When we find ourselves buying or renovating our kitchen we also have to choose which material to use for the kitchen top: alongside the more modern materials, such as laminates and resins, the wooden table top for your kitchen resists in terms of elegance and also some aspects of practicality. With this definition we can indicate either the classic solid wood top or the HPL table top, perfect for large kitchens with a classic look, or the laminate kitchen top with wood effect, available in different colours and finishes, practical to use and clean and definitely cheaper.
Let's see together what the pros and cons of a wooden kitchen top are and why it may be the right choice for our kitchen.
The importance of hygiene:
Before choosing a laminate kitchen top in wood or solid wood, it is important to understand how to proceed with cleaning.
Because hygiene is particularly important in the kitchen: food that is to be cooked or already cooked is often placed on the kitchen top, so it is important to know which products are suitable for correct cleaning and at the same time do not damage the top.
As far as solid or laminated wood kitchen tops are concerned, it is important never to use overly aggressive detergents, such as those containing chlorine or acids, which could stain or damage the top itself.
The cleaning of laminate wood-effect kitchen tops is different: this type of material can be cleaned more easily, although it is always advisable not to use particularly aggressive detergents. The very nature of the material means that the kitchen top does not absorb dirt, which can be removed quickly and easily.
In addition to the issue of cleanliness, there is also an important factor to consider regarding solid or laminated wood kitchen tops: in fact, the most ecological choice would be to install a raw, untreated and unpainted wood kitchen top.
Obviously, this is a particularly delicate kitchen top which is also sensitive to humidity, which should be dried after each use and which could easily become stained and damaged.
In order to avoid this problem, the solution is to choose a varnished wooden kitchen top (there are special water-based varnishes that contain no harmful chemicals and do not release pollutants into the air) which has been treated to resist humidity and stains.
Among the most popular products for treating and protecting the wood of the kitchen worktop is a special protective oil that must be used several times, possibly before starting to use the kitchen, to properly seal the entire surface of the worktop.
The same oil can be used for the maintenance of the top itself, as it helps to preserve its beauty and resistance. There are also special resins that can be applied to the wooden top to further protect it from stains, humidity and damage due to wear.
As far as the price of a wooden kitchen top is concerned, here too it is necessary to distinguish between the price of a laminate top and that of a solid or laminated wood top. In the first case, prices can be very low, starting from a minimum of 70 euros to reach about 140 euros per linear metre. Obviously, this cost is affected by both the characteristics of the laminate chosen (colours or particular finishes) and the need for special work for installation.
As far as the cost of a wooden kitchen top is concerned, prices will obviously rise, starting from a minimum cost of about €100 per linear metre to a maximum of €350 per linear metre (the cost may also rise if you decide to use a particularly valuable and expensive wood, such as teak). Also in this case, such a wide price range is justified by the difference between the different types of wood and the different finishes and treatments the top can undergo.
If we are looking for a solution that is resistant, beautiful and at the same time adaptable to our needs, an excellent choice is represented by the whitened oak top type E. This is a top that is already available in the market.
This top is available in various shapes and sizes, but can also be cut to size. It is made of chipboard covered with plastic laminate. This top is available in various colours and finishes, including a solid beech wood edge, which can be finished according to the customer's wishes. An optimal solution that combines elegance and practicality of use.
Normally a kitchen top has standard dimensions with a depth of 60 centimetres.
Obviously there are situations in which it is not possible to take advantage of a kitchen top of standard dimensions, but it becomes necessary to turn to kitchen tops of greater depth.
Considering 60 centimetres as the minimum dimension for the insertion of a sink and a hob, it is possible to find hobs with a depth of 90 centimetres (typical of islands with a snack top, where the extra 30 centimetres are used as a support surface for people sitting on the island) or even 120 centimetres (usually this type of hob is used when the island is central to the kitchen environment and is home to several appliances, because this type of depth allows more appliances to be installed and at the same time to go around the top to work).
There are also situations in which hobs with a particular shape are required: in this case it is always better to use hobs cut to measure, according to the different needs.
