Butcher Block Wood Kitchen Countertops

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They aren’t the most common choice for kitchen countertops, but there are many advantages to having a countertop made of wood. For the most part, wooden countertops are known as butcher block because they remind us of the old tables that butchers would use to chop chickens, pork and beef into tantalizing cuts for their customers.

Butcher block is typically made of several layers of hard maple glued together to form a very thick wooden block. Although the thicknesses vary, butcher blocks tend to be anywhere between 1 ¼ and 6 inches thick. Aside from the warmth and beauty that wooden countertops bring to any kitchen, they're especially handy. There's no special cutting board needed; You can just start chopping anywhere you please.

The downside? Eventually, your countertop could look like a used cutting board with nicks and scratches marring the finish. This can be remedied, however, by sanding the scratched surface and refinishing the top with a salad bowl stain or oil. Naturally, you can only do this so many times before you wear away your countertop. Many people opt for just one butcher block surface while the others are finished with another material like laminate, stone or tile.

Butcher block is not the only type of wooden top found in kitchens. Other woods like cherry, teak and walnut are used as well, but more so for their richness and beauty. These woods are usually reserved for topping hutches, buffets and cabinets.

Maintaining a wooden countertop is a little more intense than other kitchen tops. The wood will need to be periodically wiped down with a mineral oil to recondition it. Special care should be taken to ensure that a nearby sink doesn't cause water damage. Plus, wood is a very porous material, which leaves it susceptible to bacterial growth. After each use, especially when cutting up meat, the top should be properly cleaned and sanitized, although it's not recommended that harsh cleansers be used, as they can damage the wood.

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