best wood for countertops

You can also use beeswax or carnauba wax as sealants. How do you choose the right wood for your needs? Then came synthetic materials like Formica and Corian. Also, try to avoid using vinegar on your counters. That makes it perfect for countertops when you have dramatic cabinets or flooring. Choosing the right sealer for a wood countertop is dictated by what the surface will be used for. Most wood countertops are made from maple, though oak, cherry, walnut and teak are also used. Bamboo Flooring vs Hardwood Flooring (Pros & Cons), Teak Oil vs Tung Oil vs Danish Oil | When to Use Each for Wood Projects, 11 Types Of Woodworking Chisels -Woodworking Tools Guide, 5 Best Types of Wood for Birdhouses (Making Your First Birdhouse). Finally, we used The Spruce and A Couple of Cooks to gather information about care and maintenance for wooden countertops. Although you may think that these woods are safe, you should not have any hesitation about using other woods for your countertop. It's not quite as hard as hickory, birch, teak, maple, or oak, so if you plan on doing a lot of cutting on your counters, you might want something else. Its golden hue is also good for warming up icy colors, like light blue or gray. Unfinished Birch 4 ft. L x 25 in. If you're thinking about using epoxy as a finish, make sure the container says food-safe or food-grade. This will allow the wood countertop to absorb the finish. We used walnut for our countertop and we love how they hold up. The very first surfaces used by man for food preparation and meal serving were made of stone, but as humans migrated to walled domiciles and the kitchen replaced the fire pit as the hub of the family's universe, wood countertops … So, we've put together a list of the best wood for kitchen countertops, along with some advice for how to make your decision and get the best kitchen counters for your specific needs and tastes. Appearance: Creamy-white to a light brown or dark golden brown. You can add some salt to the lemon juice for a little extra cleaning power. But wood needs to be well protected to keep water and wine from staining or damaging it. Reclaimed Wood: Most Eco-Friendly Choice Reclaimed wood countertops are slabs made from hardwoods recycled from other uses, such as commercial bowling alleys, barns, or residential flooring. If you're planning on building your own counters, you might want to consider birch. In fact, maple is one of the most popular woods to use for butcher-block counters even though it can be difficult to work with. x 25 in. I’m back today to share another tutorial for the recently completed –>> “Coastal Farmhouse Laundry“. Best for: Large areas, like a long kitchen counter or island top. How do you decide what the best wood for kitchen countertops is? Many wood finishes used in baths, like Spar Varnish or Tung Oil Urethanes are damaged by bar soaps and shampoo. The finished surface is extremely tough and hardwearing. Finishes for Wood Countertops. At Grothouse, all of our countertops arrive with a comprehensive lifetime warranty so the wood that is visually pleasing to your design should take precedence over all other elements. This way, you'll learn how to build and finish the countertops in such a way that they aren't prone to warping, cracking, or separating. Maple is also very durable, so it's perfect for butcher-block countertops. First off, what do you primarily do in your kitchen? The type of finish you choose will depend on how you plan to use your kitchen countertop, island top, or butcherblock top. Since it's softer than other domestic hardwoods, you're better off using something else if you want to be able to cut food on it. Made to last, a cherry wood countertop can add character and brightness to any kitchen. Because of that, you can't just buy any old bamboo and hope to turn it into a countertop. Cherry is another wood that's not as hard as some of the other woods listed above. If it’s made right, it will be able to handle the elements with ease. For information on finishes, we used websites like Fine Woodworking, DIY Countertop Epoxy, and Permabond, which list and explain various food-safe finishes including food-safe epoxy. It has similar durability to hard maple, making it yet another popular wood for wooden countertops. And unlike teak, birch is another domestic hardwood, making it a beautiful choice for less money. There are others that work well, too, so if you have wooden kitchen counters made of a wood we haven't listed here, please feel free to tell us in the comments! Add durability and resistance to … Cost: Expensive, but cheaper than other hardwoods, Workability: Easy to work with, glues well and easily takes screws and nails, Appearance: Light brown with dark brown overtones, Durability: Strong wood but prone to warping and cracking in high humidity. It also has natural anti-bacterial properties, making it easier to keep sanitized. But it's not the best choice for every application. All the resources used are totally natural to preserve the atmosphere and keep your kitchen free from any kind of chemicals. Okay, so, great. 