What are the best timbers for kitchen benchtops?
December 2023
When it comes to crafting the ideal kitchen, the choice of benchtop material can make all the difference. Timber, with its innate warmth and tactile appeal, has long been a preferred choice for those looking to infuse their kitchens with both functionality and character. Dense timbers will create a hard surface, resistant to dents and scratches, and if damaged unlike stone, laminate or most other surfaces, timber can be easily sanded and refinished in the home to look like new again.
Not all timber is created equal, though; the type of wood you choose can greatly influence not only the aesthetics but also the longevity and sustainability of your kitchen. Let's explore some standout timbers that can elevate your kitchen benchtops.
1. Blackbutt / Dense Browns
Blackbutt is a light-coloured Australian hardwood that beautifully complements modern kitchen designs. With its mid to light brown colour, Blackbutt provides a lovely canvas for showcasing your kitchen wares and ornaments. Our recycled Blackbutt comes from the demolition of old houses and buildings and has an interesting past and a story to tell your guests. It originally came from old-growth forests and is denser and more richly coloured than new Blackbutt. It makes for a hard and durable surface that will not dent or scratch easily.
Recycled Blackbutt/Dense Browns - Rustic Sawtooth
Recycled Blackbutt/Dense Brown - Clean Dressed
2. Canberra Local Ash
Recycled from local demolitions, our Canberra Ash offers a delightful light colour and is harder and more durable than new ash. It's well-suited for those who prefer a softer hue for their kitchen benchtops. Canberra Local Ash is a sustainable option with low transport miles, and it comes imbued with history and character. We can often let you know the address of the building we recovered the timber from.
Recycled Canberra Local Ash - Clean Dressed
3. Bluegum / Coastal reds
Our Bluegum / Coastal Reds includes a blend of striking, red-toned Australian hardwoods salvaged mostly from Sydney and its surrounding regions. Benchtops made from Bluegum are extremely unique, with varied grain patterns and rich red hues. They also look great when lightly dressed with a sawtooth finish as their darker tones complement the blacks in the oiled sawtooth surface.
Recycled Bluegum / Coastal Reds - Clean dressed
4. Brushbox
Brushbox offers an extraordinary richness and variation in colour, growing deeper and more beautiful as time passes. Its colour from a rich reddish brown to a pinkish grey. It’s also a hard wearing species that was often used to build wharf and road bridge decks, structural beams, old house roofs and floorboards. It’s a less common choice for benchtops, but a great one.
Recycled brushbox - Clean Dressed
5. Spotted Gum
Spotted gum is not just strong; it's a timber that tells a story through its unique grain patterns and varied colourings. Perfect for high-traffic kitchen areas, it is durable and hardwearing, making it an enduring selection for kitchen spaces. Spotted gum is one of the rarer and more difficult timbers to source in the recycled timber space, so we rarely make flooring or other building products from it. Instead, we like to save our spotted gum stocks to make kitchen benchtops or other custom furniture and joinery pieces.
Recycled spotted gum - Clean dressed
By choosing timber from Thor's Hammer, you're not just selecting high-quality, long-lasting materials for your kitchen. You're also making a sustainable choice by giving new life to recycled timber. Each piece comes with its own history, adding depth and uniqueness to your home.
If you’re interested in incorporating recycled timber into your kitchen, get in touch with our team today to discuss your options.