| Dreaming of a kitchen with the comfort and easy | | | | providing a supply renewably cultivated teak, |
| feel of mom's, but with the sophistication straight | | | | hardwoods are back on the menu. And while both |
| out of a design magazine? | | | | materials will add a little natural beauty to your |
| Nothing brings warmth to a kitchen interior like | | | | space and both have excellent records for |
| hardwood countertops. Unfortunately, the state | | | | durability, bamboo tends to fall a bit short in a |
| of most of the planet's hardwoods forests is far | | | | couple of kitchen tests. |
| from healthy, with little chance of improvement in | | | | Because bamboo is a reed, bamboo surfaces are |
| the near future. However, there is one way to | | | | composed of many laminated strips, glued |
| bring the beauty of hardwoods into your kitchen | | | | together -- so its important to ensure that the |
| without becoming part of the problem: Plantation | | | | laminates used are non-toxic and aren't otherwise |
| teak. | | | | harmful if consumed. Also, if you plan to do a lot |
| Teak is one of the most exquisite hardwoods on | | | | of cutting, bamboo surfaces can be very tough |
| the planet. Once in short supply due to | | | | on cutlery. |
| deforestation in its native habitat in Sotheast Asia, | | | | On the other hand, teak can be assembled into |
| teak is making a comeback through the hard | | | | end grain blocks, which not only eases the wear |
| work of teak forestry operations. And as a result | | | | and tear on knife blades, it actually give the |
| of these efforts, teak is now being offered | | | | surface a self-healing property that hides knife |
| alongside materials like bamboo as a alternative to | | | | marks and gouges. End grain blocks are not only |
| old-growth hardwood countertops. | | | | appealing for their practicality, end grain block |
| Plantation teak countertops offer the elegance | | | | construction showcases the contrasting pattern's |
| and durability of old-growth teak without the | | | | of teak's growth rings. This contrasting pattern of |
| environmental footprint. Teak wood has long been | | | | dark heartwood and golden outer rings gives end |
| admired by design gurus for its rich aesthetic | | | | grain countertops a stunning mosaic like |
| value. Likewise, teak's a favorite among chefs | | | | appearance. |
| because of its natural resins that resist moisture | | | | Face grain teak countertops offer a slightly more |
| and microbes. These unique resins give teak the | | | | cost-effect way to bring the unique grain pattern |
| ability to hold up under the normal wear and tear | | | | of teak into your kitchen. These counters are |
| of a busy kitchen while keeping their great looks | | | | made up of longer sheets of teak that highlight |
| intact. | | | | the tight swirling grain pattern. Both styles are |
| Sustainability is a major concern for many | | | | sure to catch the eye of you kitchen guests, and |
| consumers these days. In the past, one of the | | | | both are exceptionally durable due to teaks |
| few environmentally friendly countertop options | | | | natural oils. |
| has been bamboo. Now that teak plantations are | | | | |