How Durable Are Wood Benchtops?

There's a common misconception that wood benchtops aren't durable enough for busy kitchens. People assume timber will scratch, stain, and deteriorate quickly compared to stone or engineered surfaces. But in reality, it's the finish that defines timber's resilience. With the right finish, it turns wood into a surface that’s not just beautiful, but built to last.

The right finish turns timber from a relatively soft material into a surface that rivals (and in some ways surpasses) the durability of stone and ceramic. Let's break down exactly how durable timber can be, and why your choice of finish matters more than the timber species itself.

Understanding material durability

To understand timber's durability, it helps to know how materials are measured. The Mohs scale ranks materials from 1 (softest, like talc) to 10 (hardest, like diamond) based on scratch resistance. Granite sits at 6 to 7 on this scale, marble at 3 to 4, and ceramic reaches 7 to 9.

Timber isn't typically measured on the Mohs scale (wood uses the Janka hardness test instead), but for comparison purposes, raw unfinished timber would approximate to around 2 to 4. Yes, unfinished timber is softer and more prone to scratching than stone, which is exactly why the finish is so important.

Want to learn more about our wooden benchtops? Download The Woodsmiths Catalogue here.

The Wood Advantage

As a material, wood is very good at absorbing energy. A significant blow with a cast-iron skillet to a wooden surface won't cause it to shatter or snap. The energy is absorbed within the material, with the visible impact often limited to a small dent. Over time, these impacts add character to the material that many customers enjoy. Should you grow tired of these visual indicators of past accidents, then wood is easy to repair or rejuvenate, should it be required.

Now let's delve into the key considerations for timber benchtop durability and how different finishes compare in these areas. 

The finish makes all the difference

At The Woodsmiths, we offer several finish options, each with different durability characteristics and warranties. The three main finishes are Resin, which is covered by The Woodsmith's 10-year warranty, and Two-Pack Lacquer or Oil, which are both covered by our 5-year warranty.  

Lifestyle & usage

Can timber benchtops really stand up to the demands of everyday family life? Absolutely, especially when finished right. And there's one finish that rarely gets the spotlight: Hi-Build Resin finish. This 2 to 3mm coating sets a new standard for durability, delivering long-lasting protection while preserving the warmth and character of timber. It’s ideal for those who love the look of wood but don’t have time for constant upkeep.

Two-Pack Lacquer is a thin coating that suits timber benchtops with less daily usage. Oil finish is similar, since both grow in character as they age, but they need more care and aren't built for high-traffic kitchens.

Material performance

The Resin finish outperforms the alternatives across several areas:

1. Impact resistance – The Resin coating absorbs impacts that would crack or chip stone. Drop a heavy pot and you won't see the damage you'd get with granite or engineered stone. The Resin is flexible, which reduces cracking risk while still providing a hard, protective surface for the timber beneath. With an oil coating, dents will show but can be sanded out. Two-pack Lacquer is different, since any dents and scratches are not easily repaired.
2. Heat resistance – Resin is heat resistant. Boiling water won't damage it. We still recommend using trivets and coasters for hot pots, pans and mugs (just as you would with most benchtops) as the concentrated weight and heat can mark the coating. Again, the alternative finishes will mark more easily, and boiling water, for example, would have to be wiped away as soon as possible to prevent damage.
3. Chemical and stain resistance – The Resin is highly resistant to household cleaners, chemicals, solvents, and bleaches. It's virtually stain-proof. Spill wine, coffee, or acidic substances and simply wipe them away. No etching like you'd get with marble, no staining concerns like porous stone. Two-pack lacquer has similar qualities in this area, but an Oil finish will not protect the timber as well from stains or chemicals.
4. Scratch resistance – The thick Resin layer provides excellent scratch resistance in daily use. While Two-Pack Lacquer or Oiled timber would scratch easily, the Hi-Build Resin surface handles kitchen activity amazingly. 
5. Longevity – Properly finished timber benchtops last for decades. We regularly refurbish benchtops that are 20+ years old, often just buffing them onsite. Otherwise they can be sanded back and recoated to look brand new. Other benchtop surfaces can't be refinished this way.

Maintenance & repairability

It is generally thought that wood tops are considered high-maintenance because we’re told they are susceptible to water damage, scratches, and stains, requiring regular sealing, oiling, and careful cleaning to stay in good condition. While this is true for an Oiled benchtop, the performance points above show this isn't always the case. With a more durable finish, much of that maintenance disappears.

Hi-Build Resin requires minimal maintenance. Simply clean with a microfibre cloth and warm water, and use standard non-abrasive cleaners. You may consider buffing out any scratches after a few years and applying the wax we supply to restore it to its original sheen. That's it.

Unlike stone or ceramic, wood tops can often be repaired on site, especially with the Resin finish. Fine steel wool and methylated spirits can be used to remove heavy grime buildup, while dents can often be repaired by pouring boiling water on them and rubbing with a towel. If any major ruptures occur, these can easily be repaired on site by filling with Resin and buffing. As for scratches from daily use, these can be buffed time and again, making it look like new.

While wood tops coated in Two-Pack Lacquer do not require regular maintenance, extra care does need to be taken, as it is not as thick or durable as the Resin. Wax can be applied to hide scratches, but this finish can not be easily repaired on-site if the finish is broken.  

Oil is the finish most people are aware of when it comes to timber tops. Yes, it requires re-oiling every 2-6 months, depending on use, but scratches and damage are easily repaired when they happen.

Featuring an 8-year-old top with an undermount sink from a busy family home, still in great condition.

What about sinks?

This is where the finish choice becomes important. Kitchen sinks are high-moisture areas, and the wrong finish can lead to problems.

Wood tops are not known to be waterproof, but with the Resin coating, this is exactly the case. This gives the freedom of using undermount or butler sinks without the worry of water getting into the end grain and causing swelling. Leaks, splashes, and constant moisture exposure won't cause issues, which is why The Woodsmiths cover all Resin timber benchtops with a 10-year warranty.

Two-Pack Lacquer and Oil finishes work fine with top-mounted sinks and are covered by our 5-year warranty in those applications. However, we don't recommend them for undermounted or butler sinks due to increased moisture exposure.

If you want an undermounted sink or are concerned about water exposure, the Hi-Build Resin finish is your most durable choice. 

Choosing your finish

For most applications, we recommend the Hi-Build Resin finish. It offers maximum durability and protection, a 10-year warranty, suitability for all sink types, minimal maintenance, and excellent resistance to heat, water, stains, and chemicals. With standard gloss levels of Resin being 30% or the ability to be 10% matt finish, it also allows for a very natural look.

Oil finish works well when you want the most natural look and feel and don't mind the extra care involved. It's also a good option if budget is important, and it can still be used for the main benchtop with a top-mounted sink.

Choose Two Pack Lacquer for low-wear areas where small signs of wear won't be a concern, or when keeping to a lower budget.

The verdict

Are solid wood benchtops durable? Absolutely. But the durability depends entirely on the finish you choose.

Raw timber on its own is relatively soft and needs protection. But with our Hi-Build Resin finish, timber becomes an incredibly durable surface that handles daily kitchen life beautifully. It resists impacts, scratches, heat, moisture, and stains while remaining repairable if damage does occur.

The misconception that timber isn't durable comes from people thinking about unfinished or Oil-finished timber. Resin finishes have transformed what's possible. You get the warmth and beauty of natural, solid timber bench tops with durability that rivals or exceeds traditional "tough" materials.

Ready to price your project? Find the cost of your wood kitchen benchtop with our online calculator.