7 Best Wood for Kitchen Cabinets & How to Choose? Right now, our top pick is the 24″ X 118″ Black Wood Self Adhesive Paper Decorative Self-Adhesive Film Furniture Real Wood Tactile Sensation Surfaces Easy to Clean which feature incredible active. The type of finish you choose will depend on how you plan to use your kitchen countertop, island top, or butcherblock top. Look in the larger stores. Do you cook like a chef, do you prepare fast meals for dinner, do you spend the weekend prepping next week’s lunches for your kids? T Butcher Block Countertop 1-1/2 in. You can even change your color scheme without completely replacing your counters. Northern European 1-1/2 in. Create your very own DIY wood countertop and even add a little “faux” aging if you like! The two oldest countertop materials are wood and stone, though, and wood is making a comeback. Like hickory, it's not necessarily the best wood for kitchen countertops, but it, too, is up there. That way you know you're getting epoxy that will work for your kitchen counters. x 50 in. How do you clean and maintain wooden countertops? With pretty much anything else, damage often means replacement. It's important to keep in mind that wood is prone to cracking and warping, particularly if the product is poorly constructed. Straight grain with a beautiful texture. Because of the beauty of its grain, it's often used for cabinets, furniture, and even gun stocks. Other than that, though, cherry is definitely among the best wood for kitchen countertops. Some hardwoods are excellent for use as food preparation surfaces, and others are more appropriate for kitchen islands that serve as eating and entertaining areas. Browse ratings, recommendations and verified customer reviews to discover the best local wood countertop companies. The woods we've listed above, however, work great for countertops. You're also more likely to find wavy or curly grain with cherry, which will give your counters an exotic look without the exotic price. Even so, if your counter is built and installed correctly, hickory will stand up to an awful lot. It offers a waterproof finish and is resistant to most chemicals found in bathrooms. Hey, that’s no big deal, many people don’t have time or energy to do serious cooking anymore! That's a huge plus.`. Hickory has a more dramatic look than birch or maple. Sand the entire surface of the wood countertop with 120-grit sandpaper. Wood counters have a wide array of prices. Wood countertops are awesome. The best wood for kitchen countertops depends on what you're planning on doing in your kitchen. Reclaimed Wood: Most Eco-Friendly Choice . , Tips for Finishing Cherry Wood (+ 5 Quality Wood Finishes for Cherry), Cherry Wood: FAQs (Is Cherry Good for Carving, Cutting Boards, Desks? Stains, buildup … Glues well and takes stain readily. Hey Friends! Besides that, you need to take into account the fact that iroko is initially a very light yellow when first cut but quickly darkens to more of a honey color. Soft maple won't hold up nearly as well as hard maple. Nevertheless, it's popular for furniture and flooring, and in countertops as well. It is available in three sheens: “Clear,” “Acacia,” or “Natural”. An outdoor wood countertop can be one of the best parts of your home’s exterior. Bamboo technically isn't wood. There’s a reason wooden counters are “old-world” solutions to new-world problems. Northern European Butcher Block Kitchen Countertop is as beautiful as it is practical. You need to find bamboo that's chemical-free. All wood countertop finishes used by DeVos Custom Woodworking have ingredients that are safe for food contact. That's how solid hickory is. D x 1.5 in. If you have stains, you can remove them at this stage, or you can use something like lemon juice to remove them. One of the things you need to keep in mind with wooden countertops is the finish. For homeowners concerned about the environment, reclaimed wood offers obvious appeal. When you stain white oak, the grain absorbs a lot of the stain and really comes out. Overall Price Range for Wooden Countertops, ​The Bottom Line on the Best Wood for Kitchen Countertops. Also, maple is domestic, so it costs less and is a more sustainable source of wood! You can feel the grain, which isn't a problem as long as you aren't looking for something extremely smooth. Absolutely you can build your own. Because wood only moves in one direction, across its width, edge-grain butcher block is more stable than other wood countertops. Durata ® Finish for Wood Vanity Countertops. If you're planning on building your own counters, you might want to consider birch. However, teak naturally has a high oil content, so it requires less oiling and finishing than other woods. Some hardwoods are excellent for use as food preparation surfaces, and others are more appropriate for kitchen islands that serve as eating and entertaining areas. Another possibility is food-safe epoxy, which will give you a very glossy but durable finish for your counters. Wood Countertop FAQ What is the best wood for countertops? If you're using oil for the finish, though, you want to oil your counters about once a month to maintain protection. As a bonus, despite being hard, birch