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Worktop Express Information Guides

information guidesThere's no such thing as too much information - not where Worktop Express® are concerned! That's why we've decided to launch this helpful information section, designed especially for our customers and chock-full of handy hints on measuring your radius corners, why and when to choose certain products (from end caps to edge profiles) and lots more.

And if you have any suggestions for an information guide, please don't hesitate to contact us: we're going to be updating this section regularly and are always on the lookout for new ideas.

Enjoy!

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Recent Information Guides from Worktop Express®

“If I place an order for multiple real wood work surfaces, will they match?” Question of the Week 27.06.15

Question of the Week

“If I place an order for multiple real wood work surfaces, will they match?”

June’s final ‘Question of the Week’ is from Sara in Ross-on-Wye, who plans on placing an order for multiple real wood work surfaces, but would like to know whether she can expect them all to match.

QUESTION:

“I’m about to place an order for a number of oak worktops for my kitchen, and wanted to know whether I can expect them all to have a consistent appearance?”

ANSWER:

Hi Sara,

Thank you for taking the time to send your query in, we are glad that you are thinking of ordering oak worktops as they are a truly stunning choice for any kitchen.

At Worktop Express® we take pride in ensuring that we provide a high quality product to all customers, and will go to great lengths to ensure that when multiple worktops are ordered, they have a similar colour and overall appearance so as to provide a beautifully consistent surface across the breadth of your kitchen.

Of course, whilst the natural qualities of wood worktops mean that your new kitchen surface will be entirely unique, it also means that no two worktops are alike. When the worktops are chosen to fulfil your order, our warehouse team will always choose stock that is from the same delivery batch. If for any reason this simply isn’t achievable, then our team will check all stocks of the worktop you have ordered to match the timber as closely as possible.

We find that almost all timbers darken over time as they mature, and so sometimes they will appear lighter when first delivered and installed, before reaching the final tone that is represented on our website after regular oiling.

If you are looking for a worktop choice that guarantees more consistency in colour and grain, then we recommend considering our Prime Oak worktops over our standard range. The staves that are used to construct our ‘Prime’ worktops are chosen for their uniformity, and will create a well-balanced, blemish free kitchen surface.

For more details about our Prime Oak worktops, we recommend reading our Prime Oak Worktops Nutshell Guide.

All the best,

Ben @ Worktop Express

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Edge Profiles for Wooden Worktops: A Nutshell Guide

If you order wooden worktops from Worktop Express®, each one comes pre-sanded and with square edges as standard. Whilst some may prefer the chunky look of a square-edged worktop, our fabrication team can apply a range of different edge profiles that customise the look of bespoke worktops to make them appear softer, or more detailed – depending on which would suit your kitchen.

Worktops with an edge profile have a more ‘finished’ appearance, whilst creating a hardwearing edge that is less prone to damage sustained from impacts. If considering other fabrications such as radius corners or ellipse ends, do bear in mind that an edge profile will enhance the overall look of these additions – so don’t forget to add it on when placing your fabrication order via our Online Bespoke Worktop Tool.

Choosing an edge profile

A pencil edge profile gives a softer look to solid wood worktops
A pencil edge profile on both the top and bottom edge of the wooden worktop

Pencil Edge Profile

By far our most popular edge profile, a ‘pencil’ edge is relatively small but creates a much softer edge without encroaching too far into the worktop.

This smooth edge profile is perfect for worktops in a busy kitchen environment, and suits almost any kitchen design – modern or traditional. For a truly ‘finished’ look, consider having it on both the top and bottom edge of the worktop.

Rounded edge profiles are ideal for busy family kitchens where square edges might not be advised
A solid wooden worktop is given a softer aesthetic with rounded edge profiles on the top and bottom

Rounded Edge Profile

Similar to a pencil edge profile, our rounded edge profiles give a worktop a very soft appearance, but have a radius that is more than double the size of the pencil edge alternative.

Available on both the top and bottom edges of a worktop, this finish is ideal for high traffic or family kitchens where square edges are not advised.

Chamfered edge profiles are available with a 6mm or 12mm option
The clean lines of a chamfered edge have been applied to the top and bottom of this timber work surface

Chamfered Edge Profile

The chamfered edge profile is a great alternative to our softer edge profiles; more angular than pencil or rounded profiles, but still attractive and hard-wearing.

