Solid wood worktops
Becki Manns
8 years ago
We wanted this look for our new kitchen but I am being warned off solid wood. We can't seem to find a faux wood laminate that looks real.
Is solid wood really that bad?
Can't we have solid wood 'laminated' so it is protected?
I'd appreciate your opinions.
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Comments (11)
minnie101
8 years agoBecki Manns
8 years agoRelated Discussions
What colour cabinets go with wooden worktops?md
Comments (5)I would say that almost any colour can go with wood but not all shades of any colour. It tends to work best with more complex / less intense colours. So sage green or grey/blue would go well, but lime green or bright blue wouldn't go so well. Sage or grey/blue are usually available in off-the-shelf Shaker style doors, which you have there. They also go well with other subdued colours, so you could have either of those mixed with cream or pale grey. I wouldn't mix blue and green as you seem to have in your picture above, though, but that might just be my tastes. Also, I was extremely underwhelmed by the quality of oak worktops. They use a fast growing species (there are several species of oak) which has very little character and often a rather nasty orange tint. I chose a birch worktop from B&Q instead, which is much cheaper and has an amazing 'tigers eye' effect once oiled - absolutely no regrets there, my worksurface looks way better than my brother's more expensive oak one. Lastly, I did a lot of research and chose Fiddes Hard Wax Oil to finish the worksurface. Do not skimp on the finish, I've known people who have and they've univerally regretted it. I am extremely pleased with the Fiddes, water can sit on there as long as it wants and never sinks in. I know 2 people who chose different worktop oil brands and they have to wipe water off within 5 minutes or it leaves a mark....See MoreSolid wook kitchen worktops - yes or no?
Comments (7)As a kitchen designer, I always warn our customers of the potential pitfalls of wood if it is not properly maintained, but at the end of the day I LOVE the surface and am always quietly pleased when clients still opt for it after all the warning!! But you really must follow a proper care regime - wipe up spills & standing water quickly, don't open dishwashers before they've cooled, pay particular care around sinks & taps and the dishwasher. You simply must iol them regularly - we suggest setting a recurring reminder on your phone for a weekend (in the week you'll forget!) every 3-4 months and sticking to it religiously. One of the problems is that once rot/damage/discolouration sets in, it can't really be removed. While for many years we used Danish Oil, our current recommendation is Habiol - much improved penetration into the wood, a nicer finish and less risk to nut allergy sufferers. Oh, and perhaps I'm a bit strange, but there is something quite therapeutic about oiling a worktop. Over the weekend I've been giving a lovely oak worktop for a welsh dresser 4 coats from new, and have thoroughly enjoyed seeing the transformation. Or maybe the solvents are getting to me..... ;-)...See MoreSolid wood worktops varnish help !!
Comments (5)Oil will not keep a shine. It penetrates the wood and is used to keep the wood from drying with the heat of the kitchen, it prevents it from splitting and prolongs the life of the wood whilst still letting it breathe, ie contract and expand with different temperatures, as that is what wood does. There is no reason why you can't varnish your wood, you need to pick a very hard wearing Floor varnish. However, you still meet with the same disadvantages with oil............as soon as you put something hot on the surface it will leave a mark. Oil or varnish make no difference with regards food prep, you shouldn't prep on either! You will mark the wood, however, from a hygiene perspective a varnished surface is actually better because it's sealed. Most people will choose to prep and dish onto boards of either more wood or glass. I think most people think that by choosing wood they can do what they like to it, pan and heat wise............it's not the case. The only surfaces that are not affected by heat are natural stone....See MoreKitchen worktops - wood or formica
Comments (2)When you say Formica you mean laminate worktops as there are many brands. Laminate worktops are the easier to maintain. Solid wood worktops require maintenance....See MoreBecki Manns
8 years agoBecki Manns
8 years ago
ruby who
8 years agoBecki Manns
8 years ago
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minnie101