Even though here are now many kitchen worktops materials available in the market such as granite and Corian, wood is sill among the best when it comes to beauty and versatility. It can be used in traditional and even contemporary kitchen worktops. You can have wooden kitchen worktops in different colors, shapes and designs. Moreover, you can maintain and repair it easily. To ensure longer life of your wooden worktop, consider the top tips below.
- Only buy wooden kitchen worktops with good quality at a reputable store. If the store has established its name, then you can be sure that the quality of the material is above standard. Be wary if you encounter cheap worktops. Most often than not, cheap wooden worktops don’t have good quality.
- If you plan to cut your worktop and finish it at home, make sure that you seek the service of a professional carpenter, kitchen fitter or joiner. Don’t settle for the Jack-of-all-trades. The carpenter must have experience in wooden works.
- Seek the services of a dedicated company. It should be dedicated in the cutting, treatment and finish of your wooden kitchen worktops. These are all done before delivery and installation, so it is better to have a dedicated company. With this, you avoid having mess in your home and you have the company responsible for their mistakes. Lastly, you can be sure that your worktop would have a professional finish.
- If you want to do the task yourself, remember the rule. Measure the wood twice and cut only once. You can’t afford to make a mistake. It will surely cost you more.
- Use the proper slotted brackets when installing the wooden worktop. Allot some allowance. As you know, wood contract and expand over time. Leaving a gap between the wall and the rear of the kitchen worktop would be beneficial.
- Before installing the worktop, you need to apply oil for protection. You need to apply oil on all the surfaces at least three times. On the end-grain ends, you need to apply at least five times. Apply oil before installation because it is not possible to apply ones the worktop is installed.
- Once the worktop is installed, you still need to apply protective oil once every three months. The protective oil does not just protect the wood from damage, it also keeps it look new.
- Remove any liquid as soon as it is spilled on the worktop. This prevents the liquid from penetrating the wood and the possible rot it could cause. Stains would be also prevented if liquid spills are immediately removed.
- When cutting food such as meat and vegetable, never cut on the wooden worktop. Always use a cutting or chopping board. This prevents the wooden kitchen worktops from having scratches.
- If you hit the worktop and caused a hole on it, follow these steps to restore it.
- In the dent, spray water in small amount.
- Over the dented area, put a damp tea-towel.
Over the damp towel, run a steam iron. You will then see the wood has raised back. Use a san paper to even it out. Then, re-apply oil and the worktop is on its original state again.
