Worktop Express Information Guides

This guide has all the details you might want to know about our birch wood worktops, including facts on their appearance and the manufacturing process, plus a brief history of the timber.

Aesthetics

Like the other natural timbers used to manufacture our wide range of worktops, birch timber creates an exceedingly durable work surface. A great alternative to maple or beech worktops, birch wood has honey-coloured hues and a natural iridescence. It is a hardwearing timber that also features unique grain patterns: a particularly appealing surface for traditional kitchen settings.

To see further examples of our worktops, please take a look at the Worktop Image Gallery. More images will be available soon.

Type of wood and grain structure

Worktop Express offers a wide variety of wooden worktops made using the finest-quality hardwoods. Though the name might suggest otherwise, some softwoods are actually as ‘hard’ as hardwoods. It is the unique cell structure that sets the two types of wood apart, whilst helping to create the beautiful grain patterns seen on many of our worktops.

Birch wood has a fine, even texture that is similar to beech, cherry or maple, with a grain that is generally straight or slightly wavy. These worktops are predominantly manufactured using the lighter sapwood, but occasionally staves of darker sapwood – which are a light, reddish brown – may be included.

Birch timber wood is easy to work with, does not splinter readily and reacts well to treatments, making it an ideal material from which to construct kitchen worktops.

Sourcing and Manufacture

Worktop Express takes great pride in only offering worktops that have been constructed using the highest-quality timber, whilst ensuring we can offer them at an unrivalled price compared to any high-street competitors.

The birch timber used to create these worktops is found across Europe, preferring well-lit areas with acid soils. It is found on heathland, mountainsides and clinging to rocky crags, and is often the first tree species to colonise bare land after clearing.

All of the timber currently used to construct our birch worktops is sourced in Ukraine, and is manufactured solely in Europe to meet strict specifications. By only using sustainably-sourced timber and meeting strict environmental standards, our impact on the environment is reduced at a local level.

Stringent checks ensure that the wood we use is not only hardwearing and aesthetically pleasing, but that it also has the environmental credentials to match. All timber is sourced from well-managed forests with established replanting schemes (elements that are verified in person by our own purchasing team). We do not rely on middlemen at any point in our sourcing and manufacture chain, ensuring that we can maintain our high standards at every step.

Since inception, Worktop Express® has supplied in excess of 375,000 orders, meaning we are now considered one of the industry leaders in supplying solid wood worktops. We only offer products of the highest quality, whilst maintaining unbeatable prices.

Every three months members of the team visit our European suppliers to check that our very high standards are being strictly enforced. We are very proud of our environmental credentials – you can find out more on our Environmental Policy page.

More details of our sourcing and manufacturing process can be found in our ’Sourcing and Manufacture’ guide.

Construction

Our birch worktops are made using a variety of 40mm staves. These ‘staves’ are the individual timber planks that are used to construct the worktop, and are carefully chosen from the best parts of the tree. This helps us to ensure consistent grain and colouration across our stock, though – as timber is a natural product – variances do occur: we believe these differences only add to the unique character of each worktop.

A number of staves are jointed together using ‘finger’ joints to create a wooden surface that is ideal for worktops. The joint looks similar to two interlocking hands, and creates a strong bond that is cemented with friction and a small amount of high-quality waterproof glue.

Further information on the construction of our worktops can be found in our ’Construction Types Explained’ information guide.

Physical Properties

• Tree Size: 20-30m tall, up to 0.5m trunk diameter
• Density: 700 kg/m3
• Average Dried Weight: 640 kg/m3
• Janka Hardness: (5360 N)
• Modulus of Rupture (bending strength): 114.3 MPa
• Elastic Modulus (‘stiffness’ of wood): 13.96 GPa

History

Birch timber has been used for many hundreds – if not thousands – of years. Contemporary uses include furniture construction, production of plywood, veneers, skis, kitchen utensils and firewood.

Historically birch timber was used for making roof shingles and wooden footwear, whilst the sap can be used to create a waterproof glue. The thin sheets of waxy bark can be used as a fire lighter or writing paper, and also contain betulin, which is believed to have anti-inflammatory, antiviral and cancer-inhibiting properties.

