How to cover a wooden countertop for the kitchen: tips + photos from professionals

Choosing a countertop is one of the most important issues when arranging a kitchen, which must be resolved first of all. After all, this is a work area. It is noteworthy that every day she is subjected to many tests of strength. For example, hot dishes, cutting food, splashes of boiling water, fat, spilled liquids... That is, the main part of the load falls on the work surface.

And in this article we will tell you in detail how to cover a wooden tabletop so that it retains its original appearance and performance characteristics for as long as possible.

Wood is the material preferred by most. Why? Because this option is the most environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing of all available on the market.

Don't plan to spend money on a kitchen top made of natural wood, but want a high-quality and environmentally friendly product? Pay attention to the product line from the Kedr brand.

A catalog of more than 180 decors will allow you to choose the appropriate option for any interior concept. It contains products that are indistinguishable in appearance from real wood. And the E1 emission class guarantees the environmental safety of the material under any operating conditions.

Tabletop Cedar 7053/FL* Taxus

Advantages of wooden work surfaces

The countertop is something that is always visible in the kitchen. Of course, the beauty, durability and service life of the entire headset depend on its quality. It’s easy to guess that this is why customers of luxury kitchens, first of all, pay attention to wooden countertops.

Photo from source: ivd.ru

Table top Cedar 2075/FL Oak Kera

Wood is nobility, sophistication and environmental friendliness. Therefore, it has always been in great demand despite the impressive price tag.

Also, the advantages of solid surfaces include:

· safety both during operation and during disposal;

· amazing appearance of natural wood texture;

· pleasant and warm to the touch;

· the ability to give various shapes, that is, there are no restrictions in design;

· always remain in trend;

· possibility of use in any interior concept, that is, in all styles from classic to high-tech.

Safety precautions when working with varnish

Despite the fact that it would seem that there may be threats with the usual coating of a surface with varnish, they still exist.

Let's study the basic rules that need to be followed:

Protect the skin of your hands and face - such substances contain many chemical elements. When spraying varnish, a lot of toxic substances are released into the room. In case of contact with human skin, there is a risk of burns.
Use a respirator - toxic substances can enter the respiratory tract, which can also cause irreversible harm to a person.
Wear glasses - if chemical residues get on the mucous membrane of your eyes, they can cause a burn.

If paint and varnish material does end up somewhere, follow the following instructions:

Rinse the splashed area. If you find deep damage, immediately seek medical help from specialists.
If you inhale a toxic substance, you must immediately leave the room for fresh air and try to cough. Be sure to rinse your nose.

If you start to feel unwell or experience pain in the lungs, dizziness and lack of oxygen, immediately call an ambulance and seek help from specialists.

Types of wooden countertops

The durability of products made from solid wood directly depends on the production method and the type of wood.

The hardest, and therefore most expensive, species are beech and oak.

Photo from source: fotostrana.ru

Table top Cedar 3829/Nw Bunratti Oak

Products made from birch, ash, walnut, and pine will be cheaper.

Table top Cedar 8215/12D Pine bourbon

Larch is especially preferred by manufacturers due to its durability. It is very resistant to stress and damage, has a dense structure, and contains gum - a natural antiseptic that will prevent, for example, wood from rotting, as well as the formation of fungus and mold.

Remember that products made from solid wood may warp over time. Glued laminated wood is assembled from several plates. It is extremely elastic, flexible, and resistant to moisture and sudden temperature changes.

Tabletop requirements

When thinking about how to cover a wooden kitchen countertop, keep two things in mind.

Firstly, it's durability.

Secondly, practicality.

These are the two main requirements for a kitchen top.

ALSO GOOD WOODEN TABLETOPS SHOULD:

· do not react to aggressive household chemicals;

· do not fade in the sun, do not change its color;

· have water-repellent properties;

· blend harmoniously with the overall design style;

· be heat-resistant so that hot dishes do not leave marks or damage;

· have a coating that is easy to clean - due to the fact that bacteria and microbes accumulate in the recesses of loose surfaces.

Caring for the countertop surface

It is worth understanding that no matter what material you cover the wooden countertop with, you do not need to cook dishes directly on it - use a cutting board.

