solid wood kitchen worktops

3 years ago

I am fully aware that they require upkeep (as opposed to quartz, for example), but I would love to hear from people who have them and to know what exactly you do to maintain them? I have heard some horror stories of even a bit of water causing stains (!?). We would ideally have walnut. I just love the look but if they are an impossible nightmare (bearing in mind we have kids) then maybe I do need to rethink :( Can anyone give me positive stories?!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (12)

Sonia
3 years ago
I have oak worktops and they do need re oiling every few months. It doesn’t take long and I do mine in the evening so the worktop is dry by morning. I was going to have mine changed to quartz but the cost was huge and I had a bit of a wobble! So I decided to keep the oak and just oil it more often. I did have black marks around the sink which I removed with oxalic acid. You have to wear a proper mask and gloves but it really does work. Then I used Osmo top oil to finish it. That is the only real drawback as wood and water just don’t mix.

So basically don’t have wood around a sink if possible, but other areas are okay. I do have glass worktop savers to protect the wood. I do love quartz though so worth considering if the budget allows.
Daisy England
3 years ago
We always say to our customers to think carefully before having them. We’ve seen laminate worktops absolutely flooded with water. Some people just don’t wipe up after themselves.

Personally I wouldn’t give them the time of day. Don’t like them even though I sell them. I just think they’re boring and I am so sorry to everyone who has them because it’s a case of each to their own.

There‘s so much choice out there but at the end of the day it is your kitchen and if it’s something you genuinely love then have them, but be prepared for maintenance.
Related Discussions
Solid wood worktops
Q
Comments (11)
Lol panacotta, well I think I could stretch to once every two years :) Thank you! Ruby Who - Oh dear, was it damage by the sink? AJ Interiors - (Helpful as ever! I received my scrubbing brush already :) I don't chop on surfaces anyway. I just wonder why they can't be glazed or laminated like my dining table. Going to speak to the chippy about that! Thank you everyone!
...See More
Solid Worktops over 3 metres
Q
Comments (8)
Helen, I really would not worry too much about weak joints. As long as the base units are fixed, firm and level, with lots of support it will be fine. Do not choose from a small granite sample, unless it is utterly consistent and uniform. I almost always/whenever possible get my clients to choose the slabs. Then rather like choosing a picture, each one is unique. If you need more than one slab, make sure it is the next in the block. Depending on the granite/marble you might find - one at 3.5 metres, but I would not worry about it. As said by others above otherwise you can go for a man-made material such as Minerva. We have recently used Carrara White Minerva a fair bit as you can make seamless joints, its cool to the touch like natural stone and looks like Carrara. A picture of a recent kitchen by us using Carrara white Minerva Granite with two joints in front of the hob Green painted kitchen with two under-mounted sinks and a joint onto the other worktop run
...See More
worktop for large kitchen/diner with wood flooring
Q
Comments (4)
Hi Cloughie, A number of my clients have wood with wood and it works well IF you choose the right woods. Since you have your floorboards in situ already I assume their colour is fixed. Whatever it is choose a work surface that contrasts with them, not blends with them. You don't want your work surface to look like your floor. If you have an oak floor choose a really dark work surface or a really light one. I think you will understand my meaning. So long as it's completely different you shouldn't need to worry about clashing. Best of luck. Yasmin
...See More
Which paint for kitchen (white cabinets, black worktop, wooden floor)
Q
Comments (4)
I always like white units and wood, so great that the floor is wood so you could add more wood with shelving and chopping boards. Pic below. Or a mid grey can look nice like the second pic which is Dulux Chic Shadow.
...See More
HU-263008917
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you for both of your replies. Sonia - that’s very helpful to know about the black masks and yes, reoiling is something I’ll be prepared to do. Daisy, thank you for your input - each to their own, I think paired with the right cabinets, wood worktops can look beautiful.
Sonia
3 years ago
There certainly is a warmth about wooden worktops that many other materials just cannot replicate 😊
PRO
Hannah Hopkins Interiors
3 years ago
Hello, I think solid wood worktops look stunning. I had them in my old house and for the 2 years I was there I did not have to re-oil them at all because I looked after them well. I did not put anything hot straight on to them and I made sure all water and splash marks were wiped down straight away. One good thing about wooden tops is that if you do mark them you know it will come out by sanding and re-oiling them. You already know that wooden worktops are not as practical as quartz but they do bring warmth to an interior and look really striking when paired with the right colours. If this is what you have your heart set on then go for it but I would advise taking extra care with having children. You may decide that you want to have a quartz top in the areas where you have got your sink and hob and then keep the wooden tops to an area you do not use so much. I use wooden overhangs a lot in my designs where I have got casual seating such as on an island or breakfast bar. This works really well and does look really effective especially if you have got other bits of oak or walnut within your kitchen.
jcbuysandsells
3 years ago
I've had wood worktops (maple) for over 20 years and they are still going strong and look lovely. I've re-oiled them about half a dozen times. I had them sanded back about 4 years ago, after I'd neglected them for a few years, to get rid of some tea/coffee stains. They came up beautifully. The sink is set on the wood and it's been fine but we're pretty good about wiping up around it. The stove, however, has eucalyptus granite either side of it (galley kitchen with hob one side and sink the other). I think my wooden work surface will outlast me!
HU-263008917
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you for your replies...all much appreciated. Sonia & Hannah - that’s exactly it about the warmth; it will make a big difference to the feel of our kitchen. Hannah...interesting idea about the different worktops, hadn’t thought of that.
JC, thank you - that’s very reassuring and helpful.

Think I’m being swayed! :) I’ll try to remember to post a picture once we’ve decided and it’s done!
Juliet Docherty
3 years ago
I love wood worktops, and as a natural product they bring lovely warmth to a kitchen. I have had them myself and didn't find them a problem. The main issue I would have is the actual colour or warmth that they give. Any oil will react with UV light and yellow to a degree, so the colour of the wood to start with is really important. Oak whilst lovely is already quite golden and will really deepen with time. The easiest oils are those that can be reapplied over the odd scratch so whitened oils are not a good idea. Oak with clear oil may go a colour you might not like so much. I would look at different woods and get lots of samples.Another alternative is to add earthiness in tiles such as slate or stone. If you look at Rustic Kitchens on Pinterest there are some lively examples.
HU-263008917
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks, Colourhappy.....out of interest, have you much experience with walnut worktops, and, if so, oil recommendations?

Good tip re other natural materials - due to various reasons the worktop is probably the place that makes most sense in which to go ‘natural’

Thanks
Daisy England
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
RustIns or Liberon tung oil is what you need to apply. Liberon tends to look slightly lighter in colour as opposed to Rustins.
jcbuysandsells
3 years ago
I've always used Rustins Danish Oil on mine.
jcbuysandsells
3 years ago
And apply it with soft cloths - I keep a stash of worn-out white t-shirts for this purpose.

solid wood kitchen worktops

Comments (12)

Sonia

Daisy England

Related Discussions

HU-263008917
Original Author

Sonia

Hannah Hopkins Interiors

jcbuysandsells

HU-263008917
Original Author

Juliet Docherty

HU-263008917
Original Author

Daisy England

jcbuysandsells

jcbuysandsells

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

solid wood kitchen worktops

Comments (12)

Related Discussions

HU-263008917Original Author

HU-263008917Original Author

HU-263008917Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

HU-263008917
Original Author

HU-263008917
Original Author

HU-263008917
Original Author