Birch twigs are often used to create horse racing jumps, and can also be found in saunas where the fragrant oils released are believed to help relax the muscles. With this use in mind, it should come as no surprise that the birch tree is the national tree of Finland, where sauna culture is especially popular.

Price

At Worktop Express® we go through great lengths to maintain our standing as industry leaders, which enables us to deliver worktops at a very competitive price whilst offering excellent customer service.

We commonly have over 15,000 worktops in stock at any one time, allowing us to promise speedy and direct delivery – both to the general public and our trade customers – via our efficient 2man delivery teams.

Advanced online stock-ordering systems allow us to drastically reduce the amount of dead stock we hold. Furthermore, through our ‘direct-to-public’ e-commerce business plan, we are able to maintain much lower overheads than some of our competitors.

Our birch worktops are available from £85 for a 2m x 620mm worktop, with matching 3M upstands for only £20.

Perfect for…

With light colour and distinctive, iridescent grain patterning, birch is a great alternative to beech or cherry, whilst exhibiting its own unique character. Its hardwearing properties make it an ideal choice for kitchen worktops. We recommend pairing birch with strong greys and pastel blues in a traditional-style kitchen for a timeless, elegant look.

If you are interested in one of our 40mm birch worktops, or would just like to know more about the available options, please visit our solid birch worktops page.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

As standard, all wooden worktops available from Worktop Express are provided in a smooth sanded finish with square edges. In most cases, to prepare your new countertops for installation you need only finish them with a few coats of oil; however, when joining multiple worktops together or creating an extra-wide surface, you will need to know about the different worktop joints that are available.

Butt Joint

When joining two wooden worktops together at a 90˚ angle, a butt joint is the preferred method. This method allows you to join two worktops together neatly without interrupting the wood’s grain pattern, whilst ensuring that the timber can still expand and contract without bowing or splitting.

Recesses that accommodate a set of worktop connector bolts are routed into the underside of the worktop. This invisible join makes it easy to connect the two worktops; moreover, this can be done without the help of a professional fitter, as only a small amount of sealant is required to fill the gap between the two worktops.

You can read more about this method of joining two wood worktops by reading our Butt Joints Nutshell Guide.

Mason’s Mitre Joint

A mason’s mitre joint is one of the most popular type of worktop joints used to connect two laminate worktops, as it provides a neat join that minimises wastage when compared to a 45˚ mitre joint.

A mason’s mitre joint is sometimes known as a ‘hockey stick’ joint (thanks to the curve in the join at the front edge of the worktop). These worktop joints can be made easily by using one of our worktop jigs, all of which include an aperture for creating a mason’s mitre joint.

If you would prefer that your laminate worktops arrive ready to install, this joint can be created prior to delivery of your worktops via our laminate worktop cutting service.

Want to know more? Read our ‘Mason’s Mitre Joints for Kitchen Worktops’ information guide.

Biscuit Joint

When creating worktops larger than 960mm in width for breakfast bars or kitchen islands, it may be necessary to join two worktops together using an extra-strong biscuit joint.

This type of joint is created by routing apertures into the side of the worktop, which accommodate ‘biscuit’ shaped pieces of timber that help to reinforce the join (whilst creating a seamless appearance).

Creating the perfect biscuit joint is not an easy process, so we recommend taking advantage of our bespoke cutting service if you require an extra-large worktop.

If you are looking for inspiration for your kitchen’s layout and cannot decide which type of joint may suit your requirements, we recommend viewing the kitchens in our Customer Kitchens Gallery.

---

Shop Wooden Worktops

---

Do you have a question that you would like us to answer? Ask us now on , or send us a message.

Picking the right countertop for your kitchen can be difficult – after all, there are so many worktop materials to choose from! However, whether you are designing a new kitchen or revamping an older one, it’s likely that you’ll choose between solid wood, laminate, granite or solid surface worktops, all of which are popular and widely available.

We have put together this guide to help you weigh up the pros and cons of various worktop materials, thus helping you to make an informed decision when choosing your kitchen’s centrepiece.

