Upstands for granite worktops

Upstands are the strips of granite that are fixed to the wall at the back of the granite worktop. They are usually about 100mm high and 20mm thick although you can have them any height you want from about 50mm up.

I always recommend them as in my experience walls, even in new houses, are never straight and the upstands will cover any gaps at the back of the granite worktop. When installing we have a tolerance of up to 10mm at the back which is often needed in order to get the worktops into position. Therefore if you're not tilling they are essential.

You can tile down to the top of the upstand or fill any gaps behind the upstand with decorators caulk and paint it the same colour as the wall. Besides the practical reasons for upstands there is also the fact that they look great and really finish off a beautiful granite worktop.

Robert Shaw