Engineered stone is made in batches
Two slabs of the same named quartz or sintered surface, from different production batches, can differ in tone and in the scale of the pattern. It is not a fault, it is manufacturing.
Stone splashbacks and upstands, fitted across London
- 5.0 from 26 Google reviews
- 25-year material · 5-year workmanship
- Fitted 5-10 working days from template
Stone running up the wall, cut from the same slab run as your worktop so the colour and the scale of the pattern actually match under your own lights.
Two ways to take the stone up the wall
An upstand is a shallow strip of your worktop material that sits on the surface against the wall, commonly around 100mm high and cut to whatever height suits your tiling line or window sill. It replaces the bottom row of tiles and, more usefully, it hides the junction between worktop and wall, which is always the least straight line in the kitchen.
A full-height splashback runs from the worktop up to the underside of the wall units, or behind the hob from the surface to the extractor. No grout, no tile joints, nothing to scrub. It costs more because it is priced by area, and it demands an accurate template of every socket and switch.
Most kitchens end up with a mix: upstands along the general runs, and a full-height piece behind the hob where the mess actually happens.
Fitted 5–10 working days from template. Deposit at template, balance before installation.
- Upstand height
- Commonly around 100mm, cut to yours
- Splashback
- Worktop to wall units, or hob to extractor
- Best ordered
- With the worktop, from the same slab run
- Fitted
- After the worktop is down
What is involved
How it runs alongside the worktop
The decision belongs at quotation stage, because it changes the tiling plan and the tiler is usually booked before anyone thinks about it.
- At quotation
Decide before the tiler is booked
Upstands, a full-height splashback or tiles: this changes what the wall needs and in what order. Deciding late is how people end up paying for tiling they then cover up.
- Template day
Templated with the worktop
Taken in the same visit wherever possible. Any full-height piece is templated to the actual wall, with real socket, switch and extractor positions rather than the ones on the plan.
- Workshop
Cut from the same slab run
Your upstands and splashbacks are nested onto the same material as the worktop, at the same time, so the colour and the pattern scale carry through.
- Workshop
Apertures machined
Cut-outs for sockets, switches and anything else breaking the face of a splashback, machined to the same drawing.
- Fitting day
Fitted after the worktop is down
Bonded to the wall once the surface below is fitted and levelled, scribed where the wall demands it, and sealed at the junction with the worktop.
- Fitting day
Sealed with silicone, not grouted
The joint between worktop and upstand is a movement joint and it is siliconed, not grouted. Grout there cracks, which is exactly the failure the stone was meant to remove.
Batch matching
Why they are cut from the same slab run
This is the single most useful thing to understand before you decide to add them later.
The difference shows most where pieces touch
A slight batch variation two metres away across a room is invisible. The same variation where an upstand meets the worktop it sits on, under downlights, is obvious and you will never stop seeing it.
Granite has no batch number to rely on
Quarried stone varies from slab to slab by nature. There is no production run to quote and no way to reorder a match, so cutting everything together is the only route.
Ordering later is possible, but we will not pretend
If you decide six months on we will happily cut it, but we cannot promise the batch will match, and we would tell you that before taking any money rather than after fitting it.
Sills, returns and window reveals too
If a window sits in a run, its sill can be cut from the same material at the same time. It is a small addition at that point and a much larger one afterwards.
Behind a hob, the material matters
Granite and sintered surfaces take direct heat without complaint. Engineered quartz has a resin binder and is happier not sitting inches from a gas ring under sustained heat. If your chosen colour is the wrong one for that particular spot, we will say so before you buy it.
Getting it right
What we need, and what is not ours
A splashback is unforgiving of late changes, because a moved socket means a new piece rather than an adjustment.
Confirmed before template
- Final socket and switch positions: moving one afterwards means recutting the piece
- Extractor position and the height of the underside of the wall units
- Hob position and the material you have chosen for the wall behind it
- Upstand height, and whether it needs to meet a window sill
- Walls plastered and at their finished thickness
- Whether tiling is happening at all, so the tiler can be sequenced after us
Not part of this service
- Tiling, plastering or making good the wall above a splashback
- Moving sockets, switches or the extractor
- Cutting new apertures into a fitted splashback after the event
- Fitting to walls that are not finished, boarded or at final thickness
Questions
Splashbacks & upstands: the questions we get asked
If yours is not here, ring and ask. You will get a straight answer rather than a call-back from a salesperson.