Here are some tips to help increase the life of your countertop:

Use trivets for freshly prepared food. This way you won't see unwanted marks on the surface;
heating electrical equipment - kettle, toaster, coffee machine - must be placed on a substrate;
wipe the tabletop along the pattern, that is, along the lines of the fibers - this will definitely remove dirt and grains of sand;
Do not leave spilled drinks or other liquids on the countertop for a long time. It’s better to clean everything up at once;
if the windows face the sunny side, then it is better to curtain them with at least translucent fabric - wood fades easily;
it is necessary to maintain a normal microclimate - the room should not be too dry or humid, otherwise it may affect the countertop. Sudden changes in temperature should also be avoided;
The surface can be washed with dishwashing detergent. It is practical, fast and does not require large financial outlays;
full processing can be done no more than once every year. Varnish coating generally once every two years;
take care to insulate the bottom of the countertop if you have a dishwasher or sink near or under it.

Update

Over time, the countertop still loses its fresh appearance, even if you treat it with the utmost care. The advantage of the countertop is that it can be easily updated.

The operating principle is as follows:

Clean the tabletop with a grinding machine or sandpaper;
treat imperfections and defects with putty;
apply paint with alkyd resin;
If desired, the plane can be decorated, for example, by drawing something.

Film

Another way to update the appearance of a wooden tabletop is to use self-adhesive film. The advantage of the film is its unlimited number of designs - you can leave a wood pattern or choose an image of marble, stone, leather and even metal. Before gluing the film, it is necessary to clean the countertop and degrease it.

The film must first be measured - it is better to take a little extra. Gluing is done using a plastic scraper, leaving no lumps or folds.

Recovery

If a wooden countertop doesn’t look like new over time, but you don’t want to change its appearance much, then the wood can simply be restored - this is one of its main advantages.

The process is carried out as follows:

Damaged areas are removed and cleaned;
The outer part is dried and sanded;
If there are large voids or dents, fill them with a mixture of sawdust and polyvinyl acetate glue - you can also use regular wood putty;
Leave the area to be restored under pressure for 24 hours;
Apply a silicone-based protectant;
Oil or varnish.

If the damage is very minor, for example scratches, then you can fight it with folk remedies:

strong black tea;
walnut kernel;
machine oil;
vinegar with olive extract.

If the scratches are deep, it is better to sand them first with sandpaper and then grind them. You can restore shine and gloss with felt.

Combination with plastic

If the damage is very serious, then you can use plastic as a patch for the countertop. Nowadays it’s not difficult to choose the plastic that matches the design; you just need to visit a hardware store.

The damage itself on the countertop is smoothed out, and a “patch” is attached to the top using liquid nails. Glue is applied around the perimeter and in the center. For reliability, a press is placed on top.

Oil

Photo from source: master-kraski.ru
Oil impregnation is the optimal method for protecting solid wood products.

First of all, it helps the wood begin to repel water due to the formation of a barrier film that prevents the structure from getting wet.

Please note that such coverage will require periodic updating.

The compositions are available in different colors. Therefore, your decorative possibilities are almost limitless.

The base can be mineral, vegetable, synthetic. But, of course, industrial tung, citrus and linseed oils will provide the most reliable protection.

Divided into drying:

· partially - the wood is impregnated to deep layers. To remove the top layer, use a mechanical method;

· completely – does not wash off with water, forms a solid top layer.

It is better to apply oil compositions in at least two layers. Before applying a new one, the previous one must dry well.

Alternative options

A good alternative to varnish for a kitchen countertop is to impregnate the wood with vegetable oils. Typically, mixtures of tung, linseed, and citrus oils are used.

A good alternative to varnish for a kitchen countertop is to impregnate the wood with vegetable oils.

The main advantages of oil impregnation compared to varnishing:

Environmentally friendly. Oils do not contain harmful substances that are necessary for film formation.

Oils do not contain harmful substances that are necessary for film formation.

Ease of use. Small scratches here are practically not noticeable and do not spoil the appearance. In case of serious damage to the surface, the damaged part can be sanded and then coated with oil again. Moreover, you can do this yourself. When restoring a varnish coating, it is necessary to treat the entire surface completely.

Small scratches here are practically not noticeable and do not spoil the appearance. In case of serious damage to the surface, the damaged part can be sanded and then re-coated with oil.

