Making your own butcher block countertop is a DIY project that involves some light woodworking skills and a couple of days However, doing it yourself can save you money and leave you with a food-safe countertop that lasts for years.
What kind of wood should I use for butcher block countertops?
What types of wood are used for 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.
Is it cheaper to buy or make butcher block countertops?
Butcher Block Countertop Pros Cost: Butcher blocks aren’t as cheap as laminate countertops , but they aren’t as expensive as natural stone countertops. Butcher block typically runs between $30 and $40 per square foot, depending upon the type of wood you choose.
What can I use for butcher block countertops?
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.
How do you make butcher block countertops waterproof?
- Apply a coat of oil with a soft cloth.
- Wait 15 minutes.
- Buff it in.
- Wait 24 hours and repeat two more times.
How thick should a butcher block countertop be?
Wood countertop thickness generally ranges from a three-quarter inch to six inches, and butcher block from two inches to 12 inches.
How thick should my countertop be?
The industry standard thickness for kitchen, bathroom, and other countertop surfaces in natural stone is 1.25 inches This thickness provides the strength and stability required to create an unbroken surface without the need for stabilizing it with a plywood backing.
Do you have to seal butcher block countertops?
If you used mineral oil to stain your butcher block, then you won’t need to seal the wood The oil forms a barrier to keep stains from soaking in the wood. Never apply a sealer over a countertop finished with mineral oil. If you chose an oil-based stain, you can finish your countertops with polyurethane.
What are the disadvantages of butcher block countertops?
Con: Butcher-block is susceptible to scratches, dings, and stains If you plan on chopping directly on your countertops, you’re going to end up marking things up a little (or a lot). That glass you dropped might just leave a dent, and the wine inside could settle into a stain.
Can you put hot pans on butcher block?
It’s not advised to put a hot pan on your butcher block countertops , but the same goes for any other kind of countertop. Despite common belief, butcher block countertops are actually more resistant to heat than granite, and hardwood surfaces take longer to burn or char than any other countertop material.
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.
Can you 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.
How do you make a homemade wood countertop?
- Measure the countertop space
- Choose the type of wood
- Select the grain
- Determine the thickness
- Source the wood
- Cut your wood to size
- Glue and clamp your planks
- Do a test fit of your countertop.
Do you seal butcher block before installing?
Finish Your Butcher Block Countertops Seal or stain all bare wood before installation, including the underside (Side B) For a food-safe, waterproof countertop, use a blended tung oil finish. Most finishes are tung oil and additives. These blended finishes are food safe after the oil has completely cured.
How do you waterproof a wood countertop?
The ideal waterproof protection is a food-safe natural wood oil or hardwax finish that adds no flavors, scents or toxins to your food. Pour a generous amount of linseed oil, mineral oil, tong oil or INTERBUILD Hardwax Wood Oil (natural wood oils) onto a clean, lint-free cotton cloth.
How long does a butcher block countertop last?
One of the biggest benefits of butcher block countertops is their high level of durability. They are known to have a lifespan of twenty years (or longer, with proper maintenance). Butcher block countertops are built to withstand heavy daily use and food preparation.
Does Home Depot cut butcher block?
Please note that the Home Depot does not cut butcher block countertops The Home Depot does not install butcher block countertops through its kitchen design service.
How do you make a butcher block food safe?
Applying Mineral Oil Mineral oil is pretty simple to use. Pour an excess of oil onto the butcher block and let it soak into every corner of the wood. Then let it sit and wipe off the excess.
What is the best sealer for butcher block countertops?
- Minwax Fast-Drying Polyurethane – Best durable clear coat for wood countertops.
- Rust-Oleum Watco Butcher Block – Best food-safe formulation.
- General Finishes High Topcoat – Best polyurethane for butcher block countertops.
How do you seal butcher block countertops around a sink?
You definitely have to make sure to use silicone around the sink seam and also use a good wood sealer I began considering using polyurethane around the sink area for extra water protection and then using a food-safe tung oil elsewhere.