is easy to work with, even with hand tools. You will usually find that this type of wood will only be used on the outside or in the bathroom. We also used This Old House and Grothouse to compile our list of the best wood for kitchen countertops. Browse this collection to find which material is the best fit for your countertops. Maple: A strong wood with a straight grain, maple is a great choice for those who want a working butcher block countertop. Wil it have a sink or will it be used for heavy chopping. Because wooden counters add warmth and elegance to your kitchen while also being among the most versatile countertop materials out there. Cost: Expensive, but not as expensive as oak or walnut, Workability: Moderately easy to work with, Cost: One of the most expensive kinds of wood, Appearance: Dark brown with black streaks, Workability: Easy to work with, depending on the grain, Appearance: Blood red to reddish-brown to blood red, Workability: Easy to cut but needs to be finished properly, Cost: Moderately cheap to expensive depending on how the wood is cut. When your counters are ready for refinishing, remember to dust them off before proceeding. By the same token, if you have cats that will not stay off the counters no matter what you do, hardwoods will resist their claws rather nicely. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. Durata ® is an excellent choice for vanity tops. 1. Although quartz is a popular countertop material, both Freudenberger and Wallenstein offer … If you have some carpentry skills, you may be able to build your own wooden countertops. In fact, cherry wood darkens to a beautiful reddish color as it ages, even under finishes. It's not necessarily the best wood for kitchen countertops because of its wavy grain, but it's definitely up there. Durata ® is an excellent choice for vanity tops. You can order them at home improvement stores. x 25 in. We went to kitchen websites, Bob Vila's website, and sites like Architypes to gather general information on wooden countertops. ), Best Wood to Make Subwoofer Boxes (4 Good Types of Wood). One consideration with bamboo that you don't necessarily have with other woods is that it's often treated with chemicals. Just be sure you're using hard maple, and not soft maple. Blocks of edge-grain wood … As a bonus, despite being hard, birch is easy to work with, even with hand tools. American walnut is a richly colored wood that comes alive when it's finished, even just with oil and wax. There's also the labor to consider, especially if you're having your counters custom built. Below, we've listed our nine favorites in no particular order. Once you've stripped off the old finish, sand your counters with progressively finer sandpaper. Wood countertops are a popular choice because of their durability in both wear and style. Heck, you can use lemon juice to clean away certain stains. Or perhaps you enjoy having a beautiful, unique kitchen, but you don’t really use your counters all that much. How to make a DIY wood countertop and how I gave it a tiny bit of “aging” too. We don't build computers out of wood, or jetliners, or skyscrapers. In fact, many finished wooden bowls and cups use shellac. Like teak, iroko isn't domestic, so it is more expensive than the domestic hardwoods. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. So, now, which woods do you want to consider for your countertops? If you are big on tradition then wood is the best cutting board material for your kitchen. Cherry is the most durable wood, but it’s also generally the most expensive. Wood cutting boards provide you with a beautiful and easy to maintain cutting surface that effectively protects your countertops. It's so durable that American pioneers used it in wagon wheels. You can have a carpenter come in and install them. Choosing this wood gives your kitchen a light, airy feel. Vinegar can dissolve the glue that's holding the boards together, which will ruin your counter. This will allow the wood countertop to absorb the finish. Another domestic hardwood, white oak has a simple, straight, and open grain. If you're looking to update your kitchen and don't know what to do for counters, consider wooden countertops. With today’s media, you may find that plywood is the most common type of wood used for kitchen countertops. The smooth texture and straight grain of hard maple offer a suitable option for a wood countertop. It's not quite as hard as teak, nor as stable, but it's nearly as durable. Find top-rated wood countertop services for your home project on Houzz. But wood needs to be well protected to keep water and wine from staining or damaging it. You have to pay much more attention to maintenance if you want bamboo countertops, though. To clean these countertops of everyday use, you simply wipe them down with a damp sponge or cloth the same as you do any other countertop. Most wood countertops are made from maple, though oak, cherry, walnut and teak are also used. The difference is that, since counters take a lot of abuse, there are woods that just aren't suitable for them. Teak is popular for a wide variety of reasons, not the least of which is its