Kitchen design is one of the important stages of repair. Each element of decor has a special meaning, as the whole interior should be holistic and harmonious. When buying quality furniture, the main attention should be paid to the choice of countertops.
First of all, pay attention to what material was used for its manufacture. This is important because the countertop is a frequently used part of the kitchen, the main work surface in the room. It must calmly withstand heavy loads, be resistant to temperature extremes and high humidity. In addition, do not forget about the chemical and mechanical influences to which the material must show high resistance.
Recently, customers have preferred wood worktops, as they meet all of the above requirements. Consider why.
Main characteristics of wooden countertops
For the manufacture of kitchen furniture, wood is often used. Environmentally friendly and practical material is especially appreciated among manufacturers. A wooden worktop is also popular among consumers, as it ennobles the room, fits into any kitchen interior, makes it attractive. Despite the fact that the wooden surface in practicality is significantly inferior to other materials, due to its external qualities, it occupies a leading position in sales.
A high-quality kitchen surface made of wood should have such qualities as:
- moisture resistance;
- heat resistance;
- resistance to mechanical damage;
- long term of operation;
- simplicity in leaving, cleaning and cleaning;
- Do not absorb grease, condensation, odors.
There are countertops made of solid wood according to the following main criteria:
- The breed of wood.
- Processing method.
- The thickness of the product. Worktops from glued beams reach a thickness of 0.080–0.10 m, and the surface of a solid massif reaches 0.032–0.060 m.
Wooden table top: advantages and disadvantages
Natural wood in the kitchen is one of the most successful and practical solutions. In order for the product to serve for a long time and delight the household with an aesthetic and attractive look, study all the advantages and disadvantages of wooden worktops for the kitchen.
The advantages of wooden surfaces include:
- Aesthetic qualities. Wooden products look luxurious and advantageous in the interior compared to other materials.
- A large assortment. The choice of wooden countertops pleases with its diversity. Products differ in texture, color, wood processing methods.
- Wear resistance. A high-quality countertop can easily withstand high temperatures and humidity.
- Elasticity. Compared to stone, wood is more elastic, has excellent cushioning properties.
- Environmentally friendly material. The wood massif does not emit toxic and harmful substances, since it is a natural material, it is completely safe.
A wood worktop has several drawbacks, including the following:
- High price. Solid wood products are expensive compared to other materials.
- Deformation. Constant contact with the liquid sometimes leads to surface deformation. If defects in the protective layer are present on the surface and the integrity of the product is impaired, all moisture will be absorbed, thereby destroying the countertop.
- Despite the fact that wood is a heat-resistant material, it is better to use special heat-insulating supports for hot dishes.
- For cutting products, use kitchen boards as a stand. Direct contact with a sharp knife will damage the surface and leave scratches on it.
When choosing a natural wood worktop, first you need to familiarize yourself with its properties and only then buy it.
Which wood to choose for countertops?
For the manufacture of wooden countertops , stable and durable wood species are chosen:
- Cherries
- ash;
- oak;
- beech;
- pine tree;
- nut;
- teak;
- sweet cherries;
- merbau;
- iroko.
In production, wood species of soft and hard varieties are widely used. These are the best options for making wooden worktops for the kitchen.
Manufacturing technology
Today, in the manufacture of countertops, several basic technologies are used:
- From solid wood. The first stage of production involves drying the wood and coating the array with adhesive. Initially, the procurement of the product differs from the finished product in size. This is a kind of tolerance for processing countertops made of wood. The next step is to apply a protective layer and color selection. If desired, the countertop is coated with paints and varnishes. The life of the layer depends on the quality of this layer. The price of the product is high, so this surface is most often used in expensive kitchen sets.
- From wooden glued lamellas. As in the first embodiment, the wood is dried in drying chambers. Only after heat treatment the tree goes through the next stage - sawing. Then applied means to prevent cracking and moisture. The quality of the semi-finished product depends on the drying process. Glued wooden lamellas are inexpensive. It is easier to make a countertop from such material than from a single piece.
