Pros and Cons of Wood Worktops
Last Updated on June 19, 2023
When it comes to Wooden Worktops, the first thing that most people think about is oiling and maintenance. It almost feels like a balancing act between the responsibilities that one has to take in caring for wooden worktops and the joy of having completely natural, beautiful solid wooden tops within your home.
Having dealt with over 120,000 wooden worktops, we want to explore the pros and cons of wood worktops. So, let’s delve into it and see if wooden worktops are a good fit for you!
Pros of Wood Worktops:
- They look fantastic
Let’s start with the obvious one and the main reason everyone wants wooden worktops in their home. Worktops are a timeless and a universal addition to your home which look great with all contemporary and traditional kitchen designs.
- They bring warmth and a homely feeling
There is something about wood which creates a warm and homely feel to any room. It is a combination of its warm natural tones and perhaps our affinity towards natural products.
- They can last for generations
Yes, they need to be maintained and oiled, but if done properly, wooden worktops can last for generations to come. They can be sanded, re-oiled and rejuvenated back to pristine condition.
- The only kitchen worktop type that can be repaired
Having worked with thousands of wooden worktops we have seen a wide variety of damaged tops – scorch marks, scratches and rotten areas. Those are all things that happen over the years, but only wooden worktops can be repaired and returned back to their original glory. That is the single biggest advantage of wooden worktops. In fact, that advantage places them ahead of any other kitchen worktop type (granite, marble, laminate, compact and etc.)
- Hygiene – Wood Worktops are Naturally Antibacterial
About 99.9% of bacteria placed on a wooden surface begin to die within minutes. After being left at room temperature overnight, there will be no remaining living bacteria on the wooden surface. It is almost like a superpower!
Hygiene is a top priority for a kitchen surface and that is why wood worktops are one step ahead of the rest kitchen worktop types. You just need to make sure the surface is well maintained with a food-safe oil – we recommend using Osmo Top Oil.
- Wood Worktops are good for your health
Continual exposure to wooden interiors has positive effects that replicate those created by spending time in nature. The positive effects range from reduced stress levels, lower blood pressure and lower heart rate. Those are science-backed facts!
- Wood absorbs sound and vibrations
For centuries wood has been the material of choice for acoustic performance halls and for musical instruments. The main reason for this use of wood is its excellent ability to absorb vibrations and prevent echoing of sound.
- Wood is the most sustainable kitchen worktop type
When we say something is sustainable we refer to its ability to be reproduced continuously over time without compromising the needs of future generations. As long as the timber is sustainably sourced in countries where harvesting is regulated, wood has the ability to replenish itself and hence it is the most sustainable product you get for a Kitchen Worktop. Globally accepted sustainability mark for timber products is the “FSC Forest Management Certification”. You can ask any of the suppliers for their FSC code. For instance, all House of Worktops® products are FSC Certified and our license code is FSC – C136981.
- Oiling and maintenance are easier than most people think!
This is a big one because there is a widely accepted belief that wood worktops are hard work and require a lot of maintenance and oiling every 2-3 months. However, having oiled thousands of worktops, we can tell you that this is not the case.
Maintenance is defined as the process of preserving a current condition. So, the most important factor in determining how hard the maintenance will be is how well the worktops have been initially oiled.
If you initially sand and oil the worktops correctly, they should be fairly easy to maintain and re-oiling should only be done only when needed. For that purpose, we have prepared a PDF Oiling Guide and a Video Oiling Guide for your reference, which breaks down the three simple steps on how to get perfectly finished wood worktops which are easy to maintain.
Once you oil your worktops, please refer to our Care and Maintenance Guide we have prepared for all wood worktop owners out there!
- Affordable
There are a lot of different variations of wood worktops, here at House of Worktops®, we have 7 different variations of Oak Worktops, then we have the classic Walnut Worktop, the most affordable Beech Worktops and the trendy Iroko Worktop. We have a worktop to fit everyone’s needs and budget.
In general wood worktops are more expensive than laminate worktops but significantly cheaper than quartz, marble and compact laminates. When we consider the lifespan of a wooden worktop, they are most certainly well worth the investment.
- They will mature and get better with age
Wood worktops are not static, man-made products, over the timespan of 3-5 years they will mature in colour and settle in their grain. This will naturally create uneven patches on your wooden surface, but that can always be lightly sanded and brought back to a perfectly flat and smooth surface. Just like fine wine, wood worktops get better and stronger with age.
Cons of Wood Worktops:
Yes, we have given 11 advantages to wooden worktops and we made them look like the ultimate product, almost supernatural, self-healing, anti-bacterial, eternal and sustainable. But just like any other product, they have their disadvantages and insufficiencies and we will be completely transparent about them and the difficulties they can cause you. Thereafter, the choice will be yours.
