Solid wood worktops

Miles16v

Hi,

We are in the process of planning a new kitchen and I quite fancy solid oak worktops.

I understand that they'll need oiling every 3 months or so which I am happy to do, however I am concerned how they will survive our busy and sometimes untidy lifestyles.

For instance there are alway dried coffee stains around our kettle, wet dishes on the side and a wet sponge behind the sink, which of course wipe cleanly from our current laminate surface.

Would this behaviour ruin real wood?

It would be good to hear from others with real wood surfaces to hear how they've been used on a day to day basis and how they have held up over time.

The last thing I want to do is spend is the extra cash trying to get a better kitchen for it to only be a nightmare that looks really bad very quickly.

Any advice much appreciated.

andyhop

Use osmo top oil , oil all sides twice before fitting . The more coats you give the more durable it will become

You still won't be able to leave wet plates or cloths as this will eventually penetrate the oil and react with the tannin which will turn the oak black

Clive_Woody

I would advise against this. Friends who had solid wood worktops and a busy life now have solid wood work tops with lots of marks.

Miskate

We have wooden surfaces and I much prefer the look ofthem to laminate. When black marks to appear, we simply sand them off and it looks good as new again.

cyclonebri1

Miles16v wrote: »

Hi,

We are in the process of planning a new kitchen and I quite fancy solid oak worktops.

I understand that they'll need oiling every 3 months or so which I am happy to do, however I am concerned how they will survive our busy and sometimes untidy lifestyles.

For instance there are alway dried coffee stains around our kettle, wet dishes on the side and a wet sponge behind the sink, which of course wipe cleanly from our current laminate surface.

Would this behaviour ruin real wood?

It would be good to hear from others with real wood surfaces to hear how they've been used on a day to day basis and how they have held up over time.

The last thing I want to do is spend is the extra cash trying to get a better kitchen for it to only be a nightmare that looks really bad very quickly.

Any advice much appreciated.

It's a definate yes, they will mark quickly.
Given the relative cost and your lifestyle I'd say you are a candidate for granite tops, given that you are prepared to spend a good deal more over the cost of laminate. ;)

Miles16v

Thanks for the replies.

So I suppose that leads onto, once I've marked the wood, how easy is it to fix? Is it really just a case of a light sand?

Next question, any advice on the best oak effect laminate?

A.Penny.Saved

Is varnish or lacquer not an option? It should provide quite a bit of protection from water. Are there any food safe lacquers or varnishes?

Ivana_Tinkle

I don't think wood is a good option unless you like them to look a bit "weathered". If it's important to you that they stay looking pristine then you're going to spend a lot of time worrying and oiling and sanding, and I'm sure you've got better things to do! I love my wood worktops, but that's because I like things to look a bit lived-in, and I live in an old house, so that fits well here, but I wouldn't have then in a more modern house, or with a sleek, modern kitchen.

scottishblondie

Miles16v wrote: »

Thanks for the replies.

So I suppose that leads onto, once I've marked the wood, how easy is it to fix? Is it really just a case of a light sand?

Next question, any advice on the best oak effect laminate?

It depends how deep the damage goes! It's much easier just to not leave wet things on it in the first place.. You get used to cleaning spills etc up pretty quick smart. I grew up in a house with solid wood, they still look good after 25 years in place.

I decided against having solid wood in my house as the builders wanted a fortune for it. Instead I have a block walnut effect Duropal worktop that I really like. They do a nice oak one as well, but I preferred the colour of the walnut.

lisa701

I'm getting wooden worktops soon and wondered how best to clean them. I just use a kitchen spray & damp cloth on the laminate we have now, but what do you use to clean wood?

The small section I have already is treated with osmo oil but as the microwave sits on there it hasnt needed more than a quick wipe with a dry cloth.

jojo_1982

Miles16v wrote: »

Thanks for the replies.

So I suppose that leads onto, once I've marked the wood, how easy is it to fix? Is it really just a case of a light sand?

Next question, any advice on the best oak effect laminate?

I found sanding ours back was a nightmare. A light sand was definitely not enough to get rid of even small marks, and for some reason it always used to be me that did it even though DH was the one who made all the marks! We probably had more worktop space than an average kitchen though (~6.5 sq. m).

That said we are in the process of moving house and want to get wooden worktops in my new place so I obviously haven't been put off by the work that's involved in keeping them looking good. We got a dark walnut though, which I think would hide small marks a lot better than oak.

This is just my opinion but wood effect laminate is awful. If you want laminate for practical reasons, I'd get something that isn't trying to pretend to be something it isn't!

lisa701 wrote: »

I'm getting wooden worktops soon and wondered how best to clean them. I just use a kitchen spray & damp cloth on the laminate we have now, but what do you use to clean wood?

We got special wood worktop cleaner. I was just too scared to use normal stuff.