Hardwood - Frequently Asked Questions

Questions

1. What Hardwood kitchen worktop should I choose?
2. What is the best value for money hardwood?
3. How often should I oil my Kitchen hardwood worktops?
4. How do I treat my hardwood kitchen worktops?
5. How should the wood be joined?
6. How do I know what lengths of wood I need?
7. Should the wood be cut on site?
8. Should I have the wood pre cut?
9. How do I store wood after delivery?
10. What if I don't like the wood?
11. What quality is your wood?
12. What's the difference between woods?
13. Is a sample necessary?
14. What guarantees does the wood have?

Answers

1. What Hardwood kitchen worktop should I choose?

   Colour & cost, usually determines choice of wood. Though, bear in mind that some woods are more durable than others. You may get the price you want but regret not investing in a tougher top when the battle scars start to appear. Aspects to consider in your selection are: what colour doors is the wood to go with is the room bright? These two questions both help define if the top should be a light, medium or a dark wood, do you want the wood to be a passive element of the overall project or a focal point requiring lots of character?

2. What is the best value for money hardwood?

   Cheapest would be rubber wood, which is an entry-level hardwood for a kitchen Worktop. In our opinion, best by way of character, durability and price would be Rustic Beech. A tough, very well priced top that with 5 coats of oil would create a fine warm & welcome focal point

3. How often should I oil my Kitchen hardwood worktops?

   3 coats on the flat surface of high grade Danish wood oil will make most tops thoroughly water repellent and provide a tough durable preparation work surface. 5 coats on the edges and cut outs particularly the sink area will further protect these more exposed areas. Further coats on the flat surfaces will only serve to increase protection and enhance the character and the grain of the wood. The benefit of this is more evident on character woods such as Rustic Beech, Iroko, European Walnut and solid oak. To maintain your tops ongoing, you can set yourself a 3 monthly regime or you could of course just use your eye as the judge as the area that requires re-oiling will have lost its sheen effect and become matt in appearance. These areas are usually sun spots and hot spots i.e., where the sun is more focused on a particular Area, or around a cooking appliance, at the back above fridge & freezers, at the front above dishwashers, below kettles & toasters etc.

4. How do I treat my hardwood kitchen worktops?

   See treating & caring for your solid hardwood worktops

5. How should the wood be joined?

   See Planning & Installation instructions

6. How do I know what lengths of wood I need?

   See Planning & Installation instructions

7. Should the wood be cut on site?

   In our experience as most walls are out of true and corners not the correct angle it has often proved better and more economical to have the wood delivered in uncut lengths to be cut and shaped on site see Planning & Installation instructions

8. Should I have the wood pre cut?

   This service is available and successful if a detailed template or architectural drawing can be provided. Simply list all your requirements including worktop sizes, sink & hob cut outs, drainer grooves and preferred edge detail. In our experience as most walls are out of true and corners not the correct angle it has often proved better and more economical to have the wood delivered in uncut lengths to be cut and shaped on site see Planning & Installation instructions.

9. How do I store wood after delivery?

   You are advised to keep the wood stored flat in the project area for approx 48 hours prior to installation. This allows a humidity level adjustment. Should the wood be stored for longer than 4 days recommended to rotate it i.e. revolve each length and change what was on the top to the bottom.

10. What if I don't like the wood?

    Buying wood could seem similar to buying a pet. If you have strong expectations of what you wanted and the character you get doesn't immediately fit that bill you may initially be disappointed. However, once you've had a good look at your investment oiled you will get to like it. At time of writing we have not had one single wood back in over 12 years.
    
    It is worth noting that neither online swatches nor actual samples are oiled and will differ significantly once several coats of oil is applied, particularly in the case of Iroko. You should also consider that it is highly unlikely that both your sample and your hardwood order will come from the same consignment. Wood from different parts of the tree can differ widely in character, more so hardwoods from different part of the forest or even different forests for that matter.
    
    If in the very worst case you decide you do not wish to keep the wood it is returnable with a 25% restocking plus fragile goods reshipping charge which is carried out at your risk & expense. Unfortunately this would remain applicable even if returned it on the same wagon that delivered it. Return delivery would have to be charged at full fragile goods costs. Once the wood was received back in to stock and checked as resalable in its original packaging your account would be credited less the above charges. Wood is classed as unique & individual item and therefore sold as a specialist item that once bought is returned at the seller's discretion.

11. What quality is your wood?

    Certainly nothing to do with the cheap, unseasoned D, F grade wood that some less scrupulous merchants are prepared to supply you. 95% of our hardwoods are seasoned AA+ grade; no seconds and casualties are sold as casualties.

12. What's the difference between woods?

    Typically this question is answered by stating that price, character and durability are the defining factors of difference. See each individual wood description for more detailed information.

13. Is a sample necessary?

    A sample can often help if you feel the online enlarged image is not sufficient for you to confirm your choice, however, it is worth noting that neither online swatches nor actual samples are oiled and will differ significantly once several coats of oil is applied, particularly in the case of Iroko.
    
    You should also consider that it is highly unlikely that both your sample and your hardwood order will come from the same consignment. Wood from different parts of the tree can differ widely in character, more so hardwoods from different part of the forest or even different forests for that matter.

14. What guarantees does the wood have?

    Like any living species you may buy the guarantee is as good as the care you give it. We are pleased to say that in over 20 years in the home improvement supply industry we have never received a top back because of twisting or poor quality.
    
    We supply top grade wood harvested from sustainable sources and crafted in well-managed mills then delivered to you by fragile goods carriers. This does not affect your statutory rights.