Hi Guys,

Checked the new kitchen show rooms in IKEA, do love the solid wood worktop. But not sure what it will be when you use it for a while. Is it durable? and strong enough?

Can you share with me your own experience?

Thanks!

Hi Guys,

Checked the new kitchen show rooms in IKEA, do love the solid wood worktop. But not sure what it will be when you use it for a while. Is it durable? and strong enough?

Can you share with me your own experience?

Thanks!

I used it for more than 6 years since 2001 and was very happy with it. It looks nice but needs plenty of care. You need to lacquer it every year ( although the broucher says 6 months, but I find that > 1 year is OK) and this require skills as well. Do not lacquer it too thick, a very thin layer each time will be enough. It is also durable with the proper care.

It can also get stains relatively easily. For example hot oil splashes from the frying pan will leave 'spots'. So if you are a heavy cooker, do not use this material near the stove. If the solid wood is for a non-cooking area, then it is OK. It is also OK for areas near the sink, the lacquer will waterproof it. It is also inexpensive and because of this, you can use this material first and replace it if you get bored with it after a few years down the road.

Overall, I liked the material as it looked very good and unconventional as most kitchen uses solid top. Visitors to my kitchen love the look as well. Another downside is that because it is wood surface and not entirely smooth, cleaning it is not a breeze. For exmaple, take a cloth and wipe a window vs wiping your door. The smooth surface will be easier and faster to clean. The rougher wood surface may need multiple wipes to clean it.

Solid wood is very popular in US/Europe as their kitchens are big and have dry/preperation area. Most of our kitchens in Singapore are small and everyone uses a homogenious solid top irregardless of cooking area or sink area.

I recently replace the solid oak top to Silestone. I started to cook alot and a soild oak top is not the best material to clean and maintain. Silestone on the other hand is the perfect kitchen top material but cost alot. Do consider Silestone.

Edited August 30, 200818 yr by S7654R