Having gone all round the houses and back looking at different
materials for a new worktop in the galley in our little boat we've
come the the conclusion that wood will provide what we want at an
affordable price.
We have wood worktops at home (rubberwood - hevea) and they have
worked well for 20 years or so and still look good.
I have searched around for somewhere that provides some sort of
comparison between different types of wood but I can't find anything
beyond platitudes and the extremely obvious.
Does anyone here have any experience or opinions on different woods
for worktops? We want something fairly light in colour and not
stupidly expensive, probably the choice will be one of:-
* Oak - relatively cheap, lots of choice, can crack, not particularly light in colour
* Ash - light colour, don't know much else about it, a bit more expensive
* Maple - light colour, hard wearing, expensive
* Birch - not easy to find but economical and quite light colour
* Beech - quite cheap too, maybe a little dark
* Rubberwood - not easy to find, but we know it works OK, quite light
* Bamboo - I really know almost nothing about it
Any/all comments and advice would be welcome.
Does anyone here have any experience or opinions on different woods
for worktops? We want something fairly light in colour and not
stupidly expensive, probably the choice will be one of:-
* Oak - relatively cheap, lots of choice, can crack, not particularly light in colour
* Ash - light colour, don't know much else about it, a bit more expensive
* Maple - light colour, hard wearing, expensive
* Birch - not easy to find but economical and quite light colour
* Beech - quite cheap too, maybe a little dark
* Rubberwood - not easy to find, but we know it works OK, quite light
* Bamboo - I really know almost nothing about it
Any/all comments and advice would be welcome.
On Sun, 19 Jan 2025 17:26:24 +0000, Chris Green <cl@isbd.net> wrote:
Does anyone here have any experience or opinions on different woods
for worktops? We want something fairly light in colour and not
stupidly expensive, probably the choice will be one of:-
* Oak - relatively cheap, lots of choice, can crack, not particularly light in colour
* Ash - light colour, don't know much else about it, a bit more expensive
* Maple - light colour, hard wearing, expensive
* Birch - not easy to find but economical and quite light colour
* Beech - quite cheap too, maybe a little dark
* Rubberwood - not easy to find, but we know it works OK, quite light
* Bamboo - I really know almost nothing about it
Any/all comments and advice would be welcome.
Oak will turn black where the tannin can react with iron, i.e. with a non-stainless knife, a cast iron pan, ...
Beech is a little prone to mold stains if damp. It's usually sealed, so often ok.
I'd think birch would be too soft.
Cutting boards are often maple -- but they are left untreated. I have some bamboo cutting boards, and the are made of many small pieces, and they are durable and hard -- probably untreated, but I'm so not sure.
On 19/01/2025 17:26, Chris Green wrote:
Having gone all round the houses and back looking at different
materials for a new worktop in the galley in our little boat we've
come the the conclusion that wood will provide what we want at an affordable price.
We have wood worktops at home (rubberwood - hevea) and they have
worked well for 20 years or so and still look good.
I have searched around for somewhere that provides some sort of
comparison between different types of wood but I can't find anything
beyond platitudes and the extremely obvious.
Does anyone here have any experience or opinions on different woods
for worktops? We want something fairly light in colour and not
stupidly expensive, probably the choice will be one of:-
* Oak - relatively cheap, lots of choice, can crack, not particularly light in colour
* Ash - light colour, don't know much else about it, a bit more expensive
* Maple - light colour, hard wearing, expensive
* Birch - not easy to find but economical and quite light colour
* Beech - quite cheap too, maybe a little dark
* Rubberwood - not easy to find, but we know it works OK, quite light
* Bamboo - I really know almost nothing about it
Any/all comments and advice would be welcome.
You have missed sycamore, sweet chestnut and elm plus all the softwoods.
Trouble is I haven't done any quality joinery so cannot advise, I used
to sell the stuff in the round.
Having gone all round the houses and back looking at different
materials for a new worktop in the galley in our little boat we've
come the the conclusion that wood will provide what we want at an
affordable price.
We have wood worktops at home (rubberwood - hevea) and they have
worked well for 20 years or so and still look good.