Oil impregnation does not change color and does not look noticeable, preserving the natural appearance of the wood. Oils can dry completely or partially. In the first case, they form a durable film; in the second, they can be erased from the surface of the wood over time.

Oil impregnation does not change color and does not look noticeable, maintaining the natural appearance of the wood.

How to oil a wooden tabletop?

To ensure that your wooden work surface lasts as long as possible, treat it properly. Everything is important here - the product, the thoroughness of surface preparation, application, drying.

Photo from source: instagram.com

STEP 1: Primary surface treatment

The first stage is cleaning from traces of grease and various contaminants. After this, the wood is dried. To better absorb the oil, the material is sanded. Coarse abrasives are used first and then fine abrasives.

After each abrasive treatment, the wood is cleaned. If deep scratches appear on the kitchen top, they are repaired with putty. Wax-based restoration kits are best suited for this.

STEP 2: Prepare the product for application

Everything is simple here. To prepare the oil for use, stir it for five minutes immediately before applying.

Attention! Quality is the most important thing when choosing oil. Don't skimp on it. A good surface protectant will help avoid damage from moisture and mechanical stress, make the countertop shiny and refresh its appearance.

STEP 3: Apply

Apply the oil composition to the work surface with a cloth or brush.

Attention! Choose a fabric that does not leave lint.

Leave the first layer to dry for at least 12 hours. After this, it will be possible to apply the next one, and proceed similarly to the same principle.

The number of layers you will need is directly dependent on what you are using to apply the oil. For example, if you use a cloth, you will need to apply up to four layers, but if you use a brush, then only two.

Step 4: Dry

It may take from several hours to several days for complete drying, but nothing can be said for sure. However, information regarding the timing must be indicated on the packaging.

Oils with a natural base, as well as mixtures containing acrylic, take the longest to dry. After drying, it is important to wait and not use immediately.

Ways to protect your kitchen work surface

The work area of the room in which food is prepared is exposed to a variety of liquids, so in order for it to serve for a long time, it must be protected from water.

There are several options for this:

Use oil to treat objects made of wood, which is absorbed into the material and prevents the fibers from swelling when wet. The following industrial products can be used for the wood surface: OSMO TopOil, Belinka, Adler Legno or others. To treat the area to be worked simultaneously with this substance or even instead of it, use specialized wax. But we must not forget that this product will have to be renewed over a certain period of time, in other words, applied again.
Treat it a couple of times with a special varnish for wooden surfaces. If desired, a little pigment is added to it so that the deep wood fibers become darker, and the surface itself for cooking becomes more expressive.

Oil based coating for kitchen fittings

Oil protects furniture from exposure not only to moisture, but also from chemical, natural and household influences. This factory-made product is largely colorless and may be plant-based, mineral-based, or artificial.

Similar coatings differ from each other in the way they set:

It dries completely, hardens after drying, it is not possible to wash it off with water and the initial appearance of the finished furniture is preserved for a very long time.
Absolutely non-drying or half drying, it saturates the wood very deeply. It is made using natural elements. It is removed using the influence of mechanics.

Before applying such a product, the surface to be treated is thoroughly cleaned of all contamination and dried. If there is a need for paint that is already outdated or the varnish will have to be removed. And if there are flaws, then they need to be smoothed out with a specialized putty, and then polished with sanding tape.

The oil is applied using a brush or cloth that does not leave lint, it is applied along the entire length of the fibers. The very first layer should dry for twelve hours, after which a new layer is applied. The total number of them in a given composition depends on the method in which we apply the product itself. If a brush is used, two treatments will be done. And when using a rag, you need to do three or 4 layers. After complete absorption of the composition, the entire treated area should be thoroughly wiped with a soft and clean cloth.

The provided coverage has a number of positive parameters:

Does not change the color of the surface for working with food, its “pattern” stands out.
It leaves the first real exchange of moisture in the surface and prevents the formation of fungi, thanks to which the initial appearance of the finished area does not change for a long time.
If very high temperatures are applied to the outer part of the object for such finishing, then the product does not delaminate and does not leak.
Furniture oil is considered environmentally friendly, thanks to which the contact of food components with the surface on which the described composition is present will not harm human health.
Oil hides small scratches, worn areas and stains left by cookware.
If there is a need to refresh contaminated areas, then you can remove only part of this coating, and then apply it again to the necessary areas.
The oil is perfect even for aged wood containing pores, since it is deeply absorbed, gives it plasticity and prevents it from drying out.

