Table of Contents
- Popularity of Quartz Splashback Kitchen
- Tiles Vs Quartz Splashback Behind Hob
- Is Quartz Heat Resistant Enough?
- Are Quartz Splashbacks Expensive?
- How Thick Should A Quartz Upstand and Splashback Be?
- Is White Quartz Splashback Difficult To Clean?
- Things to Remember When Installing a Quartz Kitchen Splashback
- So, Are Quartz Splashbacks Worth It?
- FINAL THOUGHTS
- Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Until a few years ago, it was just tiles that we commonly saw in English homes behind the worktop. People loved the funky patterns as wall cladding. Slowly we started getting emails from homeowners asking “can you use quartz as a splashback?" This showed a major shift in our lifestyle and cleaning habits.
Now, though, quartz has taken over the UK market everywhere. Especially in newer UK kitchens where people want a cleaner and more modern look without too many lines or patterns breaking things up.
And honestly, once you see a full quartz splashback installed properly, it’s easy to understand why people like them. The kitchen just feels calmer somehow. Less busy. But before choosing one, most homeowners ask the same thing first.
Can quartz actually be used as a splashback safely? Yes, it can. Quartz works very well as a splashback in most kitchens. But there are still a few things worth knowing before spending money on it, especially around heat, pricing, and maintenance. Because despite how premium it looks online, quartz is not completely perfect in every situation.
Popularity of Quartz Splashback Kitchen
One thing people notice immediately is how seamless quartz looks compared to tiles. Tiles do look stylish, especially for those who love traditional and geometric patterns, but they have got grout lines, and that is what scares most busy tenants. Even when they look nice at first, they usually need more cleaning later on.
Quartz is different. You basically get one large smooth surface instead of lots of smaller sections joined together. In open-plan kitchens especially, that cleaner finish makes a surprisingly big difference.
A lot of homeowners also match the splashback with their worktop. That combination tends to make kitchens look more expensive without actually adding loads of extra design elements. And cleaning is easier too. Not “wipe once and magically spotless forever” easy. But definitely simpler than dealing with stained grout every few weeks. Keep reading for more tips on when can you use quartz as a splashback.
MYSTIC GOLD GRANITE
£360.44
Mystic gold is a medium grained granite cream granite with tightly packed mineral deposits of black and white. The cream granite is suited for countertops. It is recommended for interior and exterior projectsNatural stone Granite does not come in regularly… read more
IVORY BROWN GRANITE
£345.90
Ivory Brown is characterized by the ivory tones and pink highlights on a cream base.The cream coloured granite with quartz crystals and pink mineral deposits The Cream coloured natural stone granite is resistant to hot and cold weather temperatures. On… read more
BARISTA ( CAFE ) QUARTZ
£311.30
Cafe Barista Quartz features undertones of brown, like coffee and chocolate. It shows medium-sized quartz grains and intermittent transparent crystal reflections scattered all over the surface. It appears to be a light brown latte colour, giving your kitchen counters a… read more
Tiles Vs Quartz Splashback Behind Hob
This is probably the comparison most buyers end up making. So rather than overcomplicating it, here’s the simpler breakdown:
Feature | Quartz Splashback | Tiled Splashback |
Cleaning | Easier | More grout cleaning |
Appearance | Seamless & modern | More traditional |
Maintenance | Low | Medium |
Design Variety | More minimal | More decorative |
Installation Cost | Usually higher | Usually cheaper |
Long-Term Look | Stays cleaner-looking | Grout may age faster |
If someone wants that sleek “Instagram kitchen” look people keep saving on Pinterest boards, quartz usually fits that style more naturally. We do have 10+ other surface types, though; click here to Browse Collection.
Is Quartz Heat Resistant Enough?
This part matters. A lot of people assume quartz is completely heatproof because it feels like stone. Technically though, quartz surfaces contain resins as well. And those resins don’t love extreme direct heat. In normal kitchens, this usually isn’t a problem. Behind sinks? Fine. Behind counters? Fine. Near most electric hobs? Usually fine too. The main area installers pay attention to is directly behind strong gas flames.
For example, one homeowner might have a cooker sitting several inches away from the wall and never face an issue. Another kitchen may have flame. closer to the splashback surface. That difference matters more than people think when answering can you use quartz as a splashback. A fabricator will normally tell you pretty quickly whether quartz works safely in your layout.
Anecdote: Quartz Installation at London
There was this kitchen renovation project we came across in London. They had used white quartz for both the worktop and splashback in a fairly compact home. Originally, our customer had planned on white subway tiles for budget friendly renovation. But after installation, the quartz ended up changing the whole feel of the kitchen. The room looked brighter, cleaner, and honestly bigger too because there weren’t dozens of grout lines cutting through the walls visually. The only adjustment needed was adding slight spacing behind the gas hob area during installation. Nothing dramatic. That’s usually how these projects go. Small technical details matter more than the material itself.
Are Quartz Splashbacks Expensive?
Short answer? Yes… compared to tiles. But pricing varies quite a lot depending on the kitchen.
A few things that affect cost:
Thickness of the slab
Brand of quartz
Colour and pattern
Number of socket cut-outs
Full-height or partial splashback
Installation complexity
Sometimes homeowners save money by using leftover quartz from the worktop slab itself. That happens more often than people realise actually. And while quartz costs more upfront, some people still prefer paying once rather than constantly maintaining grout lines or repainting walls later. Still wondering, can you use quartz as a splashback? Click here to get a free quote.
