Worktop Express Information Guides

Whilst we are certain that a stunning solid wood worktop will be the crowning feature of any room, there are other components you would undoubtedly wish to consider when it comes to updating your kitchen. In an area primarily dedicated to cookery, ovens are likely to be near the top of your list.

Whether you prefer the appearance of a free-standing range, or would like an oven built into your kitchen counters or island unit, this handy information guide will help you to weigh up the pros and cons.

Standalone Ovens

Standalone – or free-standing – ovens come in many shapes and sizes, and there are none so iconic as those provided by Aga.

Standalone units do not require the support of a cabinet, unlike a built-in option, making them easy to install.

Whilst being easy to manoeuvre, free-standing oven units are less seamlessly integrated into overall kitchen design, so it is worth spending some time choosing a style that will complement your cabinets, other appliances and accessories.

Built-In and Built-Under Ovens

In kitchens where space is at a premium, built-in and built-under ovens are perfect options.

Integrated, wall-mounted ovens are especially convenient, as they can be positioned within a cabinet column so as to remove the need to bend down to check the timer or retrieve dishes. Built-under ovens sit beneath a countertop to produce a similarly seamless aesthetic.

Integrated into your existing cabinetry design, this style frees up additional worktop space, allowing you to make the most of every inch of the room available.

Single or Double?

If you frequently find yourself cooking for large numbers of people, or like to create complex dishes with lots of different elements, it may be sensible to opt for a double oven. However if you live alone or cook infrequently, a single oven is likely to be a wiser choice.

It is also worth considering the number of shelves included in the oven, as a single oven may be sufficient for regular cooking if it has plenty of shelf space.

Gas or Electric?

There are several considerations to take into account when choosing between gas and electric ovens.

As far as running costs are concerned, gas has always been the cheaper option, and is also useful in the event of a power-cut (as you will still be able to light the hob with matches).

If cooking power is a consideration, bear in mind that it is common to find fan assistance in electric ovens but not in gas ovens. Fans increase the speed and efficiency of cooking by circulating the hot air, ensuring that heat is evenly distributed throughout the oven. Electric ovens usually have an electric thermostat, too, which makes it easier to control the oven temperature.

Finally, electric ovens are typically easier to install as – in the case of freestanding ovens – they simply need to be connected to a mains socket. Installing built-in ovens can be a little more complex, though, and we recommend hiring a professional for this.

Added Features

As well as differing in style, capacity and type, ovens are often accompanied by a number of handy features – and these vary from model to model.

For example, some ovens come with a steam-fuelled function that allows you to steam-cook food inside the oven, helping the food to retain moisture and avoid burning.

Ovens commonly come with a grill, a handy feature for varying your cooking style, and providing a healthier way to cook meat (allowing the fat to drain off into the pan underneath).

You can even purchase ovens with a self-cleaning facility. These come in two types: one with a ‘catalytic liner’ (with a grey speckled interior that absorbs grease and fat splashes), and one that is ‘pyrolytic’ (which burns away stray fragments of food). Both of these options require far less elbow grease when it comes to cleaning your oven.

Each of our beautiful kitchen showrooms display a range of high quality appliances, incorporating models from well-established brands such as Rangemaster, Perrin & Rowe, Falcon, Neff, Franke, Mercury and Fisher & Paykel. What’s more, as an AGA authorised showroom, our flagship showroom in Gloucestershire also has the envied AGA Total Control 3 on display. For more kitchen inspiration, please do pay us a visit at any of our locations across the country!

Our handy Online Bespoke Worktop Tool provides a quick, easy way to order a wooden worktop with customisation. Not only does it allow you to visualise your bespoke worktop and detail the cost break-down, but it is also more affordable: customisations ordered via the tool are offered at a discount. By placing an order for your tailor-made worktop using our innovative online tool, you can design your worktop at any hour that is convenient and take as much time as you need.

The Worktop Express® Online Bespoke Worktop Tool offers a whole host of choices when it comes to tailoring your solid wood worktop. Read on to learn more about each option:

Cut-to-Size

• A cut-to-size cuts down worktops from our standard sizes.
• Select whether you would like to cut lengthways or widthways, then the amount you would like to remove (in mm).
• You may also wish to opt to use the offcut as another worktop (if so, you can switch between worktops using the tabs in the top-left corner of your screen).

Radius Corner

• A radius corner cuts our default right-angled corners into a smooth, curved corner.
• Enter the radius required (in mm) and switch the corner(s) you would like to apply the cut to.
• Please read our Radius Corners Nutshell Guide for further information.

Square or Circle Cut-Out

• To accommodate certain worktop equipment, appliances or accessories, you might like to add a square or circle cut-out.
• Simply specify the distance from the left side and distance from the top of the worktop, and the width and length – or diameter – of the cut-out itself.

Tapered Edge

• A taper cut allows you to make one end of your worktop narrower than the other (accommodating irregularly-shaped kitchens, for example).
• Choose the side that you would like the cut applied to, then the corner that you would like to remain as is. The other corner on your selected side will be cut back by the amount you specify, with a diagonal cut between the two corners.

Sink Cut-Out

• The sink cut-out adds a hole to accommodate a sink.
• Choose which type of sink you would like: Belfast, undermounted or overmounted.
• Specify the position, length and width of your cut-out.

Tap Hole

• Add a tap hole by specifying the distance from the left edge of the worktop and the distance from the top edge (in mm). Indicate what the diameter of your tap hole will be.

