Timber Worktops
Wooden worktops offer the quintessential English country ‘look and feel’ to your kitchen and are so enticing to touch. Solid timber worktops are probably the only worktops that actually improve with age. At worktops.net we take our environmental responsibility very seriously and all our wooden worktops are ethically sourced from FSC accredited forests which guarantee replanting for future generations
Durable
Built to strand the test of time, wooden worktops mature with age and are resilient to daily wear and tear.
Natural
All our wooden worktops are ethically sourced from FSC accredited forests, which guarantee replanting for future generations
Repairable
Most kinds of damage can be removed by simply sanding back the surface and re-oiling.
Easy to Clean
Simple to clean, requiring a small amount of soapy water and should be dried afterwards
Tough
Top quality timber worktops are strong and very resilient and if cared for properly they can last a lifetime
Unique and Beautiful
One of the biggest criticisms of wooden worktops is their hygiene properties due to wood not being impervious to water. Whilst it is true that you do need to take care to properly seal and sterilise your wooden worktops, studies have shown that although bacteria may be absorbed into the wood grain, they do not normally multiply and will eventually die. Furthermore, the almost seamless joints minimise crevices for germs to accumulate. Top quality timber worktops are strong and very resilient and if cared for properly they can last a lifetime. Wood is hard-wearing, resistant to impact and scratches can be sanded out.
Technical Information & Design Options
Fabrication process
Wood worktops have a natural charm and warmth that have remained fashionable for centuries in both home and commercial environments. It remains one of the most versatile, luxurious and hard wearing finishes.
Our wood work surfaces are crafted from the best quality solid timber. To obtain large surfaces that have greater strength and resilience, almost free of natural imperfections, and less prone to warping, solid hardwood timber staves and finger-jointed in length, and then butt-jointed and glued together along its width.
The boards are then oiled and finely sanded to create a naturally beautiful and water repellent surface. Wood worksurface products have a treasured history in commercial and residential environments, whether contemporary or classic in style.
Staves
Stave widths of 40mm (±5) are standard. If unavailable, 27mm (±1mm) Beech and Teak, and 20mm (±1mm) on all other types of wood will be supplied.
Staves of an alternative thickness can be supplied but may have a longer lead time.
Stave Lengths are random
Staves are finger-jointed in the length and glued along the edge with tolerances of 1mm/±5mm per Length
Finishing
Finished to a 220 grit for blanks
Finished to a 500 grit for bespoke work surfaces
Moisture content 10% ±2%
Individually shrink wrapped for delivery.
Storage before installation
Before installation, wood worktops should be stored at room temperature away from all sources of heat and moisture to prevent warping and/or swelling. An exposed outside area, or a room without heating, such as a garage, is not suitable.
The boards must ideally be stored flat on a sound and level surface, with timber battens placed between each blank at 600mm centres maximum. If that is not possible, then they can be stored on their longest edge on a level and protected surface as instructed on the packaging.
When installed in a room with a wood burning stove or other heating, acclimatisation is needed for a few days before being fitted.
NEVER prop up a worktop vertically against a wall.
DO NOT store in an unheated room.
Joints
Depending on the edge detail, wood work surfaces can be joined by either butt- joints (edges placed together) or mitre-joints (cut to 90 º) Mitre joints require additional support on site and an additional length of work surface is required.
Thermal Expansion
Extreme temperatures or humidity: Wood work surfaces give their best performance at normal room temperature. They require additional maintenance in kitchens or other rooms, where temperatures fluctuate greatly or where it can be either very cold or very humid. This is particularly true in the immediate days / weeks after installation until the wood has acclimatised. Extra coats of sealant will be necessary to prevent drying out and warping.
Near heat or moisture: If an under-oven, dishwasher, washing machine or tumble dryer is to be installed under the worktop, it should be protected by installing a sheet of aluminium foil to the underside, with the shiny face outwards. This will protect it from any intense heat or moisture.
Expansion gaps: Allow a 3-4mm gap between the back edge of the wood worktop and the wall, to allow for expansion and contraction.
Cladding: We don’t recommend solid timber wall cladding, due to warping.
Overhangs and Supports
Any overhang extending more than 300mm should be supported.
Cut-outs for hobs, sinks, etc
Sink cut-outs should be a minimum of 50mm from the worktop front edge. Aluminium foil should be applied to the edges of hob cut-outs.
Hob cut-outs should be a minimum of 50mm from the worktop front edge.
There should be a minimum 200mm between any cut-outs.
Aluminium foil should be installed a hob cut-out, to avoid conducting too much heat into the wood, drying it out.
Upstands
Upstands should be fixed to the wall and not to the worksurface, to allow natural expansion without revealing the gap. There should be a 3mm gap between the worksurface and upstand, the only connection between upstand and worksurface should be silicone sealant, allowing natural movement of the worksurface.
Worktops.net offer a Care and Maintenance Kit which has been developed to offer the customer everything they need to keep their worktops looking good for years to come
Scratches
Wood is much softer than granite or other materials and greater care must be taken to avoid scratches to the surfaces. Wood worksurfaces should be protected against scratches, by using chopping boards and / or pastry mates.
Staining
Do not leave items that can stain the wood on an unprotected wood surface. Examples are wine glasses, dishes with curry or spices, pots pans with copper bases, or similar items.
The good news: Wood is repairable!
While wood worksurfaces are perhaps more prone to scratches and surface damage than some of the other types of high quality surfaces, the good news is that it can be easily and affordably repaired.
The appearance of maturing wood is enhanced by the character of wood and some forms of wear and tear actually improve the appearance of the wood. However, in the unfortunate event of unsightly damage, a wood worksurface can be rubbed down, or sanded and refinished, leaving it as good as new.
Stainless Steel Sinks
Carefully select your preferred method of undermounting Stainless Steel sinks to ensure sufficient support.
A minimum 200mm is required between sink cut-outs.
Drainer grooves can only be cut in the middle of staves, due to the nature of the construction of the worksurface.
If a waste disposal unit is fitted to an undermounted sink after installation, additional support will be required, otherwise your warranty may be invalidated.
Handling
Extra labour will be required on any worktops over 120kg. This will be supplied at no cost to Worktops.net. For further information please contact our sales team
