Get the required stainless backguard, as is shown in their diagram, and do whatever counter and splash you want. Island trim is ONLY for islands.

Do lots of research on Dekton. There are mixed reviews here. Some love it, while others have had issues with chipping. It sounds like a fabricator experienced with Dekton is a must.

@Minardi Thanks for your reply reply. Do you think a 6” back guard is enough to protect a quartz backsplash from very high heat searing and stir frying in a wok or should I go with the 17” backguard. Also, do you think the edges of the quartz countertop that jut up to the range top could be damaged by high heat cooking?

@chicagoans Yes, I agree, Dekton also looks like a mixed bag of pros and cons (like all my other choices). I currently have granite that i have never had a problem with but I am really looking for a simpler and plainer aesthetic. Do you have any suggestions?

Well I love my granite, but it’s dark and it sounds like you’re looking for something light. Mine is leathered Titanium, black with white veining. It’s super easy to care for (I just wipe with a damp cloth) and doesn’t show oil spots, stains or etching. I’ve accidentally left half a lemon overnight, and a wine glass with a bit of red wine residue on the bottom, and had no issues. But again, it’s dark.

Some folks here swear by white Corian. I’ve never had it but I would consider it for white counters.

Other than that, for light counters I’d check at whatever stone yards you can to see what they have, and get samples to test. Here’s an article with info on testing:

https://usenaturalstone.org/how-to-be-your-own-stone-sleuth/

I recommend you use stainless behind your cook top and then use your countertop material for the rest of your splash. But yes, extend the stainless well beyond the width of your burners to protect the edges of your splash.

I am one of those, who after granite and marble counters, am now in love with warm white corian. If you love a heat resistant surface, it is not for you. But man, it cleans up so well, nothing stains it. And while I thought plastic would look cheezy, in the end I don't think it does. I have enough other great materials surrounding it, and it is warm enough of a white that it doesn't feel sterile.

@Clyde Kalvin Thank you for your reply and your photo.. i love your set up. I am leaning toward the 17” back guard, and quartz around and above. Hopefully the countertop edges next to the range top will be ok.

@Clyde Kalvin great kitchen and looks fun to cook in! What are your counters?

@chicagoans counters are leathered steel gray granite.

Before you eliminate granite as a possibility, see what the slab yard has in light colored granite. Each to their own, but it's my favorite type of surface.

@melissean I am not sure how the rangetop is but on my range the edge of the rangetop has a 1 1/4 inch strip of stainless. We wok on the burner far left front. We take out the grate so the wok sits right down in the flames. There is a tiny bit of discoloration on the stainless right near this area. I didn’t even think to check if the granite gets hot. I think you will be okay as far as the sides go and using quartz. Just be careful if you wok.

Consider soapstone. Calacatta Oro mimics the marble

Stain Resistance
Highly Resistant: Non-porous; no sealing required.

Like any natural product you will have to find the veining you like.

You'll have your counters for a long time, so it's good that you're doing research! There is a string of posts from a geologist who used to be on the forums. These are old, but IMO still helpful and informative. Here's a link to Part Six of Countertop Geology. It has links to the previous 5. The first post is about white granites.