QA

Question: Where To Buy Butcher Block Countertops

What is the average cost of butcher block countertops?

Wood butcher block countertops cost $3,500 on average or $40 to $100 per square foot, including materials and installation. A typical kitchen with 50 square feet of butcher block countertop costs $2,000 to $5,000 to purchase and install.

Is it cheaper to buy or make butcher block countertops?

PRO: Butcher block is one of the more affordable countertops. Butcher block countertops will run you only $20 to $60 per square foot in supplies. Pro installation typically adds $5 to $10 per square foot to the total cost.

Is butcher block countertop 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.

How thick should a butcher block countertop be?

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. A wide variety of edge options exist.

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.

Is it hard to install butcher block countertops?

While installation is a straightforward process, installing a standard butcher block countertop can be more complicated than it looks. Single-length countertops such as a butcher block island countertop are the easiest to install.

What’s the best wood for butcher block countertops?

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. Butcher block can also be crafted from bamboo (it works best with end-grain construction) and sustainably farmed exotics such as wenge, zebrawood, and iroko.

How long does a butcher block countertop last?

Butcher block countertops will last around 20 years, which compares to other countertops like granite. Butcher block will last longer than laminate countertops but need monthly resealing to have a long lifespan. Butcher blocks also need occasional resurfacing to remove deep stains, dings and scratches.

Can I cut on butcher block countertops?

4. “Butcher Block Countertops Will Show Scratches or Damage” By avoiding cutting directly on butcher block like you would with any other countertop material, you’ll find that butcher block is one of the most durable and rugged materials available.

Can you use Clorox wipes on butcher block countertops?

Disinfecting. To disinfect your Traditions butcher block after cleaning use Lysol® or Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes. These wipes are available at Lowe’s, and report to kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria when used as directed.

Is butcher block dated?

To tell the age of an old butcher block, look on the bottom of the block itself. If the unit was manufactured by the Wood Welded Companies, there will be a date stamp indicating the month and year the block was manufactured. For example, a date stamp of 10/16 indicates the block was built in October of 1916.

How do you sanitize a butcher block?

While wood has anti-bacterial properties, you should still disinfect a butcher block countertop. After you’ve cleaned it off, spray a mixture of white vinegar and water on the surface, spread it around with a damp cloth, let it soak in for a minute or two, and then wipe it off.

What is the best wood for a countertop?

Some of the best wood species to choose for a countertop include: Bamboo (technically a grass but often treated as a wood) Brazilian cherry. Maple. Oak. Teak. Walnut. Wenge.

Is birch a good wood 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 is the hardest wood for countertops?

Hickory. Hickory is the strongest American wood, the “Hercules” of American countertops, and the very first American hardwood.

Can I leave my butcher block unfinished?

Any finish is safe to use on a butcher-block table or countertop that will not be used as a cutting surface. If the surface won’t be cut on, the answer is simple: Any film-forming finish you would normally choose for durability and appearance will be just fine (Photo 1).

What should you not cut on a butcher block?

Using. Avoid cutting raw meat or poultry directly on a butcher block or wooden cutting board. Instead, place a plastic cutting board on the wooden surface and use the plastic board as the cutting surface. This will protect the wood and prevent it from becoming contaminated.

What should you not use on a butcher block?

Over time, butcher-block countertops can lose their luster and look dull and dry. Give them a refresh with food-safe mineral oil or butcher-block conditioner (available at home improvement stores). Don’t use a food oil, like olive or vegetable oil, which will oxidize on the surface and start to smell.

Can you put two pieces of butcher block together?

When positioning two pieces of countertop together to make an L-shape, simply cut the two pieces to size. Butt them together as they will be when installed then clamp both pieces down to work surface to hold them tightly in place (Image 1).

Does butcher block come in different colors?

These butcher block looks often vary in color, with streaks, stripes, or squares of different-colored wood. The varied look can make fitting a new wood countertop into a preexisting kitchen tricky, but by no means impossible.