Wood kitchen worktop advice.

GSDog

I'm in the process of designing my kitchen and will be going to Howdens tomorrow to get a quote for the kitchen cabinets.

I've heard good things about Black walnut, Iroko and Nyatoh wooden worktops. Are these good choices? I'm looking for a durable medium/dark coloured wood. My parents have beech in their kitchen which they got from magnets and it's got this horrible black mould all around the sink area despite being oiled every 6 months or so.

Lastly, I don't know where to buy the worktop from or how it'll be fitted. Would I need a company to come around and template before fitting the worktop? Where do you recommend I buy it from?

DirectDebacle

I've heard good things about Black walnut, Iroko and Nyatoh wooden worktops.

Consider oak and wenge.

My parents have beech in their kitchen which they got from magnets and it's got this horrible black mould all around the sink area despite being oiled every 6 months or so.

This has happened because either the tops wern't oiled sufficiently in the first place and/or poor maintenance. Oil is water resistant not waterproof. If water is on a properly oiled wooden top then it will separate and form beads. If it doesn't and just pools then time to re-oil. Wet areas will need re-oiling at least every 3 months and water shouldn't be left to stand on it for too long.

Many places to buy the tops from. DIY outlets, kitchen specialists etc. Also consider timber merchants. Some of them will offer a laminating service and make the top. You can see and choose the wood and specify the thickness of the top. The thicker the better (50mm would be nice imo) but price increases dramatically with thickness.

Templating is unnecessary. They are best fitted on site where accurate scribing to out of square walls and sink/appliance cut outs are easily made.

GSDog

DirectDebacle wrote: »

Consider oak and wenge.



This has happened because either the tops wern't oiled sufficiently in the first place and/or poor maintenance. Oil is water resistant not waterproof. If water is on a properly oiled wooden top then it will separate and form beads. If it doesn't and just pools then time to re-oil. Wet areas will need re-oiling at least every 3 months and water shouldn't be left to stand on it for too long.

Many places to buy the tops from. DIY outlets, kitchen specialists etc. Also consider timber merchants. Some of them will offer a laminating service and make the top. You can see and choose the wood and specify the thickness of the top. The thicker the better (50mm would be nice imo) but price increases dramatically with thickness.

Templating is unnecessary. They are best fitted on site where accurate scribing to out of square walls and sink/appliance cut outs are easily made.

Thanks.

I've had a look at some worktops from a couple of DIY outlets and kitchen specialists but their prices seemed quite high for the quality of wood on offer.

I particularly like Iroko and American Black Walnut and have ordered a couple of samples from different companies.
I've noticed some people have under-mounted sinks and even drainer grooves in their wood worktops - surely that's not a good idea if it's not meant to get standing water? I'd love to have an under-mounted sink but I guess it'll be even more of a pain to look after?

If I was to order my worktop online I'm not sure who I'd have around to do the cut outs for the hob, sink and taps. I wouldn't like to attempt it myself in fear of messing it up.

phill99

GSDog wrote: »

If I was to order my worktop online I'm not sure who I'd have around to do the cut outs for the hob, sink and taps. I wouldn't like to attempt it myself in fear of messing it up.

You need to get a carpenter in to fit the worktops and cut the holes.

philbostavros

Hi GSDog

When I fitted my son's kitchen about 18 months ago, we got the units from Howdens and he wanted iroko worktops.

As he needed one at 2.5 metres and one at 4 metres, and Howdens only supplied up to 3 metres, we shopped around on the internet.

We chose Barncrest http://www.barncrest.co.uk/iroko_worktops.php as although they weren't the cheapest (nor the dearest), they delivered the next day but most of all, they were exteremly helpful over the phone for any queries/advice.

The delivery driver waited while we unpacked and checked and I was happy with the quality and they look fantastic. A tip though, is to make sure you have someone strong to help unload, especially if like us, you need a 4 metre length, as the stuff is VERY heavy.

