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Solid Beech |
Solid Cherry |
Solid Oak |
Solid Birch |
Solid Maple |
Solid Walnut |
Solid Bamboo |
Solid Teak |
Rustic Oils |
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| MAINTENANCE AND INSTALLATION OF WONDERFULWOODENWORKTOPS |
Please follow these simple instructions
We hope that your Wonderfulwoodenworktops are a success and provide you with many years of trouble free service. Wood is a natural material and is therefore subject to natural variations in colour, texture and knotting such as splits and shakes. Be aware that sometimes filling is necessary. These features are quite normal and do not effect the performance of the products.
Wood is a hygroscopic material so changes in humidity will cause natural expansion and contraction of the worktop.
Wonderfulwoodenworktops are manufactured from solid hardwood with a moisture content of less than 10%. They are suitable for use in rooms with normal temperature and humidity levels. Wonderfulwoodenworktops can be affected by extremes of temperature and humidity which may result in bowing or splitting. To minimise the risk of bowing & splitting the following instructions must be followed.
STORAGE
Wonderfulwoodenworktops should be installed as soon as possible after delivery. If this is not possible Wonderfulwoodenworktops must be laid flat, fully supported in their original packaging in a dry room. They must not be stored in damp environments or near hot radiators and boilers. Wonderfulwoodenworktops should be unwrapped for inspection on delivery but must be rewrapped if not being fitted straight away.
FITTING
Wonderfulwoodenworktops should be fitted in the conditions they will live. The room must be weather tight and dry with the heating working. Any wet trades must be completed and fully dry or cured. The Relative Humidity of the room should remain between 40% and 65%.
Preparing the Wonderfulwoodenworktops for fitting
1. Carefully remove the packaging.
2. Cut holes, if required, for sinks, hobs, pipes or taps, ensuring a minimum 10mm gap is left around the item to be accommodated.
3. Cut the Wonderfulwoodenworktops to size and form joints where necessary.
Draining boards must not be cut into the Wonderfulwoodenworktops.
Extreme care to seal the cut edges must be taken in respect of Butler or Belfast sinks due to the likelihood of water penetration. Fitting over these sinks is not recommended if water penetration can not be avoided.
4. Cut-outs for sinks, hobs etc. must be no nearer than 100mm from the edges of the top.
Oiling - Prior to fitting
All Wonderfulwoodenworktops must be treated with our recommended oil.
1. Treat all surfaces, top and bottom, including cut edges with a generous coat of oil.
2. Wipe away surplus oil after 30 minutes, or before it dries, with a clean dry cloth.
3. Joints, machined edges and bare surfaces will need 2 - 3 generous coats.
4. Allow 6 - 8 hours to dry.
Installation
1. Installing to Open Top Cupboards
Use slotted expansion brackets to fix Wonderfulwoodenworktops to the wall only or the back rail of the cupboard units. Space the brackets approximately 150mm from each end of the unit and others at maximum 600mm centres. Take care to fix the brackets the correct way round. These brackets allow the worktop to expand and contract across the grain in accordance with changes in humidity.
Leave a 4mm to 5mm clear expansion gap between the wall and the rear of the worktop. Do not over tighten the screws. NB: Slotted Fixing Brackets or slotted fixings must always be used where Wonderfulwoodenworktops are being fixed to cabinets or any other type of support.
2. Installing to Fixed Top Cupboards
Cut oblong holes 15mm long at the rear of the unit. When fixing, a washer must be used with each screw and expansion gap left at the back edge of the top as described above. Do not over tighten the screws.
3. Joining Wonderfulwoodenworktops
When joining Wonderfulwoodenworktops together, rout a groove in each face of the joint and put them together using a false tongue. Ensure the cut surfaces are oil treated as explained previously. Use joining clamps to fix the Wonderfulwoodenworktops together one clamp per 150mm - minimum two clamps per join.
4. Heat Sources
When the worktop is fitted next to a constant heat source such as an Aga, or similar, in addition to a 40mm clear gap fit a solid wood return edge. Leave a 25mm gap between the ends of the Wonderfulwoodenworktop and conventional cookers.
5. Kitchen Appliances
Some appliances can generate heat and humidity, e.g., dishwashers and washing machines; therefore, a moisture barrier is required to be fixed to the underside of the Wonderfulwoodenworktop above the appliance.
A ventilation gap of at least 25mm must be allowed around appliances and between the ends of the Wonderfulwoodenworktops and conventional cookers.
6. Bowing
If the worktop has a slight bow due to moisture differences on site, fix the back edge of the worktop first and carefully clamp the front edge with a screw clamp before fixing the front edge. Small cracks in the wood may occur.
7. Upstands
Any upstand must be fixed to the back wall and not to the Wonderfulwoodenworktops.
FINISHING TREATMENT - ALL WONDERFULWOODENWORKTOPS
1. After fitting, sand all visible surfaces with fine sandpaper (180 grit) along the grain.
2. Remove dust with a vacuum cleaner followed by wiping with a slightly damp cloth.
3. Scour the visible surfaces with a green nylon scouring pad dipped in oil.
4. Wipe away excess oil with a clean cloth.
5. Repeat after 6 - 8 hours.
6. The worktop is ready for use 24 hours after the final treatment.
7. Dispose of the cloths and scouring pads carefully.
MAINTENANCE AND USE
1. If the surface becomes dirty or lifeless, scour with a green nylon scouring pad
dipped in oil. Wipe away any excess oil with a dry, clean cloth.
2. Badly soiled or worn tops can be lightly sanded as necessary. Remove dust and
then apply oil which can be allowed to soak in for up to 30 minutes.
3. Wipe away excess and do not allow puddles of oil to dry upon the surface.
4. The worktop is ready for use 24 hours after final treatment.
5. Dispose of oily rags carefully.
IMPORTANT
Do not use wire wool for sanding as this may cause the Wonderfulwoodenworktops to become discoloured when damp. Always use a green nylon scouring pad or sandpaper as appropriate.
Wonderfulwoodenworktops when properly maintained are water resistant but not waterproof. It is important not to allow spillages of water to stand for a long time. Similarly pots, pans and utensils should not be left to drain.
Wet cast iron pans will stain the Wonderfulwoodenworktops.
Never place hot pans on Wonderfulwoodenworktops as you will scorch the surface.
Splits and shakes occur naturally in all species of timber. As wood is a natural product, it is reasonable to expect that on occasions small splits may develop in the surface of the worktop.
FINALLY
1. Wonderfulwoodenworktops are not the same as conventional laminate worktops. Please read all the instructions carefully.
2. Always leave the correct spacings and apply moisture barriers where
necessary around appliances.
3. Always use slotted fixings when securing Wonderfulwoodenworktops.
4. Store Wonderfulwoodenworktops flat and in a dry place.
5. Wipe Wonderfulwoodenworktops dry after use.
6. Oil makes the tops resistant to water and staining. Correctly maintained Wonderfulwoodenworktops will keep their attractive appearance for a life time.
7. Do not use Wonderfulwoodenworktops as draining boards.
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