I have searched around for somewhere that provides some sort of
comparison between different types of wood but I can't find anything
beyond platitudes and the extremely obvious.
Does anyone here have any experience or opinions on different woods
for worktops? We want something fairly light in colour and not
stupidly expensive, probably the choice will be one of:-
* Oak - relatively cheap, lots of choice, can crack, not particularly light in colour
* Ash - light colour, don't know much else about it, a bit more expensive
* Maple - light colour, hard wearing, expensive
* Birch - not easy to find but economical and quite light colour
* Beech - quite cheap too, maybe a little dark
* Rubberwood - not easy to find, but we know it works OK, quite light
* Bamboo - I really know almost nothing about it
Any/all comments and advice would be welcome.
Chris Green wrote:Forgot to add: don't forget that both sides need the initial oiling
Having gone all round the houses and back looking at differentThis house had 20 year-old Oak work surfaces when we moved here - they
materials for a new worktop in the galley in our little boat we've
come the the conclusion that wood will provide what we want at an
affordable price.
We have wood worktops at home (rubberwood - hevea) and they have
worked well for 20 years or so and still look good.
I have searched around for somewhere that provides some sort of
comparison between different types of wood but I can't find anything
beyond platitudes and the extremely obvious.
Does anyone here have any experience or opinions on different woods
for worktops? We want something fairly light in colour and not
stupidly expensive, probably the choice will be one of:-
* Oak - relatively cheap, lots of choice, can crack, not
particularly light in colour
* Ash - light colour, don't know much else about it, a bit more
expensive
* Maple - light colour, hard wearing, expensive
* Birch - not easy to find but economical and quite light colour
* Beech - quite cheap too, maybe a little dark
* Rubberwood - not easy to find, but we know it works OK, quite light >> * Bamboo - I really know almost nothing about it
Any/all comments and advice would be welcome.
needed sanding and oiling (because they'd been varnished!!) but would
have been OK for another 20+ years if I hadn't had to completely change
and enlarge the kitchen. After much debate and investigation we went for
Oak in the new kitchen. The initial oiling is a slight chore but, once
done, the areas that are used intensively, or get wet, only get a quick
wipe and re-oil every 3 months or so. Most of the surfaces don't need
regular re-oiling.
Friends went for Ash or Beech and it looked like Ikea (fine if that's
the look you want) but if weight is an issue in a boat then Ash may be
worth considering. Also, you could consider a thin'ish top with lipping
to make it look more substantial.
Thomas Prufer <prufer.public@mnet-online.de.invalid> wrote:
On Sun, 19 Jan 2025 17:26:24 +0000, Chris Green <cl@isbd.net> wrote:
Does anyone here have any experience or opinions on different woods
for worktops? We want something fairly light in colour and not
stupidly expensive, probably the choice will be one of:-
* Oak - relatively cheap, lots of choice, can crack, not particularly light in colour
* Ash - light colour, don't know much else about it, a bit more expensive
* Maple - light colour, hard wearing, expensive
* Birch - not easy to find but economical and quite light colour
* Beech - quite cheap too, maybe a little dark
* Rubberwood - not easy to find, but we know it works OK, quite light
* Bamboo - I really know almost nothing about it
Any/all comments and advice would be welcome.
Oak will turn black where the tannin can react with iron, i.e. with a non-stainless knife, a cast iron pan, ...
So will lots of woods, Rubberwood does too.
Chris Green <cl@isbd.net> wrote:
Thomas Prufer <prufer.public@mnet-online.de.invalid> wrote:
On Sun, 19 Jan 2025 17:26:24 +0000, Chris Green <cl@isbd.net> wrote:
Does anyone here have any experience or opinions on different woods
for worktops? We want something fairly light in colour and not >stupidly expensive, probably the choice will be one of:-
* Oak - relatively cheap, lots of choice, can crack, not particularly light in colour
* Ash - light colour, don't know much else about it, a bit more expensive
* Maple - light colour, hard wearing, expensive
* Birch - not easy to find but economical and quite light colour
* Beech - quite cheap too, maybe a little dark
* Rubberwood - not easy to find, but we know it works OK, quite light
* Bamboo - I really know almost nothing about it
Any/all comments and advice would be welcome.
Oak will turn black where the tannin can react with iron, i.e. with a non-stainless knife, a cast iron pan, ...
So will lots of woods, Rubberwood does too.
Also bamboo. Is there a chemical that will neutralise it?
Chris Green wrote:
Having gone all round the houses and back looking at different
materials for a new worktop in the galley in our little boat we've
come the the conclusion that wood will provide what we want at an affordable price.
We have wood worktops at home (rubberwood - hevea) and they have
worked well for 20 years or so and still look good.
I have searched around for somewhere that provides some sort of
comparison between different types of wood but I can't find anything
beyond platitudes and the extremely obvious.
Does anyone here have any experience or opinions on different woods
for worktops? We want something fairly light in colour and not
stupidly expensive, probably the choice will be one of:-
* Oak - relatively cheap, lots of choice, can crack, not particularly light in colour
* Ash - light colour, don't know much else about it, a bit more expensive
* Maple - light colour, hard wearing, expensive
* Birch - not easy to find but economical and quite light colour
* Beech - quite cheap too, maybe a little dark
* Rubberwood - not easy to find, but we know it works OK, quite light
* Bamboo - I really know almost nothing about it
Any/all comments and advice would be welcome.
This house had 20 year-old Oak work surfaces when we moved here - they
needed sanding and oiling (because they'd been varnished!!) but would
have been OK for another 20+ years if I hadn't had to completely change
and enlarge the kitchen. After much debate and investigation we went for
Oak in the new kitchen. The initial oiling is a slight chore but, once
done, the areas that are used intensively, or get wet, only get a quick
wipe and re-oil every 3 months or so. Most of the surfaces don't need
regular re-oiling.
Friends went for Ash or Beech and it looked like Ikea (fine if that's
the look you want) but if weight is an issue in a boat then Ash may be
worth considering. Also, you could consider a thin'ish top with lipping
to make it look more substantial.
Having gone all round the houses and back looking at different
materials for a new worktop in the galley in our little boat we've
come the the conclusion that wood will provide what we want at an
affordable price.
We have wood worktops at home (rubberwood - hevea) and they have
worked well for 20 years or so and still look good.
I have searched around for somewhere that provides some sort of
comparison between different types of wood but I can't find anything
beyond platitudes and the extremely obvious.
Does anyone here have any experience or opinions on different woods
for worktops? We want something fairly light in colour and not
stupidly expensive, probably the choice will be one of:-
* Oak - relatively cheap, lots of choice, can crack, not particularly light in colour
* Ash - light colour, don't know much else about it, a bit more expensive
* Maple - light colour, hard wearing, expensive
* Birch - not easy to find but economical and quite light colour
* Beech - quite cheap too, maybe a little dark
* Rubberwood - not easy to find, but we know it works OK, quite light
* Bamboo - I really know almost nothing about it
Any/all comments and advice would be welcome.
On Sun, 19 Jan 2025 17:26:24 +0000, Chris Green <cl@isbd.net> wrote:
Having gone all round the houses and back looking at different
materials for a new worktop in the galley in our little boat we've
come the the conclusion that wood will provide what we want at an
affordable price.
We have wood worktops at home (rubberwood - hevea) and they have
worked well for 20 years or so and still look good.
I have searched around for somewhere that provides some sort of
comparison between different types of wood but I can't find anything
beyond platitudes and the extremely obvious.
Does anyone here have any experience or opinions on different woods
for worktops? We want something fairly light in colour and not
stupidly expensive, probably the choice will be one of:-
* Oak - relatively cheap, lots of choice, can crack, not particularly light in colour
* Ash - light colour, don't know much else about it, a bit more expensive >> * Maple - light colour, hard wearing, expensive
* Birch - not easy to find but economical and quite light colour
* Beech - quite cheap too, maybe a little dark
* Rubberwood - not easy to find, but we know it works OK, quite light
* Bamboo - I really know almost nothing about it
Any/all comments and advice would be welcome.
Scaffold boards seen to be quilt bullet proof and get used for various purposes in house makeover programmes.