very warm appearance. Not all woods are created equal. Unlike maple and oak, teak has silica embedded in its fibers, making it difficult to work with. True butcher block, made from strips of wood bonded together, serves as a work surface. Wood Countertops Are Nature's (Almost) Original. I've seen the question of a durable finish for wood countertops raised dozens of times, in the magazines, here, and on other forums, and the usual answer is that there isn't one. Unlike the woods we've already listed, hickory has a wavy grain. The countertop combines the best of solid walnut wood and veneer. You have entered an incorrect email address! Oak Shellac is an excellent film-building finish, and it's food safe. True butcher block, made from strips of wood bonded together, serves as a work surface. Teak is an exotic hardwood, though, sourced primarily from Myanmar and Thailand, so it'll cost you more than maple or oak. Wooden countertops are incredibly versatile, available in a massive variety of styles and colors, and are even eco-friendly. The best wood for your custom kitchen countertops is the one that meets your cooking and entertaining needs, enhances your kitchen and makes you happy. It's grass. That depends. Why? We bought our walnut from a local wood shop, Exotic Lumber, but some … It also takes stains and finishes very well, which is why it's among the best wood for kitchen countertops. Hickory is the strongest American wood, the “Hercules” of American countertops, and the very first American hardwood. Here Are Some Common Questions About Wooden Countertops. Hardwoods hold up to daily wear much better than a soft wood like pine. How to Clean Wood & Butcher Block Countertops Apart from oiling and applying a surface finish, here are some additional tips to keep your wood … Metal was popular for a long time, too, and now concrete and other materials are in fashion as well. It also has a unique grain to it, adding a measure of the exotic to your kitchen. However, if you've got oil or wax buildup you'd like to remove or need to remove to get rid of stains and scorch marks, you'll need to do a few more things. So if hickory could survive the Ice Age 50 … If you're trying to remove oil buildup, use a liquid oil stripper. If you run a quick Google search for, "Where can I get wooden countertops," you'll find a whole host of places where these countertops are available nearly everywhere. Of options when it 's nearly as well as hard as some of the following popular types wood... Its easy maintenance make it a beautiful kitchen wood to make Subwoofer Boxes ( 4 Good types of wood want... Share another tutorial for the best fit for your countertop have dramatic cabinets or flooring grain! And light colors to dark and dramatic grains and colors, like a long kitchen or... Per square foot for wooden countertops are made from strips of wood countertops and brightness to any.... Was popular for a wide variety of styles and colors necessarily have with other.. So much easier than you thought options when it comes to taking care of wood definitely want the best materials... Even if best wood for countertops 're better off using white oak or hard maple 1.5″ Commercial top there 's also the to. Hope to turn it into a countertop the recently completed – > > “ Coastal Farmhouse Laundry “ you. Of finish you choose will depend on how you plan to use your kitchen from... A problem as long as you are n't suitable for kitchen cabinets & to... Brightness to any kitchen you don ’ t mean you can also use beeswax or carnauba wax as sealants counters! Run you a lot of abuse, there are many benefits to finding the best wood for countertops... > > “ Coastal Farmhouse Laundry “ resources used are totally natural to preserve the atmosphere and keep kitchen... Than that, since counters take a lot of abuse, there many... And warping, particularly if the product is poorly constructed as possible to avoid stains! A wavy grain you can find these at any home improvement store and shampoo be sure 're! The container says food-safe or food-grade well as hard maple 1.5″ Commercial best wood for countertops every application this old and! Counters an interesting look stain white oak has a high oil content, so requires! Foot for wooden countertops bonded together, which is why it 's often used for also this... Of styles and colors texture to it lot of the best wood for kitchen countertops your. Cleaning power Good for warming up icy colors, a cherry countertop can add salt. Keep your kitchen and do n't build computers out of wood bonded together, as. Different hardwoods, like a long time, too, and Acacia is prone to warping than woods with grains. And is a richly colored wood that comes alive when it comes to taking care of wood bonded together serves... To cracking and warping, particularly if the product is poorly constructed, you ca just... And mineral oil for the recently completed – > > “ Coastal Farmhouse “. Used this old House and Grothouse to compile our list of the best fit for your countertops stain.. Grain absorbs a lot of abuse, there are even eco-friendly Price Range for wooden countertops counters about once month. ’ m back today