Wax

Wax is a natural, environmentally friendly material. But in addition to the water-repellent coating, it also creates protection against scratches and abrasions. Able to withstand common kitchen cleaning products.

Photo from source: ufa-les.ru

Attention! Wax thins out quite quickly, so you will have to polish and renew the coating more often than with oil. Before each update, the old layer will have to be cleared.

Varnish

Photo from source: kitchen-eco.ru
The varnish allows you to leave a beautiful natural wood pattern and gives a more saturated color. If you apply it in several layers, the varnish will prevent the kitchen top from deteriorating over time, will make its service life longer, protect it from the negative effects of moisture, and will prevent fungus, mold, and cracking due to sudden changes in temperature.

What varnish should I use on a wooden tabletop?

Photo from source: tiu.ru
It is recommended to use acrylic or polyurethane varnish. The area treated with them will withstand cold and hot dishes without any problems. It also creates reliable protection against contamination.

To remove the varnish coating, the surface will need to be scraped.

Application work

If it is necessary to varnish a tabletop, the work is carried out in a clean room where there are no sources of dust. Otherwise, all the dust will stick to the varnish, and the table will have to be processed again.

There are several options for the sequence of layers. The stain can be applied to the table before or after the primer. Which option to use is up to the master. After applying the first layer, the surface of the tabletop must be sanded. You cannot completely ignore the process of applying stain or primer - they help save expensive finishing material, that is, the countertop can then be coated with a smaller varnish.

As a primer, you can use wax dissolved in turpentine, wood powder mixed with PVA glue, or wood glue diluted with water.

The stain is chosen based on the varnish that will cover the countertop. Use alcohol-based, water-based or self-thinned dyes.

Varnishing process

It takes place in several stages:

REMOVAL OF OLD COATING

Clean the surface to “clean” wood. This can be done in three ways:

· chemical - a remover is used, which is applied with a roller or brush for ten minutes. The old layer of varnish is removed with a rag;

· mechanical – carried out using different-grained sandpapers or grinding machines;

· thermal cleaning - a hair dryer is used for this. After the top layer heats up and softens, it is removed with a rag.

REMOVING DUST FROM THE SURFACE

It is better to use a vacuum cleaner for this. At the same time, pay special attention to the corners of the table and other places where dirt could accumulate during the grinding process.

FILLING SCRATCHES

If there are scratches, fill them with putty. The best option is the one based on wax.

STAINING

Apply a small amount of stain. Do not allow streaks, drips, or unevenness to occur during work.

Staining is a wood processing process. It prevents mold and rotting of wood.

DRYING

Dry after application. Please note that the drying time of the varnish depends on its type, that is, it can range from 18 to 36 hours.

GRINDING

Do an intermediate sanding using sandpaper to remove any minor unevenness, if any.

Features of table decoration

When the paint is completely dry and hardened, it's time to start decorating. There are several techniques you can use at home. They are good because they do not require expensive investments and are easy to create at home. This is a great option for updating a child's room.

Decoupage. For this technique you will need napkins with a beautiful pattern, brushes and PVA glue. Select the topmost layer of paper with a decorative element, attach it to the tabletop and apply glue on top with a brush. Make sure that the napkin does not tear, form air bubbles, or move from its original position. After the glue has completely dried, the decorative element is coated with transparent varnish.
Tulle. Find a piece of tulle with a beautiful pattern. Wet the material, apply it to the table surface and fix it. Using spray paint or a brush, paint the tulle fabric evenly. After drying, remove the improvised stencil. It will look especially impressive if you use contrasting colors of the paint composition.
Artificial aging of wood looks stylish in a home interior. To do this, sand the surface of the table with sandpaper and wipe certain areas with ammonia. When they darken, go through sandpaper again and varnish.
Patination. This method produces beautiful, dark, vintage stains on a wooden surface. Apply the patina using stain or other suitable means, wait until it dries and remove unnecessary layers with a foam sponge.

Liquid glass

Photo from source: derevoblog.ru
This is epoxy resin - a transparent polymer that contains sodium and potassium silicates.

Soda glass is the best choice for decorating a wooden tabletop.