How Thick Should A Quartz Upstand and Splashback Be?
Any splashback is usually thinner than a kitchen worktop. Well, people do install 20 and 30mm ones too, but in an ideal case, slimmer the better for the walls. The most common one is 12mm. This is perfect for kitchens because it looks neat as well as gives the space a light vibe (while, of course, saving cost). These days, Silestone and Dekton have also been introduced in slimmer sizes like 8mm and 4mm slabs. Contact us to check if they are safe for your kitchen.
You know what..oddly enough, thinner splashbacks often look more expensive because the finish feels sharper and less bulky.
That minimal style is what many homeowners are after now anyway.
Is White Quartz Splashback Difficult To Clean?
Not really. Actually, this is probably one of its strongest selling points. Most daily mess wipes away with warm water and a cloth. No special routine. No sealing every few months. No complicated maintenance schedule. And because quartz is non-porous, even a white splashback can easily handle common kitchen spills quite well.
Things like:
Coffee
Oil splashes
Sauce stains
Tea
Everyday cooking mess
Still, that doesn’t mean it’s indestructible. Leaving very hot pans directly against quartz repeatedly is still not a great idea. Harsh chemicals aren’t recommended either. Basic care goes a long way.
So can you use quartz as a splashback or not is also about cleaning and maintenance discipline.
Related Read: What Is the Best Splashback for Kitchen? How to Decide?
WHITE GALAXY QUARTZ
£293.71
White Galaxy Quartz has its sophistication, as it glimmers. But not as expensive as it looks. Our white quartz worktops take your living space to a whole new level by adding polish and sparkle, a cool, solid feel that is… read more
BLANCO WHITE QUARTZ
£274.65
Engineered stone surfaces like Blanco White Quartz are appropriate for all types of indoor work surfaces. Due to its manufacturing, it is exceptionally non-porous and suitable for use in bathrooms as well. This Blanco white quartz worktop is for people… read more
PURE WHITE QUARTZ
£314.00
Pure White Quartz will be the optimal choice. The Pure White Quartz slab design is inspired from Classic Bianco marble which is renowned worldwide and used in various historical designs. The quartz slab recreates the look with additional perks like… read more
Things to Remember When Installing a Quartz Kitchen Splashback
This is the part many blogs skip. Quartz splashbacks look incredible in photos. But in real kitchens, smaller practical details matter too.
For example:
Socket placements become more noticeable on full slab splashbacks
Large walls may still require joins depending on slab size
Very bold quartz patterns can dominate smaller kitchens
Pure white quartz sometimes shows splashes more easily under LED lighting
None of these are dealbreakers. But they’re the sort of details homeowners usually notice after installation rather than before.
So, Are Quartz Splashbacks Worth It?
For many kitchens, yes.
Especially if you want:
A modern appearance
Easier cleaning
Fewer grout lines
Matching worktops and splashbacks
A more premium finish overall
But it still depends on the kitchen itself. Some homes genuinely suit tiles better. Others benefit massively from quartz. That’s why seeing actual slab samples in person matters more than scrolling through edited online photos for hours. Because under real kitchen lighting, materials can feel completely different.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Quartz definitely looks sleek, stays relatively easy to maintain, and creates a much cleaner finish compared to traditional tiled walls. And honestly, for a lot of modern kitchens, it probably makes more sense than tiles now. It looks cleaner, there’s less maintenance, and the whole kitchen usually feels more premium once it’s installed. If you are after a good visual appeal, a worktop splashback combo with the same material almost always looks good. But at the same time, it’s not one of those materials where you should blindly follow trends just because everybody online is doing it. There is a huge colour range quartz is available in. So, think about your kitchen properly first. Do you cook heavily every single day? This matters more than people think.
Email info@work-tops.com for help with the best colour, finish and thickness for your kitchen. Avoid costly mistakes.
Next Read: Can Poor Installation Ruin Costly Stone Splashbacks?
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Can Quartz Be Used Behind A Gas Hob?
Yes, in many kitchens it can. But spacing and heat exposure should always be checked properly before installation.
Does Quartz Get Damaged By Heat?
Can you use quartz as a splashback or not is also about answering critical questions about your cooking habits and kitchen worktop arrangement. Normal kitchen heat? Usually no problem.
But direct intense heat constantly hitting one spot isn’t ideal either. That’s why installers normally pay extra attention around gas hobs.
Is Quartz Better Than Tiles Then?
Depends what you want, honestly. If you like decorative kitchens with patterns and texture, tiles still look great. But for a seamless and modern kitchen, quartz is the winner. Cleaning is drastically much easier with a quartz splashback. Way less effort compared to scrubbing grout lines all the time.
Are Quartz Splashbacks Expensive?
Compared to basic tiles, yeah, usually. But people often feel the cleaner look and lower maintenance make it worth spending a bit extra upfront.
Can The Splashback Match The Worktop?
Yes, and honestly, that’s probably the nicest way to do it. When the worktop and splashback flow together using the same quartz, the whole kitchen tends to feel much more polished and high-end without trying too hard.
