What is a Kitchen Upstand?

What is a kitchen upstand made from wood? Essentially, wooden kitchen upstands serve as both a practical solution and a stylish addition to contemporary and traditional kitchens alike. Designed to bridge the gap between worktops and wall surfaces, these elegant wooden strips not only protect your walls from spills and stains but also add a seamless finish to your kitchen décor.

Offering a touch of natural beauty, wooden upstands perfectly complement the texture and tone of wooden worktops, enhancing the overall appeal of your kitchen.

The functionality of a kitchen upstand in any home extends beyond its visual appeal, playing a critical role in maintaining the cleanliness and durability of your kitchen space. Acting as a protective barrier, wooden upstands prevent water, cooking spills and oils from seeping behind worktops and causing potential damage to the wall.

This not only simplifies the cleaning process but also safeguards the integrity of your kitchen walls against moisture and staining. By filling the gap between the worktop and the wall, wooden upstands also eliminate hard-to-clean spaces, ensuring a hygienic surface where food particles and bacteria cannot hide.

Even better, in homes where walls may not be perfectly straight, wooden upstands offer a flexible solution to conceal any gaps or misalignments, ensuring a neat and finished look. This often makes them an essential component for any kitchen looking to combine functionality with style.

The visual appeal of wood for a kitchen worktop upstand is undeniable, bringing warmth, character and a touch of nature into the heart of the home. Wooden upstands come with rich textures and varied grain patterns, offering a unique opportunity to create a cohesive look or an eye-catching contrast with the main worktop. This versatility means homeowners can tailor their kitchen’s design to their personal taste, whether aiming for a rustic charm with a rugged, natural edge or seeking a sleek, contemporary vibe with finely finished, smooth surfaces.

Wood’s natural ability to age gracefully adds to its appeal, ensuring that your kitchen does not just look good on installation but continues to evolve and enhance the space. Furthermore, the choice of wood type – from the classic oak and walnut to the exotic iroko and bamboo – allows for a customised approach to kitchen design, making any wooden worktop upstand something of a statement in terms of style and personal preference.

Installing wooden upstands is a process that, while straightforward, requires precision and attention to detail to achieve a seamless and professional finish. The initial step involves accurately measuring the length of the worktop edge where the upstand will be placed, ensuring a perfect fit.

Prior to installation, the surface of the worktop and the back of the upstand should be prepared by lightly sanding to create a clean, smooth surface for better adhesion. Using a strong, waterproof adhesive, apply a bead along the bottom edge of the upstand and carefully position it against the wall and worktop.

It’s crucial to apply even pressure along the length of the upstand to ensure full contact with the surfaces and to wipe away any excess adhesive immediately. For added stability, especially in longer sections, silicone sealant can be applied at the bottom and back edges to create a watertight seal and prevent movement.

Checking the alignment with a spirit level during installation ensures that the upstand is perfectly vertical and flush with the worktop for a polished look. Once installed, allowing ample time for the adhesive and sealant to cure is vital before using the area, ensuring a durable and lasting installation.

Maintaining your wooden upstand is crucial for preserving its appearance and ensuring it continues to protect your kitchen walls over time. Since it is a natural material, wood requires regular care to maintain its beauty and structural integrity. Initially, treating your worktop upstand with a suitable oil or sealant is essential to protect it from moisture and everyday wear. This treatment should be repeated periodically, depending on the level of kitchen activity and exposure to water.

For daily maintenance, a soft, damp cloth can be used to wipe down the upstand. Avoid harsh chemicals that can strip the wood of its natural oils or damage the finish. In the case of spills or stains, prompt action is necessary to prevent the wood from absorbing liquids, which can sometimes lead to warping or discolouration.

For deeper cleaning, a mild wood cleaner can be applied sparingly, followed by a thorough drying with a soft cloth. By adhering to these simple care instructions, your wooden kitchen upstand will remain a durable and attractive feature in your kitchen for years to come, embodying the timeless charm and warmth that only natural wood can offer.

• Wall Protection: Shield wall surfaces from moisture and stains, ensuring a clean interface between the worktop and the wall.
• Hygiene Enhancement: Close off gaps that might harbour dirt and bacteria, making kitchens easier to keep clean.
• Design Versatility: A range of wood types and finishes will seamlessly integrate with or accentuate kitchen decor.
• Eco-friendly Choice: As a sustainable resource, wood will constitute an environmentally conscious element to any kitchen design.
• Adds Texture and Warmth: Introduce a tactile quality and visual warmth that enhances the kitchen’s ambience.
• Long-lasting Durability: Properly cared-for wooden kitchen upstands can withstand years of use, retaining their beauty and functionality.

Incorporating a wooden kitchen upstand into your chosen design is the ideal move once you have settled on the natural beauty of wooden worktops. Embrace the charm and practicality of wooden upstands to ensure your kitchen remains functional with a matching look that is a true testament to your sense of natural style.