If you’re reading this blog, you probably prefer real quality; the quality that lasts for decades, the quality that never loses its lustre, and the quality that proves its hardiness overtime.
With the industry inundated with new composite materials, having your kitchen completely lead by the design rather than by material choice is much easier to achieve than ever before.
But before you take the plunge on a man-made surface, consider the simple, natural elegance of a timber worktop gently warming your kitchen. Quite a refreshing feeling compared to the slightly soulless man-made surfaces.
Longevity is a vital quality for a worktop to have and, due to new oiling technologies that fuse the age-old knowledge of hardwoods with 21st century chemistry, a wooden worktop’s effective lifespan can be now measured in decades, possibly lasting for hundreds of years.
Innovative manufacturing technologies from milling all the way to the hand-finishing has meant that wooden kitchen worktops are extremely environmentally friendly, something which is increasingly important in today’s world. Measuring the affect that the materials used in a kitchen has on the environment is simple enough, and the results are rather alarming. A reasonably-sized kitchen that has our oak worktops installed locks in a positive carbon value of roughly 200kg, which contrasts dramatically with the negative carbon impact of 1400kg for steel, 900kg for concrete and 450kg for granite, surprising for a natural material that is only cut and polished.
Advancements in oiling have also ensured that wooden worktops are just as protected as man-made materials, all but eliminating the staining and marking that may have been a concern previously for wooden worktops. Although the technology has improved dramatically, the lovingly hand-finished oiling treatment that our joiners use is a technique that has been perfected for 300 years.
Moving on from the technical points, a bespoke hardwood worktop also has aesthetic benefits to back up its environmental and longevity practicalities. The deep seated connection we have with wood enhances how a timber worktop feels when using it. With a warming natural glow that subtly radiates throughout your kitchen, a timber worktop is just nicer to be around. This contrasts quite a bit with a kitchen containing granite, the surface of which is cold and hard.
With its wavy grains swimming in a sea of rich, deep brown, the timeless beauty that American Black Walnut offers embodies unparalleled luxury. Appalachian Oak worktops elegantly provides a strong yet simple look that lends itself to any setting, be it contemporary, rustic or classic. In addition, there is an enticing array of timbers just waiting to refresh your kitchen with their own distinct styles to suit all tastes and budgets.
With the combination of a wooden worktops workability, being available in any desired shape or size, the positive environmental credentials and the encapsulating aesthetic appeal, it is clear to see why solid hardwood worktops are still at the forefront of kitchen design.