Hob Cut-Out

• To add a rectangular or circular hob cut-out, specify the shape that you require, its position from the left edge and top edge of the worktop, and what length and width – or diameter – is needed.

Hotrods and Cut-Out

• To add stainless steel hotrods to your worktop, grooves will need to be added to the work surface.
• These are available in a straight or diamond formation.
• Select the hotrod formation that you would like, and confirm your choice.
• You can then drag the hotrods to the position you would like on your worktop, using the navigation markers to rotate if you wish.
• To find out more, read our Stainless Steel Hotrods information guide.

Wireless Charger Hole

• Our wireless charging unit can be installed on the underside of the worktop, allowing you to charge your phone simply by placing it above the charger on the work surface.
• Indicate where you would like the charger to be positioned, and drag it to adjust its location, if required.

Ellipse End

• For a curved end to your worktop, select the end that you would like the ellipse cut applied to, and how far back into the worktop you would like the curve to finish.
• Why not read our Ellipse End Nutshell Guide to find out more?

Edge Profile

• We offer a wide variety of edge profiles as alternatives to our standard square edges.
• Choose between a pencil, rounded, chamfered or ogee profile, and pick whether it is applied to the top edge, bottom edge, or both.
• Then, simply select the edges that you would like this profile applied to.
• For more information, please read our Edge Profiles Nutshell Guide.

End Cap

• End caps protect the wood grain from sources of heat or moisture, such as ovens or dishwashers.
• An end cap adds an additional length of 40mm to your worktop, so you may need to cut the worktop down first in order to accommodate this.
• Select the side that requires an end cap, then confirm.
• To find out more about the benefits of end caps, take a look at our useful End Caps information guide.

Butt Join

• Butt joins connect two worktops together at a 90° angle, and require three bolt apertures.
• To add a butt join, select its location from the choices on the right-hand menu, and confirm.
• Please note: a butt join cut should be added to both of the worktops you intend to join.

Delete a customisation

If you wish to remove customisations, simply select the bespoke cut you would like to remove from the right-hand menu, then press the ‘Delete’ button at the bottom of the menu. Your order total will be updated automatically.

Before our skilled fabrication team set to work on your tailor-made top, we will send you through a CAD drawing, which will show all the customisations you have requested. Please read this carefully, to ensure all measurements are correct. Once you have approved this drawing, we will begin the production process.

If you have any queries regarding our tool, do consult our full Online Bespoke Worktop Tool guide, which has plenty of tips and advice; alternatively, please feel free to contact us.

If you take pride in the appearance of your home, you will appreciate the considerable amount of effort that is often required to source and combine decorative features that suit your overall design scheme. If you have decided to make a feature of timber in your home, this is – of course – a decision we fully support! Real wood is not only stunning but is also full of character, whilst being extremely versatile; nonetheless, choosing the perfect kitchen worktop surfaces can be tricky, and as such we would like to tell you a little more about how to identify common timbers around the home (making it easier for you to choose a worksurface to match).

Oak

One of the most commonly used timbers for furniture, traditional oak can be characterised in a number of ways:

• Oak can be distinguished by its warm, golden colouring.
• The distinctive grain pattern of this timber is generally large and open.
• Oak is a highly hard-wearing material, and is also incredibly dense. If you suspect your timber furniture is made from oak, it is likely to be fairly weighty.
• As a hardwood, oak will also be highly resistant to scratches. If you press your nail against the wood, it should not leave a mark (if it does, it is more likely to be a softer wood such as pine).

Ash

A hard-wearing timber, ash is known for its ability to bend, and is therefore commonly used for furniture such as chairs with curved backrests.

• Ash is a pale timber with caramel figuring.
• Its easily distinguishable, open grain pattern combines straight grains with ‘curly’ formations
• Ash is a hardwood, giving it excellent shock absorbing properties that make it resistant to splintering.

Bamboo

Officially a grass rather than a timber, bamboo has become a particularly popular choice for furniture in recent years, thanks to its sustainable nature and water resistant properties.

• Whether standard or caramel bamboo, this material is easily identified by its slender ‘staves’
• Another highly recognisable feature of bamboo is the small, darker bands where the notches on the plant would naturally occur.
• Bamboo furniture also has a very fine, uniform texture.

Beech

Beech is another weighty hardwood that is ideal for making sturdy furniture and wooden worktops.

• This durable timber is noted for its pinkish hue, which is perfect for bringing warmth to your home.
• The grain pattern of beech can be identified by the presence of unique darker lines, as well as small darker flecks and dots.
• Beech has a tight and straight grain structure that gives it a fine and even surface.

Walnut

Walnut is a timber that is celebrated for its versatility, strength and rich colouring.

• Walnut, as a material, is made up of an intriguing mixture of pale sapwood and dark heartwood. This produces areas of highly-contrasting colour in walnut surfaces – a sought-after, beautiful feature – and means that walnut furniture comes in a range of different shades.
• Whether a paler or darker part of the wood, walnut has a rich chestnut hue and is known for its stunning and luxurious lustre.
• Pale sapwood displays a tight, even grain structure, whilst the darker, open-grained heartwood will often feature distinctive ‘curly’ formations.

To find out more about the best colour schemes to go with wood work surfaces – or any other wooden furniture – why not read our ’Combining Colour Schemes with Solid Wooden Worktops for Kitchens’ information guide? Alternatively, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.