Upstand for Kitchen Worktop; Style It in Your Own Way

What Exactly Is an Upstand?

Upstand is a border strip of material, usually the same material as your kitchen worktop, that sits upright against the wall at the back of your worktop. They're usually 60-150mm in height and 20mm thick. Kitchen worktop upstands are an attractive alternative to tiles or splashbacks and come in a variety of styles.

What Is the Purpose of an Upstand?

An upstand forms a seal between the worktop and the wall, preventing liquids or crumbs from falling behind the cabinets. It also helps to make a neater finish against the wall if the wall isn't perfectly straight (which they rarely are) or if the worktop has any small expansion gaps. Upstands can also protect the wall from splashes when cooking or doing dishes, and they are much easier to clean than the wall itself. Finally, an upstand can be purely decorative. Blending the worktop and the wall together visually creates a softer and more pleasing finish.

What Is the Distinction Between a Splashback and an Upstand?

The height difference between an upstand and a splashback (or backsplash) is significant. Typically, anything taller than 200mm is referred to as a splashback, while anything shorter is referred to as an upstand.

Splashbacks are typically used in the area behind the hob (and sometimes the sink) where there is a higher risk of splashes from cooking or washing up. It protects the walls and makes cleanup easier. Splashbacks are frequently made of glass or stainless steel, but they are not required to be. A splashback can be made from the same material as your worktop, or it can be made from tiles. The distinction between splashbacks and upstands is not one of material, but rather one of height and area covered.

Do You Install a Splashback Or Tiling Over an Upstand?

This is purely a matter of personal preference; there is no right or wrong answer. It is whatever you believe will look and function best in your kitchen and lifestyle.

However, if I'm tiling or installing a glass splashback in a kitchen, I won't have an upstand. If I'm only installing a small glass splashback or feature tiles behind a hob, I'll also need upstands.

In any case, I want to ensure that something is forming a seal between the worktop and the wall. 

Another consideration is that the depth of the upstand (typically 20mm) is typically greater than the thickness of a tile or glass splashback. This will result in a small ledge with a thickness difference. This isn't a problem; it's just something to consider aesthetically when making your decision. 

Advantages of Installing a Kitchen Worktop Upstand

After your worktops have been successfully installed, there are a variety of accessories that will give your kitchen a 'finished' look. A kitchen worktop upstand is an essential accessory that not only helps to blend your countertops with the adjacent walls but also serves a variety of other functions. 

Cover an Uneven Wall with a Kitchen Worktop Upstand

An upstand is not only decorative but it can also be used to bridge the gap between a straight worktop and an uneven wall. We recommend that upstands be attached to the wall directly with a suitable adhesive, allowing the worktop to move underneath if necessary. 

Tiling is a Great Alternative to Worktop Upstands

Tiles are commonly used to protect the walls behind kitchen work surfaces, and while they are appropriate in some situations (for example, behind a cooker hob), we believe that an upstand helps to blend the worktop into the kitchen in a more appealing way. You can, of course, use tiles above the upstand if you prefer. 

Upstands are Simple to Install

Unlike tiles, our worktop upstands are extremely simple to cut to size and install in any kitchen. Our solid wood upstands only require a light treatment prior to installation. Laminate worktop upstands are easily cut down and refinished with a laminate worktop edging strip if necessary.