Guide to Reclaimed Iroko Worktops
Reclaimed Iroko is an excellent choice for hard-wearing environments such as kitchens, utility rooms and bathrooms, for shelving and for table tops. Most of our Iroko is salvaged from schools and universities undergoing renovations, where hardwoods are routinely replaced with plastic alternatives. We hold a small amount of timber that has been reconditioned, but most of our stock is patinated, graffitied and showing signs of its former life.
Over time, Iroko will naturally develop a silver hue from exposure to direct sunlight and moisture. However, with straightforward maintenance, it will retain its beauty for many, many years. Below, we outline two main approaches.
The ‘Perfect’ Aesthetic
For a smooth, chocolatey finish. Most appropriate for kitchen worktops, bath surrounds, and utility rooms.
To achieve the smooth, chocolatey finish featured in many of our interior design projects, start by belt sanding or planing the Iroko back to its raw timber. While this process is best handled by professionals, if you plan to do it yourself, proper respiratory protection is essential.
Our preferred treatment is Timbertect Interior Timber Seal in a matte finish, supplied by Conservation Chemicals. Detailed application instructions are available on their website, and their team is exceptionally helpful. This approach is relatively low maintenance—requiring only a light sand and refinishing every few years.
Top Tip: We recommend under-mounting sinks and baths to minimise standing water on your Iroko.
Preserving Patina & Graffiti
Most appropriate for low-moisture areas such as cupboard fronts, tables, benches, etc.
If you prefer to maintain the rugged character of your reclaimed Iroko, it’s perfectly fine to use it ‘as is,’ or you may choose to apply a light treatment to help preserve its patina.
Start with a light sand whilst wearing respiratory protection. This will remove surface marks and old varnish without eliminating deeper scratches or pen marks embedded in the wood.
For UV protection, we recommend using Osmo Oil. Be aware that any refresh treatments will require re-sanding the wood to allow the oil to re-penetrate.
Alternatively, you can apply natural linseed oil or Danish oil, with a touch-up needed every 6-12 months. This is our preferred method as it’s non-toxic and quick to maintain.
Top Tip: Dry any standing water to reduce the frequency of re-treatment.
Purchasing Reclaimed Iroko
Reclaimed timber naturally varies in patina, colour, grain, and dimensions—there is no ‘standard,’ which we embrace as part of its charm! Once we have your required dimensions, we can help match the appropriate timber. If you’re using the timber for a kitchen, it’s especially useful to have your kitchen plan available. We will endeavour to find dimensions that are as close as possible to minimise waste. Even highly patinated or graffitied timber can be returned to the raw grain for a smooth finish.
Because our worktops are often sourced from school and university science labs, many have holes for sinks and gas taps. Where possible, we will try to align existing sink holes with your cutting plan. It’s also straightforward for a joiner to fill the holes.
We are accustomed to assisting remotely and can send photos and precise dimensions of available timber options. Please note that timber will be held for a limited time—an invoice must be paid to secure your purchase.
If you’d like to visit in person, please organise an appointment with a member of our team via mail@retrouvius.com or call 020 8960 6060 so we can assist.
Please note: We do not provide a cutting service.
Delivery is available across the UK and beyond.