What is the cheapest countertop?
Laminate is the most affordable material for use in countertops It comes in a wide variety of colors and styles, many of which are created to look like granite, marble or other high-end materials. Most laminate countertops are attractive and surprisingly durable.
Are butcher block countertops high maintenance?
1. You’ll have to take care of them. While pretty, butcher block countertops require much more maintenance than their marble or stone counterparts You’ll have to treat the surface with mineral oil to protect the natural wood and use sandpaper to sand down and fill in any nicks or scratches that have occurred.
What is more expensive quartz or butcher block?
This sophisticated feeling that butcher block brings to your kitchen is also not as expensive as a high end quartz or marble. Many new kitchens have stark looks with white quartz countertops covering much of the kitchen. Butcher block gives the eyes an organic place to rest.
What is the hardest wood for butcher block countertops?
Hardest – As you can see, Brazilian Cherry is far and away the hardest of the wood types we use at BBC. It earns a Janka hardness rating in excess of 2500 pounds-force. Hickory comes in second, scoring just under 2000 lbf.
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 you cut directly on butcher block countertops?
The warmth of a wood countertop adds tremendous character to a kitchen. And the kitchen will be quieter because dishes don’t clatter on wood the way they do on most other surfaces. Another plus: You can cut directly on a butcher block countertop, as long as the wood hasn’t been varnished (think wood cutting boards).
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.
Does butcher block need to be supported?
With proper installation, butcher block lasts many years. First, it needs a sturdy surface on which to rest. On most cabinets, which have no tops, that means installing blocking to provide support On solid-topped cabinets, you can just add thin furring strips to raise the top enough for air to circulate underneath.
Should I polyurethane my butcher block countertops?
To answer the question in short, yes polyurethane is food safe for wood countertops Per the FDA to become food safe it must be fully cured and dried to the touch which ranges in times. The time it takes to fully cure is anywhere from days to a month.
Can you put polyurethane on butcher block?
Follow these steps to easily waterproof your butcher block countertops with Polyurethane: Sand the counters until they’re completely clean. Vacuum any dirt off the surface and apply a natural stain. Apply a thick coat of Polyurethane, a liquid coating that dries into a plastic.
How often should I oil my butcher block?
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.
How do you stop wood countertops from warping?
Pour a generous amount of warm mineral oil onto the countertop Oils help prevent warping and cracking. The wood will only accept the amount of oil it needs, so do not fret about applying too much. Make sure any oil you use is food-grade.
How much should a countertop overhang?
Standard countertop overhang is 1 ½ inches Keep in mind that this is 1 ½ inches over the front edge of the base cabinet. While some countertops may have different overhang measurements, this is the number that is seen as standard for homes. While 1 ½ inches is the most common, it’s far from mandatory.
What countertop edge is most popular?
- Ogee. Another traditional style edging option is referred to as an ogee edge
- Round. Although many people consider the round edge as one of the same with a bullnose, it’s quite different
- Square
- Beveled.
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.
Do you seal both sides of butcher block?
Food prep, chopping and finishing instructions Butcher Block Oil or one of our other food safe finishes to all surfaces, top, bottom and all four sides Allow the oil to absorb into the wood for 2-4 hours, then wipe off excess oil with a paper towel or clean cloth.
Why do you have to seal butcher block within 48 hours?
Any moisture that is absorbed into the wood and filling the pores is that much less space that is available to the oil This moisture is going to be absorbed unevenly. This in-turn causes the oil to absorb unevenly, thus leaving the finish splotchy.
Do you need to sand new butcher block countertops?
Sanding between coats is highly recommended for polyurethanes This will ensure you a smooth high-quality finish. Normally done with 220 or 320 grit sandpaper or sanding sponge. Be sure to remove all dust created from sanding with a damp cloth before applying additional coats.
Sources
https://www.remodelista.com/posts/remodeling-101-butcher-block-kitchen-countertops/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxkJgfIyRqo
https://extremehowto.com/build-a-butcher-block-countertop/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0AYNqOy7Zs