As others have said, you need to pay attention to the supplier's instructions for oiling the wortop before installation and aftercare when fitted.

The beauty of wood is that minor damage can usually be rectified - my DIL spilt some superglue on it and a quick light sand and coat of oil was all that was needed. Re-oiling is really very easy - put it on with a lint-free rag - dries pretty quick too.

Good luck
(I have nothing to do with this company - just giving my opinion and credit where credit is due).

GSDog

Thanks.

I was looking at Barncrest the other day and liked the look of their products. I will need a 4m and a 3m length (for the breakfast bar) so I can't get it from Howdens either. I really like the look of the full stave Iroko worktops from here as well: http://www.worktop-express.co.uk/wood_worktops/full_stave_iroko_worktops.html

Did you cut the sink and tap holes out yourself or did Barncrest or someone else do it for you?

Cheers.

leveller2911

GSDog be aware that if you go for Iroko worktops they won't look anything like they show on the websites.The reason for this is when Iroko is planed up the colour can be almost yellow/pale brown.

The timber oxidises on contact with the air and begins to darken and it can takes about 2-3 years to go a nice darker brown. Iroko is nice IMO but only after a few years and also be aware that when sanding it the dust is one of the worse for getting down your throat and it havs bacteria in it so if you get a splinter in your finger it will go septic.....................

Having said all that I do like Iroko worktops in wide boards .....Hope that doesn't put you off..lol

The link below gives you an idea of the colour of Iroko when 1st cut..

http://www.goldberg.uk.com/swatches.html

McKneff

Are you buying it through a company, as far as I know, Howdens only supply through the trade.

GSDog

leveller2911 wrote: »

GSDog be aware that if you go for Iroko worktops they won't look anything like they show on the websites.The reason for this is when Iroko is planed up the colour can be almost yellow/pale brown.

The timber oxidises on contact with the air and begins to darken and it can takes about 2-3 years to go a nice darker brown. Iroko is nice IMO but only after a few years and also be aware that when sanding it the dust is one of the worse for getting down your throat and it havs bacteria in it so if you get a splinter in your finger it will go septic.....................

Having said all that I do like Iroko worktops in wide boards .....Hope that doesn't put you off..lol

The link below gives you an idea of the colour of Iroko when 1st cut..

http://www.goldberg.uk.com/swatches.html

Thanks, that's interesting as I didn't know that! Although I did wonder why the colours looked so different on many websites, etc. I have ordered a sample of both Iroko and American Black Walnut from the company so hopefully that'll give me a better idea of the actual colour.
I think I've decided it's definitely going to be between Iroko and ABW. Unfortunately worktop-express don't do the full stave ABW in 4m lengths. I'll be contacting goldberg and a couple of other companies on Monday for their prices as well.

McKneff wrote: »

Are you buying it through a company, as far as I know, Howdens only supply through the trade.

Yes, luckily someone in the family has a Howdens account. :T

philbostavros

Hi again

I did all the cutting myself - inset sink and induction hob. Oh, an son decided to go for curved end units!

Never done a radius worktop before so tried it out first before cutting worktop to size. Used circular saw to get close to curve then bought a cheapo belt sander from Netto.

Came out really well and as far as iroko, after about 5 coats of the oil that Barncrest sell, they came out a fantastic colour and really sets the kitchen off a treat.

The company will do cutting and treating before delivery but as someone else has said, it is better to get someone to fit, as you need to make sure any cut-outs etc are spot on.

Regards
Phil

Jonesya

leveller2911 wrote: »

Iroko is nice IMO but only after a few years and also be aware that when sanding it the dust is one of the worse for getting down your throat and it havs bacteria in it so if you get a splinter in your finger it will go septic.

Yes I've heard severe warnings about the dust and how irritating it can be. I didn't think it was bacteria though but the natural chemicals/resins which make it so rot/mould resistant also make it irritating.