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Worktop Customisation ServiceAll about Upstands for Kitchen Worktops
The superior quality and stunning range of worktops on offer at Worktop Express® is complemented by a comprehensive range of worktop accessories and bespoke cutting services that help your new surfaces not only look great, but to fit nicely into your kitchen, too.
Once you have chosen your preferred worktop, we also recommend ordering upstands for kitchen worktops. Upstands are available for both solid wood and laminate worktops.
Solid Wood Upstands
Our sleek, solid wood upstands are treated in exactly the same way as the worktops, ensuring the same high-quality finish. The addition of an upstand allows the worktop to meld flawlessly with the wall, creating a slick, polished appearance.
A unique natural material
Each timber is different but all share several key properties, such as their unique beauty and natural sturdiness. These features are integral to creating the attractive, hardwearing worktops we sell, and it is therefore vitally important to us to source only the very best of each species for our worktops.
However, there are a few other things to bear in mind when considering the organic features of the wood. The structure of this natural material — incorporating many minute, tube-like strands — means that it responds organically to its immediate environment. Temperature and dampness have a particular impact. Indeed, changes in humidity — a regular occurrence in a kitchen — cause the wood to absorb or lose moisture through its tiny, tube-like network.
Accommodating the expansion gap
Alterations in humidity will cause the wood to change in size: shrinking when moisture is lost and expanding when absorbed. This creates the need for an ‘expansion gap’ — a term you may well be familiar with. We advise customers to leave a gap of 3-4mm between worktops and any adjacent surfaces to allow for this expansion/shrinkage.
In this instance, we also recommend that our customers purchase an upstand, which will provide seamless coverage of the gap.
Preventing moisture
When purchasing an upstand you are opting not only for coverage but also prevention. As discussed, wood is a reactive material – however, it really is very easy to keep your worktop in perfect condition. Provided the worktops are oiled and maintained as we suggest to create a water-resistant surface, little more is required (please view our DIY aftercare guide or pre-oiling information guide for correct maintenance procedures). Furthermore, upstands provide an extra measure of protection; acting as a ‘barrier’, these items prevent moisture from forming behind your kitchen worktop.
To learn more about fitting upstands, read our dedicated information guide: ‘How to Install upstands for Matching Solid Wood Kitchen Work Surfaces’.
Laminate Worktop Upstands
To complement our range of laminate surfaces, we also sell a wide choice of laminate worktop upstands. Much like the solid wood equivalents, these serve to help blend your new laminate worktops into your kitchen by continuing the décor onto the wall whilst covering any expansion gaps.
Each laminate worktop upstand is made with a solid core of MDF, covered in the same high-quality laminate wrap as your chosen worktop.
To find out all about installing laminate upstands, read our dedicated Nutshell information guide: ‘Fitting Laminate Worktop Upstands’.
We hope this evaluation of kitchen worktop upstands has gone some way to answering the queries you might have.
Have further questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us, we’re here to help.
You may also find the following guides useful:
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