Kitchen - solid wood work surfaces and alternatives?!

8 years ago

Hi! We are currently re designing our kitchen - our preferred look is a relaxed painted shaker style kitchen with oak work surfaces - but pretty much every kitchen designer we've met has tried to put us off them (in a good, honest way!) saying how much work is involved with maintaining the solid wood (sanding, oiling etc) - with the potential for rot around the sink and water areas. What are people's views on solid wood - and what alternatives are there which give the same look but will be perhaps a little more robust? We have (black) laminate at the moment which we inherited when we moved in - it is peeling quite badly which puts me off but I appreciate there are varying qualities as with everything. Someone suggested the ikea ones are quite good and don't require as much maintenance but are more natural than a laminate? We are a busy working couple with two young children - it's not that we won't oil them but this will not be a show kitchen! and I want a kitchen that will last and that I won't look at in a few years and think it needs replacing! Thanks in advance :)

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Comments (3)

Lauren
8 years ago
I love wood counter top's even though they are more work than laminate. There are a number of things you can do to help make life easier in the long run though:

The blackening around the sink is a common issue but can be resolved by getting a deep under-mounted sink which means water won't sit and pool for long periods of time.

http://homefixated.flashpointstudio.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/3043998820-L.jpg

http://www.iichekanpur.org/charming-butcher-block-countertops-for-kitchen-furniture-inspiration/wood-butcher-block-countertops-with-white-sink-and-cabinet-for-kitchen-decor-ideas-2/

Use mineral oil every day for 2-3 days when the worktops are new until the wood stops absorbing it. The use a natural mix of organic beeswax and mineral oil - reapplying every couple of months. This will form a food save protective layer that will keep them looking good. You'll see if you put a drop of water on the top it'll simply bead rather than soaking in. If its starts soaking in you'll know its time to reapply the wax (this also gives it a lovely soft sheen and honey smell).

http://www.woodworkersguide.com/2010/01/30/a-beautiful-beeswax-finish-for-cheap/

Also keeping a couple of glass or marble surface savers out (mine are either side of the stove) so you have a natural landing pad for hot pans etc all help to keep the surface looking great.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Completely-Clear-Float-Glass-Worktop/dp/B007UI3110/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1445726256&sr=8-3&keywords=glass+surface+saver

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-Large-Heavy-White-Kitchen-Marble-Worktop-Saver-Dicing-Cutting-Chopping-Board-/261839901221
mrskain1
8 years ago
Bamboo is another alternative, but I don't know much about it. I thought IKEA might have that too but not sure.
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PRO
The London Kitchen Company
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I tell my customers to think about how they will feel about a kitchen that looks used. If you're comfortable with that then wooden worktops may well suit you, as they will take on the history of their use in stains, scratches and so on. If you want to keep the kitchen looking brand new then definitely don't choose wood.

Around the sink is always the area to focus on and depending on the design of your kitchen you could always use another surface around the sink area (granite for example - as it's another natural material it will work well alongside wood.)

Finally it's worth considering getting full plank wooden worktops , made up as you would traditionally make up a table top or indeed any normal wooden surface. Unlike the small stave worktops (often incorrectly called butcher's block) they won't fall apart if the water gets in, won't blacken along all the endless glue lines and will generally look far better.

NB Oak, water and steel make for black stains, (due to the tannin in oak) so don't leave any kitchen knives sitting in water on the tops.

Kitchen - solid wood work surfaces and alternatives?!

Comments (3)

Lauren

mrskain1

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