But as long as you keep up with regular maintainance and dont let water sit on the surface for an extended period, the sealer protect the wood from damage. Are you sure you want to rest your choices? If youre just looking to clean up a couple small spots, like in the image below, you can do the sanding by hand before cleaning up and applying the sealer. But there are also some drawbacks to consider: Bottom line if youre looking to add warmth and charm to your home and wont fuss over minor blemishes, wood countertops are an excellent choice. Its 100% food safe, very inexpensive, and its the only sealer you want to use if you plan on cutting on your countertop. To disinfect wood countertops use diluted white vinegar. There is some wood that is simply too soft to be used as a countertop. Blinds vs. Several types of woods, like maple, cherry, walnut and oak can be used for butcher block countertops fashioned in different styles. The most important thing to know is that any species of wood can be cut and assembled in any of three patterns below, the only difference is which side of the board faces up at you. For its price, its one of the best deals around for kitchen countertops. A sharp knife will easily slice through food without you having to apply a lot of pressure. Its not the first material that jumps to mind when thinking about countertops, but that is a bonus for some. Use a 1:1 mix of vinegar and water, complete with a couple of drops of lemon essential oil. Toll Free: 1-866-836-5353. Buying local also allows you to have more control over the design and the price. As with scratches, many stains on a wood countertop can be sanded out, but this will remove the wood finish, and some finishes are difficult to blend new with old (colorless oil is a notable exception). Properly sealed wood is no more bacteria friendly than tile or granite. Real wood countertops are an old-world idea that has never really gone out of style. We'd love to hear from you, please enter your comments. Wood, on the other hand, can get dented or scratched. Image Attribution. If you place something hot on the countertop, such as a pan straight from the burner, it can damage the wood. How the wood is cut, plus the wood grain itself, will drastically impact the look of your countertops. She also has hosted videos on DIY home tips and solutions and launched multiple home improvement review boards staffed with licensed pros. Hit the back button and youll return right here. When hes not testing the latest home products, hes spending time with his family, cooking, and doing house projects. Connect with Andrew viaemail,LinkedIn, or thePrudent Reviews YouTube channel. With light pressure simply rub the lemon all over the surface and then use a damp cloth to wipe away the salt and lemon residue. Dont use harsh cleansers like Windex, Forumla 409, or any other chemicals. Kitchen & CookingHome MaintenanceCleaningHome EssentialsBrowse All CategoriesBrowse All Brands, About UsMeet the TeamContact UsJobsTerms & ConditionsPrivacy Policy. One of the most significant disadvantages of wood countertops is that water left on the surface can quickly wreck the wood. They all look and perform very differently so Ill quickly guide you through each in a bit more detail in just a second. Wood is a softer material, and this is evident by the dents and scratches that show up more quickly than on other materials. Youll be surprised at the difference between a granite countertop and a wood one in terms of heat. Yes, you can refinish and or repair solid wood butcher block countertops multiple times. All Rights Reserved. Maple and white oak are both much more durable but not as visually striking. Its labour intensive, thus pricier. We mentioned this before, but it bears repeating. There are commercial food-safe tung oil finishes, some color-infused, that can be effective and only need to be reapplied about every six months. Want prisinte butcher block countertops? You might be using an unsupported or outdated browser. However, if they are given the right amount of tender loving care, a wood countertop can retain its clean look long into its life. Different species of wood have very different grain patterns, colors, and Janka scores (a scientific measurement of hardness) so lets have a quick look at the three most popular species and go over their benefits. Finger joints also don't last as long as the full-length strips that better-quality countertops have. Others may want a counter they can forget about. If you are planning on installing a sink into the wood countertop, it's crucial to finish it with a water-resistant finish or use a different surface immediately surrounding sink areas and other water fixtures. We do not offer financial advice, advisory or brokerage services, nor do we recommend or advise individuals or to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. A properly finished wooden countertop is something that begs to be touched, to be ogled. Wood countertops arent for everyone. The thin edges make up the surface. Alex from NorthStory.com is a home improvement blogger that has had wood countertops in her kitchen for years. To minimize scratches keep your knives sharp. From the lighter hues of maple and oak to the reddish tones of cherry, theres something for everyone. Just keep in mind that these are entry levels counters and while IKEA may be the lowest cost they have the quality that matches the price. Its just as safe on cutting surfaces as plain mineral oil. The Forbes Advisor editorial team is independent and objective. Also, both surfaces require regular sealing to be kept in tip-top shape, but wood is a bit more high maintenance. Youll also find various construction styles, including edge grain, end grain, and face grain, which I covered upfront. If the deep rich hue of walnut is the look youre after be aware that its in the middle of the road when it comes to durability. Andrew is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Prudent Reviews. The trick is to properly seal the wood to keep water from being absorbed by it. If youre remodeling a home to sell, it may be a drawback for your potential buyers. Competition has caused granite to become surpringly cheap and you cant get a better bang for your buck than with laminate counters. Editors Note: If you have a face grain wood countertop you should not treat it with mineral oil. Some popular options include birch, American walnut, mesquite, bamboo, white oak, hard maple, cherry, and walnut. Also, per square foot, installing wood countertops is one of the more affordable options. If youre looking to keep up with the popular interior design trends, wood countertops are an excellent choice. But there are a few things to