Where to find butcher block

Butcher block can be made from nearly any wood. Cherry and red oak offer rich color. Butcher block can also be crafted from bamboo it works best with end-grain construction and sustainably farmed exotics such as wenge, zebrawood, and iroko. And when needed for food prep, pair it with a cutting board. Note that unsealed butcher block is not recommended immediately around a sink: Over time it will likely discolor and rot.

At a minimum, butcher block countertops require oiling every six months to keep the wood protected. Depending on level of use, butcher block countertops may also require more frequent oiling and conditioning to prevent the wood from cracking and looking dull. Because butcher block is soft, it mars more than other materials, leading some people to use it for certain surfaces only, such as work islands. Just before oiling, you can lightly remove scratches, burns, and other surface damages with fine sandpaper, and your countertop will look like new.

Yes, unsealed butcher block works well as a large stationary work surface and has been used this way for centuries after all, it comes by its name honestly. And, as mentioned, cutting on butcher block over time leaves marks and scratches—character-defining to some, best avoided to others.

Prices vary depending on the type of wood, the grain construction, and the thickness. In other words, good butcher block is more expensive than mid-range granite but less expensive than top-of-the-line natural stone. The good news is that several manufacturers offer off-the-shelf butcher block worktops in standard counter-depth sizes with variable lengths. If your setup allows, this is the affordable way to go. And the DIY-inclined can cut butcher block slabs to fit around appliances, corners, and other obstacles—not something you can pull off on your own with stone.

Researching new countertops? For more on the subject, see our Remodeling Guide to Kitchen Countertops , plus our recent posts on the subject:. Finally, get more ideas on how to evaluate and choose your kitchen countertop in our Remodeling Guide: Kitchen Countertops. Search for:. The boards can be continuous lengths of wood with no joints, or random-length boards that are finger-jointed as shown above.

This increases the stability and makes them less likely to split or crack. They can be sanded down to remove minor scratches, and will keep their natural beauty over the years. Oak is a hardwood, making it a popular choice for countertops and interiors. Its color ranges from light brown to a rich reddish—brown and it darkens with age.

Birch is fine-grained and pale in color with a satin-like sheen that darkens with age. It often has knots or heartwood in cream or light brown which will give your countertop a unique and distinct natural look. The natural color and grain of wood adds warmth to your kitchen decor.

Walnut gets lighter in color with age. It has a rich variation in color and a decorative, curved grain pattern. Make sure to cut from the bottom of your piece if you're using a circular saw or jigsaw. Ikea provides end pieces for any exposed cuts, but I didn't need it since this side goes against the wall. This counter isn't exactly cheap less than most solid surface counters though. This spot was perfect because I only needed six feet, so it wasn't going to kill my budget. After I got it installed I wasn't sure it even needed to be treated -- it was so beautiful on it's own.

But I figured it would only enhance the look and protect it as well. My go-to for treating wood counters is Tung oil:. You can see how to apply Tung oil and why I use it for wood counters here. It's such a great option for treating wood -- low cost, easy application and protects against water and stains SO well. This is the Tung oil I used this time. Formby's was the best , it is now under the Minwax name. It gives wood new life and makes it shine literally :. Geesh, I love it! I've tried other methods for protecting wood counters and this is the absolute best.

My Dad is the one who told me to use it, and we all know Dads are always right! Isn't she lovely? I love the dark walnut and the herringbone design:. Thankfully there are a BUNCH of places you can find butcher block wood counters to pick up today if you are working on a project.

All of these links take you to the options available at each location. On some you'll need to toggle the option for "in your local store" to see what they have available to buy immediately. Also -- all but the IKEA options are solid wood. Some butcher block is the more traditional look with different tones throughout, and some are more uniform and simple -- it just depends on the look you want.

Where to find butcher block you can take home today:. Home Depot. IKEA butcher block counters. Lowes butcher block. Floor and Decor. Lumber Liquidators wood countertops. Menards wood counters.

I've purchased from local companies as well.