A wooden countertop for the kitchen is a familiar and classic solution. It has a number of advantages, fits into any modern style and serves for many years. How to choose the right one?
A solid wood tabletop is not a cheap pleasure, so you should take your upcoming purchase seriously:
Decide on the type of wood. we'll talk about which wooden countertop is more practical next.
Inspect your kitchen countertop before purchasing. The surface should be smooth, without grooves, bumps, notches and, especially, cracks.
Check the humidity. If the countertop has not yet been treated with anything, we advise you to ensure that the wood is properly dried. Conscientious manufacturers have a special device that shows humidity.
Stacked countertops are less susceptible to curvature than solid layers.
Take a closer look at the pattern. Do you like the texture of natural wood? Wood countertops are usually not painted, so a natural pattern should be appropriate.
Countertops made of natural wood have many positive qualities:
Environmental friendliness. Unlike laminated chipboard or other particle boards, solid oak or other wood is completely safe: no glue, resins or other substances are used in its production.
Texture. Just as you cannot find two identical fingerprints, you cannot find identical patterns on saw cuts. You can be sure: your countertop is unique!
Ease of processing. For users, this means that a wooden tabletop can be made to any size and shape. Cuts and milling are also available.
Possibility of updating. If you scratch the laminated surface, you can only replace it with a new one. The wood can be easily sanded down, coated with wax again and it will serve you for many more years! By the way, the shade of the coating is also easy to change using processing: light pine can be turned into dark walnut in just one movement.
Solid wood countertops have several disadvantages:
Difficult care. Everything is relative, but if laminated chipboard can simply be wiped with a cloth, then the wood coating should be renewed every few months: wax or oil is scraped out and evaporates during use. The exception is varnish, but scratches form on it.
High price. And again, everything is relative: compared to 'artificial' materials, wood is not cheap, but it will also last you much longer. But it is 2 times cheaper than stone.
Which headset will look better with?
Let's start with the fact that the style of the set does not matter at all: wood harmonizes perfectly with both classic milled facades and ultra-modern matte ones without handles.
Wooden kitchen countertops can usually be found on white or light-colored furniture. Combined with a white apron, it becomes a bright spot, attracts attention, and adds the missing warmth and comfort to the kitchen.
Black or graphite goes just as well with wood, especially in the case of dark walls. But this combination is not suitable for all styles and not for all sizes - black will make a small kitchen even smaller.
Oddly enough, colored cabinets also harmonize perfectly with wood. You can often find the option of rich blue facades, wooden coverings and white walls.
Green looks no less impressive. Although Red loses, with the right approach you will be able to get a beautiful set
How to care?
So that you don't have to spend a lot of effort on caring for your solid wood countertop, follow the recommendations for working on it every day:
Use cutting boards. Yes, scratches can be sanded off, but it's better not to leave them in the first place.
Do not place hot dishes. More precisely - only on the stand, stains may remain.
Wipe up the water promptly. This is especially true for countertops without varnish: prolonged contact with moisture will cause the surface to darken.
Wipe your table frequently. Have you poured tea? Wipe. Finished cooking? Wipe. This simple action will save energy in the future.
As for direct care, everything depends on the impregnation of the wood. The varnish will last for many years, it is easier to care for, but the appearance is less aesthetic. Wax or oil is less durable and will need to be reapplied every 6-12 months. But at the same time, a countertop coated with oil looks better and is generally considered more environmentally friendly.