Wooden worktop hardwood worktop care guide

Timber moisture content & cross-grain movement

Timber is a natural material that responds throughout its life to changes in humidity and moisture in its environment. It absorbs or gives up its own moisture until it is in equilibrium with its surroundings.

When timber moisture content increases, the wood expands; when it dries, the timber shrinks. This change, called 'movement', occurs across the grain only. A worktop will become a little wider and narrower respectively. It is a normal characteristic of all timber.

as Your supplier we will design and install the worktop with slotted fixings and gaps to accommodate this expansion and contraction. In use it is very important to avoid sudden large changes in environmental humidity and moisture since these put great stress on the mass of timber in the top; the wood needs time to adjust to change.

For example: -

When the room heating is switched on seasonally, it should be turned up to temperature gradually, over a period of days. This will allow the timber worktops to acclimatise properly.

Timber worktops should be wiped down with a sparing amount of water - not liberal sloshes of soapy water- and water should never be left to stand on wooden surfaces.

Guidelines for good use

Here are a few simple guidelines that need to be observed if the timber worktops and their surfaces are to give a lifetime of good service. -

Always mop up spills of water and other liquids straight away. Do not allow liquids to stand on wooden surfaces for any period of time. (The finishing oil is water resistant, not waterproof). <<Back - More>>