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Original poster

Timber kitchen surface - tell me the truth before I spend spend spend!

43 replies

GinghamChic · 21/12/2012 22:42

Ok - it's crunch time. About to spend our hard earned savings on a kitchen of our dreams and I really have my heart set on solid oak tops.

BUT my head keeps telling me it's going to be an expensive mistake.

Really not a granite fan and I just feel our house would really suit the wood top.

Are they just a pain in the bum? Would love to hear from those of you that have them.

OP posts:
TravelinColour · 21/12/2012 22:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

IloveChristmasandsodoesmydog · 21/12/2012 22:49

We had a beech worktop. It looked fabulous as long as you kept it oiled about twice a year and didn't get it wet or put anything hot on it. So not actually that practical but it did look lovely.

You need lots of trivets etc to put hot things on. Make sure you always dry it very carefully, especially around the cooker and sink as otherwise the wood goes a bit black round the sink area. Do not spill oil on it and for the love of god do not spill chilli or curry on it because it will stain forever.

kd73 · 21/12/2012 22:49

Mine looked fab but I did get upset when it marked etc and then there was the upkeep to oil or varnish. Varnish was more hardwearing but mean't the kitchen was out of action for days whilst it dried, oil looked better but less resiliant.

Would not have again Sad

agnesf · 21/12/2012 22:54

We had wooden worktops. never oiled them. Only put hot stuff on worktop prtectors. Not sure what wood they were but just did the scrubbed pine thing with them. Cleaned them with bleach - they looked fine.

Original poster
GinghamChic · 21/12/2012 23:03

kd73 - that's what I've heard time and time again 'wouldn't have a again' and I'm starting to think if I couldn't relax in my lovely new kitchen, then what's the point?

OP posts:
BackforGood · 21/12/2012 23:05

My friend had them and really regrets it. Not very practical in a kitchen to say 'never let them get wet' is it ?

chickydoo · 21/12/2012 23:08

Had them in my previous kitchen,
Never again.
They marked so easily, water stains were the worst, especially around the sink.
We have granite now ( a light colour one ) best thing ever!

judefawley · 21/12/2012 23:09

We have (since Aug) solid oak.

It looks amazing.

It came with a paint on treatment, a bit like a plasticiser. No oil required.

We are leaving water/liquids on there with gay abandon and it has made not a jot of difference.

Our old granite required far more attention.

DewDr0p · 21/12/2012 23:12

Have a look at Alno worktops - not real wood but much much nicer than standard laminate - we put one in a flat we did up as granite was way to expensive to justify. It was squared off too. Was v pleased with it.

Original poster
GinghamChic · 21/12/2012 23:12

jude - don't do this to me!! You are the first person EVER to say this. Where did you get them from and were they treated differently from the 'norm' then?

OP posts:
EmmaNess · 21/12/2012 23:13

They are absolute fuckers, wooden worktops, and are only suited to kitchens that are never used imo. And even then they go sticky.

TeaDr1nker · 21/12/2012 23:14

I had wood in a previous house, I have to agree with others when they say 'never again'. Had to be careful with water and it marked really easily.

However that was 7 years ago, and I'm not sure what's out there now. Judefawly, do u know the name of the treatment?

EmmaNess · 21/12/2012 23:19

judefawley you have had your worktops less than 6 months

of course they are lovely

give it a year or two and you'll be cursing with the rest of us

Original poster
GinghamChic · 21/12/2012 23:23

This is my biggest worry...about to spend lots £££ on a kitchen that could potentially look shabby in a year! What granite looks best with wooden shaker style? How much more than wood does it cost?

OP posts:
judefawley · 21/12/2012 23:25

Noooooo! I am in denial.

They are from Howden's, GinghamChic.

We had loads left over, from which dh made chopping boards for everyone he knew several people. These are not coated, merely oiled and the difference is huge. They look quite knackered already.

Our coated worktops however, really look fabulous and they have already had a lot of abuse.

This is what we used.

Original poster
GinghamChic · 21/12/2012 23:28

oooh jude it's the Howdens Haworth Traditional that I have my eye on. Now that IS promising!!! So, they came ready prepared (doubtful!) Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
GinghamChic · 21/12/2012 23:30

Does that stuff make them look quite shiney/glossy then?

OP posts:
PacificDogwood · 21/12/2012 23:33

We had oak 'butcher block' type work tops in our previous kitchen and I love it. Would have it again any time.
Our was oiled, but was no hassle and looked better and better with use.

I was pleasantly surprised as I had heard all sorts of scare stories as well about 'hard to look after' and 'looks shabby after a while'.

Maybe I a weird because I loved oiling them - did them about half a dozen times before we started using them... Xmas Blush.

Now we have minimalist kitchen with Corian which is nice too, but does not have the same warmth.

judefawley · 21/12/2012 23:37

No, not ready prepared.

They needed a light sanding and then 2 coats (I think).

It is a bit shiny, but I think you can rub it down to a matt finish if you prefer. I decided I liked the sheen so we didn't bother.

Everyone that comes here raves about the worktops.

We have got the Burford Grey, but I loved the Haworth too.

AnitaManeater · 21/12/2012 23:42

We had them. Never again!!!! Washed a tin out for recycling, put it on worktop and it left a black ring where it reacted with the wood. Had to get it professionally sanded out and retreated as it was a rented house.

cece · 21/12/2012 23:43

I have walnut worktop and I love them. Would definitely get them again. Yes it needs oiling occasionally but it really only takes 10 mins or so to do. Most of that is clearing the clutter off of the worktop! I don't worry too much about heat on it either. There are a few scrathes on mine now but tbh I like them like that and you just put some more oil on... and all fine again!

ItsaTIARA · 21/12/2012 23:49

Are you Anthea Turner OP?

If not, then I would recommend quartz - totally indestructible by even the slovenliest of households.

INeedALieIn · 21/12/2012 23:58

I have walnut too. Fitted over 4years ago. I oiled them this year for the first time. They still look fantastic, I would get them again.

Previously I had black granite which I found really high maintenance, and solid beech which showed water marks.

I purchased the walnut via the internet and the rest of the kitchen from Howden. The walnut internet price beat Howden oak price.

BloooCowWonders · 22/12/2012 06:22

Had Iroko (sp?) for years and will do it again now we've moved. It was never perfect looking but that wasn't what I wanted. It was warm and very hard wearing and looked the same year after year. I oiled it probably once every 6 months.

But the big BUT is that we were advised to have a sit-on sink unit so water wasn't an issue.

EMS23 · 22/12/2012 06:31

I have Howdens Burford Cream with Iroko wood work tops and I love it.

Had it 2 years, have 3 kids, a dog, do a lot of cooking etc.. And it looks great.

We had it treated prior to installation by the carpenter who oiled it 3 times and I oil it yearly. I think it needs sanding down now and doing again but it still looks fantastic.

I have glass surface protectors by the cooker and the kettle sits on one. I keep dry tea towels by the sink and wipe down water droplets immediately but that's not too much hard work.

I really love it and would have it again.

My mum has cherry worktops, has done no maintenance in 10 years and although its worn, it still looks great. Not as good as my oiled worktops but she prefers the matt look of hers.

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