Timber - Mavben Custom Constructions

Custom Timber Benchtops For Every Application

When deciding on a benchtop for your kitchen or bathroom, timber is a timeless choice. Even after many years of use, timber can be restored to become brand new and gain a new lease on life!

Sustainably Sourced Timber

At Mavben custom constructions it is important to us that our environment is cared for throughout our time.
Our range of timber is sourced from timber suppliers who identify environmental sustainability as a principal factor in their operations and from timber forests with international certification.

Timber Selection

Are you searching for more than just timber benchtops?
We can help you match your benchtops with custom sliding cavity doors and barn doors for your interior. This will create a cohesive flow throughout your entire home and add a uniqueness to your home with one of a kind products.

Our selection of timber species is diverse, with 12 options in our own range and almost 60 more available from our timber supplier. If you can’t find a suitable match for your home or style, we can also work with recycled timber to bring new life to pieces that are over 100 years old and have many stories to tell.

Timber Species

TASMANIAN OAK

Heartwood pale to light brown in colour with a pinkish tinge. Sapwood is pale yellow, usually distinguishable from the heartwood. Texture moderately coarse but even. Grain sometimes interlocked. Growth rings visible but not prominent. Gum veins are common. Also known as Messmate.

PROPERTIES

  1. DENSITY — 780
  2. MODULUS OF RUPTURE MPA DRY — 118
  3. RADIAL SHRINKAGE — 3.50
  4. HARDNESS (JANKA) (kN) — 5.7
  5. FINISH — Good
  6. DURABILITY — Non Durable
  7. MACHINING — Good
  8. SPLIT RESISTANCE — Good
  9. SPLIT RESISTANCE — Good
  10. GLUING — Good
  11. GROWING REGION — Tasmania
  12. SPECIFIC GRAVITY — 0.78
  13. MODULUS OF ELASTICITY GPA DRY — 15
  14. TANGENTIAL SHRINKAGE — 6
  15. STABILITY — Good
  16. AVAILABILITY– Widely
  17. SUSCEPTIBLE TO LYCTUS BORER– Yes

VICTORIAN ASH

Heartwood pale pink or pale straw. Sapwood not always clearly differentiated. Texture rather coarse. Grain straight. Growth rings conspicuous. Gum veins common. Also known as Mountain Ash, Alpine Ash.

PROPERTIES

  1. DENSITY — 680
  2. MODULUS OF RUPTURE MPA DRY — 110
  3. RADIAL SHRINKAGE — 3.5%
  4. HARDNESS (JANKA) (kN) — 5.0
  5. FINISH — Good
  6. DURABILITY — Non Durable
  7. MACHINING — Good
  8. SPLIT RESISTANCE — Good
  9. SPLIT RESISTANCE — Good
  10. GLUING — Good
  11. GROWING REGION — Australia
  12. SPECIFIC GRAVITY — 0.70
  13. MODULUS OF ELASTICITY GPA DRY — 15
  14. TANGENTIAL SHRINKAGE — 8.5%
  15. STABILITY — Good
  16. AVAILABILITY– Widely
  17. SUSCEPTIBLE TO LYCTUS BORER– Yes

WORMY CHESTNUT

Trees are affected by wildfires, years of drought and attack by insects. Flood and strong winds stunt their growth with each piece showing nature’s signature. Deep red gum veins formed by fire, ambrosia beetle marks, pin holes and squiggly worm marks are all evident. Also known as Southern Blackbutt, Chestnut.

PROPERTIES

  1. DENSITY — 800
  2. MODULUS OF RUPTURE MPA DRY — 118
  3. RADIAL SHRINKAGE — 3.5%
  4. HARDNESS (JANKA) (kN) — 8.0
  5. FINISH — Good
  6. DURABILITY — Durable
  7. MACHINING — Good
  8. SPLIT RESISTANCE — Good
  9. SPLIT RESISTANCE — Good
  10. GLUING — Good
  11. GROWING REGION — Australia
  12. SPECIFIC GRAVITY — 0.80
  13. MODULUS OF ELASTICITY GPA DRY — 15
  14. TANGENTIAL SHRINKAGE — 6%
  15. STABILITY — Good
  16. AVAILABILITY– Available
  17. SUSCEPTIBLE TO LYCTUS BORER– No

RIVER RED GUM

The heartwood varies according to location in age, from pink to dark red. The grain is interlocked and frequently wavy which produces a fiddleback figure when quarter cut. The texture is close and even. The wood is resinous with frequent gum pockets. The surface is often distinctly mottled. Also known as Murray Red Gum.

