Concerns regarding the functional qualities and durability of hardwood tops are understandable. Some of the answers may surprise you.

Hardwood tops are more tolerant of heat than any other work surface material. A casserole straight from the oven or a preserving pan full of boiling jam can be put straight onto a properly oiled hardwood surface without causing any problems at all.

Independent research carried out by Professor Dean Cliver at the University of Wisconsin Food Research Unit has shown that wooden chopping boards are as safe, if not safer, to use in the kitchen than plastic boards.

Professor Cliver carried out experiments designed to emulate conditions in a domestic kitchen. He found that wooden chopping boards absorbed bacteria which could not be retrieved from the wood and would therefore not present a health hazard to foods later prepared on the board. Professor Cliver found that once the plastic boards were knife scored, the bacteria would "hide" in the scores and the boards would be very difficult to clean, although this did not represent a significant health hazard.

Professor Cliver thinks that more work should be done on the merits of wooden boards as the research so far shows that wood is hygienic to use in the kitchen.

Contact: Food Research Unit, University of Wisconsin, U.S.A.
Tel: 00 1 608 263 6937 Fax: 00 1 608 263 1114

With a properly applied oil patina, the short answer is "no". However, in the first few weeks of service some caution must be observed to prevent worktops becoming stained before they have built up sufficient protection. In particular, water should not be allowed to lie on the surface but wiped off immediately with a cloth - Oak, in particular, is prone to acquire a black stain very hard to remove if any iron utensil is in contact with it in the presence of water for any period of time - overnight for example.

When the tops are first installed the timber will already be up to 100 years old. With care they will outlast your grandchildrens grandchildren. Even if you take an extreme case and submit the tops to severe abuse (leave burning cigarettes on it, pour concentrated acid over it) for several years, it can still be sanded out and a new surface applied. If you consider the amount of parquet flooring that has been installed for perhaps 200 years, I think the point is made.

No material is more "designer friendly". Each top can be personalised with limitless detail. The brochure illustrates some of the options, but you are welcome to think up your own.

It depends on the type of wood (viz. MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS). For Iroko, we recommend vegetable oil - sunflower is ideal. For Beech, Maple and Oak, we recommend Danish oil (a trial can is supplied with each worktop) then further supplies can be obtained direct from us.

In designing a layout using timber tops it is important to respect the structural qualities of the material if movement or cracking in use is not to develop. The direction of the grain is most important. However, almost any shape is possible if the right techniques are used. It is important, thus, that we know the location of all cutouts and adjacent appliances which generate a high level of heat (Agas in particular) - even if you intend to make the cutouts yourself on site. When we receive your dimensioned sketch plan of the layout required, we will - except for the simplest runs - make a scaled computer drawing showing all proposed cutouts, joints and decorative detailing. This will be sent to you before work starts to ensure that what we make is exactly as you want it.

In designing a layout using timber tops it is important to respect the structural qualities of the material if movement or cracking in use is not to develop. The direction of the grain is most important. However, almost any shape is possible if the right techniques are used. It is important, thus, that we know the location of all cutouts and adjacent appliances which generate a high level of heat (Agas in particular) - even if you intend to make the cutouts yourself on site. When we receive your dimensioned sketch plan of the layout required, we will - except for the simplest runs - make a scaled computer drawing showing all proposed cutouts, joints and decorative detailing. This will be sent to you before work starts to ensure that what we make is exactly as you want it.