Upstands vs Splashbacks: Which Does Your Worktop Need?
Where your worktop meets the wall, you need something to stop water, food and grease getting into the join. The two usual answers are an upstand and a splashback. They do the same basic job, but they look very different, cost different amounts and suit different parts of the kitchen. Choosing the right one, or the right mix, makes the worktop easier to keep clean and gives the whole kitchen a finished look.
In short:
- Choose an upstand for a neat, low-cost finish along most of the worktop, especially where you plan to paint or tile the wall above.
- Choose a splashback where the wall takes the most mess, such as behind the sink or hob, or where you want a bold, easy-wipe surface from worktop to wall units.
- Use both together for the most practical layout: upstands along the run, with a full splashback in the busiest area.
What Is a Kitchen Upstand?
A kitchen upstand is a narrow strip, usually 100mm to 150mm tall, that sits on the back edge of the worktop and runs along the wall. It covers the small gap where the worktop meets the wall, which is rarely perfectly straight, and stops spills running down behind the base units.
Most laminate upstands are made in the same decor as the worktop, so the two read as one surface. Our Egger upstands are 4100mm long, 120mm tall and 18mm thick, made to match our Egger worktops, from £91.83. The Kronospan upstands are 3000mm long, 100mm tall and 20mm thick, from £60.50.
What Is a Splashback?
A kitchen splashback is a taller panel that covers the wall between the worktop and the wall units, or a section of it. Where an upstand protects only the join, a splashback protects the whole wall from steam, splashes and cooking grease.
Splashbacks come in many materials: laminate panels, glass, tiles, stainless steel and stone. Laminate splashback panels are a good match for laminate worktops, because they come in the same decor and wipe clean in seconds. Our Egger splashback panels are 4100mm x 640mm x 8mm, and the Kronospan panels are 4100mm x 640mm x 10mm, so one sheet can cover a long run and be cut down to the height you need.
Upstand vs Splashback: The Key Differences
The choice between an upstand and splashback usually comes down to four things:
- Protection: an upstand guards the join only. A splashback guards the wall itself, which matters behind the sink and hob.
- Look: upstands give a light, tidy line and leave the wall on show. A splashback makes a bigger statement and can become a feature of the kitchen.
- Cost: upstands use far less material, so they cost less per metre and are quicker to fit.
- Cleaning: a full splashback is the easiest to keep clean, because there is no painted wall or grout to wipe around.
Do You Need an Upstand in Your Kitchen?
Not always, but most kitchens benefit from one. If you are tiling the wall from the worktop up, the tiles and their sealed bottom edge already protect the join, so an upstand is optional. If the wall above the worktop is painted plaster, an upstand is the simplest way to protect it from splashes and wiping.
An upstand also hides an uneven wall. Walls are rarely perfectly flat, so there is often a small, varying gap behind the worktop. A matching upstand covers this neatly and saves trying to scribe the worktop to every dip in the plaster.
Can You Have an Upstand and a Splashback Together?
Yes, and this is one of the most popular layouts. Fit a splashback panel behind the sink or hob, where the wall takes the most water and grease, then run matching upstands along the rest of the worktop. Using the same decor for both keeps the look consistent and costs less than covering every wall with full panels.
You do not normally fit a splashback on top of an upstand. Where both are used, the splashback sits directly on the worktop in its own section, and the upstand butts up to its edge. This gives a clean line and avoids a step in the wall surface.
Upstands with Tiles: Does It Work?
It can. Tiles and upstands are often combined, with a low upstand on the worktop and a row or two of tiles above it, or tiles running up to the wall units. The upstand protects the join, which is where grout tends to stain or crack, and the tiles add colour and texture above.
The key is proportion. A slim 100mm to 120mm upstand with tiles above looks deliberate. A tall upstand topped with a narrow strip of tiles can look busy. If you would rather avoid grout altogether, a laminate splashback panel gives the same coverage with no joints to clean.
