There is no denying that adding in solid wood fittings to a kitchen can help bestow natural beauty to the a space, making it more welcoming, attractive and warmer. When the likes of oak worktops are first added they can totally transform a room, offering timeless style that no other alternative can match. But what about as they age? Will they lose their looks fast and will they need regular cosmetic work just to keep up with their younger or tougher opponents?
Longevity
Solid wood will age extremely well if it is treated right. Whilst many alternatives will fade with age or lose their sheen, the likes of oak can actually gain beauty over time, looking more traditional and gaining character as the years go by. Furthermore, even if damage or age do start to wear away its once perfect looks, some very simple treatment and the right oils could restore them in no time at all.
As such, not only will solid wood products last longer, look better and be more practical than the alternatives on the market, the material also offers a wealth of opportunity for those who want to spruce up their kitchen at any time.
This makes them a versatile solutions, as those who choose to change the colour scheme within their home could find that a simple coat of varnish can see their work surfaces fit with any decor.
Maintenance
Of course, if you ignore the material’s needs and take maintenance for granted, you may find you need to take restorative measures far more often than you should, it will be important to bear a few things in mind to keep them at their best.
The first thing you should do when buying a new worktop is to give it the right protection and finish. Oiling your solid wood counters will be simple and effective, protecting the material from the elements and giving it the perfect look for your own specific space. By choosing to finish the countertop with oil, it is easy to change the look of the surface further on down the line.
Try using two separate coatings before putting your worktop to use, focussing on the areas that won’t be seen as much as the surfaces that all eyes will notice. You may even want to try a few extra coats with some light sanding in between to get it just the way you want it. Either way, such initial treatment will set you up for the future and ensure that maintaining your kitchen is far less hassle.
Moving forward, it will be important to clean up spills as they occur and to avoid using sharp knives on the surface without any protection – chopping boards will play a vital part in keeping your kitchen looking as good as new. From here, oil should be reapplied every six months or so to keep the surface as waterproof as possible and to guarantee the shine and safety of the product.
Keeping such surfaces looking great should not be all that hard at all. Of course, one of the easiest ways to keep them in great shape, is to buy the right products in the first place. Before splashing out on new work surfaces for your kitchen, be sure to check the reviews of different products and companies to ensure you will be getting value for money and a worktop that will stand the test of time.
Author Bio: Alan Holmes is a freelance writer and blogger. He regularly writes articles about household interior design, using sites such as Worktop Express to stay up to date with all the latest industry news and developments.