01What height should upstands be?
Commonly around 100mm, but they are cut to whatever suits the room. Many people set the height to meet a window sill or to line up with the bottom of a tile course. It is decided at template and costs the same either way within normal heights.
02Can I add a splashback later on?
You can, and we will cut it. What we cannot promise is a batch match, because engineered stone is produced in batches and granite varies slab to slab. Where pieces touch, that difference shows. Ordering with the worktop is the only way to guarantee it.
03Do I still need to tile?
With a full-height splashback in the working runs, usually not. With upstands you will still want something above them, whether that is tile or paint. It is worth deciding before the tiler is booked rather than after.
04Can you cut around sockets and switches?
Yes. They are templated with the worktop and machined in the workshop. The positions have to be final at that point, because moving a socket afterwards means cutting a new piece rather than adjusting the fitted one.
Where this happens
Splashbacks & upstands in your part of London
Twelve neighbourhoods whose housing stock throws up this job most often. Each page covers what splashbacks & upstands actually involves in that stock: the access, the era of the building and what that does to the work.
- Splashbacks & upstands in CharvilleUB4Hillingdon
- Splashbacks & upstands in St Paul'sEC4MCity of London
- Splashbacks & upstands in FairlopIG6Redbridge
- Splashbacks & upstands in WoodsideSE25Croydon
- Splashbacks & upstands in HaggerstonE2 · E8Hackney
- Splashbacks & upstands in Lisson GroveNW8 · NW1City of Westminster
- Splashbacks & upstands in CricklewoodNW2Brent
- Splashbacks & upstands in The WrytheSM5Sutton
- Splashbacks & upstands in Bakers ArmsE10 · E17Waltham Forest
- Splashbacks & upstands in MortlakeSW14Richmond upon Thames
- Splashbacks & upstands in HolbornWC1 · WC2 · EC1Camden
- Splashbacks & upstands in St Luke'sEC1VIslington
These twelve are a sample, not a coverage boundary. We work in 723 Greater London neighbourhoods and out into Surrey, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Essex.
Next
What usually happens either side of this
Every job runs through more than one of these. Follow the thread rather than guessing which order things go in.
Worth reading
Before you book splashbacks & upstands
The questions that come up most, answered in full rather than in a sentence.
Stone behind the worktop, or tiles
A slim stone upstand, a full-height stone splashback or tiles. What genuinely differs between them, why the grout line is the real reason people move to stone, and where tiling is still the better answer.
Read the guideWhich edge profile suits which kitchen
The edge is the part of the worktop you touch every day and the detail that dates a kitchen fastest. What the common profiles are, what each costs you in labour, and how to pick.
Read the guideGetting a mark out of stone
Stains and etches look alike and need opposite treatments. How to tell them apart, what to do in the first minute, the poultice method properly explained, and what will make it permanently worse.
Read the guideChoosing a colour you will still like
Pale surfaces show tea and turmeric. Dark ones show every water spot. Mid greys hide almost everything. An honest account of how the four colour families behave once they are in a working kitchen, and how to judge one before you commit.
Read the guideWhat sintered stone actually is
Sintered stone, ultra-compact surface, large-format porcelain and Dekton are not four materials and not quite one. What sintering is, which of those words is a brand, and where the material genuinely beats quartz and granite.
Read the guide5.0 from 26 Google reviews
Every one of these is on our Google profile under the reviewer’s own name. Nothing here is written by us, and the link goes straight to the source.
01/01
“Great experience from this company, I am happy with the materials, fitting and the team.”
“Absolutely delighted with our new worktop from Worktop WorX. The Capri White finish looks incredible, clean, modern, and really brightens up the whole kitchen while pairing beautifully with the darker cabinetry. The quality of the worktop is outstanding, with a flawless finish and seamless installation that really shows the attention to detail. It’s not only stylish but also feels incredibly durable and practical for everyday use. Cam handled everything from start to finish and made the whole process smooth and stress-free. Professional, reliable, and clearly takes pride in the work. Highly recommend Worktop WorX. We couldn’t be happier with the result!”
