How to cover a wooden tabletop? How to cover a wooden countertop in the kitchen? There are some interesting ideas! How to finish the round edges of a tabletop.

Why treat a chipboard countertop?

Everyone has probably heard that water is the main enemy of particle boards. Therefore, proper processing of chipboard countertops has a decisive influence on its service life.

In addition, not only the durability of the kitchen, but also the health of its owners depends on the quality of sealing of the ends, cuts and seams.

The lamination process thus performs two functions:

  • increases the strength properties of the slab and its water resistance;
  • creates a barrier layer that prevents contamination harmful substances air in the apartment.

The fact is that the binding component of the wood fraction in chipboard is phenol-formaldehyde resins, which during operation emit formaldehyde, a substance harmful to health, into the air.

As a result, the original laminated chipboard material, which is produced by the manufacturer, is characterized by both moisture resistance and 1st emission class, that is absolutely safe for the environment.

However, in the process of making a tabletop, the blades are cut and various technological holes are cut. Here you have a “gate” that works simultaneously for entry and exit. As they say, “welcome moisture” and “goodbye formaldehyde.”

That is why it is so important to carefully isolate everything open areas laminate

Having answered the question “why?”, let’s now figure out “where” and “how”

Therefore, firstly, there is no need to install the taps directly on the table, and secondly, you should not skimp on silicone when processing cuts under the sink. Haste in processing the ends and edges of the tabletop will also play a bad role. It is advisable to coat all cuts twice, each time allowing the sealant to dry.

The most vulnerable place on the work surface is the cutouts under the sink and faucets.

But when installing hob Silicone glue should not be overused. The sawdust for cooking, of course, needs to be processed and dried. But you shouldn’t seal the joint with the table with silicone. A standard seal is sufficient for this.

As for the rear and side ends of the tabletop or possible joints of the canvases, they are also insulated using sealing materials. Side sections that are not adjacent to the walls are decorated with metal or plastic strips. If the tabletop canvas is made using softforming technology, then after treating the edge of the tabletop with sealant, an edge tape is attached to it.

All processes associated with the processing of chipboard countertops are carried out by our craftsmen without fail in what is called “autopilot” mode. While the insulated sections dry, they solve more complex tasks for proper and durable installation of the work surface: its tight fit to the walls and corners, fastening with brackets to floor cabinets... The entire algorithm is thought out to the smallest detail. That's why everyone installation work The company performs within one working day, carefully, with guaranteed quality. Contact us! We'll be happy to help.

Natural wood in the kitchen? Yes, and this article will blow your doubts to smithereens! A wooden tabletop is one of the most good decisions for the kitchen, practical and convenient. You just need to know these 6 professional secrets.

Should there be a wooden countertop in the kitchen? We asked real professionals: qualified designers, craftsmen, technologists and wood specialists - those whose opinions you can trust.

1. Why is a wooden countertop not scary?

On the one hand, smooth warm wood with a beautiful natural structure - an excellent material for furniture production. Easy to use, environmentally friendly, always fashionable and relevant. Moreover, the tabletop is not a heavy wooden buffet that is impossible to move. You don't have to make all your furniture out of wood, which makes perfect sense. modern solution Only the table top and, perhaps, some other individual parts will be made from this material.

But many are afraid of how wood may behave, they are afraid of fungus, cracked varnish...

But professionals think differently: “A wooden countertop is not a problem if you apply reasonable, adequate care to it. There are not many materials used for countertops in non-professional kitchens that are not afraid of any impact and do not require maintenance - says Andrey Lyamin-Borodin, builder, CEO online repair ordering service PriceRemont. “All materials age during use, but the peculiarity of wood is that it can age gracefully.”

So what are we dealing with? Mikhail Vychuzhanin, wood finishing specialist, North House, defines the advantages and disadvantages of wooden countertops like this.

  • environmental friendliness of the material;
  • beauty and variety of wood texture;
  • unlimited product parameters: almost anything can be made from wood in any way;
  • easy to update;
  • the ability to perform any milling of the edge of the tabletop.
  • more careful care is required;
  • restoration will be needed after some time;
  • relative high cost of the material and work with it.

2. Which wood to choose for the countertop?

Here is the answer to the question of what types of wood and wood characteristics are worth paying attention to.