How to cover the countertop?
Buyers are often interested in how to cover a wooden countertop. The answer is simple: to protect the countertop from the negative effects, it is necessary to apply a special wax for the wood to its surface . The composition of biological impregnation includes natural vegetable oils and beeswax. Thanks to the high-quality coating, the surface does not allow moisture to pass through.
Another option that helps protect the countertop from damage is oil treatment for wood. A reliable and practical way to keep the surface from the harmful effects of household chemicals. For impregnation, a safe product is used that does not evaporate. This allows you to put food directly on the countertop and not worry about harmful substances entering the food.
Operational Features
For a wooden surface to last for many years, adhere to the following simple rules for the operation of the product:
- Minimize contact of wood countertops with liquid. Under the constant influence of liquid substances, the surface will lose its original appearance and deteriorate. To avoid such unpleasant consequences, it must be wiped dry after each use.
- Cracks and splits on the surface not only affect the aesthetic appearance, but also allow liquid products to penetrate and spoil the product. As a result of the negative impact, the countertop will be deformed, even the appearance of mold is not ruled out.
- The joints between the wall and the countertop must be well sealed. If this is not done, condensation will accumulate in them, and eventually fungus and mold will appear.
Constant and gentle care of the countertop will ensure a long service life. A well-groomed surface will decorate the kitchen, fill the atmosphere with warmth and comfort.
Countertop Care
In order to preserve the original appearance of the countertop and extend its life, the product must be properly and properly looked after. Since the surfaces are coated with a special varnish for the tabletop made of wood, in case of damage, the coating must be restored immediately. And also follow these tips:
- use gentle detergents;
- do not use hard brushes and brushes for cleaning;
- clean the surface with a slightly damp cloth only;
- wooden countertops need regular treatment with water repellents.
Proper and constant care will ensure the durability of the product.
Use in the interior
Today, a wooden countertop is a relevant and modern solution for almost any type of interior. If you think through everything to the smallest detail, in any case, each option looks great and luxurious. This can be a bar tabletops made of wood, products under the sink or table.
Light surfaces blend perfectly with metal and glass. Expressive drawings harmoniously look with rational geometry.
Restoration of wooden countertops
It is very easy to restore a wooden worktop, for this you need:
- remove exfoliated parts of the tree;
- dry and sand the surface again;
- mix sawdust with glue and fill the resulting voids with a mixture;
- leave the countertop under pressure for 24 hours;
- process the product with silicone and reinstall.
The updated countertop is ready for use again.
Do-it-yourself countertop
If you have special skills, making a wood worktop will be easy. To independently make such a surface, you will need special equipment. It is also necessary to determine the shape: you will have a round tabletop for a wooden table or a square one, as well as choose the right kind of wood.
When all materials and tools are in stock, you can get started:
- First we make the frame. To do this, take a wooden block measuring 100 x 50 mm.
- We attach the legs set exactly to the floor with metal dowels.
- We fix the horizontal parts of the product on the wall with dowels.
- We glue the selected boards together, constructing a kind of carpentry shield.
- After complete drying, sand the shield and sand it.
- The finished surface is treated with a special disinfectant.
- The last stage of work - painting countertops in several layers.
Mounting countertops
Mounting a countertop under a wooden sink involves several steps:
- Using the level gauge, we expose the lower parts of the headset, a frame for these works will not be needed.
- With an eclectic fret saw, we make a hole for the sink. All joints must be blown off with sealant.
- In the finished hole, we install the countertop and fasten it to the bottom of the headset or to the frame with screws.
- The joints between the countertop and the wall are covered with a plinth, we install lighting. Based on the design features of the plinth and its composition, the adhesive is selected individually.
When all installation work has been completed, the countertop is ready for use.
The wooden countertop in the house is, first of all, practicality, reliability and sophistication. Proper maintenance guarantees a long service life. Follow the tips and tricks given in the article - and the wooden surfaces in your kitchen will have an attractive appearance and will last a long time.