Wooden sinks - suitable species, treatments for water resistance, maintenance

A wooden sink in the bathroom doesn't seem like an option at first glance. Wood is not very resistant to moisture, it molds, it rots, so it would be the last material to think about for an environment that can't possibly be water-free. And yet! Our grandparents washed in wooden washtubs, water was carried to the fields in wooden baskets, the wells were made of wood, the barrels in which water or wine was kept were also made of wood. So why wouldn't wood be good for the sink? Indeed, these are different times and we want wood to look good, not to deteriorate. And it is precisely because these are different times that there are protective materials that make it possible to protect and maintain wood. And a wooden sink no longer seems incompatible with the bathroom.

Wood used

All sources say that wood should be as waterproof as possible. Sinks made of teakfor example, are so resilient that they don't even need to be protected. The oils that teak naturally has do not allow water to penetrate it and so the sink is protected. If you think that in the old days ships and boats were built from oak, we come to the conclusion that it too is a waterproof material. For sinks, however, it needs to be protected because it has large pores which are a way in which moisture is exchanged. This is true, oak barrels for wine are not protected with anything, but when left empty, the staves dry out and gaps appear between them (which we wouldn't want to happen with a sink). To be watertight again, the barrel needs to be kept with water for a few days. Elm, chestnut, ash are other species resistant to moisture (and outdoors)and can be successfully used in the manufacture of sinks. Exotic species, very hard and rich in oils, are also very resistant. In the case of exotic woods, care should be taken in choosing the right wood. These species contain dangerous substances and if the sink is finished with oil, they may end up in the wash water. Walnut wood is often used for its distinctive appearance. It needs to be protected with water-resistant varnishes (we'll get to that in a moment) because it has even larger pores than oak.

Wood gluing and processing

There are a few true artists who make spectacular sinks from a single piece of solid wood. But most of them are made from glued panels or beams because the wood is more stable and the surface area larger. The adhesive used to make these wood derivatives must have a very good moisture resistance (D4). Also, the wood must be dry appropriate. Wood is processed by chipping, turning or milling. A rustic sink looks much better if it is made by carving, which is still the way wooden objects are made today. It's true, carved mugs and cups, now and in the past, are made of poplar woodeasy to carve because it is soft and loose. A hardwood is harder to work with, but is stronger and safer for such use. On the grain you get round, bowl-like sinks. The craftsman has to be a real specialist to make a sink that is strong and delicate at the same time. Finding the perfect balance between wall thickness and strength results in elegant sinks that can be placed in the most sophisticated bathrooms. Another processing method is milling and when done with the CNC, everything can be calculated and programmed to achieve the most spectacular patterns.

What treatments are applied to be as water resistant as possible

Water protection can be achieved in two ways, by uleiere and through lacquering. Beforehand the wood must be sanded very well so that the surface is very smooth and the absorption controlled. For oiling it is recommended to use mineral oil. It is also used to finish wooden bowls or choppers used in the kitchen. It can also be used natural oilsbut only for sinks used in the bathroom and only if they do not contain substances harmful to the body. Apply several coats, with time to absorb and dry, so that the wood is very well protected. The application is done both outside and inside the sink so that there is no possibility of water getting into the wood. The drain hole is also oiled even if that is where the drain will be fitted. Apply oil until the wood is saturated and no longer absorbs. Wipe off the excess and allow to dry for a few days before use. An oiled wooden sink needs to be maintained. Water will "wash" the oil off the surface over time, so it needs to be refreshed. Depending on how often and intensively it is used, the sink should be re-oiled every 3-6 months. It should be mounted on a stand so that there is no possibility of it sitting permanently in water. Over time, oil will be washed into that area and mould is likely to develop.

Protection by varnishing

The most commonly used method of protection is with epoxy resin and polyurethane varnish. Epoxy resin is applied in several coats so that the wood is perfectly sealed. In large-pored wood (walnut), the resin needs to "wet" the pore when it is poured to seal it very well. If it doesn't get into the pore and stays on the surface, over time the finish coat can "fall" into the pores and if it is even thin, it will crack and no longer provide the necessary protection. Application can be done by brushing, spraying or casting. As I said, apply several coats for best sealing. If air bubbles remain in the film, they can be removed by heating the film surface with a torch. In between coats, sand and sand off. Finally apply polyurethane varnish. I have seen that most manufacturers use this finishing method, but the number of coats applied can differ from manufacturer to manufacturer. Some even apply up to 10 coats consecutively. Polyurethane varnish coats are between 2 and 5. It is best to check with the varnish manufacturer how many coats can be applied to avoid the risk of cracking the varnish. Regardless of the method, it is important that the wood is very well coated, both inside and outside, so that there is no possibility of moisture exchange with the outside.

Where is best to use

Wooden sinks, especially those finished with resin and varnish, should only be used in the bathroom. In the kitchen their use is risky because knives, forks or aggressive maintenance materials can damage the finish. Wooden sinks are a popular decorative element in hotels, restaurants or company toilets. They allow for rustic as well as elegant or futuristic designs. It's all about the design of the sink and how it's finished. And while elegant sinks can be finished in a variety of ways, a sink with rustic look should have as discreet a finish as possible. If you can't use oil, don't even think about a gloss varnish.