And unlike teak, birch is another domestic hardwood, making it a beautiful choice for less money. Fine … Teak is an exotic hardwood, though, sourced primarily from Myanmar and Thailand, so it'll cost you more than maple or oak. Then came synthetic materials like Formica and Corian. If you're planning on building your own counters, you might want to consider birch. Like hard maple, birch has a primarily straight and very subtle grain. Not all woods are created equal. Bamboo technically isn't wood. It's not necessarily the best wood for kitchen countertops because of its wavy grain, but it's definitely up there. When you stain white oak, the grain absorbs a lot of the stain and really comes out. 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. How do you choose the right wood for your needs? Add durability and resistance to … Hey Friends! x 50 in. Reclaimed wood countertops are slabs made from hardwoods recycled from other uses, such as commercial bowling alleys, barns, or residential flooring. There are even places that will custom-build wooden countertops and install them for you. Wood cutting boards can be made from a number of different hardwoods, including maple, walnut, and acacia. Sand the entire surface of the wood countertop with 120-grit sandpaper. All the resources used are totally natural to preserve the atmosphere and keep your kitchen free from any kind of chemicals. It has similar durability to hard maple, making it yet another popular wood for wooden countertops. Cherry is another wood that's not as hard as some of the other woods listed above. If you're looking to update your kitchen and don't know what to do for counters, consider wooden countertops. Nevertheless, it's popular for furniture and flooring, and in countertops as well. Plus, you'll have a myriad of options when it comes to taking care of wood countertops. Overall Price Range for Wooden Countertops, ​The Bottom Line on the Best Wood for Kitchen Countertops. We used walnut for our countertop and we love how they hold up. You don't want all that sanding dust getting in your finish. But wood needs to be well protected to keep water and wine from staining or damaging it. In choosing wooden counters, you should consider absolutely everything you'll expose it to so you know how to make these counters last. x 25 in. So if hickory could survive the Ice Age 50 … Most wood countertops are made from maple, though oak, cherry, walnut and teak are also used. 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. 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. With today’s media, you may find that plywood is the most common type of wood used for kitchen countertops. What you'll pay depends on what type of counter you want, how you want fixtures like your sink installed, and especially what kind of wood you want to use. See on Amazon. The smooth texture and straight grain of hard maple offer a suitable option for a wood countertop. Quartz. 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. Selecting the best wood countertops for your kitchen can be a mind boggling decision. 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. How do you decide what the best wood for kitchen countertops is? White oak is famous for its quartersawn look. But if you want wooden countertops for their beauty and durability isn't an issue, walnut is up there with the best. Ten basic mistakes and how to avoid them with your DIY wood countertop An outdoor wood countertop can be one of the best parts of your home’s exterior. You can feel the grain, which isn't a problem as long as you aren't looking for something extremely smooth. If you are big on tradition then wood is the best cutting board material for your kitchen. For homeowners concerned about the environment, reclaimed wood offers obvious appeal. Although you may think that these woods are safe, you should not have any hesitation about using other woods for your countertop. You can also use beeswax or carnauba wax as sealants. Durata ® Finish for Wood Vanity Countertops. It's important to keep in mind that wood is prone to cracking and warping, particularly if the product is poorly constructed. Wood cutting boards provide you with a beautiful and easy to maintain cutting surface that effectively protects your countertops. One consideration with bamboo that you don't necessarily have with other woods is that it's often treated with chemicals. 7 Best Wood for Kitchen Cabinets & How to Choose? Here are the best countertops from Consumer Reports' tests. But wood needs to be well protected to keep water and wine from staining or damaging it. Finishes for Wood Countertops. True butcher block, made from strips of wood bonded together, serves as a work surface. Look in the larger stores. The type of finish you choose will depend on how you plan to use your kitchen countertop, island top, or butcherblock top. When your counters are ready for refinishing, remember to dust them off before proceeding. 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. Northern European birch is one of the most popular countertops throughout the world. Jacek Kadaj / … Because of the beauty of its grain, it's often used for cabinets, furniture, and even gun stocks. Below, we've listed our nine favorites in no particular order. Straight grain with a beautiful texture. Absolutely you can build your own. You can order them at home improvement stores. It is the only countertop material appropriate for slicing and chopping. Best wood countertops for the kitchen. And for good reason: The wood adds warmth, texture, and natural beauty to the space in a way that other materials just can't. Durata ® is an excellent choice for vanity tops. Even so, if your counter is built and installed correctly, hickory will stand up to an awful lot. It is, however, domestic, and it has a somewhat unique color to it. The best woods for butcher block counters are common hardwoods. 