Solid wood kitchens: 6 tips for choosing

A solid wood kitchen is beautiful and luxurious, but expensive and problematic to maintain. Given the fact that the kitchen is bought for a sufficiently long period of time, the issue of its choice should be approached very carefully. If you take into account all the nuances, you can find a wooden kitchen that will please the eye for many years, and even cost acceptable. Yes, yes, this is quite possible if you learn to choose the kitchen from solid wood correctly.

The kitchen from the array: all the pros and cons

We note immediately that most of the kitchens from the array are not 100% made of wood. Often from an array do only facades or even a part of them, including doors, front parts of drawers, open shelves, etc. The frame of the kitchen is rarely made from solid wood - more often it is made from MDF or particleboard - this way the furniture is cheaper, lighter, and its appearance does not suffer at all.

Wood is not the best option for work surface. The material very easily absorbs moisture and all impurities, can be painted under the influence of dyes (wine, juice), and receive mechanical damage. It is recommended to combine facades from solid wood with stone countertop. In order not to overload the structure, you can choose an artificial stone. However, wooden work surfaces are also actively used, only their durability depends on the protective treatment made by the manufacturer, and your desire to constantly update the protective layer of varnish.

Solid wood kitchen has a number of undeniable advantages:

• wood - eco-friendly and natural materialwhich does not emit toxic substances, but, on the contrary, gives a pleasant aroma;
• a tree is very beautiful. An arrayed kitchen will decorate the apartment, emphasize the taste and status of the owners. Given that wood is a fairly malleable material in terms of processing, finished products are striking in their variety of designs. Doors and shelves can be either simply smooth or decorated with carvings of varying complexity. Thanks to various varnishes, oils and patins, the material can be given an original appearance. Wood, despite its rigor, allows you to create furniture in different styles: classic, provence, country and even minimalism;
• tree is easy is being restored. Scratches that will necessarily appear during operation are easy to grind, and you can update the appearance of facades by applying a new layer of varnish, oil or paint;
• wood is a durable material. If the material was qualitatively processed by the manufacturer, and you, in turn, provided him with proper care, then the kitchen will last at least 20 years for sure, and, most likely, much longer;
• the tree never goes out of style.

Not without minuses:

• wood is a delicate and even finicky material. Moisture and temperature changes adversely affect it, causing the appearance of cracks and dark spots. Dry air is also harmful to wood, so in the kitchen it is better to maintain relative humidity at the level of 60-75%. If liquid has spilled onto the tree, it is necessary to liquidate the accident as soon as possible, and the brighter the shade of this liquid, the more promptly it will be necessary to act;
• under the influence of sunlight, a tree may change color over time;
• the need for due regular care using special products. It is not so difficult as it might seem at first glance, and if care actions become a habit, the furniture set will live a very long time;
• for all its pliability, the tree does not allow the use of certain processing techniques. For example, from it you can not get bent facades;
• wood is not cheap material, because such a kitchen will cost several times more expensive than an analogue made entirely of MDF or particleboard, but they can not be compared in terms of durability. The combination of materials and the use of inexpensive species can significantly reduce the cost of wooden kitchens;
• significant weight complicates installation.

In many ways, the quality of a wooden kitchen and its durability depends on the manufacturer. It is important that he uses quality dried wood and processes it properly.

Tree species

We won’t discover America if we report that performance directly depends on the type of wood. kitchen furniture. Most often, the following breeds are used for the production of kitchens:

