Deciding to purchase a wood countertop, you musttake into account not only the interior style of the room, but also the practical side of the issue, since the operation of products made from this material is associated with a number of features that cannot be overlooked. Especially careful to choose when it comes to the kitchen, because in it the wooden tabletop will be exposed to frequent moisture and other negative factors related to the operating conditions of this room.
Choosing the right wood for the kitchen countertop
Used wood for the manufacture of suchproducts must have sufficient hardness, because it will often come into contact with various kitchen utensils, and at the same time be stable (resistant to moisture and temperature changes, due to which the wood is deformed). A wooden tabletop made of such material is better able to preserve its geometric shapes and sizes, it does not crack and does not swell. The following tree species have the best combination of indicators of hardness and stability:
- oak;
- nut;
- cherry;
- cherries;
- iroko;
- merbau;
- teak.
In addition to the material, the performance properties of the tabletops are also affected by the way they were produced, as well as which coatings and adhesives were used.
Wooden kitchen countertops from solid wood
Products from solid wood withFrom an aesthetic point of view, they are most attractive because they can have original solutions with a heterogeneous surface texture, such as knots, imitation of aging and other effects. However, due to the tendency of wood to deform changes, the wooden tabletop is not quite suitable for use in rooms with high moisture and temperature changes characteristic of a kitchen or bathroom.
Modern paintwork and other protectiveCoatings, as well as existing technologies, can largely protect wood from harmful effects, however, over time, they also lose their properties and require replacement. In addition, it is the most expensive option, especially if the tabletop is made of noble material. Therefore, the array is used mainly for the production of premium products.
However, the tabletop is wooden white, madefrom light wood of a natural oak, is successfully combined with elements from glass and metal. And if the kitchen is made in a rustic style, it will be the most successful solution, since it is with the help of solid material that you can recreate the old atmosphere of antiquity.
Wooden kitchen countertops from glued wood
The most frequently used products are gluedwood They can be made from one type of wood, or from a combination of several. First, a furniture board is made from individual boards (lamellas), from which a tabletop of the required size and shape is cut out, or the lamellas are glued together directly and receive the finished product.
Due to the fact that the maximum dimensions of the shieldup to 1.3 m wide and up to 2.5 m long, the wooden table top for the kitchen table can be made even for a large family. In addition, it is also the most suitable option for the kitchen because, in glued products, the stress in wood fibers is not as high as that of large-sized solid material worktops, and as a result, it is less susceptible to deformational changes.
As for the appearance of these countertops,The variety of design solutions is greater here, especially if they are made of several types of wood that have contrasting colors and textures that can emphasize the rational geometry of modern kitchen furniture.
Countertops made of laminated MDF, chipboard and veneered
Ламинированные столешницы из панелей МДФ и ДСП made of compressed sawdust. As a coating is applied polymer film with a texture under the natural wood of almost any breed. It enjoys the greatest demand from consumers due to its attractive appearance, although it is inferior in performance to wooden counterparts.
Decorative veneer coated countertopsNatural wood is also made from MDF panels, but a shield made of inexpensive wood can also be used. The appearance is not inferior to products made of solid material and glued counterparts, but performance is worse - the veneer deforms over time and comes off from the base.
Advantages and disadvantages
Wooden table top has such advantages as:
- ease of processing the material, so you can make a product of any desired shape;
- the ability to combine several types of wood in one product;
- the elasticity of the material, which reduces the likelihood of chipping and cracking on the surface, which often occur on stone worktops;
- when defects appear it is easily repaired, and you can do this many times.
Disadvantages:
- over time it is necessary to change the protective coating;
- flammable;
- hot dishes can leave marks on the surface;
- the surface can be scratched with a knife.
