INSTALLATION AND CARE OF SOLID WOOD KITCHEN WORKTOPS - Patchwood laminated

PRIOR TO FIXING

Any solid wood kitchen worktops (such as our solid oak kitchen worktops or walnut worktops)  will be affected by the humidity of its environment and it is essential that adequate provision and protection is made to make your kitchen worktop impervious to water, but allow the worktop to expand and contract when fixed in situ.

Wooden worktops should be given at least 3 coats of tung oil (such as Liberon Finishing Oil) on all sides with an extra 3 or 4 coats on all edges before installation. Where cut-offs for taps or hobs are made, or where panels are trimmed on site the exposed surface should be coated with a waterproof resin glue similar to cascamite.

FIXING

Wooden kitchen worktops should be fixed to carcasses using stretcher plates with the slots across the grain direction of the worktop. Leave about a 5mm gap between worktop and wall and between worktops and over tiles, filling gap in afterwards with a silicone sealant.

CARE IN SITU.

Wipe up all spills as soon as possible, DO NOT PUT HOT POTS AND PANS DIRECTLY ON THE SURFACE OF THE WORKTOP, nor leave them to air dry on the drainer after washing up.

It is necessary to refurbish the surface from time to time. To do this clean the worktop with a diluted washing up solution, allow to dry completely, Then coat with a thin layer of tung oil to accessible surfaces, using a lint free cloth. Allow to dry naturally. Repeat if necessary. In the unfortunate event of deep scratches occurring, these may need to be planed or sanded out and refinished with tung oil as for a new worktop

STORAGE PRIOR TO FIXING

All wooden kitchen worktops should be stored prior to fitting in a stable environment and never near a heat source (i.e. radiators)

To minimise board movement all worktops should be laid flat and supported on battens to allow air to circulate equally around all worktops during storage and oiling stages