butcher block countertops: pros and cons
Will Kitchen Remodeling Add Value to My Home? There are pros and cons to installing butcher block countertops. Find licensed kitchen design and construction pros in your area and receive free, no-commitment estimates for your project. On the flip side, butcher block counters do require more maintenance than materials like granite. The surface of butcher block countertops has to be continuously treated with mineral oils or another protectant to ensure that it is not ruined by water. Must still use a cutting board to protect surface. Acacia is a wonderful choice. One way that homeowners prematurely wear their butcher block countertops is by using them as cutting boards. Wood can gather germs, grow mold, stain, or even warp in shape when exposed to moisture. Butcher block is a countertop material made from either one type of hardwood like oak or maple, or from a mixture of three or more different hardwoods. To find out if this material right for your kitchen, read through this comprehensive list of butcher block countertop pros and cons before committing to an installation. A custom butcher block countertop is a show stopper. When kept in its natural state, butcher block offers a rustic wood look that complements traditional kitchen interiors nicely. Has natural anti-bacterial properties. the surface of edge grain butcher block resembles a series of long, lean strips like the sides of a 2×4. For context, let’s compare that to another trendy countertop material like quartz. To help you better assess your options, here are a few of the most notable pros and cons of having a butcher block counter. These countertops can hold onto the water that sits on the surface for too long, causing warping. Butcher Block Strengths. 1. The only countertop that can actually be used as a cutting surface, butcher-block won't dull your knives like stone or concrete counters. Pros. The Benefits of Laminate Counters. Teak and cherry wood confer a dark and dramatic effect; oak evokes a classic, colonial feel; and blonde bamboo is an excellent option for a modern sustainable home. Pro installation typically adds $5 to $10 per square foot to the total cost. The best way to create ventilation and wiggle room for your countertop is to install it over an open cabinet top (not over a solid underlayment) and leave one-eighth of an inch between the edges of the countertop and the walls if installing the countertop between two walls. 47 Loveton Circle Suite D, Sparks Glencoe, MD 21152. That beats the cost of most other popular options, including stainless steel ($20 to $150), glass ($25 to $100 per square foot), concrete ($25 to $75 per square foot), marble ($25 to $75 per square foot) and soapstone or limestone ($20 to $75 per square foot). Wood offers a natural beauty that will enhance the appearance of any kitchen or bathroom. As a warm, inviting material, wood certainly has its charm, but you also have to consider its drawbacks. Unlike uniform countertops of glass or stainless steel, butcher block allows you to customize the hue and pattern of your countertop through your choice of wood and wood grain. Con – Not as Durable as Stone. Granite, quartz, laminate, concrete, solid surface – there’s a myriad of materials to choose from. You still need to use a cutting board over the countertop, but if you happen to get a scratch or stain, that’s what the station is made for. Wood countertops are a beautiful finish and you have more options then just a simple butcher block look. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Plus, it’s capable of both cleaning and disinfecting the countertop. By Manasa Reddigari and Bob Vila. Not only does this cost almost double in supplies ($70 to $100 per square foot), but it’s generally not DIY-friendly—the countertop slab is too heavy for one person to lift, has to be cut with a wet saw, and can seriously damage surrounding surfaces in the home if dropped. Acacia Wood Slab Countertops. Butcher block is one of the more affordable countertops, it’s less expensive than other popular options like stainless steel, glass, concrete, marble, soapstone or limestone.Besides, if you choose a DIY installation, you’ll save even more money. Butcher block is also durable and long-lasting when properly maintained. The Easy (and Affordable) Recipe for a DIY Kitchen Counte... Top Tips for Keeping Countertops Like New. If your cabinets have a solid top, mount furring strips above the cabinet top and then rest the countertop on top of the strips so that it has room to breathe. If these butcher block countertop pros and cons leave you thinking that wood isn’t the best fit for your future kitchen, consider installing one of these other countertop materials. Pro – Affordability. You’ve likely been warned to keep wood out of the bathroom because of how it reacts to water. It’s wood, and wood will always be a part of home décor. Laminate countertops have many advantages over butcher block. On occasion, hairline and a little larger cracks … It's … Versatile Style. Butcher block countertops will run you only $20 to $60 per square foot in supplies. Your dream kitchen may be just around the corner! Image Credit: Brooklyn Butcher Blocks. Pros and cons are considerable when deciding on the right counter tops. While soap can streak or spot shiny glass or stainless countertops and acid-based cleaners can erode quartz countertops, both are safe to use on a butcher block. For handy homeowners, a DIY butcher block countertop installation isn’t tricky business, either: It entails cutting sheets of wood down to size with a circular saw, creating the necessary holes for sinks and other fixtures, then mounting the various segments over a cabinet with screws. Whether you have an older…, Mosaic style backsplashes are dramatic and breathtaking. When making the choice of which material to use, first is the durability of the material. They also love the homey feeling that butcher block brings to their kitchen. Butcher block countertops can work well on food prep stations. Additionally, wood is highly customizable and can complement a range of design styles. Monday – Friday 8am-4pm Butcher block may seem maintenance-free, but that is far from the case. Pros and Cons of Butcher-Block Countertops Pro: They're as easy on the knives as they are on the eyes. 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