Solid wood worktops - pros and cons?

will-he-payitoff

Been reading about granite worktops, what about wood?

Doozergirl

It's cheaper, it looks lovely but it needs maintenance. You have to oil it regularly to stop it from staining. It can get quite messy especially around sinks. The benefit is that you can sand it if you need to renew the look of it.

I know someone that has varnished their wooden worktop but I really don't think it looks right. You can see brush marks.

andyhop

Orbital sander thro the grades

Final sand to be done by hand

Wipe with white spirits

6 coats of danish oil, leaving 6-8hrs between last few coats

Should last approx 6-8 months of hard use before it requires oiling again

Make sure that when the worktop cut outs for the hob and sink are done that these are oiled before fitting items

Slim4Summer

Wood is beautiful but I would be worried about people cutting/slicing/chopping things without a chopping board and accidentally scratching it - I would have to watch over my son like a hawk so he didnt do that and I dont think it would be worth the stress.
Hope you're hapy with whatever you choose.

cattie

When I was getting my kitchen fitted last year I was warned by 2 people, both with wooden worktops, not to go the wooden way. I took their advice as I certainly couldn't cope with something with high maintenance.

seneca

I decided against wood because of all the hassel. Also, my sister has wood and is forever having to mop up spills immediately. Apparently, you need to try and keep it as dry as possible. Without the necessary care it will begin to go black around the sink. I agree with the poster who mentioned the stress of kids using it.... and even negligent adults!

Have a look for a thread on worktops posted here a while back. Lots of good info.

Jonesya

I'm going to be fitting a wooden worktop but have decided against oiling (because of the maintenance), it's going to get several coats of good polyurethane varnish and then rubbed with wire wool to get a matt finish. Hopefully that will give a water proof, easy to clean finish.

Has anyone here used Rustins, Plasticote - is it better than polyurethane?

babyblooz

We had these fitted and they looked lovely, for a while, but if you wash clothes through in your sink like I do, then any soapy water (detergent soapy I mean) then be prepared for black spots that develop (despite you wiping up every last drop I still missed some areas). Also I left a can of pineapple on the worktop overnight and that also left a black ring. Apparently anything chemical (soap powder) or acid (fruit) can leave a stain if you don't get to it quickly. I just didnt notice and thats how we got the stains. It got to the point where I think wood is just not worth the effort. Also be prepared to coat all faces of the wood with the same number of coats of Danish oil, otherwise the wood bows and its difficult to get it lie flat on the cabinets.

Let's face it, most of us actually USE our kitchens to do stuff in, and thats where the problem is. Ours was fitted for just over a year and it had black stains on despite us being really careful, and in the end, the hassle was just too much and we replaced them. They are in the garage now. We are trying to find something to use them for as they cost a packet!

andyhop

If the wood is sanded and sealed correctly you will have no issues.It is more forgiving than laminate and a 1/4 price of granite!

Oiling the worktops every six months takes little effort

devotee

Had a solid beech worktop (cheap one from Ikea) in my kitchen and had no problems, still looks good. In the beginning I was sanding/oiling frequently but not given it much attention for a while and had no issues. As I'm currently having new kitchen fitted I'll have wood again, solid oak this time.

GAV

Try Osmo hard wax. My friend in Lincolnshire used this and did not have to do anything for 5 years. He then sanded the worktop and re-applied the hard wax. It looks perfect.