“Excellent service and top quality workmanship. The worktop looks absolutely amazing and the attention to detail is impressive. The team was professional, punctual, and very easy to work with. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a premium kitchen worktop! 👌”
“I am really happy with the work! He fitted my kitchen granite worktop really nicely and got the job done on time, just as promised. He was friendly, professional, and made sure everything was done the way I wanted. Would definitely recommend Karam to anyone looking for a great job!”
“We recently had our kitchen worktops supplied and fitted by Worktop WorX using Laurent Gold sintered stone, and we couldn’t be happier with the result. The finish, quality, and attention to detail were outstanding from start to finish. Karem was incredibly helpful throughout the whole process professional, knowledgeable, and always available to answer…”
“We have a new kitchen. Our builder recommended Worktop Worx for our worktop. Now we have an amazing worktop very good price too. Really recommend. They were really good to us. 10/10”
“I used Karem’s services 5 years ago for purchasing and fitting the quartz worktop in my then brand new kitchen. The price was reasonable and the service reliable and spot on, no delays in fitting, misunderstanding or excuses. I recommended him to a friend, who also used his services and they were happy too! If I need to order new kitchen work top again,…”
“Kareem did the countertops dur8ng my kitchen remodel, and I was so impressed that I had him back to do the laundry room as well, which tells you everything you need to know. He is an absolute gem. Shows up when he says he will (which, let’s be honest, is rarer than it should be), does beautifully work, and clearly takes real pride in what he does. The…”
“We recently had a Calacatta Gold worktop installed by Worktop Worx and are really pleased with the result. It has completely transformed our kitchen, much brighter, modern, and high-end compared to our old wooden surface. The team were professional, efficient, and the finish is excellent with great attention to detail. The worktop looks amazing and is…”
“We recently had the Arctic Starburst worktop installed by Worktop WorX and it looks amazing. The subtle sparkle really catches the light and gives the kitchen a clean, modern feel. The Arctic Starburst surface feels high quality, durable, and is easy to keep clean. The finish and installation from Worktop WorX were spot on. Really happy with the result…”
“Excellent service from start to finish. The team at Worktop Worx were professional, friendly, and really paid attention to detail. They listened to what I wanted, gave helpful advice, and delivered a high-quality finish. The worktop looks amazing and has completely transformed the space. Everything was completed on time and left clean and tidy. Highly…”
“We installed new kitchen and got the worktop and splash back from them. Their professional work and commitment was wonderful. Quality of work compared to price was way too good. Thank you guys.”
“Karem did a fantastic job at installing my antique bronze mirror for my coffee/drinks unit. He was really professional and his communication throughout was clear.”
“Professional, polite and friendly service. Very pleased with finished product.”
“Perfect service,the best on this job”
“I am really happy with my worktop. It is beautiful and the service provided was second to none. I totally recommend.”
“Nice work from worktop worx. Highly recommended”
“I recently had my kitchen worktop and splashback done by Karem from Worktop WorX and i am very pleased with the result. From the initial consultation and measurements to the final installation, the whole process was smooth and professional. The attention for details and the quality made the difference and everything was finished to a high standard. I…”
“Lovely team, business and quality motivated, prompt delivery with installation. Affordable prices. Wide range of worktops available. High recommendation”
“Karem did an excellent job on my kitchen. He was professional, reliable, and paid great attention to detail. The finish looks amazing and has completely transformed my kitchen. Thank you! Would highly recommend his work!”
“Really impressed with the quality and finish of these worktops. Great range of materials, precise fabrication, and smooth communication throughout. The whole process was easy and the final result looks fantastic. Highly recommend!”
“Karim is excellent, he did superb job with Templeting and fitting my kitchen, highly recommend”
“We had a fantastic experience with Worktop WorX from start to finish. The team was professional, friendly, and delivered excellent workmanship. We chose the beautiful Capri White worktop, and it has completely transformed our kitchen with its elegant, high-end look.”
“Great service. Super quick and easy communication. I love my new worktop 🥹🥹”
“Great work, super helpful team. I'd definitely recommend!”
“Excellent work and highly recommend. Very professional and did an outstanding job with my worktop. Karem responded very quickly and swiftly, top guy!”
Next step
Send us the kitchen and we will price it properly
Plans, a sketch or photographs with rough run lengths is enough to start. Nothing is payable until we template.