There’s plenty of reasons to love timber benchtops. The style, aesthetics and durability of timber is second to none. If you’ve decided on timber benchtops for your kitchen reno then you’ll be well aware that they can come with a decent price tag. Typically, you can expect to pay $350 per square metre for a cheaper timber, like bamboo and up to $1200 per square metre for a hardwood like Jarrah or Ironbark.
Image source: Nullarbor Timber
Installing timber benchtops is worth the spend for many renovators but with a very specific catch; timber needs to be treated well to really pull its weight. Timber is what’s referred to as a ‘soft’ material. This is especially true when comparing it to other materials typically used to makes benches like laminate and stone. This can mean ongoing maintenance issues, especially if you don’t get things right from the get go.
The biggest mistake you can make with your timber benchtops, is not treating the wood properly and thoroughly from the get-go. Investing the time and money in a product that will protect your investment in the long term is key to ensuring a good, long term finish.
Cabot’s new Benchtop Clear timber coating product for interior benchtops and tables is a highly durable, heat and stain resistant coating product that protects against almost anything your kitchen has to throw at it with the added bonus of enhancing the natural grain of the timber to prolong its appearance and minimise the chances yellowing over time.
One of the biggest selling points of the product? Its food safe properties, which keep timber surfaces protected from nasty liquids while providing a more hygienic food preparation area. James Fisher, Senior Brand Manager for Cabot’s explains that consumers are often being directed to flooring grade clears and tung oil-based products. “These aren’t specifically formulated for benches and don’t contain the food safe stamp of approval,” says James. “Benchtop Clear, however, has been designed with exactly this purpose in mind, to offer people a safe, simple and hard-wearing way to safeguard their kitchen’s timber surfaces.”
Cabot’s advises re-coating your benchtops every 6-12 months to ensure their longevity.
Cabot’s Benchtop Clear is available in 1L tins, in both Satin and Gloss finishes. For more information, visit www.cabots.com.au
4 replies on “How to protect your timber benchtops from the get-go”
I have just used Benchtop Clear on my laminated white oak, with very disappointing results. Top was maticulously prepared , lightly sanded after each of first three coats.
The top burred, grain standing up to the extent that I’d call it rough. Applied another two coats to no avail. Timber looks fabulous, until you touch it.
BTW I have 40yo New Guinea rosewood benchtops in my main kitchen that have never been resurfaced and are just brilliant.
Gee, that sounds disappointing. More disappointing that nobody answered you… might need to look for another product.
Hi used this product on kitchen and laundry hardwood laminated timber bench top a year ago. Found the same issue of lifting grain even with 250 paper finish but persevered. A year on the areas around the sink and where we make our tea have gone grey from water damage. The laundry has the same issue around the sink as well as a round stain where a laundry detergent bottle was left on the bench over night. This product from cabbots is rubbish and should be recalled from sale. I am in the process of research to look for an alternative when I found this article.
How did you go with an alternative? I just did my bench tops with feast & Watson kitchen oil and had the same issue with raised grain. Now looking at starting again..