- They require commitment, work and patience
Similar to any living material, wood worktops deserve and require a certain amount of work and care. You need to sand them, oil them, you cannot clean them with any product, you cannot leave hot pans on them, you need to repair them, maintain and etc.
Solution: Take 30 minutes of your time to learn about the intricacies of wooden worktops. Check out our guides. If you trust House of Worktops with your worktops – we provide you with 60-day dedicated carpenter support for any questions.
- Susceptible to Water Damage
Wood is a breathing material, it continually interacts with its environment and it is particularly susceptible to water. If not properly maintained and sealed, water can seep into the grain of the wood and cause a difference in the moisture balance of the timber and lead to a colour difference called staining.
Solution: Oil your worktops correctly to prevent this from happening! Re-oil them when the time comes. And when needed, repair your discolouration and scratches seamlessly to bring your worktops back to their original glory!
- Can be scratched and damaged.
To be honest, I am not even sure if I can include that in the list of cons, because any kitchen worktop, regardless of its type, can be damaged and scratched. In fact, wood worktops are the only ones that can actually be repaired. But because that is something you need to be mindful of, we are including it in the list.
Solution: Use a worktop saver and use a chopping board, those are the obvious and most important measures. Even if your worktop gets scratched or chipped, wood is repairable, so just refer to our repair guide.
- Installation methods
Wood is a breathing material and as it adjusts to its environment, it will undergo micro-movements and deformations. Because of those reasons, the installation method for wooden tops is different to laminate or marble tops. You need to be careful and cautious when installing them.
Solution: You need to be aware of certain things such as: leaving expansion gaps, using slotted angle brackets, pilot drilling the worktop, using heat protective sheets etc. You can find the full list of our recommendations and instructions in our Wood Worktop Installation Guide.
- Low possibility of irreparable deformations
Wood worktops undergo natural movements and rarely can get deformed beyond use, that is called bowing or cupping. When that happens, mostly there is reason for it. For example, the bottom of the worktop had not been oiled or expansion gaps have not been left and etc. Depending on the degree of bowing, worktops can be repaired, but in some cases they might have bowed beyond repair and need to be replaced.
Solution: Natural movements are the main reason why the installation method is so important. Correctly installing a worktop means that we are taking precautions to allow the worktop to move sideways, but prevent it from bowing or cupping. You can find more details about how to prevent bowing or cupping in our dedicated guide. In House of Worktops, we are trying to offer a solution to every possible problem our customers might have with their worktops. For instance with bowing concerns, because of lack of sufficient support, we offer engraving a steel T-bar reinforcement to ensure the worktop stays flat, regardless of the conditions.
- There is a learning curve! – BIGGEST DISADVANTAGE
Usually, people are not put off by the work that needs to be done, in fact, most find the oiling process relaxing and quite enjoyable. It is not knowing how to do any of those things correctly, that scares people off. Even though each step is straightforward, it needs to be done cautiously and properly, because to some extent this is woodworking and woodworking is all about getting the small details right.
So, how do you precisely store your worktop? How do you install it? How do you sand it? What grit of sanding paper? How do you oil? What oil do you use? How many coats of oil? How do you apply the oil? When do you need to re-oil? How to protect and care for your worktop? And etc ….
That is what scares most people, because if they do not get it right, they might end up with a staining worktop in the middle of their kitchen. And amidst everything that is happening to us on a daily basis, headache-kitchen worktops are the last thing that anyone needs.
So, you have the right to be scared, but that is why we are here.
Our solution: Let us help you make sure your worktop lasts for generations and let us make it simple for you.
Here is how you:
– Store Your Worktop
– Install
– Oil (Written Guide and Video Guide)
– Repair (when needed)
– Re-oil (when needed)
– Maintain and Care For
And last but not least, here are our contact details. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch with us, we would be more than happy to help and support you!
Email: [email protected] & [email protected]
Phone: 01727260688
Conclusion
Wood worktops require you to get your hands dirty and require you to learn and acquire some wood-working skills. At the end of the day, when they are sitting at the heart of your kitchen with all their natural features and warm colorations, they will surely be worth the hassle.
If you have any questions about anything worktop related, please do not hesitate to
get in touch with us!
You can find us at 01727260688 or [email protected]
https://houseofworktops.co.uk/
Enjoy your kitchen and wood worktops!
For additional topics please check the links below:
1) How to Oil Your Worktops with Osmo?
2) How to apply Danish Oil on your worktop?
3) How to repair a scratch on a Wooden Worktop?
4) A comprehensive comparison of all Wood Worktop Oils.
5) Kitchen Worktop Height: Everything You Need To Know
7) How to Store Wood Worktops?
8) Worktop Installation Guide
9) Care & Maintenance Guide for Wood Worktops