Derablok Solid Wood

SOLID WOOD WORKTOPS - TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

SPECIES: BEECH, PRIME OAK, IROKO, WALNUT, RUSTIC OAK 

THICKNESS:  

Worktops are 30mm or 40mm thick; tolerances are within +/- 0.3mm 

QUALITY\:  

The quality is A (top side) / B (underside) 

CONSTRUCTION:  

Finger-jointing solid wood staves make up the board 

STAVES: 

The staves are within a width range of 38mm to 41mm 

CALIBRATION: 

Sanding of A side is made with 120 grit sander belts; a fully automated sanding line is used 

GLUE: 

The glue used is in accordance with EN 204 D3 and is formaldehyde free. 

MOISTURE CONTENT:  

The moisture content during production, is within 8% and 10% 

PACKAGING:  

All tops are individually stretch-wrapped. A full pallet consists of a quantity of 20 tops. Boards are available individually; no minimum quantity applies. 

DENSITY: 

The average density of our solid wood worktops is 750kg per m3 

STORAGE RECOMMENDATIONS: 

Store in racks with maximum 500mm gaps 

Store in humidity between 40% and 55% and in normal room temperature of 18oC and 23oC 

 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 

Before DERABLOK Solid Wood Worktops are installed, please read the following storage, fixing, and aftercare advice carefully. Your customer has chosen DERABLOK worktops for their warmth and beauty - please do not allow hasty or incorrect fitting procedures to ruin the final appearance and performance of this high-quality product. 

STORAGE PRIOR TO INSTALLATION:  

DERABLOK Solid Wood Worktops should not be stored near heat sources such as a radiator, a stove, or an open fire. An unheated storage room would be suitable.  

Worktops should be stored flat and supported at equal distance along its length by battens. If tops are stacked, battens should be placed between each layer. This type of storage will allow air to flow evenly around the worktop and prevent movement. Never store worktops vertically! 

Room Preparation:  

The relative humidity of the room where the worktop is to be fixed should be between 40 and 55%. All wet trades should have been completed and a sufficient period of time allowed for natural drying out. 

Oiling:  

We recommend Danish oil for DERABLOK worktops. Linseed and teak oil are also suitable. After the worktop has been cut to size and all cut outs made apply at least 6 coats of oil with a clean, lint free cloth. Apply each coat within 12 hours of each other and ensure the oil is applied generously but evenly to both sides and edges. Pay particular attention to the exposed end grain.  On completion of the worktop installation give the top a final light coat of oil and pass to the client the Customer Care Sheet that will advise them how to continue the maintenance process. 

Worktop Installation:  

There are usually 3 types of support for worktops. 

1. Brickwork - ensure that the brickwork piers or walls are completely dry. If there is any doubt fix heavy gauge polythene between the worktop and support as a moisture barrier. 

2. Open Top Cupboards - fix slotted expansion brackets to the wall at the rear of the cupboard unit approx. 150mm from each end of the worktop. This permits movement of the worktop should there be a major change in moisture content / humidity. Do not over-tighten screws. 

3. Fixed Top Cupboards - cut oblong holes (front to back) 15mm long at the front and rear of the unit. When fixing a washer must be used with each screw. Do not overtighten. 

In all cases a 4 - 5mm gap must be left between the worktop and the wall. 

No cut outs for sinks, hobs etc. should be nearer than 100mm from the edge of the worktop. 

A minimum gap of 25mm should be allowed for ventilation above appliances. 

When cross – cutting a Derablok worktop does not make any cut within 10mm either side of a finger joint. 

Cookers:  

If the worktop is to be fitted next to a constant heat source such as an Aga or Rayburn a 40mm cross band must be fitted to prevent the end grain from splitting. 

A 5mm gap should be left between the cross band and the cooker. The worktop will shrink leaving the cross band standing proud of the worktop by 4 - 5mm after a few months. This is normal and the cross band should be trimmed back to match. This should be done after 6 months when the worktops have finished shrinking. 

This procedure is not required with modern range cookers as they do not generate heat continuously and the heat generated is significantly less. 

Sink and wet areas:  

All timber worktops are suitable for use in sink areas, but some are more suitable than others. Beech does require particular care and should be oiled monthly to prevent water seeping into the grain. If the sink cut-out is made on site and so the 6-coat oiling process cannot be carried out, seal the cut out with a generous coat of Cascamite (resin glue) prior to sink installation. 

