Features of the material
Wood can be called the best material for making kitchen furniture. Its main advantages:
environmental friendliness;
- good thermal insulation;
- natural and attractive appearance;
- variety of possible forms;
- ease of restoration work.
But wood has no less disadvantages:
- it gets dirty easily;
- may catch fire;
- it is easy to scratch;
- A table top made of wood is quite expensive.
How to protect your kitchen work surface?
There are two main answers to the question of how to coat a wooden tabletop: treat it with special oil or varnish it. In the first case, we are talking about creating an invisible water-repellent film.
An oil (such as a mixture of tung, linseed and citrus oils) is applied to the sanded but untreated wood. The mixture is odorless and completely preserves the natural texture of the material. At the same time, you can apply a little wax to the lid. Some masters only use it, but such protection quickly wears off and will have to be updated regularly.
Oil compositions are a fairly new type of protection, which is gradually replacing the varnish that many are accustomed to. There are several reasons for this. The varnish has to be renewed more often. Natural and synthetic resins in its composition make the varnish a less environmentally friendly material. Not all varnish coatings can withstand high temperatures (for example, if you place a hot frying pan on such a table).
What types of oils are there for wooden furniture?
Oil products for furniture are manufactured industrially; they can have a plant, mineral or synthetic base. The drying process can take place differently, depending on the brand. These funds can be divided into two types:
- Dries completely. They form a hard layer on furniture that cannot be washed off with water. The canvas retains its original appearance for a long time;
- Partially drying. This type of oil deeply impregnates the wood, but the top layer can be removed mechanically.
Important! Before applying protection, the table cover should not only be thoroughly dried, cleaned of dirt and, possibly, old paint and varnish. Defects in the table must be smoothed out using a special putty and sanded with sandpaper.
The process of applying the product is extremely simple; this can be done with a brush or cloth that does not leave lint. In both cases, work occurs along the entire length of the fibers. If you are working with a brush, just apply two coats. When using fabric, you will have to make three or four layers. The very first one should dry for at least 12 hours. After the latter has dried, wipe the product with a soft and clean cloth.
Other benefits of the oil composition:
- it does not change the color of the table, but some oils “emphasize” the natural pattern of the board;
- does not delaminate or flow when exposed to high temperatures (unlike many brands of varnish);
- oils that are absorbed into the material preserve the natural exchange of moisture in the wood and prevent the appearance of fungus;
- such substances are environmentally friendly and therefore are not capable of causing harm to humans as a result of their contact with food products;
- the protective coating hides minor scratches, abrasions and stains from dishes;
- you can remove a small area of the coating and reapply it.
It is worth adding that this prevents the wood from drying out and is suitable for working with old materials.
Types of varnishes
To make a wooden product attractive again, you need to choose the right type of varnish mixture. Today there are a huge number of different options in stores, and it is difficult for the average consumer to make a choice. It is necessary to select a type of varnish that will maximally protect the surface from harmful influences and improve aesthetic properties. If the varnish composition does not protect the base well, then damage will begin to appear on it, which will remind you of itself every day and spoil the appearance of the wooden surface, so it is important to take the choice of varnish solution seriously.
Alcohol varnishes
This type of varnish creates either a transparent or translucent protective layer with a glossy sheen. If you cover the wood with an alcohol varnish mixture, it will be reliably protected from moisture and mechanical damage. If you follow the instructions for applying the composition, the alcohol-based paint and varnish material will effectively emphasize the attractiveness of natural wood.
These varnish solutions consist of resins dissolved in alcohol; after drying, they form a highly durable film. It is advisable to purchase a composition with strong alcohol, which will ensure high strength of the protective layer. The best option is an alcohol content of over 90 percent alcohol.
Oil varnish solutions
They are pigments and resins that are dissolved in oils. This variety has a thick consistency, its advantage is its affordable, low price. After drying, this solution creates a film that is quite durable and resistant to negative influences.
Oil compositions are ideal for coating wooden products, especially those that are outdoors all year round, in the open air. If you cover a table with an oil-based varnish, it will acquire a permanent yellowish tint, which will not go away after a while.
Nitrovarnishes
These solutions are made from nitrocellulose with the addition of organic solvents. These compounds have excellent performance properties, but they are very toxic to humans and have a detrimental effect on health. If you cover a tree with them, it will be reliably protected, but even after the varnish mixture has dried, a slight unpleasant odor will remain. Today, fewer and fewer nitro varnishes are being produced, which are gradually being replaced by alcohol varnish solutions that can be applied to pine, oak, and other types of wood.
Water-based varnishes
This variety can be used in residential premises; aqueous compositions are absolutely safe for human and animal health and are environmentally friendly. They consist of acrylates dissolved in ordinary water. If you cover furniture with them, after drying, a durable protective layer is formed that is resistant to physical stress, humidity and ultraviolet rays.