PROPERTIES

  1. DENSITY — 900
  2. MODULUS OF RUPTURE MPA DRY — 101
  3. RADIAL SHRINKAGE — 2.5%
  4. HARDNESS (JANKA) (kN) — 10.0
  5. FINISH — Good
  6. DURABILITY — Durable
  7. MACHINING — Fair
  8. SPLIT RESISTANCE — Fair
  9. SPLIT RESISTANCE — Fair
  10. GLUING — Fair
  11. GROWING REGION — Australia
  12. SPECIFIC GRAVITY — 0.90
  13. MODULUS OF ELASTICITY GPA DRY — 11
  14. TANGENTIAL SHRINKAGE — 4%
  15. STABILITY — Good
  16. AVAILABILITY– Available
  17. SUSCEPTIBLE TO LYCTUS BORER– Yes

MERBAU

Sapwood is well defined and pale yellow in colour. Heartwood is yellowish to orange brown when fresh, weathering to brown or dark red brown. Grain is interlocked. Texture is coarse but even. Growth rings are distinct. Vessels are often filled with a yellow or a white deposit, which is conspicuous on surface. The dark brown gummy substance readily leaches out in water. Also known as Kwila.

PROPERTIES

  1. DENSITY — 830
  2. MODULUS OF RUPTURE MPA DRY — 147
  3. RADIAL SHRINKAGE — 1.5%
  4. HARDNESS (JANKA) (kN) — 9.0
  5. FINISH — Good
  6. DURABILITY — Durable
  7. MACHINING — Good
  8. SPLIT RESISTANCE — Good
  9. SPLIT RESISTANCE — Fair
  10. GLUING — Good
  11. GROWING REGION — Asia Pacific
  12. SPECIFIC GRAVITY — 0.83
  13. MODULUS OF ELASTICITY GPA DRY — 18
  14. TANGENTIAL SHRINKAGE — 2.5%
  15. STABILITY — Good
  16. AVAILABILITY– Available
  17. SUSCEPTIBLE TO LYCTUS BORER– Yes

SPOTTED GUM

Heartwood pale to dark brown or chocolate. Sapwood is distinctively paler but there maybe a zone of intermediate wood. Texture moderately coarse. Grain variable, the frequent presence of wavy grain produces an attractive fiddleback figure. Slightly greasy nature. Gum veins common. Northern material is usually slightly denser, stronger and more durable than southern. Also known as Lemon Scented Gum.

PROPERTIES

  1. DENSITY — 950
  2. MODULUS OF RUPTURE MPA DRY — 150
  3. RADIAL SHRINKAGE — 4.5%
  4. HARDNESS (JANKA) (kN) — 11.0
  5. FINISH — Good
  6. DURABILITY — Durable
  7. MACHINING — Good
  8. SPLIT RESISTANCE — Good
  9. SPLIT RESISTANCE — Good
  10. GLUING — Poor
  11. GROWING REGION — Australia
  12. SPECIFIC GRAVITY — 0.95
  13. MODULUS OF ELASTICITY GPA DRY — 23
  14. TANGENTIAL SHRINKAGE — 6%
  15. STABILITY — Fair
  16. AVAILABILITY– Available
  17. SUSCEPTIBLE TO LYCTUS BORER– Yes

EUROPEAN OAK

Heartwood pale yellow brown, darkening with exposure. Sapwood creamy and distinctive. Texture coarse and uneven. Grain usually straight. The large ray figure of the radial surface is often referred as silver grain. Slower grown wood is comparatively soft and is more suitable for furniture manufacture and veneer. Also known as French Oak, English Oak.

PROPERTIES

  1. DENSITY — 700
  2. MODULUS OF RUPTURE MPA DRY — 97
  3. RADIAL SHRINKAGE — 3%
  4. HARDNESS (JANKA) (kN) — 6.0
  5. FINISH — Excellent
  6. DURABILITY — Durable
  7. MACHINING — Fair
  8. SPLIT RESISTANCE — Good
  9. SPLIT RESISTANCE — Good
  10. GLUING — Good
  11. GROWING REGION — Europe
  12. SPECIFIC GRAVITY — 0.65
  13. MODULUS OF ELASTICITY GPA DRY — 10
  14. TANGENTIAL SHRINKAGE — 6%
  15. STABILITY — Excellent
  16. AVAILABILITY– Widely
  17. SUSCEPTIBLE TO LYCTUS BORER– Yes

JARRAH

Heartwood is a rich dark brownish red, sometimes marked by short, dark brown radial flecks on the end grain and boat shaped flecks on flat sawn surfaces which enhance it’s decorative value. The grain is usually straight but often interlocked or wavy. The texture is even but moderately coarse. Also known as Western Australian Jarrah.

PROPERTIES

  1. DENSITY — 820
  2. MODULUS OF RUPTURE MPA DRY — 112
  3. RADIAL SHRINKAGE — 5%
  4. HARDNESS (JANKA) (kN) — 8.0
  5. FINISH — good
  6. DURABILITY — Durable
  7. MACHINING — Fair
  8. SPLIT RESISTANCE — Fair
  9. SPLIT RESISTANCE — Fair
  10. GLUING — Good
  11. GROWING REGION — Australia
  12. SPECIFIC GRAVITY — 0.80
  13. MODULUS OF ELASTICITY GPA DRY — 13
  14. TANGENTIAL SHRINKAGE — 8%
  15. STABILITY — Good
  16. AVAILABILITY– Widely
  17. SUSCEPTIBLE TO LYCTUS BORER– Yes

BLACKBUTT

Heartwood pale brown, but northern material may sometimes display a slight pinkish tinge. Sapwood distinctively paler. Texture medium and even. Grain usually straight. Gum veins are common.

PROPERTIES

  1. DENSITY — 900
  2. MODULUS OF RUPTURE MPA DRY — 144
  3. RADIAL SHRINKAGE — 4%
  4. HARDNESS (JANKA) (kN) — 9.0
  5. FINISH — good
  6. DURABILITY — Durable
  7. MACHINING — Good
  8. SPLIT RESISTANCE — Good
  9. SPLIT RESISTANCE — Good
  10. GLUING — Poor
  11. GROWING REGION — Australia
  12. SPECIFIC GRAVITY — 0.90
  13. MODULUS OF ELASTICITY GPA DRY — 19
  14. TANGENTIAL SHRINKAGE — 7%
  15. STABILITY — Good
  16. AVAILABILITY– Widely
  17. SUSCEPTIBLE TO LYCTUS BORER– No

TASMANIAN BLACKWOOD

Heartwood golden brown, often with narrow bands of darker colour indicative of the growth rings. Sometimes reddish streaks are also present. Grain usually straight but sometimes wavy, producing a fiddleback figure. Also known as Blackwood, Black Wattle.

PROPERTIES

  1. DENSITY — 665
  2. MODULUS OF RUPTURE MPA DRY — 99
  3. RADIAL SHRINKAGE — 1.5%
  4. HARDNESS (JANKA) (kN) — 6.0
  5. FINISH — good
  6. DURABILITY — Durable
  7. MACHINING — Good
  8. SPLIT RESISTANCE — Good
  9. SPLIT RESISTANCE — Good
  10. GLUING — Good
  11. GROWING REGION — Tasmania
  12. SPECIFIC GRAVITY — 0.66
  13. MODULUS OF ELASTICITY GPA DRY — 13
  14. TANGENTIAL SHRINKAGE — 4%
  15. STABILITY — Excellent
  16. AVAILABILITY– Widely
  17. SUSCEPTIBLE TO LYCTUS BORER– Yes

AMERICAN BLACK WALNUT

The sapwood is creamy white, heartwood is light brown to dark chocolate brown, occasionally with a purplish cast and darker streaks. Walnut can be supplied steamed, to darken sapwood or left unsteamed. Generally straight grained, but sometimes has attractive wavy or curly grain. Also known as Black Walnut, American Walnut.

