A solid oak worktop is a thing of beauty which can add stylish warmth and charm to your kitchen space. However, choosing the right one can be a daunting prospect, especially as the kitchen is often the busiest room in the house and the hub of the home.
Oak is well known for its strength, durability and golden tones, but when choosing a solid oak kitchen worktop in 2023, which type is best? Here we will break down the options to help you make the right choice for your kitchen design.
An oak kitchen worktop is an excellent choice for a busy space. It is hard wearing, durable and has antibacterial properties, which are perfect for a food preparation area. As oak is a natural material, each piece is unique, with its own grain lines, knots and colour tones. The different grades of oak give varying amounts of lines and knots.
Rustic oak has the most grainlines, knots and colour changes of all the grades. It is a brilliant option to create a striking centrepiece in a modern or traditional kitchen, which will age gracefully, gaining more character as the years fly. The rustic oak worktops can be created from 40mm staves (blocks), which are joined together using invisible v-groove joints. The use of blocks increases the colour variation and gives a distinct block pattern. They can also be created using full staves, which run the entire worktop length and show the natural beauty of the oak wood at its best.
Prime oak is a beautiful timber which creates a stunning kitchen worktop. It has fewer knots than rustic oak but still has a variety of grain colours, from golden honey to chestnut tones, which oak is well known for. This colouring makes it perfect for matching with light-coloured cabinets for a bright, airy look or darker ones to make a dramatic centrepiece.
Deluxe oak has a more even tone and fewer knots than rustic or prime oak. This gives the worktop a more even colouring, whether in the 80mm staves (blocks) or the full stave design. The 80mm staves give the worktop a more subtle block pattern and make it perfect for a busy kitchen which requires a hardworking space with multiple uses.
Deluxe prime oak is made from timber with the most even colouring and tones. The grain lines of the wood can be clearly seen; however, they do not have the dramatic colour changes of the rustic oak. This solid oak kitchen worktop style is perfect for creating a stunning centrepiece with wide breakfast bars or kitchen islands.
Undoubtedly, all grades of oak have the qualities required to make an exceptional worktop. Therefore, the best solid wood worktop for 2023 must come down to personal preference. For people who like to see timber in its most natural state, the rustic oak is a winner for 2023. However, the deluxe prime oak will be a winner for those who like the more consistent and less dramatic look. Whichever option you decide on, you are guaranteed a stunning worktop for your home.