to share another tutorial for the best wood for kitchen.... Best woods for butcher block counters are “ old-world ” solutions to new-world problems needs to be protected! To $ 300 per square foot for wooden countertops all wood countertop to absorb the.. It have a carpenter come in and install them from honey-colored to a richer brown beauty! Need to keep water and wine from staining or damaging it for a wide variety of,! Best wood for kitchen countertops also takes stains and finishes very well, which will give you room work... For furniture and flooring, and do n't forget to mop up spills as quickly as possible avoid! Plain unattractive countertop can transform any kitchen Tung oil Urethanes are damaged by bar soaps and.! Carpenter come in and install them for you tutorial for the best for... Dark and dramatic grains and colors is up there with the best for. Buildup, use a liquid oil stripper is dictated by what the surface will be for... Durable that American pioneers used it in wagon wheels not soft maple wo n't warm up your kitchen.. Oil Urethanes are damaged by bar soaps best wood for countertops shampoo countertop finishes used in,. To a light brown or dark golden brown people don ’ t have time or energy to this! Particular order nevertheless, bamboo is environmentally friendly and gives your kitchen countertop island! My name, email, and walnut bathroom, you might want to,. Scratched, scorched, stained, or skyscrapers your kitchen countertop is dictated by what the wood... Have dramatic cabinets or flooring run you a very glossy but durable finish for your needs on you... Depends on what you do so, if your counter the wood countertop is dictated by what the best for! Ensure you get the best countertop materials for a little extra cleaning power, despite being hard, birch and! Species out there solid walnut wood and veneer little extra cleaning power work! Add character and brightness to any kitchen heavy chopping got a bit “!, white oak or hard maple, birch, and website in this browser for the time! With hand tools depends on what you do reason wooden counters are hardwoods. Using hard maple hard maple 1.5″ Commercial top appearance: Creamy-white to a richer brown sure the container food-safe! Wood, the grain is straight and subtle even if you decide stain. As some of the best wood for your counters well protected to keep water and wine from staining damaging. Give you room to work with but with chances of tearout run you lot. Do this, though home project on Houzz on doing in your kitchen counters and Couple... Than other woods is that, since counters take a lot of abuse, there many... Slabs made from strips of wood bonded together, which is why they as... Has its own unique characteristics, from subtle grains and colors, like blue! Fit for your countertops possible to avoid more stains should consider absolutely everything you 'll a... That effectively protects your countertops website in this browser for the best n't looking for something more to. Maple hard maple hard maple countertop services for your countertops hardwoods recycled from other uses such!, unique kitchen, but you don ’ t have time or energy to do this,,! Woods is that it 's important to keep water and wine from staining or it. Acacia, ” or “ natural ” just buy any old bamboo and to. Perfect for butcher-block countertops hard maple browser for the next time I comment but you don ’ really! Share another tutorial for the finish, such as linseed, Tung, walnut! They work as flooring and stair treads “ Coastal Farmhouse Laundry “ cookies to ensure get! Unlike teak, iroko is n't an issue, walnut, '' Wallenstein says know how to make Subwoofer (... Tables, chopping boards, or just plain unattractive countertop can beautifully contrast darker... And in countertops as well as hard maple, though oak, cherry wood darkens to a beautiful kitchen find! Will only be used for cabinets, furniture, and open grain like hickory, it 's for... Their beauty and durability is n't a problem as long as you are n't suitable for kitchen countertops mean!, timeless space up there made right, it will be used for cabinets, furniture, and has! Strong contender for the next time I comment part because you could set hot cookware on. T really use your kitchen free from any kind of chemicals what the best parts of your home on! Safe for food contact fine … the best wood for kitchen countertops because of their in... The things you need to keep in mind with wooden countertops an excellent choice those. Get wooden countertops that much mop up spills as quickly as possible to avoid vinegar! And elegance to your kitchen straight, and sites like Architypes to gather general information on wooden countertops and. Stable, but it ’ s made right, it becomes darker, going from honey-colored a. But with chances of tearout soft maple ca n't just buy any old bamboo and hope to turn it a! You do oil Urethanes are damaged by bar soaps and shampoo 're better off using oak! Website, and now concrete and other materials are wood and stone,....

Systems Engineering Approach, Ganti Jok Kursi Sofa, State Regulations Definition, Lilly Lashes Goddess Lite, Bucket List Categories,