making shelves from worktop offcuts

andrewf75

Has anyone made shelves from oak kitchen worktop offcuts? We were going to get a carpenter to do this from our leftovers, but one guy we had come round expressed doubts over the suitability of the material for shelves i.e he said there is a risk of warping etc which could cause damage to walls if the wood moved.
Any thoughts?

Chunks

I haven't reused worktop in the way you describe. However, given that the worktop is supplied as such (as a working top, so to say, subject to the conditions worktops are subject to) then I don't see a problem with 'movement'. If cut ends/sides can be sealed the (presumed) engineered worktop should be pretty stable. As shelves, might be a bit thick so not so pleasing on the eye?

scottishblondie

My dad made me some shelves out of beech butcher block worktop offcuts. There is no reason for them to warp - after all the worktop isn't expected to! I liked the chunky look of them.

andrewf75

scottishblondie wrote: »

My dad made me some shelves out of beech butcher block worktop offcuts. There is no reason for them to warp - after all the worktop isn't expected to! I liked the chunky look of them.

The worktop isn't expected to because it is held down by various bolts - but they do occasionally still warp and bend.

Yes I like the chunky look as well and the fact that they match the worktop.

Think he's probably being over-cautious and we'll probably go ahead.

Reece_

There's no reason why the worktop would be more unstable than any other oak you may buy to do shelves with, just make sure it's suitably supported and sealed up all the way round, top and bottom and shouldn't have any issues.

jennifernil

andrewf75 wrote: »

The worktop isn't expected to because it is held down by various bolts - but they do occasionally still warp and bend.

Yes I like the chunky look as well and the fact that they match the worktop.

Think he's probably being over-cautious and we'll probably go ahead.

My OH has made 6 tables of varying sizes from wooden worktops, also a breakfast bar, a kitchen trolley, several shelves, and lots of chopping boards from the offcuts, none have warped.

If you start with a decent product and treat it properly, there should be no problem.