Your kitchen worktop can drastically change the appearance of your kitchen so it’s important to consider the options available to you when making your choice. With the variety of materials available to use for kitchen worktops, it can be difficult to know where to start.
Solid wood worktops are a popular choice among homeowners due to their many benefits. To help you decide whether solid wood is the right material to use for your kitchen worktop, we have compiled a list of the pros and cons.
The Pros of Solid Wood Worktops
The key benefits of solid wood worktops include:
Ages Well
A key benefit of solid wood worktops over other materials is the longer you have it, the better it will look. As it ages, the wood will develop a patina (gloss or sheen), causing its natural colour to become deeper, enriching its appearance. Wooden worktops are naturally beautiful so will look perfect in any kitchen.
So, if you want to add a touch of character to your kitchen, then a solid wood worktop could be the perfect choice.
Never Out of Style
One reason solid wood worktops are always a popular choice is because they go with almost any colour and style of kitchen. Not only that but they can help to transform your kitchen into a warm, homely space, whether big or small.
Solid wood is the perfect choice if you’re worried about installing a trendy, modern kitchen only for it to become outdated in a few years time. Solid wood worktops have remained on trend for a number of years and never date so they’re the perfect option to help make the most of your investment.
Strong and Durable
The way solid wood worktops are constructed means they are extremely strong and durable, allowing for them to withstand a huge amount of weight and pressure.
For this reason alone the material is perfect for a kitchen environment as worktops tend to get a lot of wear and tear. Another reason solid wood is such a good material to use is that any dents or scratches that do appear can be sanded out, making the surface look as good as new again.
Unique
The good thing about having a solid wood worktop is that the way in which they’re installed means that your worktop will be unique to you, as no two pieces of wood are identical. Their unique quality ensures that you will have a kitchen worktop that nobody can compete with, providing your kitchen with a more personal touch.
Anti-bacterial
A solid wood worktop is perfect for those of us who worry about hygiene around the kitchen when preparing food. Due to its antibacterial properties, wood is a naturally hygienic surface, meaning you won’t have to be obsessively scrubbing your surfaces to get rid of any stubborn, nasty bacteria that may still be lingering on your worktop after preparing food.
Cons of solid wood worktops
Although solid wood worktops provide a huge number of benefits, there are also some downsides to consider to make sure you choose the right work surfaces for your home.
Requires regular sealing
Wooden worktops require regular oiling or sealing to protect the wood and prevent stains or water from seeping in and ruining the look of your worktop. In addition, if you don’t seal your worktops properly, they can become porous and harbour germs more easily. We recommend using danish oil to properly seal your worktops.
Easily scratched or dented
Wood is softer than other materials such as granite worktops or quartz worktops so it’s important not to chop food directly on the surface as it will leave marks on the surface and cause damage. Always use a chopping board when preparing food to protect your worktop and keep it looking its best for as long as possible.
Susceptible to water marks
If your worktop is not properly sealed or oiled regularly, it can be more prone to water damage, especially in areas around the sink. To tell whether your worktop needs to be reoiled, drop water on it. If it sits on the surface, it is sealed and does not need to be resealed. However, if you drop water on your worktop and it sinks into the surface, this is a sign your worktop needs to be reoiled.
If you’re looking for a worktop that requires less maintenance but still provides the same aesthetics and beauty of wooden worktops, we have a range of laminate worktops that replicate wooden worktops. These worktops do not need to be oiled or sealed so can provide a better option if you want a worktop that requires less maintenance.
If you have decided that a solid wood worktop is the best option for your home, take a look at our full range of solid wood worktops.