• oak - "king of beasts" in the world of wood. This is a strong, dense, solid, durable wood that tolerates the influence of moisture, is not susceptible to decay, has a luxurious texture. It can have a shade from light yellow to reddish brown. The only negative is the high price;
• beech also characterized by strength and durability. As a rule, wood has a light shade, lends itself perfectly to tinting, so that it can be given almost any color. It is believed that beech has a positive effect on home energy. Be that as it may, but with its aesthetic appearance such a headset is definitely capable of acting positively on households;
• ash very slightly inferior to oak in strength. The color of wood varies from light pink to dark brown, has a characteristic texture and beautiful tints in the sun. For beauty and high performance, you have to pay dearly, but if you consider this as an investment in a harmonious kitchen interior and the absence of problems with a constant change of furniture, then ash wood becomes a profitable investment;
• sweet cherry inferior to the previous options in terms of strength, but it pleases with an unusual reddish tint and beautiful texture. It happens that dreams of an ideal kitchen interior can be realized only with the help of such a headset;
• Pine - one of the cheapest types of wood. Softness makes it quite pliable in processing, but affects the strength of the finished furniture. Such a headset may not be able to withstand a more or less severe blow - a dent or scratch will appear on it. Another disadvantage is the low resistance to moisture, so if the manufacturer violated the production technique, and you did not conduct the treatment in a timely manner, then prepare for the appearance of mold. Pine - wood with a high resin content, and they begin to stand out when the temperature rises (for example, from a working ovens) In addition to the low price, the advantages of the breed include a beautiful golden hue, as well as the ability to release volatile products into the air;
• Birch - a good compromise option, inexpensive, has a beautiful yellowish tint, nice texture, easy to process, but more durable and resistant than pine. If the manufacturer correctly processed the wood, then it will not be afraid of moisture and temperature extremes, it will delight owners with longevity;
• alder Is another example of inexpensive wood. The material is quite plastic, easy to process.Of course, inferior in strength to oak, but it will be much more practical than pine;
• maple - A sample of strong and solid wood, but is used in the manufacture of kitchens much less often than other types of wood;
• larch It is highly resistant to moisture, if properly dried, so the kitchen will be a great option.

Solid kitchen design

The plasticity of the tree allows you to create almost any decor on it. Often facades adorn carving, pilasters, balustrades, cornices and other curly details. Thanks aging technique from any modern headset you can make an antiques item, and if you also use the appropriate accessories, you can achieve amazing results. Aging furniture thanks to the technique of patination, brushing and creating small cracks. Fans of luxury choose furniture with gilding.

The doors of the cabinets and drawers can be completely smooth. Glass inserts look beautiful, and in some places inserts from stained glass. The choice of decor and the degree of its activity depends on personal preferences, style of the kitchen and the size of the kitchen:

• if small kitchen, then the abundance of carved and gilded elements will be superfluous. Such a headset will look disproportionate and ridiculous;
• the more pronounced the texture of the tree, the less decorative elements should be;
• the furniture should match the chosen style of interior. In style kitchens minimalism wooden headsets did not really take root, but if you really want to, then you can take a model with the most simple, smooth and plain facades. Provence involves painting the facade in white or another light shade, the presence of panels and floral motifs. Country - This is a rougher wooden furniture with an emphasized texture and a minimum of decor. In classic interiors, furniture is usually used in darker saturated colors, decor is present, but in moderation.

Remember that the more decorative elements on the facade, the more difficult the furniture will be to care for, because the dirt will clog into all the recesses. To keep such a kitchen clean, of course, is quite realistic, but the hostess will need more time and effort.

The issue of kitchen design cannot be considered in isolation from type of top cover headset:

• varnish allows you to emphasize the natural beauty of wood and give it powerful protection. Lacquer can have different degrees of gloss: if you like surfaces with a gloss effect, it is better to take a headset with a glossy finish, just keep in mind that in the sun such furniture can greatly glare. That is why matte varnishes and varnishes with a minimum degree of gloss are usually used to cover kitchens;
• oil and wax also effectively protect the surface from negative factors, allow you to get a pleasant to the touch surface;
• paint rarely used, as the pigment clogs the natural shade and texture of the tree. However, there are exceptions. For example, Provence-style kitchens are often painted in light shades. Also, painting is used during the restoration of old headsets.

Are all wooden kitchens really wooden?

