When you buy a quality wood worktop, one of the questions you will probably have is: How can I prolong my wooden worktop’s lifespan? If this is you, read on, as we have some tips to help you.
A beautiful wood worktop is an elegant addition to any home and can be used to create a stunning centrepiece for cooking, entertaining and spending time with family and friends.
Wood worktops naturally last for many years due to the hard-wearing properties of wood; however, with a little TLC, you can increase this and keep your worktop looking at its fabulous best for years to come.
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Oiling Your Worktop
Whether you have chosen Oak, Maple or another type of wood for your worktop, it is a natural material that requires oil to keep it water-repellent, strong and looking at its best.
Oiling should be completed before installation (you can either do this yourself or use an oiling and sealing service) and then at regular intervals throughout the year or when it is no longer water-resistant.
Oiling will help prolong the life of your worktop, enhance the wood’s natural grain, and give it a natural sheen. When the sheen starts to fade, this is a good indicator that oiling is required. You can also do a quick test by putting a drop of water onto the worktop.
If the water sits on top of the wood in a droplet, it is water resistant, and if it starts to spread and soak in, it is time to oil your worktop. Linseed oil, Danish oil and teak oil are all good options to use when oiling your worktop – Remember that any oil you use needs to be food safe.
Protect Your Worktop
Whilst wood is very resilient, it does have its limitations, and as the saying goes, prevention is better than a cure. Protecting your worktop from damage is a great way to prolong its life and keep it looking great.
- Use heat mats and trivets to avoid scorch marks when placing hot pans onto the worktop.
- Do not cut directly onto the worktop; use a chopping board to avoid damaging your worktop with knife marks.
- Clear up any spillages as soon as they happen to avoid stains, which will take time to resolve later.
- Install end caps if your worktop is situated next to a range cooker like an Aga or Rayburn. This will prevent the wood from being exposed to heat for a prolonged period and warping.
What if the Worst Should Happen?
As we know, accidents happen, and if your worktop becomes damaged with dents, knife marks, scorches or something else, do not panic- it is probably something you can repair with sanding and oiling.
A wood worktop is a beautiful addition to any kitchen design, and with just a little effort, you can help prolong the lifespan of this natural material. Allowing it to stay at its elegant best and age gracefully, growing in character and charm as the years pass.
