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How to Make a DIY Butcher Block Countertop Measure your counter area. Use your tape measure to measure out how large you want your countertop to be. Cut your wooden boards for your block. Glue and clamp your wooden boards together. Cut your countertop. Sand and fill your countertop. Seal your butcher block.
What kind of wood do you use to make a butcher block?
Butcher block can be made from nearly any wood. Maple is one of the best and most popular for butcher block counters because it’s hard and has a clear grain. Cherry and red oak offer rich color.
How much does it cost to build a butcher block countertop?
You can expect to pay anywhere from $40 to $100 per square foot or $3,500 on average for materials and installation of your wood butcher block countertop. Materials alone usually run around $20 to $70 per square foot. Butcher block countertops can cost between $2,000 and $5,000 for a 50-square- foot kitchen.
Can you make a butcher block countertop out of 2×4?
For a worktop bench, a hobby room or anywhere in your home or garage, you can build a butcher-block counter that’s nearly indestructible using two-by-four studs. Build an old-style butcher block counter and install it on top of any cabinet for a permanent counter that won’t warp or crack.
How thick does a butcher block countertop need to be?
Considerations When Choosing Wooden Countertops. Thickness and Edges. Wood countertop thickness generally ranges from a three-quarter inch to six inches, and butcher block from two inches to 12 inches.
Can I use pine for butcher block?
For example, pine butcher blocks are less expensive but are not as durable as maple or other hardwoods and will need to be replaced sooner. Other considerations include the wood’s ability to conceal knife marks, the available thickness, whether it is harvested in a sustainable manner and the appearance.
Is butcher block cheaper than granite?
Lastly, butcher block is an affordable material, generally costing less than granite. If you have a smaller budget, then butcher block is a beautiful option that doesn’t put strain on your bank account.
Can I make a countertop out of plywood?
A sheet of plywood is only 8 feet long so we had to use two pieces to make the longest countertop which is just over 13 feet. Then, cut the birch plywood that is being used as the tops of the countertops to the exact same size as the bottom plywood.
Are butcher blocks worth it?
The only countertop that can actually be used as a cutting surface, butcher-block won’t dull your knives like stone or concrete counters. The soft surface also makes for a quieter kitchen. And for those who are a bit clumsier, dishes are less likely to shatter when dropped on wood versus stone.
Can you glue butcher block together?
Butcher Block Surfaces should never be glued down with silicone caulk or construction adhesive as this will prevent natural movement and result in damage to the top. Cracking and warping when tops are installed using construction adhesive or silicone caulk will not be covered under warranty.
Do you need to stain both sides of a butcher block countertop?
You will need to finish all surfaces (top, bottom and sides) of your unfinished butcher block or wide plank top with a commercial grade polyurethane or Waterlox finish.
Can you put hot pans on butcher block?
Placing hot pots and pans directly on the butcher block surface is one of the most common mistakes homeowners make. It is also one of the most problematic. The hot items can burn and even crack the wood, leaving permanent damage, in most cases.
How often do you have to oil Butcher block countertops?
5. When determining how often to oil a block, the general rule of thumb is once a day for a week upon purchase; once a week for a month; and once a month forever. The block should be oiled whenever the wood starts to look dry and chalky.
Does butcher block need to be end grain?
In our opinion, all butcher blocks should be made with end grain as opposed to edge grain. End grain means that the end of the wood fibers are exposed, whereas edge grain means that the grain is running along the outside.
What wood sealer is food safe?
Food-Safe Film Finishes Film finishes leave a coating, or film, on the surface of the wood. However, oil-based finishes soak into the wood. Shellac, derived from Indian lac bugs, is a common food-safe film finish. It is highly water-resistant.
What wood should not be used for cutting boards?
we would avoid open-pored woods like ash and red oak, which will be harder to keep clean from food stains. Pine might impart a resinous taste, and it’s soft so will show cutting scars from knives more easily than a harder wood like maple.
Is Oak good for butcher block?
There’s More Than Maple Maple is the most common wood species for butcher block because it’s relatively inexpensive, durable, and widely available. But almost any hardwood can get the treatment: cherry, oak, beech, birch, tigerwood, and walnut are other great options.
What type of sink is best with butcher block?
Undermount sinks are most commonly chosen as the best sink for butcher block countertop because they are stable, easy to install, and fit well into most kitchens.
Are butcher block counters heavy?
Butcher block countertops can take around the same amount of time to install, though it may take less time because they are not as heavy. Butcher block countertops are also fabricated to match the tops of the cupboards.
Are butcher block countertops sanitary?
Once sealed, wood countertops are sanitary for chopping meat, and hot pots and pans can easily be placed on the surface because wood countertops are heat-resistant. Treat wood countertops with mineral oil every month. Stains can be sanded out; just be sure to re-oil the area to protect the surface.
How thick should Plywood be for countertops?
The average thickness of plywood sheets used for backer on counter tops is 3/4-inch. This provides adequate support for a wide range of finish materials. You can use it as a stand-alone product as well as a finish-type plywood if it has a laminate finish that you can paint or finish according to personal preference.
How do you waterproof plywood countertops?
Apply a maintenance coat of linseed oil every four weeks. A lightly used countertop may only need to be touched up every six to eight weeks. The linseed oil adds hardness and water resistance. You can tell that a new coat is needed by splashing a few drops of water onto the surface.
