The oak worktop; a kitchen classic
Last Updated on November 12, 2020
Bringing oak into the home is a very symbolic and patriotic choice on your part, so patriotic in fact, that it is the national emblem of England, so for queen and country it has to be done. All jokes aside though, this is a 300,000-year-old timber and it comes with a heritage that one simply can’t ignore. What else does an oak worktop have to offer other than a rich history?
It has been the choice of designers and builders for centuries and it has been tested over time as being the most durable and arguably the most beautiful of all the timber species. At House of Worktops, we know that bringing this element of old nature with new modern designs into your kitchen also brings a large degree of hygiene that these worktops can offer when compared to stone or steel, making it a favourite among homeowners all over the country.
Why choose oak?
Unique and beautiful
No two oak trees in this beautiful country are the same, and no piece of wood collected from any oak tree is like any other, which means that the collected staves of wood that make up oak worktops produce a surface that is wholly unique in its appearance with the familiarity of this gorgeous timber. Oak tells the story of England and each tree is affected by the environment around it causing marks and growth fluctuations that affect its appearance.
This story can be seen in each worktop oak making for that extra bit of history added to any English home. Your own personal element will be added over time as each oak work surface will collect more stories as it is oiled, has wine spilt on it, and shows the marks of use over the years. It will develop a character reminiscent of those old English kitchens that no other work surface can manage.
Matching – There is nothing that doesn’t match with oak, any colour or texture you choose can go with it from white walls to bevelled glossy tiles, by choosing an oak worktop you can easily match it to your own taste.
Timeless – If we are talking about timeless style then the best choice is always going to be oak as it never goes out of style and will still be fashionable and functional for generations to come.
Functionality
Putting the romantic history and beauty of oak aside, there has to be a strong element of functionality that comes into play for your kitchen; there is a reason that bakers and chefs alike use oak worktops as their first choice when it comes to cooking and this is for a number of reasons:
Durable – Some of the oldest kitchens in the UK still sport their original oak worktops that were set in place when the properties were built. These are still functional today and have a certain nostalgic element about them as they have developed their own character with time and use.
Hygienic – Wood in general, including oak, is naturally antimicrobial and hygienic which is another reason that it is the prime choice for cooks all over the world. It is easy to clean and all the maintenance needed is an oiling every 6 months to stop cracks that could cause food to collect and rot.