maple vs birch butcher blockbest stainless steel tubing cutter

document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Yellowing/turning orange and warm-toned: I'm not a fan of warm, orangey tones in wood at all and I want the opposite of that (from the looks of the website pictures, I cannot really tell a difference between the two products listed above so I'm hoping someone could provide me some expertise about birch and maple colouring in general. Required fields are marked *. Its always a good idea to ask the manufacturer about their environmental practices. If you can find an unfinished butcher block top, I'd check out General Finishes Water Based clear coat, may need to re-apply but I've found it tends to keep white oak and maple clear longer. It warms up modern kitchens, and brings streamlined practicality to even the most ornate traditional one. Odds are youre searching for a wood that will look great regardless of its destination. First, note that based on Janka scores, Brazilian Cherry is about FIVE times more resilient than Poplar. This I didn't know. Typically a finer grained wood is better. Doesn't have to be literally cool toned, I'm fine with if it's a light, warm-toned wood -- just not orange. With 2 Inch High Edge Rails. You shouldn't have an issue with warping in a butcher block. Along the horizontal axis wood samples are lined up in accordance with their relative hardness (although not to scale). Good ventilation prevents this long-term, but theres something you should do before the countertop is installed: Let it sit in your house for at least a week to give it time to acclimatize to your homes humidity. Can anyone educate me when it comes to advantages/disadvantages of any of my choices? /r/woodworking is your home on reddit for furniture, toys, tools, wood, glue, and anything else that has to do with woodworking as a hobby or profession. The grade, or quality, of a butcher block countertop depends on how the different blocks of wood are glued together. For example, testing hardness on the surface of a plank (i.e., perpendicular to its grain) provides a measure of the woods side hardness; whereas testing on either end of the plank measures its end hardness. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. USA Grown Hardwood: Only made from USA grown hard maple solid wood. Bamboo wood contact paper for kitchen countertop cabinets table furniture covering . So to keep butcher block at its most impervious and looking its best, liberally apply mineral, bees oil (a mix of mineral oil and beeswax), or another food-safe oil to the surface once a month, wiping up any excess. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'countertopsfaq_com-box-4','ezslot_13',118,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-countertopsfaq_com-box-4-0')}; American or Black Cherry has a naturally deep red or light red-brown colour that darkens with age to a deep brown-red colour in a variety of textures, from straight to wavy or curly streaks. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. All butcher block worktops are made in a similar way, cutting the wood to shape, sanding and buffing it, polishing and then sealing it before proceeding to install it. It will show nicks and stains over time, but thats all right, because the second advantage is that you can sand away imperfections and reseal or re-oil butcher block yourself. What is the Best Wood for a Butcher Block. Long strips laid lengthwise are called edge grain. When the wood is cut widthwise and laid like a checkerboard its called end grain (pictured). One more time trying to load the picture. The point of all this is that you should not view Janka readings too literally. I do plan to use a cutting board for most cutting but the counter itself will come into contact with food probably. Required fields are marked *. The wood hardness of different types of wood will vary depending upon the orientation of the wood sample being tested. On the other hand, if you will be doing serious cutting, chopping and pounding, or operating power tools and maneuvering heavy hammers and wrenches for example, then of course it will make more sense to stick with a wood hardness that is less likely to suffer dings, dents and gouges. The butcher block will be like new. ALL OF OUR TOPS ARE EDGE GRAIN BUTCHER BLOCK. Learn how your comment data is processed. However, its also the most expensive and the one with more room to get damaged by water being absorbed into the wood and expanding it.