There are two alternative finishes that can be applied to butcher block countertops. Mineral oil finish is what is used to cut surfaces. The oil conditions the wood so it won’t dry out, warp, or crack. Each time you wash the countertop, you will remove a little oil. Therefore, you must reapply this non-toxic material approximately every 6 weeks.

Mineral oil is not waterproof, so if the surface gets wet, the grain could rise and make the wood feel rough. So having sinks on butcher block countertops is not a good idea. The area around the sink will eventually become discolored and darker. Cut marks on knives are easily sanded, but then you need to re-grease.

Another finish used on wood countertops is the “varnique” finish. This is a baked satin polyurethane finish. It is safe for food contact and has a low gloss, which most people are happy with.

You should not cut into butcher block countertops with this finish because cutting will remove the protection, leaving the wood exposed to water and other household fluids. It is extremely difficult to fix cuts in this finish so you don’t notice them.

However, if you are not cutting in this finish, the advantage is that it is practically carefree. It is waterproof, so it can have a trimmed sink. And you can pour red wine grape juice on it, clean it and not have a stain.

In kitchens that combine stone and butcher block countertops, homeowners generally want to make a few cuts in the wood surface, so they want the oil finish. If you only want it for looks, then go for the varnish.

Various companies offer butcher block countertops in many species of wood, at different prices. Hard maple (also known as sugar maple) is the best choice for cutting because it has the tightest grain and is the hardest of the appropriate woods. Lower maple grades include: Western Maple, Soft Maple, and Chinese Maple. These are all soft woods and are not good surfaces that will take a lot of abuse.

Cherry and walnut are softer than hard maple, but very pretty and more expensive. Red oak is a very rough and grainy option, but it is one of the least expensive options for wood countertops.

It may seem like some companies are practically giving away their butcher block countertops. This is because they pick up random chunks of whatever wood they have with their fingers and call it a butcher’s block.

Mixed woods with finger joints can have serious problems over time and should be kept away from them. So don’t be like most people who only look at price.

Thickness is another consideration when buying butcher block. The standard is 1 1/2 “; any thickness thinner than that is not a good idea. This thickness is thin up to 42” long. Once it lengthens, it should go to 1 3/4 “to avoid warping in the future.

A thicker thickness is not necessary under any circumstances, but some people like the look of thicker tops. If this is you, consider getting a 1 3/4 “cap and building the trim. This will probably save you a lot of money.

At 2 1/4 “thick (which is the next standard after 1 3/4”) the price doubles and can nearly triple with 3 “thick. There is no price per square foot for butcher block countertops. So don’t even ask. Have your size, shape, wood species, thickness, finish and trim ready for a quote. You should price each piece because all of these elements affect the price.

Good luck.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *