Upstand vs. Splashback: Your Complete Guide
When designing your dream kitchen, your thoughts may race to the beautiful material options available for worktops, to lighting choices, or to the overall theme of the room.
Perhaps you may have heard of upstands and splashbacks, but are not really sure what their purpose is, or how they can complement and even accentuate your kitchen’s design.
Today, we’ll be discussing the differences between upstands and splashbacks, giving you reasons for installing them, as well as providing a list of the fantastic options available.
Introducing upstands & splashbacks
Upstands and splashbacks have quite a lot in common – as this is what often leaves people confused about the two. Both serve as an effective way of finalising the look of your kitchen and can effortlessly blend your kitchen countertops in with the adjacent wall.
However, there are some essential differences between the two.
Upstands, for example, are primarily used to finish off work surfaces and cover any gaps resulting from an uneven wall and the edge of the countertop. They provide a seamless extension of the work surface up the wall for between 60mm and 120mm.
On the other hand, splashbacks typically run up the wall, to the upper kitchen units, measuring approximately 450mm and often extending up to the extractor fan (approximately 850mm).
While upstands do protect your walls from staining and splatters, splashbacks are typically used in areas where this is most likely to happen, such as behind the sink or hob, as they provide a greater range of protection.
Reasons for installing upstands & splashbacks
We have already covered how splashbacks and upstands can protect your walls from stains, however, to go a step further, they both make the cleaning process much easier by providing an easy-to-wipe surface. You can usually use a mild detergent or cleaner (depending on the surface material) to effortlessly remove spills.
Another reason why splashbacks and upstands have remained popular for years is for the design options they provide, allowing you to effortlessly blend in your countertops with the wall.
Not only do they accentuate the design of your kitchen, but upstands and splashbacks also provide a form of heat protection for the wall, which may otherwise suffer from peeling or heat marks, particularly for areas close to the hob.
Options available for upstands & splashbacks
One of the most satisfying parts when designing your kitchen is choosing which materials to use. Choosing the material is one of the most important parts of the process, as each material has its own properties and qualities to consider.
We have already covered the differences between granite and quartz worktops – today we’ll be taking a closer look at the material options available for kitchen upstands and splashbacks.
Quartz, Marble & Granite
These are three of the most popular materials available for kitchen worktops and countertops, so it’s easy to see why they are also popular options for upstands and splashbacks.
Marble and granite are natural stones, which provide a much sought-after natural look for your kitchen. They are also incredibly easy to keep clean with a simple cleaning solution.
Another benefit of these two materials is that, due to the natural flecks and imperfections in the stone, less attention will be paid to potential splatters or smears.
Quartz splashbacks and upstands are also in high demand, not least due to the range of customisability that quartz offers. During the manufacturing process, pigmentation can be added to the material to change the material’s colour, achieving the perfect design for your kitchen.
Quartz upstands and splashbacks are also extremely durable, so they can withstand any bumps or knocks that come their way, without fear of chipping.
Glass
Glass is another material that is very popular for splashbacks and upstands, providing a modern finish for your kitchen. Although the cleaning process will be slightly different in comparison to stone materials (you’ll need your bottle of glass cleaner handy!), when correctly installed glass can add a fantastic final touch to your kitchen.
Another reason for installing glass upstands and splashbacks is that this material is often specially made to be heat-resistant, perfect for use near the hob or kitchen sink.
Tiles
Tiles have a long history of use as a kitchen design material, and for good reason. Much like quartz, tiles allow for a fantastic range of customisability and can be configured to suit the shape of your wall.
On the other hand, it can be more time-consuming to install tiles, due to the grouting process and the requirement of routine maintenance to keep them looking their best.
If you prefer a traditional look for your kitchen, then tiles can be a great option as an upstand or splashback material for kitchen worktops.
Which should you choose?
Making a final decision about which material to use as a splashback or upstand for your kitchen worktop ultimately comes down to your individual preferences and requirements. The materials we have covered each have their own unique practicalities and design features, however each material can serve as a very effective kitchen upstand or splashback.
If you prefer a more traditional look to your kitchen, then opting for tiles, granite, or marble can be good options for you. On the other hand, for an ultra-modern look, you may prefer to choose from quartz or glass. More often than not, you will have material left over from your slab, enough to extend to an upstand. Be sure to ask your consultant to make the most of your material.
In summary:
Kitchen splashbacks and upstands not only serve a very practical purpose in protecting your walls from stains and heat damage but can be a very effective feature that enhances the overall design of your kitchen. Here at Quartz Kitchens, we work closely with industry-leading suppliers and fabricators across the UK, helping our customers to achieve their dream kitchen using high-quality materials.
To learn more about our offering, we invite you to view our samples online or book a showroom appointment.