patterns
  • Classic or transitional kitchens

Keep in mind:

  • Seal periodically
  • Choose a finish that fits your cleaning style

Porcelain Slab (thin and tough)

Large-format sintered slabs that deliver a sleek, nearly groutless look when used on counters or as a full-height backsplash. Heat and stain resistance are strong, and the thin profile reads modern.

Best for:

  • Contemporary designs, minimal seams
  • Easy-clean walls

Keep in mind:

  • Requires experienced fabricators
  • Precise handling during installation

Quartzite (natural + hard)

A natural stone often harder than granite, with marble-like patterns. Strikes a balance between natural beauty and durability when sealed and maintained.

Best for:

  • Marble look with better durability

Keep in mind:

  • Confirm specific care requirements
  • Not all quartzites behave the same

Butcher Block (warm, repairable)

Wood countertops bring warmth and a furniture feel. They can be sanded and renewed, which many people love.

Best for:

  • Islands, baking stations
  • Accent surfaces

Keep in mind:

  • Expect periodic oiling or finish maintenance
  • Avoid standing water

Backsplash Options: Tile or Slab—and Why It Matters

Tile Backsplash

Tile is the classic, versatile choice offering endless patterns and textures.

  • Subway: timeless, budget-friendly, easy to replace later.
  • Mosaic: texture and detail for smaller areas or accents.
  • Large-Format Tile: fewer grout lines and a cleaner look.

Pro Tips:

  • Align outlets and switches with the tile layout for clean cuts.
  • Choose grout that complements the tile, and seal cement-based grout to resist staining.
  • In Tacoma’s gray months, lighter, reflective tiles can brighten the room (under-cabinet LEDs & dimmers).

Slab Backsplash

This high-impact option continues your counter material up the wall for a seamless, premium finish.

  • Counter material continues up the wall for a seamless, premium look.
  • Minimal grout lines make cleanup fast.
  • Works especially well behind ranges and sinks where splatter is highest.

Pro Tips:

  • Plan slab thickness and edge return details in design.
  • Confirm range hood and pot-filler penetrations before fabrication.

Tacoma Considerations: Moisture, Venting, and Light

Our local climate means more indoor time and more cooking in cooler seasons. We design for vented range hoods, plan backsplash height to catch steam and splatter, and lean on light-reflective finishes when natural light is limited. Sealing penetrations and caulking edges help reduce moisture issues around windows, sinks, and exterior walls, ensuring your surfaces last.

How We Work: Fabrication & Installation, Step by Step

01

Measure & Template

We capture exact dimensions, sink/faucet placements, appliance clearances, and overhang details. For slab backsplashes, we template wall irregularities for tight fits.

02

Material Selection & Edge Profile

You pick slabs or tiles with our guidance. We confirm edge profiles (e.g., eased, mitered, radius) and returns. For tile, we plan patterns, trims, and transitions.

03

Fabrication

Counters are cut, edged, and finished to your template. Sinks are cut to spec (undermount or drop-in), fixture holes are drilled, and any cooktop or accessory cutouts are completed.

04

Installation

Tops are set level, seams are snug and color-matched, and Sinks are mounted with the correct supports and sealants (sink/faucet install & testing).. Tile or slab backsplash is installed with clean, even joints.

05

Seam, Caulk & Seal

We color-match seams and apply water-resistant caulks at counter-to-splash joints. For natural stone and grout, we seal per manufacturer guidance.

06

Care Walkthrough

We review what to use (and what to avoid), when to reseal (if applicable), and how to keep surfaces looking new.

Care & Maintenance Cheatsheet

  • Wipe with mild dish soap and water, then dry the surface.
  • Avoid abrasive powders and rough scrub pads on polished finishes.
  • Clean splatters sooner around the range and coffee station.
  • Use trivets for hot pans, even on stone and quartz.
  • Use cutting boards to protect edges and keep knives sharp.
  • Do not let water sit at the sink rail or on butcher block seams.
  • Natural stone often needs sealing. We tell you what your slab needs.
  • For cement grout, sealing helps reduce stains and darkening.
  • Re-caulk corners if you see gaps or cracking.
  • Loose sink, standing water at seams, or a shifting countertop.
  • Cracked grout, gaps at the backsplash, or water damage starting.
  • Chips at edges or a seam you can feel with your hand.

FAQs

Both work well. Quartz offers low maintenance and consistent patterning. Granite delivers unique natural movement and, with periodic sealing, handles daily use. We match the choice to how you cook and clean.

It’s a large-format, thin slab installed on the wall—often with the same material available for counters. You get a sleek, minimal look and very few seams, which makes cleaning fast.

We plan seam placement at templating to keep them discreet and structurally sound. During install, we level, pull tight, and color-match the seam adhesive for the cleanest line possible.

Yes. We protect surrounding finishes, handle disposal, and prep the substrate so the new surface sits flat and secure.

Lead times vary by material, schedule, and scope. After templating, many projects move to fabrication and install within a reasonable window. We’ll give you a milestone calendar based on your selections and current shop capacity.

Absolutely. We align sink reveals, faucet reach, and accessory holes with your fixtures. We also confirm cooktop, range, and fridge clearances before fabrication.

For cement-based grout, yes—we recommend sealing to resist stains. We can also discuss grout types that reduce maintenance.

Yes. We walk through eased, mitered, and radius options and show how they look with your cabinet style and overhang needs.

Often, yes. We confirm cabinet support, slab yield, and seam placement so the waterfall looks intentional and holds up to daily use.

Yes. We check cabinet level, overhang, and fastening points before templating. If something needs reinforcement, we tell you early.

Yes. We coordinate sink reveals, accessory rails, and faucet hole spacing, then align the install with sink installation.

Most kitchens do a 4-inch splash or full-height tile. Behind ranges, many homeowners choose a full-height section for easier cleaning.

Yes. We use drop protection and keep the work area contained. We also clean up before we leave.

In many cases, yes. We assess the cause first so the repair lasts, not just the cosmetic surface.

Usually not for like-for-like surface swaps. If the project changes plumbing, electrical, or layout, permits may apply. We can coordinate through permits and project management.

We confirm sink, faucet, and appliance specs before fabrication and share a milestone calendar so everyone knows what happens next.

Yes. If you are remodeling beyond surfaces, start with design and 3D rendering so cabinets, counters, lighting, and storage work together.

See Slabs & Samples / Request an Estimate

Want to compare quartz and granite side-by-side? Curious how a porcelain slab backsplash looks next to your cabinet color? We’ll line up samples and, if you’d like, meet at trusted Tacoma-area showrooms to confirm texture, sheen, and lead times.

Call: (253) 204-7271