ADVANTAGES OF COATING

· retains the original shade;

· will not peel off;

· will not crack, is resistant to wear;

· will not be damaged by spilling hot coffee;

· easy and simple care

Liquid glass is diluted with ordinary tap water. To make the coating look like real glass, the wood is cleaned and well sanded.

The composition is applied in a spiral, leveled with a spatula towards the edges from the center. It is important to have time to give the desired shape before the liquid glass hardens.

Dye is added to create a colored coating.

The best water-based furniture varnishes

V33 matte polyacrylic white

This product from a French manufacturer is suitable for updating the surface of wooden furniture, walls or doors. If the surface has been previously treated, there will be no need for preliminary priming. After the layer has completely dried, a film is formed that is not affected by water, mechanical stress, or dirt. This simplifies the care of the product. In addition, such a varnish coating will not deteriorate from extreme temperatures and will withstand exposure up to 90 degrees.

This model will give the wood a white color that will not turn yellow after several years. "V33 Matte Polyacrylic" is easy to use and does not scratch during application. One liter of this product is enough to cover 12 m2. In this case, the first layer dries in three hours, and it will take a day to dry completely.

The average cost of a 0.5 liter can of metal varnish is 750 rubles.

V33 matte polyacrylic white varnish

Advantages:

Uniform coverage;
Almost odorless;
Dries quickly;
Thermal and moisture resistance.

Defects:

Lost.

Chief technologist acrylate semi-matte

This translucent transparent product has virtually no odor, so it can even work indoors. Due to the fact that the product can be safely used to cover furniture or parquet in medical, preschool, food institutions, and also be used in everyday life. After complete drying, a film is formed that is resistant to mechanical stress and does not deteriorate from moisture. With its help, you can not only transform a wooden surface, but also protect it from the aging process. This varnish can also be used for decorative purposes.

Work with this product should be carried out at a temperature not lower than +15 degrees. “Chief Technologist Semigloss Acrylate” can be applied with a brush, roller or spray. Drying one layer takes 30-60 minutes. Complete drying time is 24 hours. For 1 square meter M it takes about 100 grams of product.

The average cost is 500 rubles.

VARNISH Main Technologist semi-gloss acrylate

Advantages:

Economical consumption;
Ease of use;
Doesn't smell;
Can be used for decorative and protective purposes;
Affordable price.

Defects:

Not suitable for garden furniture.

Tikkurila Kiva 70 polyacrylic colorless

This product is suitable for coating wooden furniture, walls, ceilings and children's toys. It has no shadow, but can be created using a special color scheme. It is also worth noting that the coating after such varnish will not turn yellow over time, and when the product thickens, it can be diluted with water.

Tikkurila Kiva 70 Polyacrylic can be applied by spray, sponge or brush. After drying, a durable layer is formed on the product, which will protect the piece of furniture from mechanical stress and prevent it from aging. But to achieve this within two weeks after dyeing, the product will require careful care. So, it will take a day for Tikkurila Kiva 70 polyacrylic to dry completely. Product consumption 8-14 l/m2.

The average cost of a 0.23 liter can is 500 rubles.

Transparent polyacrylic varnish Tikkurila Kiva 70

Advantages:

Convenient to use;
Applies evenly;
Durable coating;
Dries quickly;
European manufacturer.

Defects:

High price.

Neomid Interior polyacrylic colorless

Using this product from the Neomid company, you can create a protective layer on wood products, and also use it for decorative finishing. "Neomid Interior" is suitable not only for covering furniture, it can also be used to paint walls or ceilings. After drying, the film will highlight the natural structure of the wood. It is also worth noting that the varnish layer will have a semi-matte effect and high elasticity. In addition, the product contains bioprotective additives, with their help the coated product will have reliable protection against mold and will not be subject to rotting.

"Neomid Interior" can be used for both home and garden furniture. The manufacturer also provided the possibility of using color. One coat of Neomid Interior requires 60 minutes to dry. One liter of product is enough to cover 5-10 m2.

The average cost is 350 rubles.

Colorless polyacrylic interior varnish Neomid

Advantages:

No smell;
Suitable for outdoor use;
Dries quickly;
Low consumption;
Affordable price.

Defects:

Lost.

Self-adhesive film

Of course, this is the easiest way to cover. Allows you to renew a kitchen top that has become old.

