The Pros And Cons Of Butcher Block Countertops (2023)

FAQs

What is the downside of using butcher block countertops? ›

Butcher Block Countertop Cons

Stains and Scratches: Harder woods might not suffer from scratches as much as softer woods, but all wood will stain if not cleaned quickly. Some people will use butcher block like a cutting board but they invite germs, mold and even warping.

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.

A butcher block countertop will last 20 years and even decades beyond that, depending on the type of wood you choose and how you care for it. Your countertop may require occasional sanding and resurfacing to remove scorch marks, dings, and scratches.

The most popular and trending countertop for 2022 is a marble countertop. Closely trailing behind is concrete countertops and butcher block countertops.

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.

Butcher block tends to be less expensive than granite, but can also increase home value. This countertop material is made of wood so it also has a variety of unique styles and patterns to choose from.

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.

There are a variety of options for permanently sealing and waterproofing butcher block wood countertops, commonly used in kitchens. When considering sealers, there are two types available: penetrating and topical.

A well-used butcher block logs in many hours of slicing, dicing, chopping and tenderizing. Without regular care and maintenance, moisture and bacteria can build up in the pores of the wood and before you know it, mold starts to grow.

Butcher block will continue to rise in popularity against more traditional stone countertops. Large, statement butcher block islands serve as a unique focal point in the kitchen and are a great option for those who aren't ready to commit to complete countertops.

Does butcher block scratch easily? ›

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).

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.

Of the more than one in five renovating homeowners who select an island countertop material that contrasts from their primary countertops, over one-third choose butcher block or wood slab. Aesthetically, homeowners increasingly choose white for their countertops during renovations.

While white will continue to be a popular choice for kitchens in 2023, we can expect to see kitchens get a bit more colorful in the new year. In particular, homeowners are embracing warmer tones and bold pops of color rather than monochromatic, Scandinavian-style minimalism or white and gray farmhouse-style kitchens.

You can choose a wood that fits your price range and they're not as expensive as natural stone countertops. Plus, you can combine it with other materials. Life span: Butcher blocks can last as long as 20 years with proper care and regular maintenance. This means they will outlast your usual laminate countertop.

A. If your cabinets have open tops: Install blocking to create a surface that you can attach your butcher block countertop to. Use a quality grade of 3/4" plywood or 1x stock boards to do this.

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.

Types of Woods Used in Butcher Block Countertops

Hardwoods like maple, walnut and oak are preferred for their durability.

Recently quartz or manufactured stone beat out granite as the most popular kitchen countertop material. While on the surface, natural stone may seem to offer more resale value, that might be changing! As of right now, granite, marble, travertine, soapstone, and so on will typically give you bigger resale value.

Light neutrals are the most popular choice, with 27% of survey respondents reporting that having a white kitchen would make them more likely to buy a property, followed by 22% who would be swayed by a light grey kitchen. More surprisingly, bold colourways like black and dark blue also made the list.

Can butcher block get wet? ›

With a coating of water-resistant, food-safe mineral oil like McClure's Organic Color Seal, water and moisture shouldn't be a problem for butcher block countertops. Water-resistant finishes are widely available and should prevent all moisture from seeping into hardwood countertops.

Never use soap based oil cleaners like Murphy's Oil Soap or other wood floor cleaners, as these will leave a film that will gum the surface of the finish.

Undiluted vinegar will clean and disinfect the butcher block without leaving behind a strong smell. Simply spray the area with white vinegar and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, return to the butcher block and wipe it down with a damp dishtowel.

The best ingredients for cleaning a butcher block surface are kosher salt, lemon, and baking soda.

While the typical or average user should apply butcher block oil or board cream monthly, if you use yours heavily or frequently, you should oil it every two weeks to prevent it from drying out and cracking.

How to seal a butcher block countertop. What is this? It is a good idea to do a light sanding and add a coat or two every 6 months or so. This will ensure the ultimate protection and long life of your new counters.

Assuming you followed the instructions regarding finishing before installation, you will need to apply on your hardwood countertop a new coat of oil every month during the first year and once every six months or so ever after.

If you prepare food on butcher block – regardless whether it's a countertop, an island, a kitchen cart or a cutting board, you will benefit from wood's natural germ-killing properties.

Clean Daily

Use a combination of warm water and gentle dish soap to slow the buildup of grime. Scrub against the wood grain for a deep clean, and rinse the countertop with a clean, wet washcloth or sponge. Be careful never to saturate the butcher block with water and dry thoroughly with a soft dish towel.

What type of countertop lasts the longest? ›

Quartz takes first place in terms of durability. Made of crushed quartz stone mixed with polymers and resin, this artificially engineered stone countertop is an extremely durable surface that resembles natural stone.

Quartz is virtually indestructible, but butcher block is susceptible to scratches, dings, and stains. Some types of butcher block are especially susceptible to scratches and marks when used for chopping and cutting.

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.

The main causes of butcher block cracks are poor construction, one side drying more than the other, one side is wet while the other side is dry and neglect. Butcher blocks are expensive and sometimes can so pricey that one may consider the purchase of a butcher block as an investment.

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.

Scrape off any caked-on dirt and wipe away crumbs. Next, add a few drops of dish soap to a wet sponge, and give the butcher block a good scrub. Scrubbing along the grain of the wood will make the countertops cleaner. Rinse the sponge, and wipe the counter down with the rinsed sponge.

Bleach: Bleach should be used as a last resort as it may discolor the wood and the smell may linger for days. If you must use bleach, create a solution using equal parts bleach and water and apply to your butcher block using a damp sponge or rag.

A sticky surface typically comes from an accumulation of dirt, cooking grease and grime. Another possibility is from the buildup of furniture polish, especially waxes or oils.

Olive oil, corn oil, and sunflower oil, should never be used to maintain a cutting board or butcher block. As touched on above, these oils experience rancidification – a process that yields a rank smell and unpleasant taste.

Butcher block countertops are so classic. But they need to be sealed to protect the wood from staining and water damage. There are many different ways to seal your butcher block.

Can you leave butcher block unsealed? ›

While this can take weeks or even months to get going, you only need to seal them every six months. If you choose not to seal butcher block countertops, you will significantly reduce their life span. An unsealed butcher's block will wear out faster than many less expensive counter materials.

Polyurethane is among the most durable wood finishes for floors, countertops, and furniture. Water based polyurethane dries faster, doesn't smell, and is easier to clean up. The finish look and feels like a transparent film.

Using Polyurethane to Waterproof Your Countertops

While water can invite mold to appear and grow, waterproofing your countertops is a great way to keep them clean and you'll no longer have to stress about spills!

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.

There are a variety of options for permanently sealing and waterproofing butcher block wood countertops, commonly used in kitchens. When considering sealers, there are two types available: penetrating and topical.

Once installed, it's important to treat or seal the butcher block to keep it from drying out and staining. There are a lot of options for products to treat butcher block, but one of the simplest and least expensive is mineral oil. And that's what I went with for the first several months.