Overview of wooden kitchen worktops

Designers love working with natural wood. Elegant and unique pattern of wood structure fits perfectly into any style and goes well with different colors. The interior looks luxurious and thoughtful when such well-chosen natural elements appear in it. Wooden furniture attracts the attention of guests and becomes the central object of the room. Wood creates the character and mood of the interior. Therefore, it is worth taking the choice seriously. On the other hand, if you follow the recommendations of specialists, then making a decision will be much easier.

In everyday life, “wooden” means something entirely made of wood. In the furniture industry, it is expensive to make 100% natural wood, so products of this kind become piece, exclusive. Usually, Many things are called “wooden” in furniture production: for example, chipboard and MDF boards covered with wooden veneer. Veneer is a thin even wooden layer. Inside the slab there will be pressed chips, so the furniture will be much lighter and cheaper.

It is difficult to work with slabs from the massif: the tree can dry out, deform, and buyers will not like it. Therefore, they came up with a convenient option: glued wood, when the plates are formed from slab (natural wood boards) and glued together. Glued slabs are more obedient; they are not reduced by moisture or drying out, like solid wood products. Such material allows you to realize different ideas and configurations of furniture.Designers went further and proposed to make the countertop itself out of wood, and select the base from budget materials. So the purchase will be cheaper, but the beauty and properties of the tree will remain, and it will be even easier to bring, move and install a suite or kitchen island.

Why is buying and installing wooden furniture so much controversy? The process of working with a tree requires more work, knowledge and experience. Most craftsmen make kitchen furniture from particle boards - simply, quickly, variably. Headsets made of plates - these are the designers: inexpensive, predictable and convenient.

Even after drying, the tree remains a “living” material and requires attention and accuracy from the master.

But if we talk about leaving, there are not so many vagaries at the wooden countertop. Of course, the surface will respond to humidity, temperature, mechanical damage. However, any other material will also lose its appearance if the owners neglect the simple rules of care.

So, the disadvantages of wooden countertops are.

• Price. The price is affected by the size, breed and quality of the wood, the services of a carpenter or joiner, if you buy a finished product. The higher specific wood is valued in professional circles, the more expensive the countertop.
• Delicate daily care. Wood requires respect and special means to extend service.
• The need for restoration. Periodically, you need to update the surface of the countertop.
• Risk of fire. Special compounds help reduce fire hazard.

Fans of wood in the interior focus on its undoubted advantages or advantages, which are much more.

• The natural origin of the material. Treated wood does not emit harmful compounds, which means it is safe and environmentally friendly in the house.
• Aesthetics. The patterns on the wooden canvas are beautiful in their own right. Over time, the pattern becomes more contrast and noble. You can choose the color for the interior from soft light with barely noticeable lines to reddish hues and rich brown and dark, almost black options. The tree has a very wide color palette, which depends on the breed and processing.
• The possibility of restoration. Wooden surfaces can be processed, so the surface can be updated, hide chips of varnish, scratches or traces of hot, making them invisible or completely removed.
• Variability of finished products. The material is universal and allows you to work "turnkey".
• Worktop edge treatment. The edge of the tile products is treated with a special film-tape to protect the product from moisture and maintain its shape. The edges of a tree can be rounded, made straight or curly.
• Endurance. Wood can withstand mechanical damage, temperature extremes, humidity (within certain limits), and sun rays. Other materials with similar loads can crack, break, lose their appearance.
• Durability. Wooden furniture has been around for decades.

Wood of different species differs visually and in operational characteristics. Visually - this is the features of the picture, the natural color of the tree, the saturation of the shade, overflow, contrast. Color can be easily changed using special varnishes, stains or paints. More attention should be paid to the density, hardness and moisture resistance of the tree. These qualities depend on the type of wood.

Products made of beech and oak will last a long time, so the kitchen will be especially good. Of the rare and expensive ones - membrane, iroko, wenge and teak, they will make the interior exclusive and luxurious. A larch countertop is not the most budget option, but one of the best.It is the most hardy breed to humidity and temperature changes, so it costs its money.

It will be easier to look after her. Of the economical options, pine, spruce and birch are distinguished - traditional materials for our region. Also, the tabletop can be made of ash, walnut, cherries, cherries. These breeds look very elegant, giving the impression of a vintage interior.

Wooden elements in the kitchen look great in the form of accent details. If the facades of cabinets can be painted or varnished, it is better to cover the countertop with transparent compositions - oils or impregnations. This surface will come in contact with food, so it’s worth looking for an impregnation marked “may come into contact with food”. Then the composition will make the wood resistant to moisture and detergents.

Covering the countertop with paint is not worth it: due to frequent mechanical damage (scratches, cuts, dents), the coating will need to be updated more often. But you can treat the wooden surface with stain, to achieve the effect of aged wood, then the pattern of the rings will become brighter and more contrast. If the countertop will not be used as a work surface, then it can be painted with colored azure, and then apply the finish layer of the interior varnish.

If we talk about color combinations, then designers using natural wood in the kitchen interior, prefer to combine it with traditional and calm shades: white, blue, green, gray, beige, sometimes dark. These combinations are worth paying attention to.

This rule applies not only to walls, but also to other furniture: the matt green facade of the cabinet is easier to beat than bright pink. Besides, calm colors are better suited for coloring the most wooden furniture. As for the materials, the wooden tabletop is remarkably supported by other natural materials. For example, glass, ceramic, metal and stone interior details.

Whatever solid wood you choose for the countertop, it requires some care. Try to wipe off wet, oily and other marks immediately. If the stain has time to paint the surface, then the trace can be sanded with an emery cloth with a fine abrasive, and then the protective coating is updated. But wiping off immediately is much faster and easier. Absorbing water, the tree swells, and so as not to spoil the appearance, do not leave wet rags, towels on the countertop, use stands for dishes and fruits.

Do not place utensils just taken from the fire on a tree. From this, the wood can darken, especially light species - birch or ash. But the temperature will be around 60 ° C (the temperature of a cup of hot tea or a bowl of soup) the tree will endure calmly. Hot pans are needed for pans and pots. Wooden furniture may absorb moisture or dry out from the constant dry air. Oil and impregnation will help keep furniture in excellent condition. It is enough to carry out the procedure once a year, following the instructions on the package.

You can varnish every 2 years. Before applying, it is necessary to clean the surface of the old varnish with an emery cloth, check that there are no chips or cuts, and smooth it where necessary. By removing dust and debris, varnish can be applied. Wait for it to dry completely so that no traces remain. These rules are quite simple, and we follow many of them every day, working in the kitchen. It is not so difficult to observe them, but wooden furniture will last longer and will become a real decoration of the interior.

You will learn more about choosing a wooden kitchen worktop from the video.