"Deciding on wooden table top in the kitchen, please forget about MDF, chipboard and veneer. Only natural wood, - advises Artyom Lepyoshkin, General Director of the Dynasty House of Interior Solutions. It's not a matter of harmfulness, but of the properties of the material. The countertop is exposed to aggressive human influence every day: crumbling, cutting, whisking, spilling and spilling are a common occurrence in the kitchen. The surface must be durable, smooth, resistant to cuts, moisture and temperatures.

The classic option is oak or beech: strong and durable wood species. Some choose teak and mebrow. More affordable options: pine, walnut, ash, birch. We prefer larch: you will have to pay more, but it will also last longer. The peculiarity of larch is the very high density of wood, tree rings located along the trunk with in small intervals. It easily tolerates mechanical damage and deformation, and can withstand high compression and pressure loads. It contains gum - a natural antiseptic that protects against rotting and damage by mold. Ideal for the kitchen. Larch gives off and absorbs moisture when humidity changes.

The manufacturing method also affects durability. A solid wood tabletop is more likely to warp than a laminated wood tabletop assembled from several plates. This method increases flexibility and elasticity.”

“Attention should be paid to such points as: the age of the wood, the method of its extraction, storage conditions, the region where the material was brought from,” adds Mikhail Vychuzhanin. He considers oak to be the best type of wood for making countertops. - The stronger and harder the wood, the longer your countertop will serve you. There are countertops made from solid birch, cherry, and walnut.”

3. How to cover a wooden countertop in the kitchen: Belinka

With the question of how to protect the wood of the tabletop, we turned to Chief technologist of TM Belinka Valery Ermakov.

“The ideal option for protecting a wooden tabletop is bio-impregnation based on natural vegetable oils and beeswax - that is, oil-wax for wood. Natural oils for wood they can make its surface waterproof, which means that the wood is not afraid of fungus and mold. By the way, a tabletop impregnated with high-quality oil and wax becomes resistant to standard detergents for the kitchen - nothing bad will happen to wood from diluted household chemicals. It is even better and more reliable to treat the kitchen work surface with a special oil for wood that comes into contact with food. And of course, no one canceled the more familiar coatings - interior varnish for wood or a combination of colored azure with subsequent application of varnish.”

4. How practical is a wooden countertop?

How to protect wood besides using wood products?

“If you want your countertop to last longer and maintain its appearance, follow simple rules: do not cut anything directly on the tree (perhaps only oak will endure such violence), do not test the surface for fire resistance and heat resistance, continues Artyom Lepyoshkin. - Very hot objects can darken wood, ash is especially sensitive. But if you spill wine or juice on the surface, just wipe it with a damp microfiber cloth. Do not use wet rags, this will cause the wood to swell.”

Andrey Lyamin-Borodin advises against using aggressive household chemicals for washing countertops: “It happens that drops of such a product fall on the countertop when cleaning the sink or hob. If this product contains, for example, a solvent, it can change the color of the wood and whiten it. Important rule If any stains get on the countertop, do not allow them to be deeply absorbed, and therefore remove them immediately. A stain that cannot be washed off can be removed by walking over the area with fine-grained sandpaper, after which the protective coating will need to be renewed.

Regarding the choice of sink - in this case it should be mortise or, in other words, overhead. Washing an under-table installation will create constant exposure to water on the edge of the tabletop, which will inevitably cause it to deteriorate. However, lovers of country style or owners of tabletops made of particularly water-resistant wood may not be bothered by this.”

5. Will this countertop suit my design?

Wooden surfaces in the kitchen are also wide design possibilities, current trend. Here's what designers think about it.

“The world is becoming more urbanized, and people are experiencing stress due to lack of communication with nature. Natural materials in the interior, such as wood, stone, clay help to modern man feel comfortable in the “concrete jungle,” comments Valentina Konstantinova, creative designer at Kashirsky Dvor company.

The designer gives examples of using wooden tabletops in “star” interiors: “Jake Gyllenhaal, the star of the movie Source Code, uses a wooden tabletop in a Provence-style interior. The kitchen backsplash is finished with small boar tiles, and the furniture is exactly like in the south of France: delicate blue color with chamfer and retro handles.

