Are you dreaming of a Butcher Block Countertop?
There is something about butcher block countertops that add rustic charm to a kitchen and just the right amount of warmth to an otherwise sterile design.
16/04/2019
Installing butcher block or wooden countertops are the new thing. There is just something so warm about wood that it brings a new element into kitchen design. Butcher block countertops are also ideal if you are looking for a way to add personality to an otherwise sterile kitchen design.
Butcher Block or Wood Countertops
Butcher block or wooden countertops have become popular in the last few years as homeowners look at eco-friendly options for decorating their homes. These types of countertops gained their name from the basic butcher's block that have been used in butcher shops for centuries.
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Butcher Block Countertops
Butcher block countertop are made using a variety of hardwoods to engineer these into a solid countertop material. Popular hardwoods can be maple, teak, mahogany, sapele or walnut and these woods are cut into small blocks which are then laminated together to form a solid block - or countertop. See more details here for making and installing wood kitchen countertops.
Here in South Africa, there are many alternative woods that can be used for the purpose of making butcher block countertops with meranti and saligna being the two most favoured due to their reasonably low cost when compared to other exotic hardwoods.
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Wooden Countertops
Wooden countertops, while also constructed of local woods, tend to be constructed using wider planks and do not quite have the same appeal as butcher block countertops, but are considerably cheaper to make. Local woods used for manufacturing wood countertops can be pine (softwood), meranti (medium hardwood), sapele or saligna, or any other easily available wood species. See more details here for making and installing wood kitchen countertops.
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Care of Butcher Block or Wood Countertops
Whether you choose a butcher block design or opt for the more convenient plank design for a wood countertop, it is essential that the wood be given the proper care and attention to ensure longevity and prevent problems. This applies to any projects made with wood, but is of particular concern to countertops that are exposed on a daily basis to moisture and foodstuffs.
After installation and sanding, countertops should be treated with mineral oil or butcher block conditioner, both of which provide a food-safe surface, and this must be repeated on a regular basis. By regularly treating the wood not only allows the wood to retain its beautiful warm hues, it also provides a water-repellant surface that protects the wood.
Applying Butcher Block Oil or Butcher Block Conditioner
Apply Howard Butcher Block Oil liberally over the surface of the wood and let it soak into the wood fibres. Re-apply to any areas that still appear dry after letting it soak for 10 minutes. After that you can wipe away any excess oil remaining on the surface.
To apply Howard Butcher Block Conditioner you can soften this up with a minute in the microwave before spreading over the surface of the wood. Let the conditioner sit for an hour or two and then repeat. The natural waxes protect the surface and prevent damage by moisture.
Repeat this process as soon as you see your countertop start to look dry, or apply regularly as part of a monthly regimen to keep your wooden countertops looking beautiful.
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