Browse Forums Kitchen Corner 1 Nov 28, 2010 8:49 pm Hi folks, I'm considering a wooden benchtop for my kitchen, possibly bamboo or hardwood. Does anyone have any experience with a wooden top? I'm interested in how long it will last, maintenance (scratches? burns? warping? water?). I like the look of the wood as we're in a homestead type house and surrounded by trees so it seems like a natural finish that I'd like to explore. BUT, there must be a few maintenance issues with it. I've seen some examples in IKEA and they look good, but don't know how they'd hold up. Any advice appreciated. Re: Wooden/Bamboo Benchtop anyone? 2Nov 28, 2010 9:41 pm My husband and I are strongly considering timber benchtops. One of the cabinet makers we talked to this week said he has wooden benchtops in his kitchen and they are 20 years old and are in decent shape. He said the timer would need maintenance about every 10 years. He also said stone was a superior benchtop to timber and that he would get that now if he was redoing his kitchen but we like the old-fashioned look of the wooden benchtops for our 1880 house. Re: Wooden/Bamboo Benchtop anyone? 3Nov 29, 2010 3:00 pm If I hadn't had my heart set on dark cabinets, I would have had a dark timber bench top. Check these folks out: http://www.bowerbirdtimber.com/timbers/slabs A friend has a light coloured timber benchtop and it has water marked terribly. It would come up nicely with a bit of work, but it was enough to put me off going in that direction. Another option for a house of that vintage would be granite. Or there's now a range of marble-look but not-actually-marble stone composites around. Either would be fine in 18mm. Personally, I think one of the creamier toned tops wouldn't look out of place either, depending of course on what else you are having in your kitchen. I think there's an old thread on benchtops for a Victorian house somewhere on this site - sorry, don't have time to look for it now. e. Re: Wooden/Bamboo Benchtop anyone? 4Nov 29, 2010 3:07 pm Of course, I couldn't resist going to look for that other thread. At least on Homeone, my procrastination benefits somebody! I was actually wrong, it's a 1930s house. But the thread might still be worth a look: [url]forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=36965&hilit=1920s[/url] Good luck. e. Re: Wooden/Bamboo Benchtop anyone? 5Nov 29, 2010 6:15 pm chixwithpowertools, I've had my bamboo benchtop for around 5 years or so now? I haven't had any trouble with water, warping or heat (even with my daughter, who places hot pans directly from the stove onto my precious benchtop!), I've just had it sand it down and varnish it again once in order to remove a few very ugly scratches. But afterwards it looked as good as new! Hope this helped and best of luck! Re: Wooden/Bamboo Benchtop anyone? 6Dec 10, 2010 2:43 pm Timber is great, and not used enough IMO, but it will over time pick up the odd dent or nick, even with the hardest timber. If you have a rustic or cottage style kitchen that might even be a good thing. And even so, it can always be sanded back. And wayyyyy cheaper than granite. Re: Wooden/Bamboo Benchtop anyone? 7Dec 10, 2010 3:25 pm I've got timber benches in my vanities as well as in the grannyflat for the kitchen. I've always wondered what one would be like - my hubby has always said no (hes a builder). Our house is due to be refurbished and is now about 18 years old. The timber is certainly dented etc. Anywhere there is a sink there is water issues with it - but maybe if the sealant was kept uptodate consistently it wouldnt be such a problem? The worst though is the lacquer on top of the timber. You can use just anything to wipe down the bench as it will flake. Ours is very overdue to be redone and the flaking looks horrible. But because we will be renovating sooner or later, I'm not going to touch it. But, from my personal experience - I wouldnt be using again . I dont have time to worry endlessly if a product I use on the bench is going to be detrimental to the laquer. But, maybe if you ask around there are special products to use? Ask for heaps of tips and maybe all will be ok If you think of your benches the same way as you would say a nice piece of timber furniture? No heat, no sharp objects, be careful of the spills Re: Wooden/Bamboo Benchtop anyone? 9Dec 23, 2010 9:33 am Hi guys I have chosen Satin Heartwood Laminate for kitchen benchtops,couldn't afford wood,has anyone got photo's of wood laminate or wood benchtops. 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