Since wood is not a moisture-resistant material, the part of the countertop adjacent to the sink can be replaced with a surface made of artificial stone, like in Sarah Jessica Parker's kitchen. The wooden countertop fits perfectly into the modern urban interior of the actress’s kitchen, built on contrasts of textures and colors - white stone and dark brown wood.”

Interior studio designer LOFT & HOME Anastasia Yarysheva believes that you can find a place for wood in a kitchen in any style, it is only important to approach the matter correctly. “So, a tabletop made of solid wood with knots, uneven texture, and aging effects will suit a kitchen in a rustic or loft style. But smooth wooden surfaces will look great in modern interiors, high-tech, especially tinted in white, black or graphite - such a tabletop will combine effectively with chrome and glass surfaces. It’s worth paying attention to options made from laminated veneer sheets - perhaps even from different breeds- wood: the rhythmic pattern of elements can emphasize the beautiful geometry of the room.



6. How to update wood countertops?

Sooner or later, the surface of the wooden tabletop will have to be renewed - the wood will have to be re-saturated with oil. How often should this be done?

“It’s difficult to name a specific period; a lot depends on the specific operating conditions,” answers technologist trademark Belinka. - To understand whether it’s time to renew the countertop, apply a few drops of water to the surface and observe - if the wood quickly absorbs them, it’s time to take out a jar of oil. However, don’t worry, applying oil is not a difficult task, every housewife can handle it on her own.”

We wrote more about this in our blog.

Summary

A wooden tabletop is an excellent solution for modern kitchens, and there is absolutely no need to be afraid of using wood in the kitchen. A little care for wood - and your kitchen will delight you for many years!

Provide protection from stains. Keep your countertop clean to protect it from stains. Stains, dirt and grayness can form on the surface of a wooden countertop if it is not cleaned regularly.

  • Remove any puddles or debris to prevent the stain from being absorbed by cleaning the areas immediately.
  • Wash the tree warm water with soap.
  • Wipe the stain lemon juice. Clean the surface thoroughly to enhance suction power, sprinkle with salt and lemon juice.
  • Mix 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide in one glass warm water. Pour some of the solution onto the stain. Wait a few minutes. Wipe with a piece of cloth.
  • Use wood bleach or oxalic acid to remove the stain. Rinse the area with water to remove any remaining chemicals.
  • Sand the wood countertop to restore a fresh surface. First use sandpaper with 120 grit to remove stain. Then use 180 grit sandpaper to sand the surface.
  • Do not use vinegar to clean wood countertops unless the wood has been sealed. Vinegar can dissolve the glue that holds the wood together and cause the wood to become loose or cracked as it eats away at the wood.

Temper the wood in the same way that a cast iron pan needs to be seasoned.

  • Pour sufficient quantity warm mineral oil on the countertop. Oils help prevent warping and cracking. The wood will absorb the amount of oil it needs, so don't worry about using too much oil.
  • Make sure you use edible oil. Do not use oil for cooking. Over time, such oils will turn rancid when exposed to air and emit an unpleasant odor.
  • Use a rag to rub the oil into the wood.
  • Rub the oil in the direction of the wood grain.
  • Allow the oil to soak into the wood for 20 to 30 minutes.
  • Wipe the surface with a cloth or paper towel to remove excess oil.
  • Fill the cracks with wax. Wax fills any open pores and small cracks or scratches.

    • Melt paraffin or wax into microwave oven and add to mineral oil in a ratio of 1:4.
    • Apply this solution to wooden surfaces until the wax remains warm. Spread over the entire surface with a cloth.
    • Allow the countertop to cool and dry, and wipe again with a cloth to polish the surface.
    • Reapply wax once a month to maintain the surface.
  • Seal the countertop to protect it from water and other liquids. If you leave the countertop as is, water can damage the wood. Other liquids and food can stain the wood.

    • Apply a polyurethane coating to the countertop surface. The sealed surface makes the countertop easy to clean, but is not recommended for the use of cutting objects.
    • Select a urethane that is certified to be food contact resistant.
    • Apply at least 3 coats to get a good, hard coating.
  • Protect the countertop from hot objects; use a hot stand or holder for hot dishes or utensils.

