Oak worktop

Despite the fact that various MDF and chipboard countertops are very popular, in terms of their characteristics they will never be better than options made of exclusively natural wood. The tree is in demand all over the world, because it always looks expensive and noble. Oak countertops have always been relevant for purchase due to their attractive appearance and performance characteristics throughout the entire period of use.

Most of the solid oak countertops are made from selected woods. They are often coated with safe paints and varnishes and impregnations that extend the life of the wooden surface and also protect it from damage.

The undoubted advantage of oak countertops is their excellent characteristics. Such products are considered not only very practical, but also durable and wear-resistant. In addition, oak has a very beautiful and unusual texture, most often it is heterogeneous, but this is its beauty. It is known that oak texture is considered a reference, which is why you can so often find oak imitation on other surfaces.

Oak countertops are very resistant to various types of mechanical damage, moreover, shallow scratches on such a surface are almost invisible. If there is a large number of deformations, oak countertops can always be restored.

Countertops made of natural material are environmentally friendly and safe, they do not absorb third-party odors, this is especially true for kitchens. They are also very easy to clean.

Of the minuses - of course, the high cost of such products for the home. Oak furniture board for countertops, depending on the manufacturer, can cost between 90-150 thousand rubles per m3. Usually manufacturers set such high prices for high quality elite oak. A good U- or L-shaped countertop for the kitchen can cost 70-100 thousand rubles, and the countertop under the sink - about 20 thousand rubles.

Today, various countertops can be purchased ready-made, or you can choose an option to order.

Conventional countertops of this type are faced with natural oak veneer, but their basis is still chipboard. Such surfaces are often acquired for tables, they can have a very different shape. As a rule, they are not made to order, since many manufacturers offer ready-made options in a large range of colors. Prices for these types of surfaces can be considered very affordable.

It is believed that the base for oak countertops is a special furniture board, which is made of glued wood. A furniture board is a kind of construction made of glued natural slats. They are glued together in production using a variety of modern technologies.

The furniture board, obtained by gluing a wide board, is called all-lamellar. Solid wood shields usually have a uniform texture, and their price is average.

The shield, which is obtained from connected wide or narrow boards, is called spliced. Spliced ​​shields are usually inexpensive, but colorful. Wide boards are some of the most unique and therefore expensive.

It is best to purchase a shield for a countertop with a minimum number of joints, so it will look more aesthetically pleasing. The most popular and recommended shields are considered to be all-lamellas.

There are also so-called wood slabs, which are wide longitudinal cuts made of solid wood. Natural cracks in the slabs are filled with epoxy.

The oak table top will perfectly fit into both classic and modern interiors. The most popular forms include:

• square and rectangular;
• round and oval;
• L-shaped and U-shaped for kitchen sets;
• combined options.

Popular colors of oak surfaces are usually not only dark or light variants, but also numerous natural shades. Oak color options:

• natural color (transparent wood coating);
• bleached;
• cream and milk;
• wenge;
• dark cherry;
• mahogany;
• red walnut;
• White and black;
• rustic.

Contrary to popular belief that natural wood countertops are used only for expensive tables, it should be noted that they can be used almost anywhere you need a horizontal work surface made of high quality and durable material.

The natural oak worktop is used not only for the dining table, which is installed in the kitchen, in the dining room, and often in the living room. Oak worktops are also suitable for kitchen sets of various shapes, namely: to form a working area for cooking. And also this kind of products are used to decorate kitchen islands and often for window sills.

Solid wood countertops are also installed in the bathrooms. In order for them to be practical and not deteriorate over time, an appropriate coating should be selected for them in advance, which protects the wood from moisture and fungus.

The main criterion that you should pay attention to when choosing a countertop is hardness. But it is also worth understanding: the harder the material, the more expensive it will cost. By this criterion, oak is often even better than beech.

Usually, it is almost impossible to find and choose ready-made solid wood countertops. They are often made to order according to specified parameters, including shape and size. In this case, in production, the end, edge and edges of the product are usually finished.

When choosing a kitchen countertop, it is very important to consider the interior of the room. If the countertop is chosen for a kitchen unit, it is very important to make all measurements in advance, and also not to forget that the countertop must have holes for the sink and, if necessary, for the hob.

You can update and cover furniture with your own hands at home, or use the help of specialist restorers.

Typically, varnishes, oils and waxes are used to cover and renovate oak countertops.

Renewing the old coating will extend the life of the wood by protecting it from aggressive detergents and moisture, especially in the kitchen and bathroom. In addition, the coating allows you to restore the former tarnished color of the wood and hide minor imperfections.

The varnishes bring back the bright color and also make its texture clearer.

In the future, oils can not only update the general appearance of the countertop, but also create a protective water-repellent film on it. Oils that are only partially dry can only be removed mechanically. Don't forget about it.

Wax is useful for surface renewal when the room is very humid., and there is also a risk of fungus on the wood.

We recommend that you listen to some tips that will allow you to quickly update the surface of the countertop by eliminating small defects on it.

• Small scratches can be removed with strong tea leaves and a cotton pad. Machine oil is sometimes used.
• Any large cuts must first be sanded, then buffed, and then covered with the agent of your choice.

To summarize, we can say that the best option for covering the countertop, as well as for updating its appearance, can be such a successful combination as oil and wax. Such a combined coating will surely perfectly protect the work surface in the kitchen, which will delight you for many years. The top layer, depending on the use of the countertop, is recommended to be renewed every few years, and in the kitchen - once every 1-1.5 years.