Best wood worktop (species) variety for high heat conservatory!?

[MR GUS]

When we say high, it can get up past 40c , might shade roof with solar / navi lightweight solar thermal modules soon, but first....

Why wood? ...laminate with lots of chemicals in the cheap board I'd prefer to leave behind.


The idea of block strips appeals as does bamboo both for reasons of refuse, bamboo fast growing, block strips can have been made from larger offcuts etc..

Needs to deal with plants on top (on trays) & therefore spillage.

Any recommendations / pointers please?

Cheers folks.

[Warble]

Iroko used to be the usual choice but it isn't sustainable. Strip fabricated worktops are likely to contain UF glues so are no better than laminated boards from that point of view.

How about polished concrete?

[desperate]

Any timber you choose will shrink a bit especially if new, but if you keep it oiler regularly it will be fine provided you are happy with a slightly rough and ready look. If you want a rustic pine look for the conservatory you could get some reclimed joists, say 7 or 8 by 2s and get them ripped down to one inch thick, or not if you want a heavy looking worktop and glue and screw them onto cross battens to the width you want. The older the timber the better quality it will be, then using a hired floor sander, or a belt sander at a pinch, clean it up and oil it. I have built rustic kitchen units like this and it looks great, cheap too.

Desp

[Sean]

Old scaf boards

[Westie]

Iroko used to be the usual choice but it isn't sustainable. Strip fabricated worktops are likely to contain UF glues so are no better than laminated boards from that point of view.

How about polished concrete?

Iroko is defo  the ideal choice,  you could look around for salvaged lab worktops from schools etc, they are uaually Iroko, you can refurb them.

ebay.co.uk/itm/Reclaimed-Iroko-School-Science-Lab-Worktops-Tables-Full-of-Character-/132202896088?hash=item1ec7e81ad8:g:cxcAAOSwIaFZJX~6

[MR GUS]

Cheers, will measure up & chew that info over.👌

[biff]

One of the nicest timbers that I worked with recently, ( 5 years ago)
            Is Oregon Pine. You can get it at the saw mills and they cut it as wide and thick as you like it, You need to pick the grains and make sure that it is well seasoned,
  The only problem with such beautiful timbers, or any timber, is that a hot pan or pot means disaster.
Paul did a concrete worktop in his new house and I think GM did something similar., Me,? I just stick with the old 40mm run of the mill and keep a spare couple of meters in the shed. I have already changed the worktops in our mini kitchen upstairs 3 times, Accident do happen and nothing lasts forever,,apart from concrete but do you want to be stuck with the same old thing,,especially if you see some nice new gear going at the right money. . I have been known to go to B n Q looking for door locks and coming home with 3 lengths of worktops instead.
                                                                                                                 Biff

[MR GUS]

Cheers biff, I'll see if some Dougy for is available from my wood merchant.

Next question, wood oil ? ...i do need some food grade mineral oil for my berkel, its horrendously priced tho, (in small qtys) ..I also need to redo a salvaged pine table that's started cracking, get the same stuff or something else?

Gutted to think that block strip is just as chemically loaded as cheap board though, sadly iroko off menu, need to bash this out asap, too many jobs piling up!