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'countertopsfaq_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_5',113,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-countertopsfaq_com-large-leaderboard-2-0')}; As you can see, deciding what is the best wood for butcher block countertops is not easy because there is not really a bad or a absolutely superior type of hardwood. Enter code: 10BBCCT. It darkens over time. Cherry is known for its pink to reddish-brown hues and streaks of pale yellow. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'countertopsfaq_com-banner-1','ezslot_4',112,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-countertopsfaq_com-banner-1-0')}; Hickory has a warm, reddish tone once sealed that looks amazing. With a little elbow grease, it will look like new and can last decades. Oil based finishes also tend to pull out natural yellows. Warping/expanding: which is less prone to this? Very Hard Next in order comes a cluster of six hardwood stalwarts: Maple, White Oak, Ash, Beech, Birch and Red Oak. Butcher block, in comparison, is typically $35-200 per square foot, depending on the wood species used. Oak is not one of them as the tannins in the wood will alter the food flavor and not in a desirable way. Would love any insight you all have :) Thank you in advance! A forum community dedicated to Do it yourself-ers and home improvement enthusiasts. Kitchen Tips How To Clean Butcher Block. Depending on your location some will be more available and affordable than others, as importing wood is generally expensive. JavaScript is disabled. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Most of the plywood you've ever used is probably birch so use that as indicator of "softness". CountertopsFAQ is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. Maple is primarily used in butcher blocks and a couple of other woods that "weather" well in that environment. Hickory comes in second, scoring just under 2000 lbf. SUNSET may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. This cherry wood countertop measures 36 inches wide, 25 inches long and 1.5 inches thick, Varnique Finish: this countertop is finished with a virtually maintenance free semi-gloss Varnique finish. Getting a heavy, solid wood top because I need to upgrade from my IKEA Linnmon (it shakes whenever I type!). I am in the same boat and prefer non-yellowing finishes. Fingers crossed. I know I could, in theory, strip and stain the butcher blocks myself to the colour I like, but I don't have time for that as I need a new desk immediately for work. The Janka Hardness Test involves forcing a steel ball 11.28 mm in diameter into a piece of wood to the depth of half its diameter. Hardest As you can see, Brazilian Cherry is far and away the hardest of the wood types we use at BBC. Thats not actually true--daily care for butcher block is essentially the same as any other countertop. Fine-grained and pale, it has a satin-like sheen that will darken with age. Violations to rule 1 including crude jokes, innuendo, sexist remarks, politics, or hate speech may result in an immediate ban. I defer to the skymaster. There is a serious shortage of trades (labour in general) here as the market is very hot so small jobs like mine aren't getting done. Of course, theres more to consider than wood hardness when choosing a wood for new countertops. Not so Hard Softest among the bunch are Spanish Cedar, Knotty Alder, Knotty Pine and Poplar, at 500 to 700 lbf. YMMV. Remember that some wood species, such as maple and cherry, will darken over time, while others, like walnut, lighten. Face grain and Mixed butcher block tops are not as dense and long lasting as edge grain tops. Helping You to Do It Yourself! and AFIK Mineral Oil and the "Salad Bowl" Finish are the only food safe oils for them. Flat grain on the other hand is arranged so the surface is formed by the width of the boards, which means less of a pattern than with edge grain. This is a very heavy and hard wood, and so very durable, with a lot of beautiful texture. At Butcher Block Co. we appreciate the magnitude of the decision you face. I don't know much about woodworking, except for hours of Googling, but I thought this would be a good place to ask. Or, choose a quick-growing material like bamboo. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. 