The addition of a wooden worktop to your kitchen isn’t just an appealing and affordable option; it’s also highly practical. Wooden worktops come in a variety of different styles. At the cheaper end of the market, you’ll find worktops that are made up of relatively short, thin strips, blocks or staves of wood. Thereafter, as the price increases, you’ll typically find that staves become wider, wide planks or full staves may be used and in some cases even single pieces of wood might be used to create the full worktop.
Thin strip or stave worktops are made by bonding together narrow staves or strips of wood and placing them under pressure to create a fix. Either carried out by hand or by machine, the strips of wood are finger jointed and then glued to make them secure. The finger joints used in this process are created by effectively cutting what looks like “teeth” into and out of alternate staves of wood, creating a large surface area for the glue. Once the finger joints have been glued and pressured together, the result is a strong and uniform pattern of the strips of the wood species you’ve chosen for your worktop. The staves or strips of wood used in this type of worktop are typically about 4cm wide by anything up to 30cm long. Often called blocking, this way of making wooden worktops is the cheapest of all because it typically uses offcuts in its process.
Wider stave worktops are made in a similar way, but, as the name suggests, rely on wider widths of stave, making the process slightly more expensive, but enabling more of the natural look of the wood shine through. When it comes to full stave worktops this is the mid-way between block or narrow stave and wide plank worktops. Full stave worktops typically feature blocks of around 40 to 50mm widths that are bonded together along their sides, but each stave runs the full length of the worktop, which means there are no joins. Full stave worktops are particularly attractive because there are no interruptions in the run of the length of your wood.
A great compromise between the lower budget, thin stave worktops and the wide plank option, full stave worktops look really stunning and allow the natural features of the wood to stand out. When you choose a full stave worktop, you can be sure that you have chosen a really good quality product that will last a long time, and with the right maintenance will look better as time goes on. Irrespective of whether you choose oak, walnut or iroko for your full stave worktop, you’ll be able to create a stunning look to suit your kitchen.
Modern or traditional kitchens that are enhanced using a full stave worktop will take on a classy and stylish look as well as providing you with a great working surface for all your culinary activities. Like any wooden worktop, a full stave worktop will benefit from regular oiling to keep it in tip-top condition.
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FAQ
What are the benefits of wooden worktops in the kitchen?
Wooden worktops are an appealing, affordable, and practical option for kitchens. They come in a variety of styles and can suit both modern and traditional kitchen designs. With regular maintenance, such as oiling, they can last a long time and even look better as they age.
How are thin strip or stave worktops made?
Thin strip or stave worktops are made by bonding together narrow staves or strips of wood under pressure. This can be carried out by hand or machine. The strips of wood are finger jointed and then glued to make them secure. This method often uses offcuts and is the cheapest way to make wooden worktops.
What are full stave worktops?
Full stave worktops are made with blocks that run the full length of the worktop, meaning there are no joins. They are particularly attractive because there are no interruptions in the run of the length of your wood. This type of worktop allows the natural features of the wood to stand out and is of high quality.
How do full stave worktops enhance a kitchen?
Full stave worktops add a classy and stylish look to both modern and traditional kitchens. They provide a great working surface for all culinary activities. With the right maintenance, they can last a long time and look better as they age.
How should I maintain a full stave worktop?
Like any wooden worktop, a full stave worktop will benefit from regular oiling to keep it in good condition. Regular maintenance helps to prolong its life and enhance its appearance over time.