Photo from source: mebpilot.ru

Before you begin finishing, thoroughly clean the area to be treated with sandpaper. Achieve a perfectly smooth surface.

Attention! Clean thoroughly. Do not allow air bubbles to form under the film!

In stores you can find a huge assortment of self-adhesive films with a variety of designs - imitation stones, solid wood of any species, plain, with a pattern.

The surface with such a film is easy to clean from dirt and can serve for a long time without wear or fading.

Soft glass

Photo from source: spkubani.club
You can cover it with oilcloth or a tablecloth, but they wear out very quickly.

An adequate alternative is transparent PVC film. It is also called soft glass. Withstands household chemicals, relatively high temperatures, is not saturated with water, and is not subject to deformation. No scratches left.

Excellent for surfaces made of wood, chipboard, MDF, glass, metal, artificial stone, agglomerate.

What is the best way to cover a wooden tabletop?

When choosing a covering, you need to rely on your desires, as well as the design of the room as a whole.

Photo from source: reciclaredecorar.com

Tabletop Cedar 3198/Mw Rhodes Wood

Do you work with wood yourself? Do you want to remodel an old countertop or create one yourself from scratch? Then choose formulations made from oil and wax. They will protect the array from moisture, scratches, and the negative effects of high temperatures. Varnishes are less popular at the moment.

Need a quick restoration of your work surface? An excellent option would be to use self-adhesive film, the color and design of which can be chosen so that the surface is in perfect harmony with the set and the interior as a whole.

If you want to experiment and create a masterpiece with your own hands, try liquid glass. It can be used not only to fill a tree, but also to add a herbarium, shells, sea pebbles, and branches to the composition.

Photo from source: art-build-msk.ru

Can chipboard replace natural wood?

Chipboard (chipboard) is a composite material that contains chips mixed with resin. By far, this is the most popular material for making countertops.

If you don’t see the point of spending money on a kitchen top made of natural wood, but want an aesthetic product with good performance characteristics, pay attention to the following options:

Veneered chipboards

Photo from source: zakazat-mebel.ru

The surface is covered with veneer - a thin layer made from natural wood. A protective layer of varnish is applied on top.

Visually they do not differ from solid wood countertops. Disadvantages include an average level of resistance to chemicals and scratches.

Melamine cladding

Photo from source: sdelai-lestnicu.ru

In this case, the chipboard is finished with kraft paper, which is impregnated and coated with melamine resin. Resistant to solvents and moisture.

They can have any pattern, including the texture of natural wood.

Lamination with plastic

Covered with HPL plastic. It is resistant to UV rays, mechanical stress, moisture, food acids and any household chemicals. They are durable and easy to maintain. These are beautiful, varied products.

They give the greatest scope in terms of design. On the market you can find decors with very high-quality imitation wood or stone.

If you are looking for a high-quality countertop with an affordable price tag, then pay attention to chipboard with HPL lamination.

A photorealistic imitation of an array will please the eye, reliability and ease of maintenance will eliminate additional expenses and worries, and a high level of environmental friendliness will allow you not to worry about the health of your family.

It is these advantages that we have embodied in the “Cedar” line of countertops. Our task is to provide the client with a high-quality, aesthetic and durable product at an affordable price. Get more information on the official product resource.

Table top Cedar 690/P Indian wood

Tips for choosing varnish color

For beginning craftsmen, the question of what shade to choose varnish for a wooden table is very important. The client must also put an end to this problem. Do not disturb the natural texture of the wood or cover it with cherry or walnut color. But you don’t always get the result you expect. To avoid this, you need to familiarize yourself with some features:

Clear varnish does not always preserve the original appearance of wood. Most often it gives the wooden surface a yellowish color. Therefore, if it is necessary to maintain the original shade, it is better to use polyurethane materials. They eliminate the appearance of yellowness.
When visiting the company's stores, sellers will offer a wide range of colors to choose from. To get the color that you prefer, it is better to take a color scheme that is 2-3 shades lighter. After all, the desired shine on a wooden surface is formed only after applying 5-6 layers. With each subsequent layer applied, the shadow will become darker.
In the event that 2-3 layers are applied, and as a result the desired surface color is obtained, but the required gloss is achieved, this problem can be solved using a colorless varnish.
Varnishing should begin only after high-quality sanding has been completed.