Laminate

Laminate worktops are often the most affordable worktop choice, and are available in a range of designs that imitate stone, wood, quartz and other materials.

These surfaces are made by wrapping a plastic laminate layer around a composite fibreboard core, which creates a light hard-wearing surface that is relatively easy to install.

Pros

• +  Highly affordable
• +  Stain and water-resistant
• +  Easy to install and maintain
• +  Easy to clean
• +  Many styles and designs available
• +  Available with square or post-formed edges

Cons

• -  Edges can wear over time
• -  Surface can burn or melt if in contact with hot pots or pans
• -  Not a unique surface like natural materials
• -  Edges need refinishing after customisation

Granite and Marble

Stones such as granite and marble are fairly popular choices for worktops, though they are among the most expensive and difficult-to-install worktop materials on the market.

A wide range of stones are available, which – thanks to the nature of this organic material – are certain to create worktops with unique appearances.

Pros

• +  Very hard-wearing
• +  Heat and water-resistant
• +  Easy to clean

Cons

• -  Very expensive
• -  Heavy and hard to handle on site
• -  Customisation requires specialist equipment
• -  Not recommended for DIY installation

Wood

It should come as no surprise that wood is one of our favourite worktop choices, but there are many valid reasons to choose a hardwood worktop (provided that you are prepared to stick to a fairly regular – though not onerous – maintenance programme).

Solid wood worktops can be customised easily to suit any kitchen, and there are timbers to suit both traditional and contemporary interiors. Once customised and treated, wood worktops can be installed without any specialist equipment, and can last for many years – even in busy kitchens.

Pros

• +  Can be very hard-wearing
• +  Cheaper than natural stone choices
• +  A wide range of timber types and colours available
• +  Easy to customise and install
• +  Antibacterial if properly maintained
• +  Ages beautifully
• +  Totally unique

Cons

• -  Requires re-oiling to maintain the surface
• -  Susceptible to burns or stains

Quartz

A quartz worktop is manufactured using natural quartz that is fortified together with resins, creating a hardwearing worktop that is a great alternative to stone surfaces (such as granite).

Quartz surfaces are available in a wide choice of colours and have become very popular over the years, offering a uniform look that is commonly used in modern kitchen designs. However, despite these positive attributes, quartz may not be a suitable choice for all customers: these worktops are still expensive and are not as easy to install as laminate or wooden surfaces.

Pros

• +  Hard-wearing
• +  Resistant to water and stains
• +  Antibacterial
• +  Easy to clean
• +  Very wide range of colours

Cons

• -  Very heavy
• -  Expensive
• -  Not recommended for DIY installation

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel worktops are generally used in commercial kitchens, though in recent years this material has become more popular in domestic settings. Stainless steel looks superb in contemporary kitchens with an industrial aesthetic, but is not ideal for every style of home.

This worktop material is very easy to clean and is both hardwearing and waterproof. Unfortunately, it is not easy to install and requires a specialist to complete the process, which can be quite costly.

Pros

• +  Strong and durable
• +  Easy to clean
• +  Water and stain-proof
• +  Very light

Cons

• -  Cold and clinical
• -  Reminiscent of commercial kitchens
• -  Does not suit classic kitchen designs
• -  Costly to install

Solid Surfaces

A range of solid surface worktops are sold with brand names such as Avonite, Corian and Maia. These surfaces are made by applying an acrylic surface onto a composite fibreboard core – much like the construction of cheaper laminate worktops.

These worktops come in a wide variety of colours that suit modern kitchens, but are expensive to purchase and require specialist knowledge to install.

Pros

• +  Head and scratch-resistant
• +  Creates a seamless finish
• +  Can be moulded to suit any shape of kitchen
• +  Available in a variety of designs and colours

Cons

• -  Expensive
• -  Difficult to customise once on site
• -  Not recommended for DIY installation

Worktop Express sells an expansive selection of solid wood worktops and laminate worktops in a wide range of colours and designs. Worktops can be customised prior to despatch making them easier to fit immediately after delivery.

If you have any questions about any of the worktops in our range, don’t hesitate to get in touch or visit one of our worktop showrooms – our friendly sales team are always happy to help!