Advantages and Disadvantages of Wooden Kitchen Worktops

Worktop is one of the hardest working surfaces in the kitchen. Constant preparations are and sometimes its like a chopping board, it is subjected to knocks, scratches, water and food spills. Therefore when we choose a worktop for our kitchen there are quite a number of criteria that we should consider.

Wooden work surfaces have shaken off their scrubbed kitchen table image and now that timber is being sourced from all over the world, some very durable woods are available (though avoid buying endangered tropical hardwoods if you can: a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) label marks out wood from sustainable source. Wooden worktops need to be sealed to protect them from humidity (particularly in centrally heated homes) and can be either finished with a lacquer, which should be reapplied each year, or oiled every two to three months. Oiled wood is tougher and more resistant to heat marks that lacquered wood and it also improves with age. Another option is t use en-grain wood (e.g. wood that has been turned on end and glued together in blocks). This has the look of a chopping board, is less liable to warp and makes a good cutting surface as it is much harder. Varnished plywood (glued together in layers to give a stripy profile) can also make a good and very reasonably priced worktop. The cost varies according to the type of wood and application: generally speaking, the more hardwearing the wood, the higher the cost.

Advantages:
• The huge variety of woods means great potential for creativity: a wooden worktop can look dark and luxurious (stained oak works well – if you can find it from a sustainable source); warm and honey-colored (reclaimed teak, maple) or pale and interesting (beech, elm, spruce).
• It is warm, mellow, natural and improves with edge.
• Wooden worktop a bit softer and are able to absorb clatter.
• It can be used to soften the hard edges and shiny finished of stainless steel and glass and will also add warmth to a cool white kitchen.
• Can be installed by a proficient amateur.
• Fairly easy to maintain: reapply oil (tung oil, available from DIY stores) or lacquer when needed and avoid harsh abrasive cleaners. Can survive a good scrub if you feel the need.

Disadvantages:
• All wood will warp to some extent in a centrally heated kitchen, though hardwoods will be less affected.
• The joins of end-grain wood can start to open up if not properly sealed.
• Will stain, scratch and burn so be prepared to use chopping board.

I will talk about other types of kitchen worktop in my next post. Stay tune!