This edge profile is ideal for an ultra-modern kitchen or a classic Shaker kitchen with clean lines throughout. Choose from a 6mm or 12mm chamfer on either the top and/or bottom of your worktop.

An elegant ogee edge is ideal for traditional country kitchens
This charming ogee edge has been paired with a pencil profile on the bottom edge of the wooden countertop

Ogee Edge Profile

The perfect edge profile for traditional or farmhouse kitchen themes, this detailed finish is perfect for adding character to any wooden worktop, but works particularly well on classic lighter timbers such as oak or ash.

We recommend opting for an ogee profile on the top edge of the worktop, with a pencil edge on the bottom to finish the look.

Ordering edge profiles

Any of the edge profiles we offer can be added to your worktop for only £5 per linear metre, and are recommended to complement a number of other customisations (such as Belfast or undermounted sink cut outs).

If you are placing your order via our Online Bespoke Worktop Tool, adding an edge profile of your choice is very straightforward: simply click the edge profile button to add a profile to the edge of your choice, or select a profile when adding your sink cut out.

For more information, please visit our ‘How to Order Worktops with Edge Profiles via the Online Bespoke Worktop Tool’ information guide.

If ordering via telephone or email, be sure to clearly stipulate which edges you would like a profile on when submitting your fabrication diagram. Our team will send it back for confirmation before submitting your order, so do ensure you have chosen the right edge profile for each edge before paying.

Some fine examples of edge profiles can be seen in our Fabrication Gallery, so please do feel free to browse the gallery for some inspiration before placing your order.

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“I’ve already placed my order for kitchen worktops, how do I add an extra item to my order?” Question of the Week 20.06.15

Question of the Week

“I’ve already placed my order for kitchen worktops, how do I add an extra item to my order?”

Our latest ‘Question of the Week’ comes from Jim in Stratford-Upon-Avon, who has already placed his order for kitchen worktops, but wanted to know if he can add extra items onto his purchase.

QUESTION:

“I’ve already purchased my solid wood kitchen worktops from your website, but wanted to add some extra items onto the order such as oil and an upstand, can you help me with this?”

ANSWER:

Hi Jim,

Thanks for getting in touch; once you have let us know what items you would like to add onto your order we should be able to help with your query.

Our team can amend your order up to 12 noon on the day prior to your order being delivered, but to ensure that there are no difficulties in changing the order, we recommend making changes at least 24 hours before this cut-off.

We suggest telephoning us to make alterations, so that we may act on them as soon as possible, though if you decide upon your required extras at least 24 hours in advance of this 12 noon cut-off then you may email your requirements instead.

To get in touch, fill in our contact form, or ring one of the numbers at the top of the page.

If you’d like to find out more information about our delivery service, then why not read our ‘Top Ten Questions about Delivery: Answered’ information guide.

Guide updated 24/08/2015: please note that our delivery cut-off times changed from 11am to 12 noon in August 2015, and all existing guides were subsequently edited to reflect this alteration.

All the best,

Ben @ Worktop Express

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Choosing Timber Table Tops for Offices

There is no doubt about it, timber worktops are perfect for kitchens, but they also provide a unique surface for many other areas around the home or business.

At Worktop Express® we are lucky enough to have offices decked out in a variety of timber worktops, including wenge, oak and iroko; we firmly believe that wood is the perfect material for creating a harmonious and hard-wearing office.

Choosing the right surface

Depending on your requirements, you could choose from our range of replacement table tops, which come in square, rectangular and circular shapes and are perfect for smaller office environments, as well as canteens or cafes. The rectangular option is considered the most suitable for an office desk, measuring 995mm x 620mm, and available in two types of finger-jointed oak – either with 40mm or 20mm staves.

Alternatively, you could choose any of the solid wood worktops in our extensive range to create an expansive surface that could support a large number of workstations in a communal office.

As well as office desks, our worktops are also perfect for creating a large table for use in conference suites; indeed both of the conference rooms here at Worktop Express® are decked out with bespoke, extra-wide table tops (making use of wenge and black American walnut).