7X117 Inches, Brown, CONSDAN Butcher Block Counter Top, USA Grown Hard Maple Solid Hardwood Countertop, Washer/Laundry Countertop, Table Top, Polished, Prefinished with Food-safe Oil, 1.5" Thickness, 60" L x 25" W, 1" Thick Solid Butcher Block Maple Top - 24"D x 48"L - By BenchPro, John Boos WALKCT-BL7230-O Blended Walnut Island Top with Oil Finish, 1.5" Thickness, 72" x 30", Sonder Los Angeles, XXL Thick Teak Wood Cutting Board with Juice Groove, 23x17x1.5 in Large (Gift Box Included), Food Grade Mineral Oil for Cutting Boards, Countertops and Butcher Blocks - Food Safe and Made in USA, Labell Wood Cutting Boards - Large Canadian Maple Chopping Board for Meats, Vegetables, Fruits, and Cheeses - Flat Board Perfect for Carving, Serving, and Charcuterie (18" x 24" x 0.75"), John Boos CHYKCT1225-O Cherry Kitchen Counter Top with Oil Finish, 1.5" Thickness, 12" x 25", John Boos Blended Cherry Butcher Block Countertop - 1-1/2" Thick, 84" L x 30" W, Natural Oil, John Boos CHYKCT-BL3625-V Blended Cherry Counter Top with Varnique Finish, 1.5" Thickness, 36" x 25", Forever Joint Hickory Butcher Block Bar Top - 1.5" x 18" x 72, 20 Slot Universal Knife Block: Shenzhen Knives Large Bamboo Wood Knife Block without Knives - Countertop Butcher Block Knife Holder and Organizer with Wide Slots for Easy Kitchen Knife Storage, Hardwood 4 ft. L x 20 in. if my choice is between birch and beech then Beech wins everytime, harder,tighter grain, almost equal to Maple. Butcher block can expand and contract with dramatic changes in temperature, causing warping over time. Can it be sanded if it needs refinishing? Your consideration set might well vary depending on whether you will be installing these countertops in a residential or a commercial kitchen; in an office or a garage workshop; in a commercial showroom or a manufacturing plant. Youve probably noticed two distinct butcher block styles. Oak butcher block countertops with white cabinets look understated and classic, for example. First, lets address hardness. EXPANSIVE SURFACE With this extra spacious worktop, theres not much you cant do on this board. After each use, wipe down the butcher block with mild soap (such as castile) and warm water. Get the warmth and utility of butcher block with a cutting board. Anyways, I wasn't able to find those as butcher blocks (am in Canada, btw, so if anyone has alternative options for me, I'm all ears). Oak is an open grained wood but if you look around long enough you'll see where some use it anyway despite the tannin issue. Enter code: 10BBCCT. We hope this guide will help you think through the decision-making process and find the wood thats perfect for your new countertops. And they are arrayed vertically into four tiers according to their respective visual impact.Most Visually Striking: Mahogany, Walnut and Brazilian Cherry, Attention-Getting: Spanish Cedar, American Cherry, Red Oak and Hickory, Subtle but Elegant: Knotty Pine, Knotty Alder, Beech, Ash, White Oak and Maple. Thanks folks. CONSDAN Butcher Block Counter Top, USA Grown Hard Maple Solid Hardwood Countertop, Washer/Laundry Countertop, Table Top, Polished, Prefinished with Food-safe Oil, 1.5" Thickness, 96" L x 25" W, 1" Thick Solid Butcher Block Maple Top - 30"D x 48"L - By BenchPro, John Boos Pca2 24x18x10" Maple Butcher Block w/Knife Holder,Black Legs, John Boos Blended Oak Butcher Block Countertops - 1-1/2 Thick, 72" L x 30" W, Oil Finish, CONSDAN Butcher Block Counter Top, USA Grown Hard Maple Solid Hardwood Countertop, Washer/Laundry Countertop, Table Top, Polished, Prefinished with Food-safe Oil, 1.5" Thickness, 36" L x 25" W, Kaboon 60 x 24 inch Wood Table Top Solid One Piece Desktop Only, Rectangular Tabletop, Laminate Wood Countertop, Double Desks, L-Desk Home and Office(59.1" x 23.62",Light Oak), Cutting Board Butcher Block Organic Soap - All Natural Castile Based and Enriched with Lemongrass Extracts - Cleaner for Kitchen Countertops, Butcher Blocks, Bamboo, Wooden Bowls and Utensils - Cleans and Restores Wood and Food Safe, HDSticker Self Adhesive Vinyl Butcher Block Wood Contact Paper for Kitchen Countertop Cabinets Door Table Desk Furniture Decal 15. 10 Things You Need to Know About Butcher Block, Photo by Lincoln Barbour; written by Paige Porter Fischer, Boos End-Grain Rectangular Chopping Block, Walnut, A Surprising New Garden Trend Lets You, Ahem, Let It All Hang Out, Soho Houses New West Hollywood Club Has the Swankiest Rooftop in the City, Is a $500 Countertop Composter Worth It? Red oak is popular in the northeastern U.S. because it fits great with colonial style homes, whereas white oak has a medium tone and fine grain that make for beautifully neutral butcher blocks. But almost any hardwood can get the treatment: cherry, oak, beech, birch, tigerwood, and walnut are other great options. The surface is made with the long and narrow edges of the boards, so it has a striped pattern. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Lumber Liquidators sells maple butcher block material which is better suited for an active kitchen and not just for looks. Hard Tier three includes Walnut, American Cherry and Mahogany, each registering about 1000 lbf. Your email address will not be published. Hard Maple is the most widely used matrial for this purpose. Wood is very strong when parallel to the grain, and the bonding is also stronger when using the face and edge grain, but less strong on the end grain. Copyright 2022 S Media International Corporation. Will an unfinished birch butcher block accept a stain for a kitchen countertop in a little rental? As such it shows a lot of pattern with the knots and grow rings, and since the pieces are very small its very strong. ELEGANT APPEARANCE: Bold and realistic designs, 5 colors and surface textures complement any home space or commercial use: woodgrains, marble, cloth ORGANIC CASTILE Based Soap formulated for Butcher Blocks, Cutting Boards, Bamboo Cutting Boards, Salad Bowls, Wood Utensils and Wood Countertops. From what I found online, both Maple and Birch yellow over time, so I'm wondering if one does this less. This cherry wood countertop measures 12 inches wide, 25 inches long and 1.5 inches thick, Penetrating Oil Finish: Natural wood surface is finished with food-safe oil, allowing you to use the countertop as a cutting surface, Blended Cherry Butcher Block Countertop - 1-1/2" Thick, 145"L x 30"W, Varnique Finish. Vintage-cover posters, coffee mugs, jigsaw puzzles, tote bags, and more. Your email address will not be published. Red Oak combines soft whites and light to medium browns with a reddish cast to exude warmth. Here is a small overview of some of the most common wood for a butcher block countertop. So for instance, if you are seeking a wood thats harder than most AND visually interesting but not overpowering, you might want to consider one among the quartet of Beech, Ash, White Oak and Maple. I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Are you interested in a counter or island top that matches the rooms dcor; one that slightly contrasts with surrounding cabinetry; or one that accents the room? FRESH SCENT leaves your wooden kitchen items smelling great. Reminder: Comments not related to woodworking will be removed. It earns a Janka hardness rating in excess of 2500 pounds-force. If your "butcher block" is only being used as a counter surface and not used in the direct preparation (contact other than incidental) of food, then ignore all the above. They all look fine to me although the oak seems to be a bit more open grained. Good through April 30, 2017. When I saw Ikea could offer install sometime before Christmas and a guarantee I decided to try their counters. Press J to jump to the feed. If they dont have a ready answer that includes reputable certification, choose a different vendor. SUNSET is a registered trademark of S Media International Corporation. Butcher block has a reputation for being finicky about how its kept clean. You can also find it in a lovely light, creamy pink colour with dark wavy streaks. If your main thing is fair trade, then look for woods that are guaranteed to come from managed forests and with respect to the local people working them, even if it involves higher costs. A small kitchen would benefit from a lighter wood, whereas a very large one can go for elegant, darker hardwood countertops without looking opressive. T Butcher Block Folding Countertop in Clear UV Finish Black Brackets, Washer Dryer Countertop - Butcher Block with Edge Rails - 30" Depth x 54" Width. Maple is much harder than birch and I'd imagine would wear better in the long term. The purpose of this article is to help you filter your options using two important criteria: the wood hardness and the aesthetics of each wood species. Marble and quartz countertops might be elegant, but they come at an eyebrow-raising cost: $100-250 per square foot. Butcher block is solid wood (or strips of wood), made into counters (vs cutting boards, tables, chopping blocks). For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. CUSTOM CUT SIZES AVAILABLE! Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns. Especially since they will be in a room with exposure to a fair amount of sunlight. I'm getting a new counter and have decided to go with butcher block. Beech it is then. I'd pick maple over birch for purely aesthetic value, both will end up yellowing when exposed to the sun so kind of a wash there. The only style no-no is matching cabinets with the countertop. Rather, consider them as measures of wood hardness relative to others. At the same time, bamboo countertops are naturally anti-microbial, resistant and durable. Make sure its thoroughly dry before placing anything on the surface. Its a critically important variable to weigh when choosing a material for kitchen, commercial or industrial countertops. Here are my options (both are finished, according to the website): Maple butcher block from Global Industrial, Birch butcher block from Global Industrial. Maple is a traditional choice of hardwood for butcher blocks, with fine grain and generally light colours. On the other hand, if you do most of your food prep on a cutting board and dont have kids on hand who are prone to toss around backpacks or laptops, you might feel comfortable sacrificing a bit of hardness (remember, its all relative) in order to achieve the look of your dreams exemplified by Spanish Cedar orAmerican Cherry. I believe the common wood for that type of aesthetic is Ash? Birch worktops show off the rings caused by the quick growth of the tree. However, price and desired end result will help you choose the one more suitable for your needs.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'countertopsfaq_com-leader-1','ezslot_14',114,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-countertopsfaq_com-leader-1-0')}; looking for a 8x25x2 butcher block countertop that work with a mocha glazed maple cabinets. Butcher blockthick strips of hardwood glued together with a food-safe adhesivehave two advantages over other countertop materials. Bamboo is actually a herb that grows incredibly quick, so there is no damage to the environment. Enter Our Dog Days of Summer BBQ Giveaway Now! So go ahead, use the extra cash to splurge on an espresso machine! WIDE ANGLED OPENINGS: The horizontal slots put less wear on the blades and are angled with a wider opening for easier handling and to fit everything Popular folding countertop makes adding space easy, Butcher block is UV finished and ready for installation, This Butcherblock Countertop Measures 30 inches Deep, 54 Inches Wide and 1 Inch Thick. Edge grain is the cheapest, second stronger and most stable of the three, and as such the most popular. Your email address will not be published. Heres what you should know before using it in your kitchen remodel. As I understand it people can take one of two directions. Decorative butcher block self-adhesive vinyl film has a peel away backing with measure and grid lines to make it easy for you to create new looks or Our Solid Maple Hardwood Butcher Block Measures 24 inches Deep by 48 inches Long and is 1 inch thick, This walnut wood countertop measures 72 inches long, 30 inches wide, and is 1.5 inches thick. There is no kitchen style that butcher block wouldnt be at home in. Other commonly used woods for butcher blocks are pine, poplar, beech or alder. With 15 different species of wood to choose from for your butcher block, you might feel a bit overwhelmed by so many great-looking options. Mineral oil is the coating of choice as it is non toxic and doesn't impart any undesirable flavors into the food. End grain is a more common style for cutting boards, but is also appropriate for countertops. Kaboon 60x24 Black Table Top Marble Surface, Solid CONSDAN Butcher Block Counter Top, USA Grown Hard Giani Granite Countertop Paint Kit 2.0- 100% Marble Paper Granite Gray/White Roll Kitchen ecozy Portable Countertop Dishwasher with 5-Liter What is the Best Wood for Butcher Block Countertops, Granite Repair Products to Fix Damage to Granite Worktops, Inexpensive Marble Alternatives: Cultured Marble And Engineered Marble Countertops, Best Butcher Block Countertop Finish For All Types Of Kitchens, How To Lower The Cost Of Quartz Countertops, How to Get Scratches Out of a Stainless Steel Sink, Get A Desk Butcher Block Top Using Wood For Butcher Block Countertop, Pros and Cons Of A Butcher Block Countertop Why Choose a Wood Butcher Block For Your Kitchen Renovation.