    Clean the surface of any harmful bacteria. Wood kills a lot of bacteria, so naturally it a good choice for table top material. The countertops are made of hard wood, which does not allow bacteria to penetrate inside. However, you should clean your countertop using special means, which remove surface bacteria.

    Regular kitchen countertop, used in most kitchen sets, is a sheet of chipboard covered on top with a special wear-resistant plastic. The bottom and ends of the tabletop do not have such a coating. If the bottom of the tabletop is hidden from view and should not have any special coatings, then the ends of the tabletop need to be treated for several reasons: protection from water, strong heat (from hob), decorative function. The ends are processed in two ways: by gluing a special edge for the table top, or by installing a metal end strip. Let's consider the second method in detail.

    Tools and materials needed to install the end strip:

    1. Phillips screwdriver No. 1.
    2. Metal drill with a diameter of 8 mm (if necessary).
    3. Metal drill with a diameter of 4.5-5.0 mm (if necessary).
    4. Hacksaw for metal.
    5. File with fine notches.
    6. Transparent silicone sealant (colorless).
    7. Self-tapping screws 3.0x16 mm (3 pcs. for each end strip).

    To correctly install the end strip on the countertop, firstly, you need to choose the right end strip itself. The end strips differ in height, that is, the thickness of the tabletop for which they are intended (28 or 38 mm), the radius of the overhang (3 or 6 mm) and the type of plank coating (matte or glossy). Sometimes there are “left” and “right” end strips for installation on the left and right end of the tabletop, respectively (nowadays almost all end strips are made universal, installed on any side). Below in the photo you can see the entire simple process of installing a universal end strip on a 28 mm thick tabletop. The main thing is to thoroughly treat the end of the tabletop with silicone sealant, similar to treating the cut of the tabletop with.

    Step 1. Cleaning the end of the tabletop from dust, applying silicone sealant.



    Apply silicone sealant to the end of the countertop. Cover the entire end with an even layer.

    Step 2. Applying silicone sealant to the end strip, fastening the strip with self-tapping screws.

    Apply a strip of sealant to the L-shaped edge. We apply the plank to the end of the tabletop, align the plank flush with the front overhang of the tabletop (the protrusion of the plank is allowed no more than 1 mm) and press the plank down so that the side is pressed tightly against the plastic of the tabletop (the sealant should be squeezed out from under the side).


    If the holes on the end plate have insufficient countersink width for the screw head (this is usually the case), then you need to carefully (using a drill with a diameter of 8 mm) expand the countersink so that the screw is recessed flush. We tighten all the screws one by one, making sure that the bar does not move from its place.


    We fasten the bar with 3.0x16 mm self-tapping screws.

    If end strip is installed on a tabletop of smaller width (less than standard 600 mm), then it is necessary to drill additional (new) holes in the right places with a 4.5-5.0 mm drill, followed by countersinking.

    Step 3. Trimming the plank, finishing.

    Using a hacksaw, cut the strip flush with the back overhang of the tabletop. We process the cut with a file. Use a clean cloth to remove excess sealant from all sides.

    Good afternoon, dear Shareholders!

    I am asking you for help - how to treat a table made of pine board? We have a table. which we made ourselves for our son’s birthday.





    Now it is untreated and over time, of course, stains of dirt and so on will appear on it. I want to treat the table, but the question is with what. Additionally, my son is allergic, so I’m afraid of varnishes.

    I want something natural, but at the same time durable and able to withstand at least a small amount of water when my son paints. And, of course, so that you can erase traces of a felt-tip pen and pencil. And, one more thing, I want the tree not to turn yellow, but to have an ashen tint or just to make the tree lighter, but be sure to avoid yellowness.
    I read about oils with wax, but the price is steep. Although if I don’t find a worthy substitute, I’ll splurge on it.

    Then I read that you can make oil and wax yourself. But my friend treated her homemade cribs this way and we were dissatisfied with the result. Firstly, after several wipes with a cloth in problem areas this composition began to peel off, and secondly, the tree turned yellow.

    Maybe try varnish on water based, but it still needs to air out for a few days, right?

    We don't have much choice in stores - stains and varnishes, we've never even heard of any oils or waxes.
    I would like to hear the opinions of those who have encountered this. Maybe someone can recommend a brand. Most likely we will go to the regional center, but I would like to go for something specific, and not just at random.
    Thanks in advance everyone!