When deciding to purchase a wooden countertop, it is necessary to take into account not only the style of the interior of the room, but also the practical side of the issue, since the operation of products made from this material is associated with a number of features that should not be overlooked. You need to be especially careful when choosing when it comes to the kitchen, because in it the wooden countertop will be exposed to frequent moisture and other negative factors associated with the operating conditions of this room.
Choosing the right wood for your kitchen countertop
The wood used for the manufacture of such products must have sufficient hardness, because it will often come into contact with various kitchen utensils, and at the same time be stable (resistant to moisture and temperature changes, due to which the wood is deformed). A wooden tabletop made of such material is able to better maintain its geometric shapes and sizes, does not dry out and does not swell. The best combination of hardness and stability indicators arethe following tree species:
- oak;
- nut;
- cherry;
- cherries;
- iroko;
- merbau;
- tick.
In addition to the material, the performance of countertops is also affected by the way they were produced, as well as what coatings and adhesives were used.
Wooden Solid Wood Kitchen Countertops
Products made of solid wood from an aesthetic point of view are the most attractive, since they can have original solutions with a non-uniform surface texture, such as knots, imitation of aging and other effects. However, due to the tendency of wood to warp, wood countertops are not ideal for use in rooms with high humidity and temperature fluctuations that are typical for kitchens and bathrooms.
Modern paint and varnish and other protective coatings, as well as existing technologies, can largely protect wood from harmful effects, but over time they lose their properties and require replacement. In addition, this is the most expensive option, especially if the countertop is made of noble material. Therefore, the array is mainly used for the production of premium products.
However, the white wooden top, made of light natural oak wood, is successfully combined with glass and metal elements. And if the kitchen is made in rusticstyle, this will be the most successful solution, since it is with the help of solid material that you can recreate the former atmosphere of antiquity.
Laminated wood kitchen countertops
The most commonly used products are made of glued wood. They can be made from one type of wood, or from a combination of several. First, a furniture board is made from individual boards (lamellas), from which a tabletop of the required size and shape is then cut out, or lamellas are directly glued together and a finished product is obtained.
Due to the fact that the maximum dimensions of the shield are up to 1.3 m wide and up to 2.5 m long, a wooden tabletop for a table in the kitchen can be made even for a large family. In addition, it is the most suitable option for the kitchen, also because in glued products, the stress in the wood fibers is not as high as in large solid material countertops, and therefore it is less prone to deformation changes.
As for the appearance of such countertops, the variety of design solutions is greater here, especially if they are made of several types of wood with contrasting colors and textures that can emphasize the rational geometry of modern kitchen furniture.
Laminated MDF, chipboard and veneered tops
Laminated countertops made of MDF and chipboard panels are made from pressed sawdust. As a coating, a polymer film with a natural wood texture is applied to almost anybreeds. It is in the greatest demand among consumers due to its attractive appearance, although it is inferior in terms of performance to wooden counterparts.
Top-tops coated with decorative natural wood veneer are also made from MDF panels, but a board made from inexpensive wood species can also be used. The appearance is not inferior to products made of solid material and glued counterparts, but the performance is worse - the veneer deforms over time and peels off from the base.
Pros and cons
Wooden tabletop has such advantages as:
- easy processing of the material, so you can make a product of any desired shape;
- the ability to combine several types of wood in one product;
- material elasticity, which reduces the likelihood of chips and cracks on the surface, which often occur on stone countertops;
- when defects appear, it can be easily repaired, and this can be done repeatedly.
Flaws:
- over time, it is necessary to change the protective coating;
- flammable;
- hot dishes may leave marks on the surface;
- surface can be scratched with a knife.