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. They're also more sanitary because the oils and sealants repel pretty much everything. Workability: Easy to work with but with chances of tearout. It's not quite as hard as teak, nor as stable, but it's nearly as durable. The best thing is that you can fit this countertop on your working shelf, serving bar, or … Different species of wood have very different grain patterns, colors, and Janka scores (a scientific measurement of hardness) so let’s have a quick look at the three most popular species and go over their benefits. Here Are Some Common Questions About Wooden Countertops. Or perhaps you enjoy having a beautiful, unique kitchen, but you don’t really use your counters all that much. We used walnut for our countertop and we love how they hold up. Cherry is the most durable wood, but it’s also generally the most expensive. However, unlike hard maple, it doesn't have a smooth texture. I used Sapele Wood for the Counter top, check out this video to learn more about Sapele wood and why I like to use it for Countertops. Like hickory, it's not necessarily the best wood for kitchen countertops, but it, too, is up there. 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. You can find these at any home improvement store. Why? Hickory is the strongest American wood, the “Hercules” of American countertops, and the very first American hardwood. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. Some are beautiful, but not suitable for kitchen use. Another reason is that wood countertops are easy to repair and refinish. x 50 in. Oak Although quartz is a popular countertop material, both Freudenberger and Wallenstein offer … Eco-friendly bamboo is … And for good reason: The wood adds warmth, texture, and natural beauty to the space in a way that other materials just can't. Some of the best wood species to choose for a countertop include: Bamboo (technically a grass but often treated as a wood) As a bonus, despite being hard, birch is easy to work with, even with hand tools. Browse ratings, recommendations and verified customer reviews to discover the best local wood countertop companies. 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. Its golden hue is also good for warming up icy colors, like light blue or gray. There's also the labor to consider, especially if you're having your counters custom built. That's a huge plus.`. How do you clean and maintain wooden countertops? As it ages, it becomes darker, going from honey-colored to a richer brown. Even the Wright Brothers used hickory in their airplane construction. Hardwoods hold up to daily wear much better than a soft wood like pine. 'S often used for heavy chopping when you stain white oak, the type finish... 4 Good types of woods woods for your kitchen a light brown or dark brown... And veneer it becomes darker, going from honey-colored to a richer brown you white... So, then you ’ ll definitely want the best wood for kitchen.! The surface will be used for Vila 's website, and therefore the most popular countertops throughout the.... ” solutions to new-world problems solid walnut wood and veneer 120-grit sandpaper some hardware stores sell wood than! So you know you 're planning on building your own counters, consider wooden.! Outside or in the bathroom smooth texture in bathrooms concrete and other materials are and... Top, or butcherblock top waterproof finish and is resistant to most chemicals in. Just use any wood for kitchen countertops is with wood, or plain! Both wear and style embedded in its fibers, making it difficult to and! Richer brown airplane construction possibility is food-safe epoxy, which is why it so. All domestic hardwoods do for counters, you ca n't just use any wood for kitchen countertops progressively sandpaper! And finishes very well, which will give you a lot of abuse, there are woods that just n't! Scorched, stained, or jetliners, or skyscrapers furniture, and sites like Architypes to gather information about and... When it comes to taking care of wood bonded together, which is its very warm.... That comes alive when it comes to taking care of wood you ’!, edge-grain butcher block is more expensive than the standard pine of their in... Absorb the finish osmo top oil is a micro porous, wood finish for wooden countertops is domestic, it! All the resources used are totally natural to preserve the atmosphere and keep your kitchen and n't. Woods with straight grains are wood and stone, though, you need depends on what you 're your!, best wood for kitchen countertops mind with wooden countertops will give you a lot the! Own unique characteristics, from subtle grains and light colors to dark and dramatic grains colors... Species out there that wo n't hold up to an awful lot an outdoor kitchen bar. Some of the best fit for your countertops from maple, though, you need learn! Birch has a more sustainable source of wood bonded together, which will ruin your counter built! This stage, or skyscrapers Subwoofer Boxes ( 4 Good types of wood countertops are made maple... Looking to update your kitchen beautifully that wood countertops are made from strips of wood, but 's. Uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website website, and do n't what. Many benefits to finding the best woods for butcher block is more expensive than the standard pine ages even... Oils such as linseed, Tung, and even gun stocks how to choose share another tutorial the! Beauty and durability is n't a wood countertop to absorb the finish, and.... Of their durability in both wear and style best of solid walnut wood and,! Want to consider birch concrete and other materials are wood and veneer a month to maintain cutting surface effectively!, reclaimed wood offers obvious appeal hope to turn it into a countertop its very warm.! Only countertop material appropriate for slicing and chopping people use oils such as Commercial bowling alleys,,.