Kitchen worktop - is walnut worth it?

starfish74

It's my first time on here, so please be gentle...

I'm renovating my kitchen on a fairly tight budget. I'd love wood for the worktops but I'm worried that it will rot round the sink and stain (I've been there before). I'm willing to spend a bit more in exchange for quality and durability. My question is, is American black walnut a better bet than white oak? Is it any less likely to rot if it gets wet, or to show stains (I do realise that proper maintenance is probably the most important factor)? Or are they much of a muchness? It's a lot pricier, though beautiful.

Any knowledge/experience gratefully received.

Meepster

American Walnut is a lot better than European or African Walnut and all three of them are easier to maintain than white oak. As long as you follow the instructions and oil them as required, you shouldn't have any problems, even round the sink...

Also, have you thought about Iroko? It's a bit lighter than walnut, but I've always found it to be easier to maintain. Or if you want something really dark, how about Wenge?

starfish74

I'll have a look into Wenge, thanks for that. I did look at Iroko, but I've read that there are ethical issues with it (apparently it comes from the rainforest). So that puts me off.

Do you find walnut easier to maintain because it's tougher than oak? Or does the dark colour help with marks etc?

I don't have a strong colour preference - I just want a wood that will still look good in a few years' time, without being too much of a pain to look after.

11thcommandment

starfish74 wrote: »

I'll have a look into Wenge, thanks for that. I did look at Iroko, but I've read that there are ethical issues with it (apparently it comes from the rainforest). So that puts me off.

Do you find walnut easier to maintain because it's tougher than oak? Or does the dark colour help with marks etc?

I don't have a strong colour preference - I just want a wood that will still look good in a few years' time, without being too much of a pain to look after.

We deliberated about wood worktops and concluded that weren't prepared put in the effort to keep them nice so we went for minerelle after some recommendations. Big mistake!!! scratches when you even look at it! So when we fitted a new kitchen last year we used Granite.

I still like wood worktops and have used them in the bathrooms but put loads of coats of varnish on them.

CKdesigner

Spekva tends to be the best manufacturer of wooden worktops, they 'cook' the finished tops in oil before they leave the factory, the oil virtually penetrates the full depth of the boards. The only issue is generally to get this quality in Walnut from Spekva it would virtually cost the same as granite.

Meepster

starfish74 wrote: »

I'll have a look into Wenge, thanks for that. I did look at Iroko, but I've read that there are ethical issues with it (apparently it comes from the rainforest). So that puts me off.

Most suppliers use FSC certified timber, so this shouldn't be a problem...

starfish74 wrote: »

Do you find walnut easier to maintain because it's tougher than oak? Or does the dark colour help with marks etc?

It is a harder timber, which certainly help and the fact it is darker goes in its favour also...

starfish74 wrote: »

I don't have a strong colour preference - I just want a wood that will still look good in a few years' time, without being too much of a pain to look after.

All timber worktops are a pain, some just less than others...

leveller2911

Hi , I'm a joiner and make kitchens,doors,windows and stairs.I have used American Black walnut a fair bit, It is far better looking than Oak whether its American white oak or European oak(most people wouldn't know the diference).Im not sure where you get the impression it is harder than oak from, the hardest of the 3 above is the American White ,followed by European Oak then AB Walnut.

The ABW holds up well around wet areas ,you get far nicer grain,variation in colour but never router draining flutes in a joint,especially on worktops with thin strips of wood ,glued up to worktop widths.For what its worth I don't make the block worktops,very stable but look cheap and shop brought ones are made up of scraps of poor quality timber and quite often sapwood (which is a big NO,NO).I generally make worktops from 5-6 wide boards.

As for oiling etc, you can use various oils, the more coats you apply the more shine you generally get.They do need oiling at least once a year , do scratch etc, but you can at least re-sand and re-finish which you cant do with granite (which I also like).Hope this is of use ..

One last thing,PRICE: ABW is on a par with prime quality European oak, Americam white oak is a bit cheaper.

starfish74

Thanks for the help everyone! I'm sold on walnut but my husband is dead set on oak. We might have to draw straws... but at least we've agreed to definitely give wooden worktops another go rather than settle for laminate (granite is out of our price range). Last time we had bargain basement beech worktops from Ikea and they haven't worn well, to put it mildly. So this time we're going to look for top quality and make sure it's properly prepped and looked after... or that's the plan anyway!

leveller2911

starfish74 wrote: »

Thanks for the help everyone! I'm sold on walnut but my husband is dead set on oak. We might have to draw straws... but at least we've agreed to definitely give wooden worktops another go rather than settle for laminate (granite is out of our price range). Last time we had bargain basement beech worktops from Ikea and they haven't worn well, to put it mildly. So this time we're going to look for top quality and make sure it's properly prepped and looked after... or that's the plan anyway!

Beech isn't good at all for worktops, its true its hard ,but its very poor in wt areas, around taps etc, and when fitted with underslung sinks(butler sinks) it suffers badly from mould which follows down the grain.

I would try and sweeten your hubby up, AB walnut is much nicer, you quite often get areas where when oiled you get depth to the worktop, almost 3D .I would suggest getting prices for "Block" (narrow strips glued up) from timber merchants and also worktops made for you by joineries, you may be pleasantly surprised and can get purpose made worktops (wider boards,nice grain etc) for the same price..Also beware of OAK block worktops as I said before, very pale strpis of wood is more than likely sapwood and is not hardwearing(softer) and can rot.

PS remember to give the underside of the worktops 2 coats of oil(if you use oil) before fitting,if you don't the worktops won't be balanced and will cup/curl

lagi

Do you like bamboo??? I see that in all the listings too

leveller2911

lagi wrote: »

Do you like bamboo??? I see that in all the listings too

Never used bamboo Lagi, it is cheaper than most ,to be honest I think you get what you pay for.I also like the look of WENGE ,don't know much about the timber but It looks good,tight grain too.Im alway wary of these "new" materials,not sure how they stand up long term,guess Im a traditionalist.:D
I made some samples up , made up from alternating timbers, light,dark,light,dark etc , very very effective , looks classy and different