Business and homeowners alike, are always researching for the best materials to use for business or home improvements. With prices of quality materials on the rise, people often view a material’s durability as the most valuable characteristic. Butcher block countertops are very popular as they are beautiful, functional, and affordable. But are they durable enough to handle the needs of a busy kitchen or business? First, let’s find out “what are butcher block countertops?”
What are Butcher Block Countertops?
Butcher block countertops are a type of wooden countertop that creates a perfect blend of practicality with a beautiful appearance. This style of countertop is actually made from individual wooden strips assembled into larger, stylish slabs. Butcher block countertops are very popular for their warm tones and rustic aesthetic vibes. With a wide variety of hardwoods and colors, hardwood butcher blocks are an elegant, timeless element meant for any kitchen style.
Furthermore, butcher blocks can be created in 4 different ways: edge grain, face grain, end grain and blended. Each approach has a unique style from the others as well as specific benefits and recommended uses.
- Edge Grain Butcher Block: This style is the most common and affordable type of butcher block where the wood boards are set on their edge and glued to form a block of parallel strips.
- Face Grain Butcher Block: This style uses the wide flat faces of the hardwood boards to show the beauty of the wood grain and are generally the least durable of the four styles.
- End Grain Butcher Block: This style creates the unique “checkerboard” style by displaying the ends of multiple hardwood board blocks. Furthermore, while end grain butcher blocks are expensive, they are also the most durable as it’s a type of surface dedicated for cutting. Not only does it camouflage any knife markings, it’s also very gentle on blade edges.
- Blended Butcher Block: This approach will use a combination of the other styles to create a truly unique masterpiece. Generally, blended butcher blocks are more expensive than the other styles.
Are Butcher Block Countertops Durable?
Kitchen countertops need to be very resilient to handle the wear and tear of kitchen activities. Regardless if your family uses the counter for food prep or working on homework, butcher block tops are the best investment for your home. Butcher block countertops are very durable, in fact they are on par with the durability of a granite countertop. They can last over 20 years with regular maintenance, which out-performs laminate by several years!
What’s more, butcher blocks have stronger resistantance to damage compared to other countertop materials. On top of that, they are also incredibly easy to clean with simple maintenance to preserve its durability.
Butcher Block Countertop Maintenance
The biggest factor in the durability of butcher block countertops is routine maintenance. While the natural durability of the hardwood species plays a key role, food grade oil application provides an additional layer of protection. Keep in mind that it's important to follow the care instructions and recommendations of the installer or supplier. This is because different hardwood species can require different oil finishing maintenance routines.
Besides its durability, one of the best characteristics of butcher block is the ease of keeping it clean. For most messes, a damp cloth of warm water and dish soap is enough for daily cleanings. If a stain has set into a spot on the countertop, try rubbing salt on the stain with a cut lemon.
Another fantastic characteristic of butcher block countertops is the simplicity of maintenance and ability to keep the countertop looking like new! Beyond not using your countertops as cutting boards, keeping your butcher block countertops sealed with oil also guards against stains, dings and nicks. Typically a butcher block needs oiling every six months to prevent cracking and a dingy appearance. Furthermore, you can resurface your countertop surfaces to remove scratches, burns, stains, and other damages with sandpaper before oiling. A butcher block oil routine may need to be more frequent depending on the level of use and the humidity levels in your home. A common sign of a butcher block needing an oil re-coating is a dry or chalky appearance. With a regular schedule of simple maintenance, your butcher block countertops can remain looking new for years to come! If you have any concerns about butcher block countertops, contact us today! At Heritage Oak, our professional wood experts are happy to help you find the best hardwood product for your needs!