England was built on oak, they say. Being the national emblem of the country, it is a very symbolic and patriotic element to bring into the home, but the history of this 300,000-year-old wood aside, there is so much more that it can bring into a kitchen. An oak worktop in the UK has been the choice of designers and builders for centuries and has been tested over time as being the most durable and arguably the most beautiful of all the timber species, giving an element of nature to even the most modern of kitchens. There is also a large degree of hygiene that these worktops can offer when compared to stone or steel.
Why oak?
Unique and beautiful
No two oak trees in this beautiful country are the same, and no piece of wood collected from any oak tree is like any other, which means that the collected staves of wood that make up oak worktops produce a surface that is wholly unique in its appearance with the familiarity of this gorgeous timber. Oak tells the story of England and each tree is affected by the environment around it, causing marks and growth fluctuations that affect its appearance.
This story can be seen in each worktop oak, making for that extra bit of history added to any English home. A personal element will be added over time as each oak work surface will collect more stories as it is oiled, has wine spilt on it, and shows the marks of use over the years. It will develop a character reminiscent of those old English kitchens that no other work surface can manage.
Matching – There is nothing that doesn’t match with oak, any colour or texture can go with it from white walls to bevelled gloss tiles, clients choosing oak worktops can easily match it with their style of home whatever it may be.
Timeless – If we are talking about timeless style then the best choice is always going to be oak as it never goes out of style and will still be fashionable and functional for generations to come.
Functionality
Putting the romantic history and beauty of oak aside, there has to be a strong element of functionality that comes into play. There is a reason that bakers and chefs alike use oak worktops as their first choice when it comes to cooking and this is for a number of reasons.
Durable – Some of the oldest kitchens in the UK still sport their original oak worktops that were set in place when the properties were built. These are still functional today and have a certain nostalgic element about them as they have developed their own character with time and use.
Hygienic – Wood in general, including oak, is naturally antimicrobial and hygienic which is another reason that it is the prime choice for cooks all over the world as it is easy to clean and all the maintenance needed is an oiling every 6 months to stop cracks that could cause food to collect and rot.