Wonderful Wood Countertops for Kitchen and Bath
Yes, you can enjoy beautifully warm wood counters near water sans worry (almost), with the right type of wood and sealer
Do you think wood counters in the bathroom or kitchen and kids don’t mix? Well, it ain’t necessarily so. I decided to do some research on what people with wood countertops really think about their care and maintenance. I went to several discussion threads on multiple websites and read through all the comments. Of the people who have had wood countertops in a kitchen or bathroom, around 90 percent of the comments I read were positive, and many of those commenters have kids of every age. It was surprising, given how many folks are afraid to put wood in a kitchen or bath. In reading through all of these people’s comments on their personal experiences I found two common things that contributed to success or failure:
- The kind of sealer used
- The type of wood and the quality of construction
If you have children and would like to have wood without worries about damage, why not go for wood that already has plenty of "damage" already? Reclaimed wood like this large piece of timber already has gouges, spots, marks and stains, so new ones are of little consequence. But there is another great idea in this photo. The sink is positively enormous, allowing up to three children to wash up at the same time. The back of the sink forms a seamless backsplash, with soap dishes attached. Such a large sink keeps splashes contained, and the placement of the soap completely within the sink means no dripping on the counter as you reach back and forth between faucet and soap.
Architect Rob Kelley of Piedmont, California, who designed this bathroom, uses different finishes depending on the client's desired level of maintenance. For this client, he used a beeswax, lemon oil and mineral oil combination from Natchez Solutions. This type of finish resists water quite well, although you do need to dry the counter rather than let water stand to avoid any spots. But here, the look of the rustic, reclaimed timber and the big sink minimizes this concern.
The species of wood also makes a big difference, Kelley says. He said that redwood, yellow cedar, mahogany, white oak and teak are all naturally more resistant to water, and these are readily available on the West Coast of the U.S., where he works.
Architect Rob Kelley of Piedmont, California, who designed this bathroom, uses different finishes depending on the client's desired level of maintenance. For this client, he used a beeswax, lemon oil and mineral oil combination from Natchez Solutions. This type of finish resists water quite well, although you do need to dry the counter rather than let water stand to avoid any spots. But here, the look of the rustic, reclaimed timber and the big sink minimizes this concern.
The species of wood also makes a big difference, Kelley says. He said that redwood, yellow cedar, mahogany, white oak and teak are all naturally more resistant to water, and these are readily available on the West Coast of the U.S., where he works.
Ammonitum Sink and Countertop
If you're looking for the most carefree wood countertop, wood that has been treated with a waterproof varnish is the way to go. This gorgeous integrated sink and countertop is by Ammonitum, a manufacturer of luxury wood sinks, bathtubs and vanities. The company seals its wood bath furniture with 10 layers of waterproof varnish, a precise and lengthy process that results in a glassy, smooth finish requiring no special care. Just clean up toothpaste and soap with a damp cloth (don't use abrasive cleaners). Lemon juice, red wine, oil and many other items do not affect the varnish. See the tests performed on their varnished wood.
Most of the time, your wood countertops are just that — countertops. You should use a cutting board to protect your wood countertop or you’ll end up with cut marks all over it. But if you want the warmth of wood and the functionality of a commercial food prep area, then consider a large butcher block as a portion of your countertop.
Tip: If you’d like to chop your vegetables directly on your countertop, use mineral oil, which is safe for food. Olive oil or corn oil on your countertop can become rancid.
Find a professional to design and install your wood countertops
Tip: If you’d like to chop your vegetables directly on your countertop, use mineral oil, which is safe for food. Olive oil or corn oil on your countertop can become rancid.
Find a professional to design and install your wood countertops
If you want to try your hand at making and finishing a wood countertop yourself rather than ordering a fully finished product, Waterlox is the sealer and finish that comes up repeatedly. The company offers more than one product, and a combination of its sealer and high-gloss coating can create a finish durable enough to be used as a bar top.
While I was visiting The Joinery, I was showed a piece of wood treated with Waterlox in a satin finish. One of the employees keeps it on her desk and uses it as a coaster for her coffee cup. It was in perfect condition, with no stains or water spots. Although Waterlox is not currently offered as a prefinished option, the craftspeople at The Joinery will make an unfinished countertop for you and you can finish it yourself.
While I was visiting The Joinery, I was showed a piece of wood treated with Waterlox in a satin finish. One of the employees keeps it on her desk and uses it as a coaster for her coffee cup. It was in perfect condition, with no stains or water spots. Although Waterlox is not currently offered as a prefinished option, the craftspeople at The Joinery will make an unfinished countertop for you and you can finish it yourself.
In this sleek, streamlined bathroom the large, wide sink completely covers the countertop from back to front, making it impossible to drip water on the counter in front of or behind the sink. If a shelf were mounted above the sink to hold the soap, then you wouldn't care about dripping water as you reached for that either. When you design a space with wood countertops, try to arrange your sink and soap so that all of your dripping goes into the sink instead of on the counter. You'll do a lot less wiping up.
In this kitchen, the undermount farmhouse sink allows you to wipe water straight into the sink. Undermount sinks make it far less likely that you’ll allow water to stand on the counter. Wall-mounted faucets also give you an entirely clear countertop, making it easier to give the area a quick wipe-down.
Find farmhouse sinks
Find farmhouse sinks
If you would like wood around your counter but are not convinced a wood countertop is for you, then what about a wood shelf on the wall above? You still get the look — safely out of the drip zone.
Architect Rob Kelley placed this wood counter on cabinetry away from the sink and had it finished with two coats of polyurethane floor varnish in a satin finish.
I love this wide wooden sink bowl with flattened ends that provide a little counter space. It is a similar idea to a photo earlier in this story, in that it makes use of a reclaimed item. The patina of age makes the surface more forgiving. Be sure to thoroughly treat holes drilled for drains or faucets with your sealer, and caulk to keep water from seeping into the edge of the wood.
What do you think? Have I tempted you to try a wood countertop or sink in your kitchen or bath?
Find wooden sinks
What do you think? Have I tempted you to try a wood countertop or sink in your kitchen or bath?
Find wooden sinks
The beautiful countertop in this photo is made from edge-grain cherry and is finished with The Joinery's custom blend of tung oil, linseed oil, citrus and beeswax. The craftspeople there used to use Landark natural oil finish until that company relocated; now they make their own blend. Although this finish requires you to wipe up water promptly, here's a link to videos that show that the finish is easy to repair. You use the same process to repair a water ring as you use for a heat ring.
The Joinery can make your countertops from many types of wood, but its butcher block tops are generally FSC-certified cherry or locally harvested madrone. Edge grain is not quite as hard as end grain, so it's a little more susceptible to dents. Although a natural oil finish requires more upkeep, it gives you a natural wood look and is easier to repair.