Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Shopping

From everyday essentials to big purchases, swap tips and recommendations. For the best deals without the hassle, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Flip

Original poster

Solid wood worktops - how practical???

12 replies

bayleaf · 10/04/2004 17:39

Am about to put new work tops/sink/tiles into old kitchen as cupboards are basically OK but hate current sink/tiles/worktop.
Would like solid wood surfaces with belfast sink( have read thread on sinks!), indeed if I'm having a belfast sink I HAVE to have granite or solid wood - but I'm not that keen on the look of granite and I'm terrified of having wood and then ruining it within 6 months as I am a lazy slapper and currently don't wipe the surface every time I do something.
What are my chances of becoming a reformed character inspired by my new worktops - or what are the chances, if I stay sluttish, of not ruining the worktops???
Experiences please!

OP posts:

littlemissbossy · 10/04/2004 18:03

I have both - granite work surfaces along the units and beech top on island unit. The granite is fab, although being black shows every, and I mean every crumb, mark, whatever. The beech is nice but you do have more maintenance i.e. regular oiling and have to use mats for everything. Granite of course is v. £££ but lasts forever where as you will have more wear and tear with the wooden tops. How long do you intend on keeping your units?

Freckle · 10/04/2004 18:26

Wood looks nice, but it will mark more if you accidentally knock it with knives, etc.

You might mend your ways with new tops, but I would suspect that would only last a short time. Personally I'd got for easy maintenance from the outset and then maintain my sluttish ways without worry

Grommit · 10/04/2004 18:33

I had wooden worksurfaces and Belfast sink in my last house - very high maintenance - needs regular oiling and marks and warps around sink even when oiled. I would not have it again. There is a resin worksurface that looks like Granite and is as expensive but wears better - saw it in Magnet

manna · 10/04/2004 18:42

we have recycled solid teak (!) - it's beautiful, and is really low maintenance. Maybe because it was old railway sleepers, so had a lot of wear (!), or more likely because teak is one of the hardest woods around, after ebony. Also, bamboo is very hard. We have split bamboo in our bathroom, and have never had trouble with warping etc.We have the teak round the sink, and again, no problems. It does need regular oiling (only twice a year), but I find this a plus, as any marks can usually be oiled away. Wood is made for wear and tear, so is a kitchen, so don't be afraid of the odd mark. I leave a large chopping board in a central position and people make drinks, sarnies etc. on there. It's nearly always there, unless I choose to put it away. I absolutely love our teak, and found a relatively cheap source for it. If you are in London, let me know and I'll put you in touch.

frogs · 10/04/2004 19:14

Ours is a wood called iroko, which (I think) is a environmentally-friendly version of teak (ie. dark colour).

It's great! Obviously, you wouldn't want to put down a hot pan straight off the hob, or chop veg directly on the surface, but other than that it's very low maintainance. if it starts looking sorry for itself we oil it with tung oil, if it takes a real bash or scratch you can sand it down and oil as above.

Can't see any downside, myself. Top tip (recommended by architect friend): when they cut the opening for the belfast sink, get them to keep the cutout bit and use as a giant chopping board.

SueW · 10/04/2004 19:27

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at OP's request.

hana · 11/04/2004 01:14

we have just put a 'walnut efffect' ( Oh I hate the sound of that) laminate in our new kitchen, with a double belfast sink. Was going to have wood - but everyone we knew warned us off of it for the upkeep and water staining etc. It's only been a few days but it's so so easy to keep clean and was v cheap too.
I was dead against it (wanted the Iroko) but it looks good (kitchen is white) and the price was right too.

robinw · 11/04/2004 06:32

message withdrawn

Original poster

bayleaf · 11/04/2004 11:30

THanks girls - Have just spent a heavy eveing with lots of back copies of 25 beautiful homes and decided...
I HAVE to have a belfast sink - I've wanted one for about 15 years after all....
I don't want granite- don't care how hard wearing it is I just don't like what it looks like.
Hana- I'm interested by your commnet - I thought you had to ahve solid work tops with a belfast sink as otherwise you'd see the midle of the laminate around the edge of the basin - can you tell me how you got round this???
I have a man coming to talk to me about it on Tuesday - oh and wood floors - but maybe that's another thread!

OP posts:

goosey · 11/04/2004 11:38

We've got the solid beech block worktop, and it looks very good. I love the way it seems to age, but oiling it is a pain - not so much for the messiness and time of it, but for the stench of fumes it leaves in the house. I am also a fiend with the bleach, so it looks like the sort of driftwood you would find on a summer beach now!

binker · 11/04/2004 16:32

We have solid beech worktops which do look nice, but need oiling regularly - pesky.

hallyhupthebarber · 11/04/2004 16:56

We have oak around a belfast. Oak is varnished with a Melomine, a two part varnish whish is v tough. Been in 6 years and looks great. Make sure worktop has drip groove under overhang around sink. We use boards to cut bread and prepare food on. Used to have kirkstone slate which always looked cold.

Flip