Laminate Upstands and Splashbacks for Laminate Worktops
If you have a laminate worktop, matching laminate upstands and splashbacks are the easiest way to finish it. They come in the same decor as the worktop, so the colour and pattern line up, and they are made from the same durable, wipeable surface.
Our Egger worktops and Kronospan worktops each have matching upstands and splashback panels in many of their decors. If you are still choosing a brand, our Egger worktop review explains what to expect, and our guide to choosing a worktop colour for a small kitchen helps you pick a decor that works on the wall as well as the worktop.
Heights, Sizes and Sockets
Measure before you order, so you buy the right lengths and plan the cuts:
- Upstand height: 100mm to 150mm is standard. Lower upstands look more modern, while taller ones give a little more protection.
- Splashback height: wall units usually sit around 450mm to 500mm above the worktop, so a 640mm tall panel is enough to cover that gap once it is cut to size.
- Length: measure every wall run and add a little extra for cutting and joints. Longer lengths mean fewer joins.
- Sockets and switches: sockets are usually set about 150mm above the worktop, so a 100mm to 120mm upstand normally fits beneath them. A full splashback needs cut-outs for every socket, so mark them carefully before cutting.
Fitting and Sealing Upstands and Splashbacks
Upstands and laminate splashbacks are fixed to the wall with a suitable adhesive, then sealed along the bottom edge where they meet the worktop. That seal is what keeps water out of the join, so it matters as much as the panel itself. For Egger worktops, EGGERSeal is colour matched to the decor, and our guide to using EGGERSeal covers how to apply it and how long it takes to cure.
Fit the worktop first, then the upstands and splashbacks. Make sure the surface is clean, dry and free of dust before sealing. Our guides to installing kitchen worktops and worktop joints and seams explain the steps that come before this stage.
Kitchen Upstand and Splashback Ideas
A few combinations that work well in most kitchens:
- Matching decor all round: upstands and a splashback in the same decor as the worktop, for a calm, seamless look.
- Feature splashback behind the hob: a full-height panel in one section, with slim upstands along the rest of the run.
- Upstand and painted wall: a low upstand with a wipeable kitchen paint above, ideal for a light, minimal kitchen.
- Upstand and tiles: a matching upstand with patterned or metro tiles above, for colour and texture without grout at the worktop edge.
Which Should You Choose?
If you want a tidy, affordable finish and plan to paint or tile the wall, an upstand is all you need along most of the kitchen. If you want maximum protection and the easiest cleaning, choose a splashback, at least behind the sink and hob. For most kitchens, the best answer is both: a splashback where the mess happens and upstands everywhere else, in the same decor as the worktop.
Browse our full range of laminate worktops with matching upstands and splashbacks, or read how to clean and maintain laminate worktops once they are fitted. If you need help choosing, contact Aspin Collins or call 0161 465 4007.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the difference between an upstand and a splashback?
An upstand is a narrow strip, usually 100mm to 150mm tall, that seals the join between worktop and wall. A splashback is a taller panel that protects the wall itself, often from the worktop up to the wall units.
2. Do I need an upstand in my kitchen?
Not always. If you tile or fit a splashback from the worktop up, the join is already protected. If the wall above is painted, an upstand is the simplest way to stop water and spills reaching the plaster.
3. Can you have an upstand and a splashback together?
Yes. A popular layout is a splashback panel behind the sink or hob, with matching upstands along the rest of the worktop. Using the same decor for both keeps the kitchen looking consistent.
4. Can you tile above a kitchen upstand?
Yes. Many kitchens combine a low upstand with tiles above it. The upstand protects the join at the worktop, where grout tends to stain or crack, while the tiles add colour and texture.
5. How high should a kitchen upstand be?
Most kitchen upstands are 100mm to 150mm tall. A lower upstand looks more modern and usually fits below the sockets, while a taller one offers a little more protection on a painted wall.
6. Are kitchen upstands old fashioned?
No. Slim upstands in the same decor as the worktop look clean and modern. They are a practical, affordable finish, and they pair well with tiles, painted walls or a feature splashback behind the hob.
