Oak or beech work top

anna.bloom

Running out of money but want wooden work top in kitchen. Should we go for beech or oak, and anyone know of a good website to buy them from?

We have units 570 deep, so does that mean I need 600 deep work tops?

girl-in-a-hat

Hi Anna,

Not sure where you are but I'd definitely recommend Top Worktops in Barking (www.topworktops.co.uk). It was a bit out of our way (100 mile round trip to check it out) but it was definitely worth it.
I don't want to comment on the size in case I'm wrong. Hope you get what you want, I'm so pleased with ours.

clivejohnson

anna.bloom wrote: »

Running out of money but want wooden work top in kitchen. Should we go for beech or oak, and anyone know of a good website to buy them from?

It all depends. Beech is a very robust wood, and will take almost anything that you throw at it. The downside is that it is also very bland to look at. If you want to add a bit of character, you could ask how much it would cost to have a spalt beech worktop. what this is essentially is a fungus that grows within the beech istelf and the effects can be amazing!
Oak on the other hand is less durable when it comes to things like worktops but it has more character.

You could get a quote for canadian maple as well? very light in colour and when matched well, it will look really spacious.

anna.bloom wrote: »

We have units 570 deep, so does that mean I need 600 deep work tops?

yes it does.

leveller2911

The big problem with Beech is that its NOT durable but it is hardwearing.I wouldn't recommend Beech for worktops when an underslug/Butler/Blefast sink is to be used ,purely because mould will soon appear around taps and the end grain of the worktops.Its not as bad if the sink is an overlay sink because the end grain is somewhat protected.
If your looking for long term durability then go for Oak,Iroko or even American Black Walnut.

Oak is VERY durable, Oak windows can last for hundreds of years ,putting up with rain,sleet,snow and sun...Beech is a NON durable timber.

If your looking for a good worktop,durable and at a reasonable price then try Iroko.When its sawn it can be very pale almost a yellowy/cream,soon oxidises and goes Brown.After about 3 yrs it will be a nice deep Brown.

anna.bloom

Thanks for your replies, really appreciated!

tiff

Ikea do a nice butchers block type one, not sure what the wood is but its probably good value.

premkit

oak every time.
all the jobs i have been to and done, beach is the problem top. having said that it is usually down to the customer not maintaining the wood, black spots, cracking at the joints.

you really have to put the time and effort in to look after it.
also with beach we were stopping putting drainer groves in on belfast sinks as this speeded up the splitting and invalidated the guarantee.

pawpurrs

A second recommendation here for topworktops, just fitted oak from them, and am very very happy with them, you can request a free sample, they are also now selling on ebay, which is where I got mine from, as it worked out cheaper than buying through their own website, as ebay cust got free delivery. I had a bespoke size cut and their price was very reasonable.

premkit

which ever one you choose make sure the fitter seals the underside before fitting. and more important put a heat shield/barrier above all appliances, the heat dries it out to quick.