It has already been said that not all kitchens that are sold as “solid wood kitchens” are 100% made of wood, and even more so from solid wood. Consider the most popular options for what and how a wooden kitchen can be made:

• whole wood, with solid wood, is the rarest and most expensive material. All elements (both the frame and the facade) are made of dried natural wood. Such sets will weigh a lot, cost a lot, and finding it will not be easy, you may have to buy a kitchen to order, since such products are the top of luxury and are not in great demand;
• facade from solid wood; frame - from MDF or particleboard. A very common option, allowing to reduce the cost and lighten the design, and the appearance will not be affected. Of course, the option with an MDF skeleton will be preferable - this material can better withstand moisture. MDF can be laminated or veneered;
• panel kitchensin which the facade frames are made of natural wood, and the central part is made of MDF (as an option - glass). In this case, the frame is usually also assembled from MDF. Outwardly, such a kitchen will not lose to a kitchen from an entire array, but it will cost much cheaper, and even weigh less. The material with which the MDF is finished is of great importance. If it is veneer, then the “secret” of the kitchen will not affect the appearance at all. MDF is quite practical material in terms of operation, so you will be able to get a beautiful and durable kitchen;
• kitchens from eurobar become one of the leaders in sales in the modern market. Facades are made of spliced ​​bars of dried wood. The technology allows not only to reduce the cost of finished products, but also to make its operational characteristics much more predictable. Fused surfaces are not so susceptible to moisture and temperature changes, so it’s easier to care for them, and with durability they are all right.

Close inspection of the kitchen

Well, if you have the opportunity to see samples of the kitchens of the manufacturer before buying. If you order a kitchen, and at least a partial prepayment is required from you, then you must carefully read the contract, paying attention to the possibility of returning the prepayment after inspecting the manufactured kitchen. What should be taken into account when inspecting a kitchen from an array:

• the tree must be dry. If the surface is a little damp and as if resinous, then most likely the drying technology was violated, which means that even without significant influences (and in the kitchen they are significant) the headsets can “lead”, and the facades can become distorted;
• no cracks, bumps or roughness on the tree are allowed, exception - the surface is artificially aged. We also pay attention to edge seams, which must be carefully processed to smoothness;
• holes for mounting should be neat, smooth. If cracks are present near them, then the fastening will soon weaken, and an expensive kitchen will require repair;
• all decorative elements must be neat. Separately worth a look all fittings. Shelves should leave and call in without much effort, not to rattle at the same time. Lockers should open without creaks and special difficulties. Handles should be strong, without damage.

Be sure to check with the seller for a warranty. If the kitchen is made of raw wood, it can lead in 1 month, then the varnish coating will begin to peel off. Experts say that even large and eminent companies are not immune from some mistakes in the preparation of raw materials. Only the responsible company will replace the furniture, and the unscrupulous manufacturer will blame the buyer for everything, and in the worst case, you will not find the seller and manufacturer at all.

Features of the care of the kitchen from the array

MDF kitchens, for example, require minimal maintenance. It is enough to regularly wipe the surfaces with a damp sponge or use a detergent, and the furniture will sparkle. With wood surfaces, things are a little more complicated:

• use special products for washingSuitable for cleaning wood. They should have a neutral pH, preferably containing oils, silicone or wax, which help further protect the surface. The composition should not contain alcohol, solvents or ethers - these substances dry the surface of the tree, causing cracks;
• use only soft sponges and rags - hard brushes, like abrasive detergents, can scratch the lacquer coating, and then begin to destroy wood, greatly reducing the durability of the kitchen and spoiling its appearance;
• better surface cleaning along wood fibers. Even after processing, the tree remains a little rough, and if you clean the surface across the fibers, there is a risk of driving the dirt deep into the wood, rather than cleaning it;
• every time after cleaning the surface is better use special polishes or other reinforcing compounds that will protect the surface from deformation and the influence of bacteria. Particular importance is given to the work surface if it is made of wood;
• try to limit the amount of direct sunlight falling on the furniture;
• quickly remove all dirt;
• as much as possible, maintain an optimal microclimate in the kitchen. The air should not be too cold or hot, dry or humid. To maintain optimal conditions, use range hoodand in winter a humidifier can come in handy to maintain humidity at 40-60%.

Most Italian manufacturers Massive kitchens may be refused warranty in general if you have improperly looked after furniture, therefore care should be given maximum attention.