On 20/01/2025 14:07, Peter Johnson wrote:
On Sun, 19 Jan 2025 17:26:24 +0000, Chris Green <cl@isbd.net> wrote:
Having gone all round the houses and back looking at different
materials for a new worktop in the galley in our little boat we've
come the the conclusion that wood will provide what we want at an
affordable price.
We have wood worktops at home (rubberwood - hevea) and they have
worked well for 20 years or so and still look good.
I have searched around for somewhere that provides some sort of
comparison between different types of wood but I can't find anything
beyond platitudes and the extremely obvious.
Does anyone here have any experience or opinions on different woods
for worktops? We want something fairly light in colour and not
stupidly expensive, probably the choice will be one of:-
* Oak - relatively cheap, lots of choice, can crack, not
particularly light in colour
* Ash - light colour, don't know much else about it, a bit more
expensive
* Maple - light colour, hard wearing, expensive
* Birch - not easy to find but economical and quite light colour
* Beech - quite cheap too, maybe a little dark
* Rubberwood - not easy to find, but we know it works OK, quite light >>> * Bamboo - I really know almost nothing about it
Any/all comments and advice would be welcome.
Scaffold boards seen to be quilt bullet proof and get used for various
purposes in house makeover programmes.
They are however shit wood.
But that is par for the course for 'house makeover programmes'.
Amateurish doesn't begin to cover it.
I'll just put in a plug for maple as a wood. Its used for guitar necks
and dance floors because it is tough, springy and relatively knot free.
But using any wood in a kitchen is fraught with danger. No wood can
survive being permanently wet.
Does anyone here have any experience or opinions on different woods
for worktops? We want something fairly light in colour and not
stupidly expensive, probably the choice will be one of:-
* Oak - relatively cheap, lots of choice, can crack, not particularly light in colour
* Ash - light colour, don't know much else about it, a bit more expensive
* Maple - light colour, hard wearing, expensive
* Birch - not easy to find but economical and quite light colour
* Beech - quite cheap too, maybe a little dark
* Rubberwood - not easy to find, but we know it works OK, quite light
* Bamboo - I really know almost nothing about it
Any/all comments and advice would be welcome.
On 20/01/2025 18:39, Fredxx wrote:
On 20/01/2025 14:37, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
On 20/01/2025 14:07, Peter Johnson wrote:
On Sun, 19 Jan 2025 17:26:24 +0000, Chris Green <cl@isbd.net> wrote:
Having gone all round the houses and back looking at different
materials for a new worktop in the galley in our little boat we've
come the the conclusion that wood will provide what we want at an
affordable price.
We have wood worktops at home (rubberwood - hevea) and they have
worked well for 20 years or so and still look good.
I have searched around for somewhere that provides some sort of
comparison between different types of wood but I can't find anything >>>>> beyond platitudes and the extremely obvious.
Does anyone here have any experience or opinions on different woods
for worktops? We want something fairly light in colour and not
stupidly expensive, probably the choice will be one of:-
* Oak - relatively cheap, lots of choice, can crack, not
particularly light in colour
* Ash - light colour, don't know much else about it, a bit more
expensive
* Maple - light colour, hard wearing, expensive
* Birch - not easy to find but economical and quite light colour
* Beech - quite cheap too, maybe a little dark
* Rubberwood - not easy to find, but we know it works OK, quite
light
* Bamboo - I really know almost nothing about it
Any/all comments and advice would be welcome.
Scaffold boards seen to be quilt bullet proof and get used for various >>>> purposes in house makeover programmes.
They are however shit wood.
But that is par for the course for 'house makeover programmes'.
Amateurish doesn't begin to cover it.
I'll just put in a plug for maple as a wood. Its used for guitar
necks and dance floors because it is tough, springy and relatively
knot free.
But using any wood in a kitchen is fraught with danger. No wood can
survive being permanently wet.
Elm is the exception to that rule. Although nothing lasts forever.
Elm is the right stuff. Bit hard to find currently. I wonder what they
use for coffins now?
On 20/01/2025 14:37, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
On 20/01/2025 14:07, Peter Johnson wrote:
On Sun, 19 Jan 2025 17:26:24 +0000, Chris Green <cl@isbd.net> wrote:
Having gone all round the houses and back looking at different
materials for a new worktop in the galley in our little boat we've
come the the conclusion that wood will provide what we want at an
affordable price.
