Butcher block counters
by
WendysCloset
+12
I have never had butcher block counter tops and would like to know more about them. Are they easy to keep? Is the cost lower than granite? Any help will be appreciated.
10 answers
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I have had butcher block counter tops for 8 yrs. I love them. They were cheaper than granite for us. I do have granite on my island, that is great for rolling out pie crusts or biscuits. But I like the look of the butcher block more. I clean it with 409. It doesn't take special care really. It does depend on if you oil it or seal it with polyurethane. When my counter was oiled and I did get a rust stain *ugh* my son left a can sitting in a puddle of water. So I sanded it off and sealed my counter top with a flat poly because I didn't want a shine. I hope this helps a little bit. I love my butcher block and they still look awesome.
Kari Haynes
on Mar 17, 2015
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$.02 and IMHO -- walk away! Save up for solid surface.
Becky Greenwald
on Mar 17, 2015
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Counter tops are like cars. All cars have 4 wheels, a motor and a steering wheel but beyond that the similarities end. Before deciding which counter top to go with you need to decide what your budget is. Almost all butcher block, solid surface, granite and quartz counter tops are available in similar price ranges but what you get for your money is usually considerably different. Butcher block tops can be easily maintained and they can repaired to some extent should they become damaged. They also burn, stain and discolor which is not always repairable. It depends on the type wood they're constructed with. Solid surface is easily damaged but easily repairable unless it's heavily burned. Granite and quartz will chip if struck hard enough but this is not normally a problem and the thinner versions (18mm) can and sometimes do crack. Not really a problem with the 30cm granite and quartz tops. Personally, solid surface to me is like the ugly cousin to granite and quartz. It's a step up from the old high pressure laminate counter tops (Formica) but still near the bottom and unfortunately the price of solid surface is about the same if not higher than real stone. Butcher block tops do require a little more maintenance than the others. They can also be expensive on average if they are constructed using real hardwood maple and not the soft maple or open grained hardwoods. Granite and quartz require the least amount of maintenance and granite is available installed starting around $20 a sq ft in many cases. On average quartz is the most expensive and it's also the hardest and requires no maintenance. The downside is it lacks a natural appearance of real stone. What all this boils down to is budget. Determine what you want to spend first. Do you want to drive the most expensive Hyundai or the least expensive Mercedes! A good looking butcher block top made of the lessor soft maple may look great for a few years but when it starts to look bad you might regret not choosing another option. You might also check into the other types of counter tops available, i.e., stainless steel, copper, blued steel, timber slab...
D & K
on Mar 17, 2015
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Butcher block is a nice look. more work that Granite. I like to put granite on countertops and put butcher block on the Island. Use mineral oil to refresh the butcher block.
Fred Mayers
on Mar 17, 2015
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We had butcher block countertops in a house once and we sealed them with a marine sealer. They held up very well. We applied another coat every few years. Loved them!
Marion Dunn
on Mar 18, 2015
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I have granite counter tops and I would give anything to have my butcher block back. I could kick myself for getting rid of them for granite. I didn't know how much I really loved them.
Creative Interiors By Connie
on Mar 19, 2015
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Thank you Wendy, I love Walnut butcher block on a island. I also love islands that are a different color than the base cabinets. There is a great site houzz.com to get ideas.
Fred Mayers
on Mar 20, 2015
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Wendy having a sink does make a difference. Normally you would seal butcher block with mineral oil or butcher block oil or an oil that will not go rancid. Water need a sealer that would prevent water from getting into the wood. So if you want chop food on the island you would have to find a different finish.
Fred Mayers
on Mar 21, 2015
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They are easy to sand if you accidentally nick or burn them. I just saw an episode of (designer) Sarah Richardson's latest show: "Sarah's Cottage rental". To keep costs down, she bought long seamless stretches from an industrial supply store that makes butcher block tops for work benches. They made beautiful counters for the cottage kitchen.
B. Enne
on Apr 24, 2015
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Maybe a butcher block for the counters..but a granite for the island...? I love butcher block..they can still be found in good shape in 100 year old homes. I think they gather character over the years..the little scratches and dings would go beautifully with a cottage or farmhouse kitchen.
Terra Gazelle
on Oct 13, 2015
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