Wooden Kitchen Countertops: Advantages and Disadvantages
Discover the main Features and Disadvantages of Solid Wood Kitchen Countertops. Resistance, Durability, Used Woods ...
Today there is a wide range of materials for the manufacture of countertops: quartz, particle board, natural stones such as granite or marble, etc. Each of them with its advantages and disadvantages.
Among all these options we find the wooden countertops. A traditional material, which has been used for this type of use for centuries, and although it is not without its disadvantages, it has interesting characteristics that make it a real option as a kitchen worktop.
On this occasion we will refer to solid wood countertops , and not to countertops made from derivatives such as MDF, chipboards ...
Advantages of kitchen countertops made with wood
The first advantage of this type of countertop can be found at a glance: its appearance . Wood provides a natural feel to the kitchen, an appearance that no other material offers.
In fact, it is something as simple to see as many materials try to imitate it. Even in the catalogs of manufacturers of compact quartz countertops, which are at the forefront of technology in this field, they have designs that mimic wood.
There are not only hundreds of woods to choose from, each one with its own aesthetics and particularities differences: oak, teak , maple or maple , beech, walnut ... In addition to this great variety, wood is a material that allows great customization, not only in shapes, also in finishes and treatments (varnishes, stains, paints ...) . Not in vain can we say that each wooden countertop will be unique.
Wood is the ecological material of reference. Not only is it one hundred percent recyclable, it can also be made from reclaimed wood. Although the latter is not what has been done traditionally, it is more common today.
It is an ideal surface to work on . Cutting, cooking or sliding are actions that are performed like nowhere else on wood. It is also very easy to clean and disinfect.
They have great durability . In this sense, many will say that the durability is not such, and that the wood is stained and grated. And it is true, but what they usually omit is that unlike other materials they are easily repaired and at a ridiculous cost if we compare it with the other options. Even if they break, they can be repaired, which is unusual as it has some flexibility.
The price of wooden countertops is relatively low. They are generally cheaper than those made with other materials such as marble, quartz, steel or porcelain. Although it does not always have to be this way, the price is already determined by the type of wood used. Beech or oak does not cost the same as exotic wood.
Disadvantages of wooden countertops
It is necessary to properly seal the pore of the wood. If not, there is a risk of finding germs and bacteria.
The water , when not properly treated wood countertop can damage it . Pay particular attention to the area of the sink where there is a greater risk of water entering the interior of the wood. It is not a question of avoiding at all costs that the water comes into contact with the wood, this does not make sense and it is not possible on a worktop. The aim is to prevent the water from stagnating and the countertop being in constant contact with the water without anyone drying it.
The excessive heat can also damage them . Putting a pan as we remove it from the plate on our wooden countertop can leave a burn.
It is a porous material, and as such it can stain if any liquid penetrates. For example, wine. In this regard, it is best to immediately dry any liquids that may spill on the hob.
These treatments wear away and the surface of the countertop suffers from wear, which is why some periodic maintenance is necessary at least once a year. If the use is very basic, it is possible to wait up to 2-3 years. This maintenance consists of sanding and varnishing. Special attention must be paid to sealing pores to prevent the kitchen counter from staining.
If we look closely, all these drawbacks have to do with the proper maintenance of the wood. That is, if we are not careful people or we are not willing to be renovating the finishes and treatments, the wooden countertops are not for us.
On the other hand, if the care is adequate, we will have a quality countertop for many years at a very competitive price.