Choosing a durable finish

If treated with the correct finish, any of the worktops in our collection are suitable for use in an office environment. There are a variety of treatments available that will still maintain the timber’s natural aesthetics, and whilst we often recommend Rustins Danish Oil for kitchen worktops, you may decide to choose an alternative option for office environments.

Oiling: We usually recommend Rustins Danish Oil for treating wooden worktops as it is food-safe and has a low lustre finish that is ideal for showing off the natural beauty of timber without giving it an artificial appearance. With regular maintenance, Danish oil will create a water resistant finish whilst accentuating the hard-wearing qualities of the timber. As there is likely to be considerably less food or liquids in an office environment, and the temperature more stable than a kitchen, oiling does not need to be so regularly undertaken, but we would still recommend twice-yearly oiling after installation.

Lacquering: Using a lacquer rather than oil creates a considerably glossier surface that looks more artificial, but is a perfect choice for worktops that may be subjected to considerable wear-and-tear. Unlike oil which requires reapplication to maintain the finish, lacquer does not, meaning that despite a less natural appearance, it may be more suitable to office environments.

Varnish: As with lacquer, most varnishes create a glossy finish to a treated timber surface, although semi-gloss and satin sheen finishes are also available. Unlike lacquer which is a mixture of plastics and solvents, varnish is made from a combination of resin, drying oil and thinner.

Creating bespoke office table tops

One of best things about hardwood worktops is their flexibility: they can be easily modified to fit any available space in your office. Whether you simply need holes through which to feed cables from office equipment such as computer monitors, or something more unique (such as ergonomic designs to suit your office environment), our fabrication team can create bespoke wooden worktops to almost any specification.

To create, price up and order straightforward fabrications such as cutting a worktop to size, drilling holes or applying smooth edge profiles, we recommend using our innovative Online Bespoke Worktop Tool.

If you have more specialist requirements, you can send measurements and a diagram in to our skilled fabrication team, who will turn your design into a CAD template for our highly-sophisticated CNC machine to produce. Afterwards, our team will finish the worktop by hand and apply a number of coats of oil to protect it in transit and during installation.

Examples of Wood Worktops in Customer Offices

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“How easy is it to maintain real wood worktops?” Question of the Week 13.06.15

Question of the Week

“How easy is it to maintain real wood worktops?”

This week’s ‘Question of the Week’ comes from Alison in Sutton Coldfield, who is considering our real wood worktops, but wants to know how easy it is to care for this natural material.

QUESTION:

“I really like the look of wooden worktops, but wonder if they might be too much work to maintain. Can you outline what is required to keep them looking their best and lasting a long time?”

ANSWER:

Hi Alison,

Thanks for sending in your query. We are glad that you are considering our worktops, and are also pleased that you are curious as to what maintenance is required to keep them looking their best for many years to come.

In busy areas such as kitchens, the worktops need to be resilient and long-lasting. The timbers that we use to create our wood worktops are some of the most hard-wearing natural materials around – second only to granite and marble, which are considerably more expensive, and lack the organic character and warmth that a wood worktop exhibits.

Where maintenance is concerned, our worktops do require regular maintenance to continue to look their best, though the maintenance is relatively straightforward and inexpensive. Follow these tips to keep your worktops looking great:

  • Regularly wipe down the surface of the worktops with warm water and a small amount of soap using a damp lint-free cloth. Full instructions for cleaning worktops can be found in our ‘How to Clean Worktops’ Nutshell guide.
  • Regularly oil the worktops – every couple of weeks for newly installed worktops, then approximately every three months after that. The frequency of oiling will depend on the kitchen environment and the timber. Some are more naturally oily, meaning that less regular oiling is required, whilst others have large pores and absorb the oil faster, needing more. Further details can be found in our ’Oiling Worktops’ guide.
  • If the worktop is scratched or stained, the natural quality of wood means that any necessary repairs are simple: all that is needed to bring most timber back to its original, unblemished appearance is a light sanding and re-oiling. Read more about worktop repair in our ‘Repairing Minor Kitchen Worktop Damage’ information guide.

To help keep your worktop in tip-top condition after installation, we sell a DIY Worktop Aftercare Kit as well as various other worktop accessories; be sure to add these essential extras to the online shopping cart when you come to make your purchase.

I hope this answers your query, but do feel free to get in touch if you need any further assistance.

All the best,

Ben @ Worktop Express

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