Do you think wood counters in kitchen or the bathroom and children don’t mix? Well, it ain’t automatically so. I decided to do a little research on what people with wood countertops actually think about their care and maintenance. I went to several discussion threads on multiple websites and browse through all the comments. Of the people who have had timber countertops at a kitchen or bathroom, around 90 percent of the comments I read were favorable, and lots of those commenters have children of every age. It was surprising, given how many people are scared to put timber in a toilet or kitchen. In reading through all of these people’s comments in their personal adventures I discovered two common things that led to failure or success:
The kind of sealer used The type of wood and the caliber of constructionWood is such a beautiful substance and adds these visual warmth. If you’re longing to incorporate wood in your toilet or kitchen, but fears about care and maintenance are keeping you away from it, there just may be a solution for you in here.
thejoinery.com
I wanted specialist info about timber counters about sinks, so I talked to the people at The Joinery, a Portland, Oregon, firm that has been hand-crafting nice timber furniture, countertops and cabinetry for 30 decades.
The beautiful countertop in this photograph is made from edge-grain cherry and is finished with all The Joinery’s custom blend of tung oil, linseed oil, citrus and beeswax. The craftspeople that there used to use Landark natural oil finish until that firm relocated; now they make their own mix. Though this finish requires you to wipe up water promptly, here is a link to movies that show the end is easy to fix. You use the identical procedure to fix a water ring as you use for a heating ring.
The Joinery will make your countertops from many kinds of timber, but its butcher block tops are generally FSC-certified cherry or locally chosen madrone. Edge grain isn’t quite as tough as end grain, so it is a bit more vulnerable to dents. Although a natural oil finish requires more maintenance, it gives you a natural wood look and is easier to fix.
Kelly and Abramson Architecture
In case you have children and would love to have wood without worries about harm, why not go for timber that already has lots of “harm” already? Reclaimed wood like this massive piece of timber already has gouges, spots, stains and marks, so new ones are of little effect. But there is another great idea in this photo. The faucet is positively huge, allowing up to three children to wash up in the exact same time. The rear of the sink forms a seamless backsplash, with soap dishes attached. This type of massive sink keeps splashes included, and the positioning of the soap completely inside the sink means no dripping on the counter as you reach forth and back between tap and soap.
Architect Rob Kelley of Piedmont, California, who designed this bathroom, utilizes different endings based on the client’s desired level of maintenance. For this client, he used a beeswax, lemon oil and mineral oil mix from Natchez Solutions. This type of finish absorbs water very well, even though you do need to wash the counter instead of let water stand to prevent any spots. But the look of the rustic, reclaimed timber and the big sink minimizes this concern.
The species of timber also makes a difference, Kelley states. He said that redwood, yellow cedar, mahogany, white pine and walnut are all inherently more resistant to water, and these are easily obtainable on the West Coast of the U.S., where he works.
Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR
Ammonitum Sink and Countertop
If you’re seeking the most carefree wood countertop, timber that has been treated with a waterproof varnish would be your way to go. This stunning integrated sink and countertop is by Ammonitum, a producer of luxury wood countertops, bathtubs and vanities. The business seals its wood tub furniture with 10 layers of waterproof varnish, a precise and protracted procedure that results in a glassy, smooth finish requiring no special care. Just clean up toothpaste and soap using a damp cloth (don’t use abrasive cleansers). Lemon juice, red wine, oil and lots of other things don’t influence the varnish. Watch the tests done in their varnished wood.
Nic Darling
The majority of the time, your timber countertops are just that — countertops. You should use a cutting board to protect your wood countertop or you are going to end up with cut marks all over it. But if you would like the warmth of timber and the performance of a commercial food prep area, then consider a huge butcher block as a part of your counter tops.
Hint: If you want to chop your vegetables directly in your own counterop, use mineral oil, which is secure for food.Olive oil or corn oil onto your countertop can become rancid.
RemodelWest
If you would like to try your hand in creating and completing a wood countertop yourself instead of purchasing a fully finished product, Waterlox is your sealer and complete that comes up. The business provides more than one product, and a combo of its own dyes and high-gloss coating may create an end durable enough to be used as a bar.
While I was seeing The Joinery, I was revealed a sheet of timber treated with Waterlox at a satin finish. One of the workers keeps it on her own desk and utilizes it as a coaster for the coffee cup. It was in perfect condition, with no stains or water spots. Though Waterlox isn’t currently offered as a viable choice, the craftspeople in The Joinery will make an unfinished counter for you personally and you can finish yourself.
Within this sleek, streamlined bathroom the big, wide sink fully covers the countertop from rear to front, making it impossible to trickle water onto the counter top in front of or behind the sink. In case a shelf were mounted over the sink to hold the soap then you wouldn’t care about dripping water as you reached for that either. If you design a space with granite countertops, attempt to arrange your sink and sink that all of your dripping goes into the sink rather than on the counter tops. You will do a lot less wiping up.
Buckenmeyer Architecture
In this kitchen, the undermount farmhouse sink lets you wipe water directly into the sink. Sinks also make it much less probable that you’ll allow water to stand on the counter tops. Wall-mounted faucets also give you a totally clear countertop, making it easier to give the area a fast wipe-down.
Michael Tauber Architecture
If you would like wood around your counter but are not convinced a wood countertop is for you, then what about a timber shelf on the wall over? You still receive the look — safely from the drip zone.
Consider going part stone and part timber, creating warmth where everyone hangs out while having stone around the company end of the kitchen. You will still need to seal correctly since people will place down their drinks here, but timber makes the breakfast bar a comfortable spot to rest your arms.
Kelly and Abramson Architecture
Architect Rob Kelley placed this timber counter on cabinetry away from the sink and had it finished with two layers of polyurethane flooring varnish in a satin finish.
Habitat Post & Beam, Inc..
I adore this wide wooden sink jar with flattened ends that provide a little counter space. It’s a similar idea to a photograph earlier in this narrative, since it uses a recovered item. The patina of age makes the surface more forgiving. Be sure to thoroughly treat holes drilled for taps or drains with your sealer, and caulk to prevent water from seeping to the border of the timber.
What do you think? Have I enticed you to try a wood counter or sink into your kitchen or bath?