PRODUCT FEATURE | Surface special Wood
Typically made from oak, beech, walnut or iroko (also known as African Teak), solid wood worktops are pretty durable and also naturally antibacterial. Wooden worktops are comprised of staves or blocks glued together to create the solid block. They all offer pretty much the same functionality, but price will vary depending on the type of wood and the finish. It is considered by designers that wooden tops
offer softness and warmth and so are often specified for breakfast bars and dining areas.
Applications
As well as worktops or as breakfast bars/dining area tops, wood is obviously great for the floor for its warmth, but maybe not around the wettest areas in the kitchen, where porcelain tiles are a better option. Rotpunkt head of UK operations Matt Phillips adds that renewable wood alternatives are also “proving very popular in terms of providing lightweight eco-friendly cladding which makes an attractive contemporary statement”.
He adds that surfaces are a vital part of the ergonomic kitchen and using cladding as a part of the continuous surface from a matching worktop is a great way to bring in a deluxe designer feel.
Key considerations
Although it lasts well, as a natural material wooden worktops do require upkeep with regular sanding and oiling to keep them looking their best. But this also means its more repairable than other materials as stains and scratches can be carefully buffed away, with the oil bringing back the patina and look of the grain. As with marble and other stone, wooden tops also offer a level of character not matched by synthetic alternatives and, depending on the wood used, it’s a really sustainable choice.
On the sustainability issue, InHouse Inspired Room Design director Stuart Dance goes on to say that, ecologically-minded consumers will check whether the wood comes from a sustainably managed forest, so retailers need to have this information to hand.
De Terra solid wood Full Stave Oak from WEX Trade
Accessories for this Rotpunkt panelling include glassware holders, hooks, storage caddy and kitchen roll dispenser
“Consumers will also need to know how to treat their tops as, although they are supplied ready oiled, they will require re-oiling at regular intervals.” Finally, Nicole Oliver, head of trade at WEX Trade, which supplies De Terra, a range of solid wood kitchen worktops, says: “When a retailer is choosing where to buy their wooden worktops, it is important they understand what specification and quality protocols are followed by the supplier to make sure that the worktop is delivered to the desired standard. “Different distributors and manufacturers have different levels of quality and product specification. One of the key benefits of the De Terra solid wood range is the level of detail the product specification covers to ensure that quality of the product is second to none.”
The NX960 range with natural walnut worktop from Next125
Daval says its cladding makes a characterful feature wall effect thanks to its vertical grain. It can be painted to match fitted furniture for a custom look
46 • August 2023
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