What to do about wooden worktop?

[viccat]

I have a solid pine worktop (about 5 yrs old) in the kitchen, it is treated with Fiddes Hardwax Oil as the manufacturer recommended (small company who made and installed it, handmade wooden painted kitchen). It was ok for the first couple of years but it is now increasingly difficult to keep it looking good - sanding it down to replenish the wax is a pain and it doesn't "stick" very well at all in the most heavily used areas, it just flakes off after a few weeks. Also cleaning it is a pain.

I've been wondering if I should a.) just give up and get a new worktop (granite or something else super durable that still goes with the style of the kitchen?) or b.) get it professionally sanded and then varnished with something durable? I'm thinking the replacement option is better, I'd love something easy to clean that doesn't require constant maintenance. Any suggestions?

I am afraid I cheered a happy cheer when we sold the house that had the wooden worktop. It was a PAIN to keep maintaining it and bits near the sink kept getting black mould when I turned my back.

I wouldn’t waste money fixing it. It’s never going to look great or be durable. Get a new worktop, granite perhaps. I have a leather finish granite that doesn’t show smears as much as the polished stuff does.

We use Osmo Oil on ours - sinks into the wood rather than making a varnish finish. No problems with marks around the sink etc - probably reapply twice yearly. With a varnish that flakes the water gets underneath which is a problem. Ultimately though it sounds like you'd prefer to get rid?

We had ours professionally sanded after a hot pan left a ring mark and it looked amazing afterwards. That was 2 years ago and is still going strong now.

My dp is a carpenter - he really doesn't like to fit wooden worktops for this very reason.

Thank you all, I think those of you saying to replace it are right. It's just not practical as it is sadly. It's not a huge kitchen so hopefully won't be massively difficult or expensive...

How about wood effect laminate if you like the look of wood? There are some really convincing ones about...

Laminate fake wood is actually quite good now....

Otherwise get a fancy stone worktop.

Wood is a terrible material for a kitchen.

We have wood sealed with a hard wearing Matt varnish called sadolin pv 64 that is designed for bar tops. Been in 5 years, no maintenance whatsoever and looks as good as when it went in. Pics - sink area and my prep area. It's solid oak.

Sorry pics are a bit dark - electrician in so no lighting available!

Oh I love our wood work surfaces. We just use bog standard cheapo danish oil on it, which like a pp said. Had it 8 years, looks great.

Osmo oil is definitely the best treatment for wooden worktops.
We have an oak worktop that’s been fitted about 6yrs and still looks good.
Just needs a light coat of oil every 6-12 months. We have granite round the sink though.

My wooden worktops are treated with yacht varnish and are lovely and shiny and I love the look

A friend of mine had hers professionally sanded then oiled. That was a couple of years ago and still looks great, I think you need to keep up with the oil though every few months.

I'm not sure wax is a good idea.

At the risk of sounding dim, what professional would sand them? A painter?
Thanks

I'd recommend osmo topoil too - it's great stuff and easy to use.

I'll post a pic of my laminate wood ones when I can

The great thing about granite, is that you don’t have to touch it! Ever!!! It lasts a lifetime. We have oak in a flat and it’s a pain. We have now sealed it with something more akin to varnish. I’m really not going to treat it twice a year!

Ripping out a work surface doesn’t always go smoothly. It can damage the cupboards underneath. Wood work surfaces just look like flooring in the wrong piece to me.

I'd never have wooden worktops again.