consider before installing wood countertops. The picture to the right (or below if youre on your phone) labels the different faces of the board to help you visualize grain direction. They are more expensive than corian or granite countertops but much less than high end stones. Hard maple, which is often recommended for kitchen surfaces, falls in the middle with a Janka hardness rating of 1450. Theyre often used as a show piece and treated like furniture instead of a work surface because they are easily marred by knives and cleavers, but otherwise they are very durable. The quotes are free, and theres no obligation to buy. The edges of the strip of wood are rotated up and laminated together creating a very durable work surface thats great for cutting and is safe for food preparation. They want their kitchen to stand out, and what stands out more than a beautifully finished wooden countertop? It can make surfaces feel more inviting, enticing people to hang around longer. This page is part of the affordable kitchen remodeling series, created to help homeowners design an elegant kitchen that fits their budget. Otherwise, the wood could split, warp, or even blacken due to prolonged exposure to water. Each wood type will take stains differently, too. A truly traditional butcher block uses end grain construction and is more than a foot thick. Wood countertops can stain. Capital One Venture X Vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve, Pet Insurance For Pre-Existing Conditions, Private Wealth Manager Vs. Financial Advisor, How To Remove Collections From Your Credit Report, How Much Does A Home Warranty Cost In 2022, countertops fashioned in different styles, How To Hire A Refrigerator Repair Service. At the low end of the Janka scale is a wood like balsa, which can only withstand 100 pounds of force. 2022 Prudent Reviews LLC. Would you like to design an elegant kitchen that fits your budget? Cookie sheets and hot pans are likely never going to burn your countertops. Over time you will get more and more visible scratches on the surface, and unless you appreciate the imperfect look they will need to be sanded down and refinished eventually. Butcher block will last longer than laminate countertops but need monthly resealing to have a long lifespan. Butcher block wont fade as a fad so consider it a one-time investment. Wood countertops are sensitive to both hot and cold temperatures. Quality custom butcher block countertops cost at least $70 per square foot. Granite, marble and other materials are more expensive. Regardless of your design preferences, you can choose from various wood types and colors and find one that suits your desired interior design. Keep in mind that if your wood is treated, this may limit these antibacterial properties. There are four butcher block design options: end grain, face grain, edge grain and blended. Get expert advice on your home, design tips, how much to pay for pros and hiring experts, delivered to you daily. It does a wonderful job of resisting stains and moisture, is safe for food contact, but you cant cut on it. If the link is blue, click it and youll be taken to the portion of this page with more information. For $200 per square foot youll be buying an exotic hardwood thats fabricated into a countertop by a local craftsman. Take a look at Google Search Trends, and youll see that searches for the term wood countertops have been steadily increasing since 2009. Just beware of its limitations and dont treat it as a cutting board. 14 Pros & Cons of Kitchen Island Cooktops: Are They a Good Idea? If you want a rich red hue for your countertops have a look at red oak. Using butcher block countertops in the kitchen is a bit of a forgotten art. Frequent re-oiling will be necessary in this case. Why? Rapidly shifting temperatures and dryness can cause the wood to crack, and high humidity can also cause rotting. These organic oils will evetually spoil, so stick to mineral oil or one of these alternatives: an oil/wax combo made specifically for butcher block, a penetrating sealer, tung oil based products like Waterlox, or polyurethane. Its preferable to plant and seed based oils because it will never turn rancid. If wooden countertops arent your preference, check out our guide on other kitchen countertop options to find the right one for you. 22 Pros & Cons of Granite Countertops: Are They Worth It? Love our work? We may earn a fee if you buy via links in this post (at no extra cost to you). Due to the upkeep and distinct design, wood countertops can hurt your homes resale value. Johnathan Brewer is a home improvement expert with over two decades of professional experience as a licensed general contractor specializing in kitchen and bath. Ill explain each advantage and disadvantage in detail, so you have all the essential facts to decide whether wood countertops are right for you. You could use polyurethane to seal the surface, but that takes away the surfaces all-natural appeal. With edge and face grain counters, you can opt for continuous or jointed strips. Wood durability is measured by the Janka hardness test, in which the amount of force necessary to ram a steel ball into the wood is measured. For stain removal, sprinkle salt over the stain. Image Attribution. The supplier can help you determine which species of wood will perform better in various applications, such as bars, butcher block food prep areas, or counters with mounted sinks. Performance information may have changed since the time of publication. Ultimately, it comes down to personal choice. Depending on the type of wood species and the sealant youre using (usually tung oil or mineral oil), youll likely need to reapply it two to three times a year. We've updated our Privacy Policy, which will go in to effect on September 1, 2022. You can choose light or dark wood and play around with the thickness of your wood countertopthese things can change the look of the entire kitchen. If youve ever seen a countertop surface that looks like a grid, thats an example of edge grain butcher block. While it certainly is not for everyone, those who love it do so with a passion. Still, no wood is going to be as strong as stone, and most wood is prone to knife marks, scratches and even dents. Butcher block will also need to acclimate to your home before you install it to prevent future warping. If you decide to install wood countertops, youll need to remain vigilant about keeping them dry. They go directly on the butcher block and all is well. This construction type provides a smooth, elegant surface but is not ideal for food prep because knife marks will show. Tops made with unusual or imported woods, custom sizes, and intricate details can run up to $200 per square foot.