How to install a solid wood worktop

If you have invested in solid wood worktops, you might be wondering if you can install them yourself. Once you have chosen the perfect solution for your kitchen worktop, you don’t necessarily need to hire professionals to help you install it. Fitting wooden kitchen worktops yourself doesn’t have to be difficult or stressful so we have created a guide to help make it easier to fit and install your own wooden worktops. 

Read about the top benefits of solid wood worktops.

Storing your wooden worktops 

If your wooden worktops have been delivered but you’re not quite ready to install them yet, it’s vital to take care when storing them. When choosing somewhere to store them, always make sure they’re placed indoors in a room with stable humidity and temperature. Ensure that the pieces of worktop are stored flat and separated from the floor and other worktop pieces with battens to allow for air circulation around the worktops. We highly recommend that you do not store your wooden worktops upright, such as leaning against a wall, as this can cause them to crack and warp. 

Preparing your worktops for installation 

Before you install your worktops, you will need to make sure that you have applied at least three coats of oil (we recommend Danish oil) allowing 6 to 8 hours between coats. 30 minutes after application, wipe away any excess oil to provide the best possible finish. It’s important to note that the cut edges of your worktops and any end grain will soak up more oil and may need more coats to match the rest of your worktop.Before making any cuts to your worktop, identify the A and B sides of the worktop. The A side has a smooth, even surface, and must face upwards. The B side can contain small imperfections and this side is slightly rougher. 

Cutting solid wood worktops 

When cutting your worktop to fit your hob or sink in, use the templates supplied with them to provide a guide for how much you should be cutting out of your worktops. You’ll also need to allow for the expansion and contraction of the wood. We recommend an expansion gap of 5mm for large items such as sinks and hobs, and 3mm for smaller items, such as taps and pipes. 

Position your worktops 

Before fixing your wooden worktops, you’ll need to make sure that your kitchen cabinets are level. When positioning your worktop to get it ready to fix in place, allow a 4-5mm expansion gap between the worktop edges and adjacent walls or units around it. This is particularly important for worktops near appliances such as your oven, dishwasher, washing machine or microwave which can experience extremes of heat and humidity and cause your wooden worktop to expand and contract. To prevent this from becoming a major issue over the long term, you can install a moisture barrier to protect the underneath of your worktop.  

Fitting solid wood worktops 

To attach your worktops to kitchen cabinets or base units, we suggest using slotted right angle brackets along with round headed screws to fix the brackets.If your cabinets have a solid top or you can only secure them through a cross rail, you will not be able to use slotted angle brackets. In this case, you must drill an oversized hole (8-10mm) through the top of the cabinet and secure your worktop using a larger washer and screw.

How to join solid wood worktops 

If you are joining more than one worktop, you will need to use butt joints to fit the worktops together at right angles using connector bolts, which can be found on the underside of the worktop.Ensure that any end grain is sealed before assembling the joints together. Apply a small dot of low modulus silicone sealer along one side of the joint. Align the two sides before clamping with worktop bolts, ensuring any excess sealant is cleaned off.

Finishing your wooden worktops 

Now that your worktops are installed, all you need to do is lightly oil the worktop a few times a week over a period of a few weeks. To keep your solid wood worktop looking great, oil it 3-4 times a year to help it withstand the test of time.To find more information on our range of solid wood worktops, please contact our team or take a look at our full range of wooden worktops.