Nothing adds warmth to a kitchen design like an elegantly-finished solid hardwood countertop, but if you’re a kitchen designer or architect, you need to be sure you’ve specified the product that performs as well as it looks.
Our Euro-Star™ solid wood countertops are specially designed to be warp-and-crack-resistant. Our new wide-plank and endgrain tops are also built to last. Whichever wood and style of top you choose, nothing compares to our Hand-Rubbed Oil Finish™ in providing rich natural beauty that’s food-prep-safe, great for sink areas, and easy to care for.
COUNTERTOP FAQs
Can wood tops be used anywhere?
Ours can, and many people do use them throughout the kitchen, but others reserve wood for islands or focal accents. That’s fine. We give you a product that can be used in sink or cooktop areas without fear, but if you’re more comfortable with a mix of countertop surfaces, follow your instincts.
What maintenance is required?
With CafeCountertops® Hand Rubbed Oil Finish, maintenance is an easy wipe-on wipe-off procedure to be completed twice a year following the startup procedure. You will find that this is a fraction of the maintenance required for other food-prep-safe finishes. CafeCountertops does also offer an optional finish that is equal to others’ so-called “permanent” or “waterproof” finishes, but we urge you to consider the pros and cons of this type of finish before making your buying decision
I know I can cut on my countertop, but won’t that leave knife marks?
Well yes, and other scratches too; but with CafeCountertops you can make those scratches disappear. By using the products in the free Care Kit that ships with every order, homeowners can do simple spot repairs as needed. Because the oil finish always blends in with itself, repairs are virtually invisible once dry. Occasional spot repair and oiling will keep a top looking brand new for decades. There’s no comparison to tops with clearcoat finishes. Once they are scratched, there’s simply no repair except to completely sand down and start anew.
Will my countertop get “water rings” from cups and glassware?
No. Water-rings occur when moisture condensates between wood and applied coatings-type
How do I protect my solid wood top from hot pots?
Hot items such as pots, coffee makers, slow cookers and teapots, won’t “melt” the worktop, but the heat can dry out the oils in the wood finish, causing the top to crack. The need for protection is relative. A hot cup of coffee shouldn’t harm anything. Hot pots and teapots can be insulated with a pot holder or trivet. Take care that super-heated metal objects do not contact the top directly.
Can my CafeCountertops® solid wood countertop get wet?
Yes! The all-natural wax blend contained within our Hand-Rubbed Oil Finish effectively repels moisture. CafeCountertops® are entirely suitable for installation in sink areas. Allowing water to stand on the worktop surface for long periods of time is not recommended.
Will heavily-pigmented foodstuff such as mustard and red wine stain my CafeCountertops® solid wood countertop?
Very unlikely under normal conditions. All of our standard finishes block out stains and dirt. Food and drink can be wiped clean with mild soap.