Wooden or laminate worktops?

10 years ago

We are in the middle of designing a new kitchen and have planned a big island with a sink in the middle of it. I'd love a Belfast sink but apparently laminate work tops won't work with this and it needs to be real wood (can't afford granite). Our budget can stretch to wooden work tops but I've heard they need a lot of upkeep. For those of you who have/have had wooden worktops, are they a nightmare to maintain? Any advice would be very gratefully appreciated!

Featured Answer

PRO

Southpoint

10 years ago

If you have wooden worktops learn to love their imperfections - the indelible circle from a coffee cup placed where the finish had worn out or the burn mark from the too hot pan. I am not a fan of having an undermounted sink with wooden worktops as you expose the end grain of the timber with the cut-out. End grain is very absorbent. You can get away with this if you have a regular routine of refinishing the worktops. You forget it once and you will have permanent stains. If you want consistency and perfection maybe they are not for you. Have you looked at the resin based reconstituted granites which are cheaper. They are sometimes called engineered stone. Some of these are slabs the same thickness as natural stone, which is what you would need with an undermounted sink. Others are around 8mm thick with a lip and sit on top of plywood. This sort are also sold to clad over existing worktops by companies such as Granite Transformations http://www.granitetransformations.co.uk/
You might also consider having two materials, perhaps timber for a breakfast bar area and engineered stone elsewhere. The timber could be at a different level.

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Comments (15)

joanneschofield
Original Author
10 years ago
Hmmm, I'd kind of got my heart set on having wood effect worktops with white units to contrast (and a white sink) so I'm still not that keen on granite, but that's very interesting what you say about the end grain. We have a big old dark wood dining table that I wish/need to keep so that will sit behind the island and hopefully will all match nicely. But the wooden table is 10 years old and has a lot of imperfections on it (all the more so since the arrival of my twin son & daughter 3 1/2 years ago!), however the weathered look just adds to its character. But I'm not sure how happy I'd be with this kind of look on my island......

When you say a regular routine of refinishing the worktops, how regular do you think it needs to be done? And, incidentally, how do you maintain it? I put sunflower oil on my wooden table and it seems to do the job, but as you say there are times I've lapsed and there are a few ring marks that are there forever now.

Anyway thank you so much for your comments, it's so kind of you to take the time and trouble to advise me, I'm very grateful indeed. :)
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PRO
Southpoint
10 years ago
The refinishing would depend on the product you use. I imagine something like sunflower oil would need redoing every few weeks but with a specialist product it could be every six months or annually. I have not used timber worktops recently so I suggest you check with the supplier what they would recommend. Good luck with your new kitchen.
joanneschofield thanked Southpoint
chalkandbell
10 years ago
Hi,

I'd say stick with the wood if that's what you want. Maintenance is minimal for the lovely look and feel you will achieve. I have solid beech work tops (about 3" deep) that were installed nine years ago around a Belfast sink and hob.
I oil it every six months (but have been known to leave it a year!) with Dutch oil. I am still using the same tin the kitchen company left me back then so great value!
Yes, there is obviously an end grain where it has been shaped around the sink but in a very short space of time we got used to wiping around this edge and generally around the sink area every time we ran the tap. You soon become assiduous in this, so much so I now do it without thinking. If you leave water there it will turn black. BUT! Being real wood and very thick you can always sand it away and re-finish it with oil if you needed to. You can't do this with laminate or granite.
The wood now has some little marks and indentations but again, once you oil over them they just look lovely and give the wood age and patina. I personally would never put a coffee cup down on my beech ( have glass worktop savers) but if I did I doubt it would hurt it unless it was left a very long time as nine years of oiling builds up a terrifically hard finish as well as a beautiful colour. After all, butchers blocks are made of beech and they will last for ever (I also have one of these in my kitchen that I oil)
I might add I have another Belfast sink in my utility room surrounded by a laminate (because the cats used to sleep in there and I didn't want to waste good beech block on them!) which the builder cut to shape and then used edging strip to finish. The inside of the laminate has 'blown' from being hit with the water and every time I swoosh around the sink little bits of wood chip or whatever it's made of (something compacted like shavings) comes away. The strip covers it up for now but I know it will have to be replaced pretty soon whereas the beech will go on forever.
Hope some of this helps and good luck!
joanneschofield thanked chalkandbell
karenhenderson
10 years ago
Go with the wood, I have had oiled walnut in two kitchens now, and I love it. The wood is oiled with Danish oil, you will find the more effort you put in on day 1 the better the finish & longer lasting protection.

I am very lax in remembering to re oil every 6 months, but we have a huge 2.4 x 1.4 m Island which has sides too, as well as a shorter 2.1 standard length, and small utility. I can re oil in an evening. I quickly sand with a good orbital sander (sometimes!) and then oil with a rag. If you put it on thick it stays sticky for a few days before it 'cures' but then is a really good finish. I like to go by weather water forms 'balls' on the top, if it doesn't then I need to re oil.

And I put hot cups on it, and occasionally hot pans and never mark it. I have marked my old work top with wet laundry powder and hand soap. But both took a good sand to take the top layer off, and then reoilled to look perfect again.

100% would have it again and again, although not moving again!!! Mine is walnut with cream gloss units, oak with white units will look stunning.
joanneschofield thanked karenhenderson
joanneschofield
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you so much, all of you, for your very helpful advice. It's official - I'm going for wood! As well as all your comments, after I got home tonight I (sunflower) oiled all my wooden table and it looked fantastic, so warm & rich in colour. It was the first thing the hubby noticed when he walked through the door so that tells you something! And I thought that if I can just remember to do this every 6 monthly with the worktops then it really will look fabulous. And that's very interesting about what's happened to your laminate edges Chalkandbell, oh and the tip about wiping the edges dry after use.

This advice is exactly what I was after - the kitchen companies will always say it's minimal upkeep but I really needed to hear from those who actually work with it every day. Thank you all. Love Jo x
0
chalkandbell
10 years ago
Good to hear that! I'm sure you won't regret it.
I would say keep the sunflower oil for cooking and invest in some Danish (not Dutch, doh!) oil as it will provide a really hard finish that will protect your wood.
I follow the instructions on the tin. First I mask around the sink, taps, hob and tiles. Apply in direction of grain with a rag or brush. I use a rag, no brush strokes. Just apply a thin layer. After ten minutes wipe off excess with a clean rag. Leave to harden for at least twelve hours. Repeat. Leave to dry overnight. Then you're done. Looks like glass , beautiful !
joanneschofield thanked chalkandbell
joanneschofield
Original Author
10 years ago
That looks amazing. Yes I definitely agree, I need to improve on Sunflower (although when I'm feeling generous I have been known to treat my table with Olive instead!). Ok I will get some Danish oil in advance and follow these instructions. When it's all done, which currently seems like a lifetime away seeing as we're also getting walls knocked down & extensions built, I'll post a picture. Again, thank you SO much. :)
chalkandbell
10 years ago
Ooh, but exciting too! Can't wait to see pictures
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Wooden or laminate worktops?

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Wooden or laminate worktops?

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