Installing a wood kitchen countertop is a great idea for most homeowners. Aside from being a cheaper alternative to other materials, wood is also more pleasing to the eye. However, there are still some disadvantages of using wood kitchen countertop as compared to other materials. Some of these disadvantages include the following:
It’s expensive. Compared to veneer and laminate countertops, wood kitchen countertops are more expensive. Not only that, wood requires more maintenance. As wood is more expensive, it could be out of your price range. If you can’t afford wood kitchen countertops, then there are still cheaper alternatives such as bamboo and teak wood.
It’s fragile. Wood is a very tough material but it can be easily broken. Teak wood for example has a very long lifespan and doesn’t need any maintenance at all. Whereas wood kitchen countertop may require a lot of care in order to last for years.
You can’t refinish wood kitchen countertop. Refinishing wood kitchen countertops is very costly compared to cleaning and maintaining a fresh new one. Aside from that, wood chips and dust could easily get trapped in the gaps and cracks of the wood countertop. Once these particles are trapped, you’ll have no other choice but to replace your wood kitchen countertop.
You have to wait for the wood to expand or settle. Most wood kitchen countertop only has an opening for the drawer. So if the wood material that you’re using is already old and weak, then there’s no point in having it repaired. You’ll just be wasting your time and efforts. Instead, choose a new wood kitchen countertop that is modern, strong, and durable.
It’s heavy. If you’re using wood kitchen countertop that is made out of particle board, then you’ll probably notice that it’s pretty heavy. This type of wood is usually used for cabinets and not for outdoor furniture.
It scratches easily. There’s nothing worse than having your wood kitchen countertop damaged by nicks and scratches. Aside from being unsightly, this will also affect the way you can use your wood kitchen countertop. Since the moisture would penetrate into the wood, the grain of the wood would be badly affected and the durability would lessen. Instead of having a stain or paint to protect your wood kitchen countertop, you’ll just be replacing it with oil instead.
It doesn’t suit your lifestyle. When buying wood kitchen countertop, keep in mind your lifestyle first. If you don’t like doing crafts on your wood kitchen countertop, then you might want to go for something else. On the other hand, if you’re a woodworking hobbyist, you may want to choose wood kitchen countertop that is adjustable and portable. Just make sure that you know how you would be using it before buying. Good luck!
It’s heavy. This is one of the disadvantages of a wood kitchen countertop. If you have limited space at home, this is going to be a big problem. It can’t be brought around; you need to have enough space to even move it. The weight can be very annoying especially when you have plans of moving to a bigger house.
It requires too much maintenance. If you are fond of doing DIY projects, owning a wood kitchen countertop is not ideal for you. You can only imagine how hard wood works and how many times it has to be polished or sanded. This is more tedious and expensive than plastic or composite wood.
It cannot withstand heat. Wood kitchen countertops are usually placed under a heat source such as stovetop, furnace, or hot water. If you don’t have a cover for your drawer, it will become very uncomfortable for you to work on your projects. If you already own a wood countertop but plan to buy a new one in the future, then think again. Since wood kitchen countertop can’t withstand heat, you might have to settle for another material.
These are just a few reasons why people prefer to use other materials. If you are really decided to go with wood kitchen countertop, just remember that you have many options to choose from. Aside from wood, there are also other kinds of wood such as oak and pine. Just make sure that you are getting the right kind of wood for your needs.