Upstand or full splashback?
An upstand is a short strip, typically around 100 mm high, that sits along the back of the worktop and seals the joint with the wall. It is a neat, budget-friendly finish, and it covers the gap that often appears when stone replaces thicker laminate.
A full-height splashback runs from the worktop to the wall units or the ceiling, often just behind the hob or along a whole wall. It is a bigger visual statement and makes a continuous wipe-clean surface.
Behind the hob
A stone panel behind the hob is easy to keep clean. Your hob's installation instructions set the minimum clearances to walls and surfaces, and they apply whatever the splashback is made of. Heat-resistant stones such as porcelain and granite are the most relaxed choice here; with quartz, follow the manufacturer's guidance on distance from gas burners.
Behind the sink, in hard water
With water as hard as Barnet's, the wall behind the tap gets splashed with water that dries to a white film. Tiles collect scale in the grout lines; a single stone panel does not, and it wipes clean in seconds. It is one of the most practical upgrades you can make in this part of London.
Sockets, switches and windows
Socket and switch openings are cut accurately from the template, so it helps to have the electrics in their final position before templating. Moving or adding sockets is a job for a qualified electrician. Stone window sills and reveals can be cut from the same slab so the window behind the sink matches the worktop.
Matching the pattern
With veined stone or a strong quartz design, splashback pieces can be cut so the pattern continues from the worktop up the wall. Bookmatched panels, where two consecutive slices are opened out so the veins mirror each other, make a striking feature behind a range cooker. These details need planning before the slab is cut.
Edges and finishing touches
The top edge of an upstand or splashback is usually polished to match the worktop edge, and outside corners can be mitred so the stone wraps round neatly. Where the splashback meets a wall cabinet or extractor, we leave the right gap and seal the joint with a colour-matched silicone so it can move slightly without cracking.
Stone sills behind the sink take a lot of splashing. A sill cut with a slight slope or a drip groove helps water run back into the sink rather than sitting against the window frame.
Adding splashbacks to your quote
Tell us which walls, rough heights and lengths, and where sockets and switches sit. If you are already getting worktops from us, the wall pieces can usually come from the same slabs. Use the quote form.
Questions people ask
Can a splashback be fitted later?
Yes, but it is easiest and often cheaper to cut it from the same slabs as the worktops, so the colour and pattern match.
Do you cut holes for sockets?
Yes. Openings are cut from the template, so sockets should be in their final position before templating.
Is stone suitable behind a gas hob?
Yes, with the clearances the hob maker specifies. Porcelain and granite handle heat best; check the guidance for quartz.