They are suitable for processing pine and can be used to cover hard or soft wood. In terms of strength, water-based compositions are inferior to other varnish varieties. For example, IKEA varnish is often used to cover various sets, including children's furniture, but from time to time the varnished water layer needs to be renewed.
Polyurethane compounds
Polyurethane-based varnish mixtures have good elasticity after drying and are resistant to serious mechanical loads and impacts. Polyurethane compounds dry quickly, but have little resistance to moisture and water. Polyurethane-based mixtures are safe for humans, they do not turn yellow over time, are very attractive, and remain transparent for a long time. Before covering the base with a polyurethane solution, there is no need to prime the product.
How to update a worn board?
Regardless of your neatness, sooner or later the work table in the kitchen will lose its original appearance and you will think about updating it or buying a new set. The easiest way to update a wooden panel is to paint it. For this:
- clean the board with sandpaper or a grinder;
- correct all defects with wood putty;
- prime the surface with paint containing alkyd resin and apply several layers of such paint over the primer;
- the painted part can be decorated with a pattern (draw something yourself or using stencils).
There is also a simpler and cheaper option for covering a wooden tabletop - this is to cover it with a self-adhesive film, which can be painted to resemble wood, or create the illusion of a surface made of stone, metal, leather or marble.
On a note! If you choose the option with film, remember that its area should be slightly larger than the area of the table. In addition, when gluing the coating, attention should be paid to the absence of drills and folds. You can smooth the film with any flat plastic tool.
How to restore the surface?
If the worktop cover in the kitchen has not only lost its original appearance, but has begun to collapse, you will have to carry out more serious restoration work. Under the influence of moisture and temperature changes, the table cover may become deformed (one half will become higher than the other), and the wood may swell and delaminate.
The recovery process looks like this:
- Remove all damaged areas of wood using a special tool;
- Dry and sand the lid with a machine (if you don’t have a machine, you can use sandpaper, but you will have to sand very carefully);
- Make a mixture of fine sawdust and polyvinyl acetate-based glue (you can use putty instead);
- Fill with this mixture those areas from which damaged wood and voids that may have occurred during sanding have been removed;
- Place the product under the press and dry for one day (this is the minimum period, more is possible).
How to cover a wooden tabletop after the adhesive has dried? An oil- or silicone-based product, or a special varnish, is also suitable here.
Important! The protective layer needs to cover the entire area of the product, and not just the restored areas.
Varnishing process
Cover the top of a wooden table in several layers, allowing each layer to dry thoroughly. Drying requires a stable temperature and cleanliness. It is not recommended to open windows and doors of rooms where work is being carried out. When working with alcohol mixtures, use a respirator.
Important! To apply paint and varnish, choose brushes or a roller. The brushes are pre-soaked to prevent hairs from falling out.
The first layer of coating is leveled by sanding. Then dust and small particles of the old coating are removed again. The finishing layer dries for at least a day, only after which the table is used.
Varnish application process
Caring for a Wooden Cutting Board
Regardless of your decision on how to cover a wooden countertop in the kitchen, it is still better to cut food on cutting boards. If you use wooden planks, you can protect them from damage in the same way as furniture - with an oil coating. A special environmentally friendly impregnation will protect the cutting board from moisture, bacteria and food staining.
Apply a couple of layers of sunflower or olive oil to the board and let it dry. This coating is safe in contact with food and costs a penny, but it will have to be updated regularly. New layers should be applied at least once a month.
You can use more expensive and durable options - industrially made products based on coconut and linseed oil. And also - mineral-based products, which are rubbed into the surface with a cloth until it is saturated.
The oil coating of the cutting board can be supplemented with beeswax. It will give the surface additional resistance to moisture. After applying the wax, the board should be polished to a shine.
Important! Wood cutting boards must be disinfected regularly. It can be wiped with vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, detergents with surfactants. If the bathtub is heavily soiled, you can use chlorine-containing bathtub cleaning products. After each use, the board should be washed with hot water.
No. 8. Glass tabletop - the embodiment of style
This is one of the most unique options for organizing countertops in the kitchen. It looks great, but at the same time has excellent performance. Such tabletops are made from tempered glass, which can withstand strong impacts, but if something happens it is not capable of injuring a person, because when damaged, large fragments with blunt edges are formed. Among the main advantages of glass countertops:
- high heat resistance;
- strength;
- moisture resistance;
- easy to maintain, but you need to be careful with abrasive substances;
- variety of appearance, because the image can be anything: solid color, abstraction, any ornaments, paintings and photos.
Disadvantages include a fairly high price, not very high wear resistance, and the fact that over time, chips will begin to appear on the surface. But with all this, the glass countertop looks very impressive and can become a highlight and decoration of the kitchen.