In the case of a Belfast sink ensure the following is strictly adhered to: 

a) all edges of the cut out are well oiled. 

b) the worktop overhang in relation to the sink is 15mm on either side and 30mm to the rear 

c) a drip break must be machined underneath the worktop and extend completely around the sink area 

d) any gap between the sink and the underside of the worktop is sealed completely with silicone. 

Jointing / Edges:  

When joining worktops together, rout a groove in the edge of both worktops and join them using a false tongue. For extra strength install 2 worktop jointing bolts into holes recessed into the underside and draw them together. Do not over tighten. Apply a generous coat of oil to the edges before drawing them together. 

Any edges that are machined on site (back edges, edges abutting tall housings, edges abutting box work for soil pipes etc. must be sealed. For speed and simplicity apply a plentiful coat of Cascamite to these edges. 

Appliances - dishwashers, tumble dryers, washing machines etc.; all these appliances generate heat, and the underside of the worktop requires protection from it. 

In the aperture where the appliance is to be sited fix sheets of fibrous cement board such as Supalux to the underside of the worktop, the sides of the carcasses and the rear wall. Seal all areas were the sheets butt together with self-adhesive aluminium tape. The underside of the worktop will now be completely sealed against rising heat from the appliance. 

Bowing; If your worktop has a slight bow, screw the back edge to support first and carefully clamp the front edge with a screw clamp before fixing to the front of the support. Small cracks in the wood may occur.  

 DERABLOK 

CUSTOMER CARE RECOMMENDATIONS – FOR END USER 

Wood is a natural product, and each species will have very different qualities. Wood can be affected by heat, humidity and water. 

Oiling. 

DERABLOK worktops should be oiled every three months, except beech that requires oiling monthly. Apply a generous coat of Danish oil with a clean, lint free cloth and pay particular attention to exposed end grain and areas near your sink, cooker and hob. A worktop needs re-oiling when water smudges rather than forming well defined droplets. 

Rough Areas; It is normal for wooden worktops to feel rough in the first few weeks after installation. The cause of any rough areas is the grain lifting; the fine fibres of the wood swelling from the application of oil and then setting. If this occurs the tops require light sanding with fine sandpaper until a very smooth finish is achieved and then a light coat of oil. The sanding should only be required for the first week and may only be on surface patches. 

Timber Movement 

Being a living, natural product wooden worktops will react to the ambient climate conditions throughout the year. During the cooler and wetter months, timber will pick up some of the atmospheric moisture and swell slightly. This is normal and as the product grows with age will reduce if they are regularly maintained. In the summer and hotter months, the timber will dry slightly and could shrink slightly. As your kitchen fitter will have fitted the worktops to allow for this movement no real problems should occur. 

Colour Changes; Solid wood worktops will change in colour, some species reacting to the change much more quickly than others. This oxidisation process happens to all timbers and is natural. The first couple of sealing coats of oil will start the darkening process but the timber will still be much paler than when they start to 'mature' in colour after a year or so. The oiling process and exposure to natural light causes a reaction within the timber and the natural colour genes start to mature bringing, after some months, a more natural looking product. 

This process cannot be hastened in any way, although worktops in a south facing kitchen will react to the sunlight more than worktops in a north facing room or one with little light. 

Heat; Wood is a very resilient surface, but it is sensible to take precautions against potential problems. Pots and pans taken from a hot oven or from the hob should always be placed on a trivet and NEVER directly onto the worktop! It is also a good idea to use a trivet for the kettle allowing air to circulate underneath an area that will be hot, damp, and humid. 

Wet Areas; Water causes wood to swell! All timber worktops are suitable for use in sink areas although their performance is strongly related to correct installation and subsequent aftercare. Carry out the oiling procedure as recommended above and remember, Beech worktops must be oiled monthly, especially in wet areas. Do not leave standing water on the worktop for long periods of time but wipe the surface dry as soon as possible and pay attention to the sink and kettle areas. 

Remember, by the time the DERABLOK worktop is installed in your kitchen the timber can be up to 100 years old. We have become a 'throw away' society mainly because a lot of the things we buy cannot survive due to built in obsolescence. With ever increasing environmental pressures, timber allows us to move in the right direction of longer-lived products.  

When correctly looked after your DERABLOK worktop will give many years of reliable service as well as being a warm, natural, and attractive enhancement to your kitchen. 

 For further information regarding Derablok Wood Worktops and Accessories
please call our sales helpline 01257 446149 (option 1)