Kitchen Worktops - Top tips for Wooden Worktops

(Author: Mark Shaw | Article Views: 21 | Word Count: 519 | Published: Feb 22nd 2008)

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Of all the varieties of kitchen worktops available these days, wooden worktops are still the most versatile and look fantastic in both traditional and contemporary kitchens. Wooden worktops are available in a variety of woods and colours, can be shaped to almost any size and design and are very easy to maintain and repair.

Our 10 top tips for wooden kitchen worktops:

1. Make sure that you buy good quality wooden worktops from a reputable source. Beware of cheap kitchen worktops, if the offer looks too good to be true, it probably is.

2. Use a dedicated company to cut, finish and treat your wooden worktops prior to delivery and installation. This way there is absolutely no mess created in your household and the supplier carries all the risk for any mistakes made. It is also the best method for guaranteeing a professional finish to your wooden worktops.

3. If you are going to have your kitchen worktops cut and finished in your home make sure you use a reputable joiner, carpenter or kitchen fitter who has experience of working with wood. As with most things, avoid the 'Jack-of-all-trades' cowboys.

4. If you are an enthusiastic DIYer and are fitting the worktops yourself remember the golden rule of carpentry - measure twice, cut once. If you make a mistake it could be costly.

5. Wooden worktops must be treated well with protective oil before installation. It is essential to apply at least three coats to all surfaces and five or more to the end-grain ends. Remember that it wont be possible to apply oil to the underside again once the worktop is in installed so a thorough job before installation will pay dividends in the future.

6. Wooden worktops need regular top-ups of protective oil. Apply further coats to the top surface and any visible sides every three months or so. These coats keep the wooden worktop completely protected and looking as good as new.

7. Always install the wooden worktops using the correct slotted brackets. Because wood is a natural product it will expand and contract slightly over the years and you need to make allowances for this movement. It is also beneficial to leave an expansion gap at between the rear of the kitchen worktop and the wall.

8. Mop up any liquid spills as and when they are made. This prevents liquids from penetrating the wood and leaving stains.

9. Never cut or chop directly on a wooden worktop surface. Always use a breadboard or dedicated granite chopping area.

10. If you dent your worktop at any time here is a great and simple trick for restoring the worktop:

a) Spray a small amount of water in the dent.
b) Place a damp tea-towel over the dented area.
c) Run a steam iron over the towel above the dent. As if by magic, this method will cause the wood to raise back to the surface. It will then require a very light sanding and re-oiling to restore the wooden worktop to its former glory.

About the Author

For more comprehensive advice on installation and aftercare of wooden kitchen worktops visit Barncrest kitchen worktops

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