Wooden kitchen worktops make an attractive addition to kitchens of any style, from country to modern, and they’re often cheaper than other options, making upkeep simple.
Wooden worktops need regular oil treatments to be nourished and protected against damage from heat or spillages. When properly maintained, wooden worktops are naturally hygienic, especially for those concerned about germs in the kitchen. Installing fresh worktops not only revitalises your kitchen aesthetic but could potentially add value to your house when looking to sell a house fast online.
Read on to see our guide of tips for wooden kitchen worktops and the types of wooden countertops available to see if they are right for you and your kitchen.
Types of Wood for Kitchen Worktops
- Oak: Known for its strength and classic grain pattern.
- Walnut: Offers a rich, dark color and intricate grain.
- Beech: Features a lighter color and a fine grain, ideal for a modern look.
- Maple: Highly durable with a subtle grain, suitable for a contemporary kitchen.
Maintenance and Care
- Regular Oiling: Apply a suitable oil every 6 months to maintain the surface.
- Cleaning: Use a mild detergent and avoid abrasive cleaners.
- Protection: Use coasters and chopping boards to prevent scratches and stains.
Pros and Cons of Wooden Kitchen Worktops
- Pros:
- Aesthetic Appeal: Adds warmth and natural beauty to the kitchen.
- Longevity: Can last for decades with proper care.
- Hygienic: Wood has natural antibacterial properties.
- Cons:
- Maintenance: Requires regular oiling and care.
- Susceptible to Damage: Can be scratched or stained if not properly maintained.
- Cost: Generally more expensive than other materials.
Comparison Table
| Wood Type | Durability | Maintenance | Cost | Aesthetic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oak | High | Moderate | High | Classic |
| Walnut | High | High | High | Rich |
| Beech | Moderate | Moderate | Low | Modern |
| Maple | High | Low | Moderate | Contemporary |
Maintenance
Wooden worktops can last a long time when given proper attention to staining and moisture control, adding warmth to any kitchen they grace. A wooden worktop will add natural warmth and style to your home, but keep in mind that it requires extra care in terms of staining and moisture regulation.
Specially fitted wooden kitchen worktops supplied by kitchen fitting professionals such as Rearo are composed of strips or staves of solid timber carefully selected, graded, and kiln dried to meet domestic kitchen specifications before being assembled into one homogenous panel by finger jointing. This process increases durability while at the same time diminishing any natural patterning, colour, or grain differences that would occur naturally within a piece of solid timber.
Regular oiling of wood worktops is essential to their preservation. An oiled surface helps repel water that would otherwise penetrate its pores and damage the wood, so make use of linseed or Danish oil and apply several thin coats—microfiber cloth preferred—of product to each face of your worktop. Wood will quickly absorb it but you should wait at least eight hours between subsequent coats; doing this will preserve and keep its look.
If your wood worktops show any signs of marks or stains, try giving them a gentle scrub with hot, soapy water. This should take care of most scratches and light stains; more extensive work may be necessary with more stubborn marks and stains. If they show extensive wear, then professional services should be hired to sand and re-oil the surface; it can be difficult to know how much sanding and re-oiling work needs to be done to restore them to good condition.
Versatility
Wooden worktops offer unparalleled versatility when it comes to kitchen design, seamlessly fitting into both traditional and contemporary settings. You can select your ideal wood from an impressive array of shades, such as oak and beech, to the more modern tones of iroko or maple. Each timber offers rich tones to choose from for an aesthetically pleasing interior aesthetic.
Wood stands out as an ideal material choice due to its ability to lighten and darken with age, adding natural character and history to your kitchen as it changes over time. A wooden worktop will remain a central feature in your home for years, making it a smart long-term investment and ideal for family kitchens.
Choose solid wood as the material of choice for your worktop not only because of its versatile aesthetics but also to increase its lifespan and durability. Certain species are more durable than others; research before buying. Options to consider are oak, beech, ash, and walnut as traditional choices; wenge or iroko for dark timber finishes; or birch and ply for contemporary finishes.
Wood worktops are susceptible to humidity and heat fluctuations, so it’s best to keep hot pans or other sources away from direct contact. If necessary, use a trivet or cork mat as protection from hot elements on your wooden worktop.
Wood kitchen worktops are natural antibacterial surfaces, offering a healthy and hygienic solution for busy households. Plus, their gentler surface makes for less likely crockery chipping compared to hard surfaces such as quartz. Finally, wooden worktops tend to produce gentler acoustics than other options when it comes to sound absorption.
Contrary to marble worktops, which must be regularly sealed for hygiene reasons, solid wood worktops can remain bacteria-free as long as their surfaces are treated with food-grade oils regularly. Regular treatment will keep them looking their best while remaining hygienic.
Durability
Wooden worktops may seem impractical and hard to keep clean, but that doesn’t have to be the case! With proper care, they can last generations before needing to be replaced. Protective treatments such as food-grade oil will seal in moisture while providing a natural look that’s easy to keep tidy. Be sure to reapply protective treatments every 6–8 weeks for the best results and an elegant kitchen surface!
There are various species of timber available as worktop materials, from oak to beech, walnut, iroko, and ash. When selecting any worktop material, it is vital that it comes from an environmentally responsible source and is certified so as to guarantee sustainability and ensure no trees are cut down for commercial gain.
Maintaining wooden worktops regularly with oil will ensure they can withstand the demands of modern living. While they may be susceptible to heat damage, trivets or cork mats can easily prevent it. They will stain more easily than other surfaces if not taken care of properly, especially when used frequently with coloured foods like turmeric or pomegranates, which will leave behind permanent stains if cut directly onto them without using a chopping board first. To minimise staining potential, always cut food using an appropriate cutting board before cutting directly onto your worktops!
Solid wood worktops boast the additional benefit of being naturally antibacterial, killing 99.999% of bacteria that come into contact with them within 10 minutes. This feature provides peace of mind when cooking and can even be tested by simply dropping a drop of water onto it and seeing if it forms a bead; this indicates it needs another oiling session!
Natural beauty
Wood worktops can make for stunning additions to any kitchen when used correctly, offering softening effects in neutral or contemporary kitchen designs while adding warmth in traditional homes. Furthermore, unlike some materials like plastic or aluminium, wooden surfaces tend to look better over time as their natural hue deepens with age.
Your choice of wood and stain will have an aesthetic influence on your worktop, whether rustic, country, modern, or minimalistic in design. A dark oak worktop may complement these themes, while lighter hardwoods such as maple or cherry may suit modern or minimalistic spaces better. Also consider edge profile; bevelled edges could work better in professional kitchen environments, while round edges might be safer and more suitable for family homes.
Just as with any kitchen worktop, proper installation and maintenance of wooden worktops is vital to ensuring they last as well as looking their best. Regular oiling processes will make the surface water- and bacteria-resistant, while regular cleaning with mild detergent and warm water will maintain good condition. Use trivets and tea towels when placing hot pots directly onto wood surfaces, as this could result in scorched wood surfaces; use chopping boards instead to safeguard against scratches or marks on wood.
Solid wood worktops made of good-quality timber can last for many years when installed by an experienced kitchen fitter and regularly oiled, but inferior timber or poorly-oiled surfaces will deteriorate rapidly over time. Always opt for quality products installed by professional kitchen fitters.
Wooden worktops offer an ideal combination of hygiene and texture, being easy on delicate crockery while creating gentler acoustics in the kitchen. Plus, this natural antibacterial surface can withstand many germs that spread more readily on other work surfaces!