How to make a raw wood benchtop heat resistant?

Question

I really love the look of wood kitchen benchtops and purchased the Specrite Multi-use timber panel Radiata Pine from Bunnings.

Is there a way to make it heat resistant so I can put a hot saucepan / pot directly on to the bench?

I was thinking of some heat resistant coating or epoxy, or tiling a section where I would usually put a pot. Presumably tiles are heat resistant?

MitchellMc · Accepted Answer

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @KatQld. It's brilliant to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about installing a heat-resistant surface.

There is no coating that I am aware of that could go over the Pine to protect it from significant heat. Epoxy is plastic, so that's not going to be suitable.

You're correct that tiles could work, but unless they are specifically designed for that purpose, I'd recommend you enquiring with the supplier whether they would be suitable. You might like to use a Zeal Silicone Hot Mat Large 22cm when you need to place a hot pot on the benchtop. Alternatively, cutting out a section of the benchtop and inserting a flush Marble Trivet White Square 20x20cm could be a slick solution. Be advised that although you can typically place hot items onto a marble surface if the pot has just come directly off the heat source, you might cause some minor surface cracks due to thermal shock.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell