I have a camper with a dinette that has a tabletop that's probably a low-quality Formica. It's chipping away, so I'm thinking about making a new table out of wood. However, I'm worried about how it will hold up in extreme weather conditions since the RV isn't climate-controlled when we're not using it—think hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters. Should I choose a specific wood species, or maybe use plywood with a hardwood edge? Or should I just bite the bullet and buy a new table from the manufacturer, knowing it might face the same issues in a few years?
3 Answers
When I made a new tabletop for our dinette, I simply laminated some plywood and added edgebanding to finish it off. It worked pretty well and was a lot more cost-effective.
For upkeep, I'd advise going with plywood that’s laminated with edge banding or hardwood strips on the sides. A butcher block looks great but might need refinishing every so often.
I recommend getting a hardwood butcher block countertop and cutting it to size. Maple is a fantastic choice because it's durable and can handle some wear and tear.
Wow, I never thought about butcher block! Thanks for the tip—I'll definitely look into it.
Did you have any issues with the edgebanding coming loose due to temperature and humidity changes?