Worktop Express Information Guides

‘How long do wooden real wood kitchen worktops last?’

This week our ‘Question of the Week’ comes from Alina in Evesham, who is interested in ordering wooden real wood kitchen worktops, but wants to know how many years of service these will provide.

QUESTION:

“I would like to order wooden worktops sometime soon, but I wanted to know how long they will last?”

ANSWER:

Hi Alina,

Thanks for sending in your question – it’s one that is difficult to provide a definitive answer for, as each kitchen environmental is entirely unique. Though our wood worktops are the finest quality in the UK, the amount of maintenance that you undertake, how well your worktops are installed, and the atmosphere in which they reside can all have an impact on longevity.

The good news, however, is that your worktops should last many, many years with minimal fuss! Here are some points to consider:

We mentioned installation and maintenance. Now, unless you are buying worktops from us that are subject to some bespoke fabrication, all of our worktops are provided in a smooth finish, without any protective coating. As such, worktops should be oiled before and after installation to aid this process (even those that are subject to fabrication or our pre-oiling service will require an application of oil for protection immediately after installation).

In order for the worktop to last, it is very important to ensure that – particularly during the first year after installation – this oiling programme continues. We advise regularly re-oiling worktops using Rustins Danish Oil; once a week for the first six weeks and at least four times a year after that should do the trick nicely. To assist in maintaining your worktops correctly and efficiently, we sell a great value DIY Worktop Aftercare Kit for just £10. For a full guide to oiling, read our Oiling Worktops Nutshell Guide.

Because of the organic nature of the material, the method of installation can also dictate how well your solid wood worktops will perform over time. Installation is simple and easy for a DIYer – never fear! – but do be sure to read our Installation and Aftercare guide prior to beginning the process, and be sure to store your worktops correctly if necessary, too. The most important points to bear in mind from the outset are that you must install your worktops with the correct stretcher plates and with an adequate gap between the worktop and the adjacent wall (recommended 3-5mm), or areas could potentially crack over time as the wood expands and contracts with changes in kitchen temperature. These brackets can be purchased along with some other handy accessories in our Worktop Installation Kit for just £15.

Over the years, once a wooden worktop has built up a sufficient layer of protection, it will require less maintenance, and will be more resilient to water damage and staining, though we would still recommend re-oiling from time to time to maintain the timber’s lustre and colour.

If you have any further questions regarding our real wood kitchen worktops, don’t hesitate to contact us.

All the best,

Ben @ Worktop Express

‘What do you do with offcuts from bespoke timber worktops?’

Our latest ‘Question of the Week’ comes from Jack in Redditch, who is about to order a set of bespoke timber worktops from us, and would like to know what happens to any worktop offcuts that are created during fabrication.

QUESTION:

“I am planning to order a few oak worktops from yourselves, which are subject to some bespoke cut outs and alterations. I was curious to know what will happen to the offcuts – will I get to keep them?”

ANSWER:

Hi Jack,

Thank you for taking the time to get in touch – we hope you will be really pleased with the bespoke oak worktops when they arrive.

We’re happy to tell you that you will also be receiving all large offcuts from your bespoke fabricated worktops with the order, which you may do with as you please. The offcuts will be written on your quotation and also indicated on your fabrication diagram.

Offcuts can be used to make fantastic book-ends, door stops or whatever your imagination and wood-working skills allow. If you would prefer – and the size of your offcuts allows – your oak worktop offcuts can be turned into chopping boards, tablet stands, solid wood shelves or even cutlery drawer inserts for an additional fabrication and / or oiling surcharge.

It would be very easy for us to take the larger offcuts and use them for our own products, but we believe that all wood that is usable should be delivered to our customers. The exception to this rule is any very small offcuts that are created and would otherwise be considered ‘scrap'; we use these offcuts and wood shavings to fuel our fabrication warehouse’s wood-burning heater, as this is a far more environmentally friendly source of fuel than gas or electric heating for such a large space.

We take wastage and our environmental practices very seriously – which is why your wood worktops have been constructed from high-quality oak sourced in sustainable, well managed European forests. If you would like to read more information about our environmental credentials, read our Environmental Policies page, along with our EUTR Nutshell Guide which details our full compliances with the EU Timber Regulation.

If you have any further queries, feel free to get in touch again.

All the best,

Ben @ Worktop Express

‘What worktop fabrication services do you offer?’

The first ‘Question of the Week’ this October is from Aasif in Kidderminster, who is looking at ordering some of our kitchen countertops, but would like to know what fabrications services we can offer.

QUESTION:

“I want to order kitchen countertops from you but can you tell me what fabrication options you offer?”

ANSWER:

Hi Aasif,

Thanks for getting in touch. If you’re looking for a wooden worktop with any kind of bespoke alterations then you have definitely come to the right people.

We offer a full in-house fabrication service, and can make almost any alteration to wooden worktops that you may ever need. Our fabrication team use a specialised CNC machine and a range of tools to create whatever alterations you require for worktops to fit into your dream kitchen design.

Here’s a rundown of some of the most popular fabrication services we can offer:

Pre-Oiling: As standard, our worktops are provided unfinished, but if you wish, we can coat your worktops with HABiol Oil to provide a hard-wearing finish. Prices start at £10 per metre.

Drainage Grooves – If you are using wooden worktops around a sink, then consider opting for routed drainage grooves to add the perfect finishing touch. They can be cut in either a straight, fan or fountain arrangement, and will ensure that water from hand-washed items quickly drains away rather than sitting on the worktop surface. Prices start at £45 for a set of six.

End Caps: To finish the exposed end of a worktop, or protect worktops from the heat of appliances such as ovens, consider requesting end caps. Endcaps are created by affixing an extra stave to the end of worktop that runs its entire width, and as well as providing protection from heat, also gives a more ‘finished’ look than leaving the end open. Prices start at £35 for a 40mm end cap.

Radius Corners: To provide a smooth corner to any worktop, consider a radius corner cut. It removes a sharp corner to create a softer and safer worktop, and is an ideal way to finish an island or breakfast bar counter. With our bespoke service, you can choose the size of the radius corner that will suit your kitchen. Prices start from £20 per corner.

Edge Profiles: To provide a softer finish, or an extra level of design detail to a solid wood kitchen, consider requesting an edge profile on your worktop. We offer a wide variety of different finishes, from a smooth pencil top to a detailed ‘ogee’ profile. Prices start at £5 per metre.

As well as these popular fabrication services, we offer a large selection of other services, which can be tailored to your exact requirements. If there’s something you think would finish the worktop perfectly in your new kitchen, then don’t hesitate to get in touch – our team will endeavour to cater for any kind of bespoke request.

To view the full range of services we offer, visit our ‘Bespoke Worktop Cutting Service’ page, and for examples of fabricated services, have a look through our Fabrication Gallery.

If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

All the best,

Ben @ Worktop Express