We have wood worktops at home (rubberwood - hevea) and they have
worked well for 20 years or so and still look good.
I have searched around for somewhere that provides some sort of
comparison between different types of wood but I can't find anything
beyond platitudes and the extremely obvious.
Does anyone here have any experience or opinions on different woods
for worktops? We want something fairly light in colour and not
stupidly expensive, probably the choice will be one of:-
* Oak - relatively cheap, lots of choice, can crack, not
particularly light in colour
* Ash - light colour, don't know much else about it, a bit more
expensive
* Maple - light colour, hard wearing, expensive
* Birch - not easy to find but economical and quite light colour
* Beech - quite cheap too, maybe a little dark
* Rubberwood - not easy to find, but we know it works OK, quite light >>>> * Bamboo - I really know almost nothing about it
Any/all comments and advice would be welcome.
Scaffold boards seen to be quilt bullet proof and get used for various
purposes in house makeover programmes.
They are however shit wood.
But that is par for the course for 'house makeover programmes'.
Amateurish doesn't begin to cover it.
I'll just put in a plug for maple as a wood. Its used for guitar necks
and dance floors because it is tough, springy and relatively knot free.
But using any wood in a kitchen is fraught with danger. No wood can
survive being permanently wet.
Elm is the exception to that rule. Although nothing lasts forever.
On 20/01/2025 14:07, Peter Johnson wrote:
On Sun, 19 Jan 2025 17:26:24 +0000, Chris Green <cl@isbd.net> wrote:
Having gone all round the houses and back looking at different
materials for a new worktop in the galley in our little boat we've
come the the conclusion that wood will provide what we want at an
affordable price.
We have wood worktops at home (rubberwood - hevea) and they have
worked well for 20 years or so and still look good.
I have searched around for somewhere that provides some sort of
comparison between different types of wood but I can't find anything
beyond platitudes and the extremely obvious.
Does anyone here have any experience or opinions on different woods
for worktops? We want something fairly light in colour and not
stupidly expensive, probably the choice will be one of:-
* Oak - relatively cheap, lots of choice, can crack, not particularly light in colour
* Ash - light colour, don't know much else about it, a bit more expensive
* Maple - light colour, hard wearing, expensive
* Birch - not easy to find but economical and quite light colour
* Beech - quite cheap too, maybe a little dark
* Rubberwood - not easy to find, but we know it works OK, quite light
* Bamboo - I really know almost nothing about it
Any/all comments and advice would be welcome.
Scaffold boards seen to be quilt bullet proof and get used for various purposes in house makeover programmes.
They are however shit wood.
But that is par for the course for 'house makeover programmes'.
Amateurish doesn't begin to cover it.
I'll just put in a plug for maple as a wood. Its used for guitar necks
and dance floors because it is tough, springy and relatively knot free.
But using any wood in a kitchen is fraught with danger. No wood can
survive being permanently wet.
Elm is the right stuff. Bit hard to find currently. I wonder what theyVeneered chipboard or MDF
use for coffins now?
On 19/01/2025 17:26, Chris Green wrote:
Does anyone here have any experience or opinions on different woods
for worktops? We want something fairly light in colour and not
stupidly expensive, probably the choice will be one of:-
* Oak - relatively cheap, lots of choice, can crack, not
particularly light in colour
* Ash - light colour, don't know much else about it, a bit more
expensive
* Maple - light colour, hard wearing, expensive
* Birch - not easy to find but economical and quite light colour
* Beech - quite cheap too, maybe a little dark
* Rubberwood - not easy to find, but we know it works OK, quite light >> * Bamboo - I really know almost nothing about it
Any/all comments and advice would be welcome.
Same. My knowledge on different trees types is non existent.
Something they never taught at school.
One of the main reasons specialist wood merchants don't get my custom is
that I'm less clued up than the salesman looking after his bottom line.
Is there a reference "book of wood" somewhere,
* Broken down by attributes including cost, colour, durability etc..
* Hopefully UK centric?
How do the trades learn this stuff?
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