Iroko Worktops

[User1029384746]

Has anyone got an iroko worktop? If yes, how much did it darken over time?

We've been looking at worktop express and loved how rich and warm the iroko on there looks.

I knew that the sample would be paler, as the iroko darkens in time, but this sample looks like a completely different species!!

Attached is a photo of the sample on top of their brochure.

We would use Osmo on ours so don't know if that would affect the colour?

Our 4 year old iroko worktop from worktop express has the dark colour just like on their website. The oil makes all the difference. Think we have danish oil but it may be osmo, haven't applied it for ages but I remember to start with we applied several layers.

I have an iroko worktop but it wa recycled (an ex science lab worktop). It is darker than the picture. It really needs oiling on a regular basis (at least monthly) to look good. i have been a bit lazy with this.

Sorry, I forgot is started this.

Thanks for your replies. It's a shame they send you fresh cuts as their sample, it makes it really difficult to decide which to go for!

I really like the darkened iroko but don't want to risk ordering it if I'm not 100% sure what the final colour would be. I don't want it to look like we've tried to match it to our floor and failed.

We're thinking of going with their oak instead. I'd like to make a decision today as they have 15% off at the moment.

Thanks again.

We have iroko from worktop express. I remember it darkening up no end after a couple of coats of Danish oil. It it definitely more like the colour shown on your brochure, rather than the sample piece.

I would say ours hasn't majorly darkened, now 8 years old, however it was dark when it was installed
We use danish oil
Re matching flooring, I was given a tip once and told not to try and match and that it was better to gonfor different tones of wood rather than try to match wood

OP - I smiled when I read this. I visited a showroom and they were good enough to find me an older sample to take away, and yes it was darker than the samples at the top of their drawer. I've decided on a different wood and would like to make use of their current offer but I won't have the cabinets for another week and I'm too much a coward to order early !

Thanks Stripy

just That tip is what my Dh has read which is why he wants to go with the oak. Our floor is from Simply Bamboo and is their medium coffee.

did There's no harm in contacting them to see if they'll still honour the offer next week. You never know!

I just don't want it to look yellow!!

I have Iroko. Much nicer than oak.
It's definitely dark like in the picture. It's the oiling that makes it dark. It's lovely, like Walnut. Mine badly needs oiling though!!

Well arghhhh! Now I'm not sure... I thought I'd enjoy choosing the kitchen/flooring etc after the stress of building work.

However, this is just as stressful if not more so!

We built our own house, and choosing everything to go in it was just a massive stress.

My Iroko tops. In need of a clean and an oil. They go darker each time they're oiled too.

This is ours

Thank you for the photos, very kind of you both.

Now I really can't decide as I love your iroko ones so much but just worried it's too similar to our floor.

Decisions decisions...

Op that sample is really yellow, our looked nothing like that when installed
What flooring dare you having?

Are

We've already had this floor installed...

simplybamboo.co.uk/collections/strand-woven-series/products/medium-coffee-strand-uniclic-bamboo-flooring

Lovely floor
What colour are your units? Bare in mind that the units will break up the colour between the worktop and floor

We've got the luca kitchen in matt white from DIY-Kitchens

I've just had iroko worktops installed. I'm shocked to see one is golden brown, the other dark brown. I've been told that they will both darken to the same colour, but not convinced. Surely cut wood won't change, only the oil will darken it, not age. They said one is more mature than the other. It took my son and chippie so long to make them and such good workmanship. What a waste! We didn't know until they were oiled. Tip - try dab of oil before making worktops!

I've had my worktop fitted for a year now. When we had them fitted, one was darker than the other. They are both the same beautiful dark shade now

Ah thanks for that! I can't imagine it atm but your post gives me hope. It is getting darker, but I just can't imagine it being the same colour as the other one.

Hi, the two photographs that people have posted look very similar to my Iroko top. They use this wood because it's a hard wood and good for water dripping onto it from the sink. I have to Danish oil mine once or twice a year, and have had to sand back once every three years. The colour is gorgeous,, even though it might be slightly darker than you initially wanted. You do have to look after, if it's not Danish oiled stains and damage will appear.

Hi. We have recently made an Iroko worktop from scratch. It has been left out in the light without oiling to get to a nice dark tone for a few months. We then had to install an appliance and sand some areas down which has annoyingly made these areas go back to a lighter yellow tone. Without waiting for another few months does anyone know if there is a way to speed up the darkening on certain areas or if they will eventually all go the same tone? Also if we should still leave it un oiled? We thought that oiling would hinder further darkening, but a few people’s comments on here suggest that the darkening may still continue? Thanks!