PROPERTIES

  1. DENSITY — 609
  2. MODULUS OF RUPTURE MPA DRY — 100
  3. RADIAL SHRINKAGE — 3%
  4. HARDNESS (JANKA) (kN) — 5.0
  5. FINISH — Excellent
  6. DURABILITY — Non Durable
  7. MACHINING — Excellent
  8. SPLIT RESISTANCE — Good
  9. SPLIT RESISTANCE — Good
  10. GLUING — Good
  11. GROWING REGION — North America
  12. SPECIFIC GRAVITY — 0.55
  13. MODULUS OF ELASTICITY GPA DRY — 11
  14. TANGENTIAL SHRINKAGE — 4%
  15. STABILITY — Good
  16. AVAILABILITY– Widely
  17. SUSCEPTIBLE TO LYCTUS BORER– Yes

Frequently Asked Questions

Can My Timber Benchtop Be Refinished In The Future?

Yes. If your custom timber benchtop looks a little worse for wear, our team can refinish your benchtop quickly with a quick sand and refinish. You won’t have to spend hours sanding and staining your benchtop – let us do the hard work for you! Our team of experts will make sure the job is done quickly and to perfection.

Do You Sell Custom Timber Benchtops Direct To The Public?

Yes. We sell to anyone in the market for a quality custom timber benchtop. We have a wide range of timber products to suit everyone’s needs, style, and budget. So whether you’re an architect, builder, designer, or homeowner looking for that statement piece, we’ve got you covered!

Are Timber Benchtops Expensive?
With so many different benchtop options available today, it may be hard to decide which way to go. However, if cost is a significant factor, our timber benchtops sit in the mid-high price range, depending on numerous factors. The timber species, length, width, thickness, cutouts, and joins all impact price.
Does timber move?
Every benchtop at Mavben is crafted from select grade timber. As timber is a natural material, it will continue to expand and contract with changes in humidity. We use high-quality polyurethane glues to ensure a long-lasting bond. Changes in timber’s moisture content can be due to many factors, including the climate (moisture in the air – dry or wet), air conditioning and appliances such as dishwashers, ovens and kettles. The timber will expand with increased air moisture and contract as it decreases. Movement across the grain can be up to 7%. Although rare, this movement is quite normal, and when correctly installed, this movement will not be noticeable.
How durable are timber benchtops?
It can last much longer than its sturdier counterparts despite the wood’s softness. Timber benchtops can be susceptible to scratches, chipping and staining. Therefore simple regular maintenance is required. However, even the most neglected benchtops can be brought back to life. You’ll need to watch for cuts and gouges and, of course, burns. It is a good idea to use chopping boards. The beauty of timber is that it can be re-sanded and refinished at any time during its life to maintain the timber’s natural beauty.
What if there are knots and veins on my countertop?
Natural variations in wood exist, including knots, cracks, colour, and grain. These are unique to every tree and piece of timber and, therefore, benchtops. These should not be considered faults but serve to make every piece individual. Unless noted otherwise in quoting, Country Lifestyle Benchtops fill all knots and veins on benchtops.
General Disclaimer
All timber benchtops should not be in contact with direct water or heat as timber is a natural product and can absorb water and leave burn rings. Therefore, it is recommended that coasters and heatproof products should be used.

We recommend timber benchtops are given time to adjust to the temperature inside your property. As timber is a natural product, we do not recommend using heaters above 15° for at least two weeks post-installation.

We do not warrant any benchtop damages within the Terms and Conditions and the timber benchtop care instructions.

Timber Benchtop Care

By following our simple maintenance tips, solid timber benchtops should remain in
excellent condition for a long time

No chemicals should be used on the finished timber, nor should any abrasive products or cloths. Clean with a lightly sprayed water-based cleaning product.
Benchtops should be dusted regularly with a clean, cotton cloth.
Coasters and placemats should always be used under plates, cups, utensils, and glasses, whether hot or cold.
Use chopping boards and heat mats to protect the surface from cuts and heat.
When writing, it is best to use a mat to prevent dents.
Any spills should be wiped up immediately, so it doesn’t cause the finish to break down.
Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, heating/ cooling vents, or fireplaces should also be avoided. These may damage or discolour the wood/finish.
Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, heating/ cooling vents, or fireplaces should also be avoided. These may damage or discolour the wood/finish.

MAVBEN is not your ordinary construction company based in Melbourne. 20 years experience and the knowledge and skills to make sure your next renovations project is the success it should be.

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