Butcher Block.
Butcher block is an affordable countertop material with a lot going for it. Maintain them regularly and this countertops will reward you by aging gracefully. But without proper upkeep, they can dull and crack. Are butcher block countertops the right material for you and your kitchen?
What is butcher block?
Butcher block is made from straight cuts of wood glued together into thick slabs that provide a particularly sturdy and stable work surface in a kitchen, whether as a cutting board, tabletop, or counter.
There are three basic construction styles of butcher block:
edge grain, face grain, and end grain.
Edge grain is the one most commonly used for counters because it’s strong, stable, and less expensive than the others. It’s made by placing long boards on their sides and joining them so that their long narrow edges form the surface. The boards can be continuous lengths of wood with no joints, or random-length boards that are finger-jointed
Face-grain butcher block is constructed from boards that are laid flat, their full widths forming a surface with a streamlined look. Susceptible to marks when used for chopping and cutting, face grain is less suitable for working kitchen counters than the others.
End-grain construction is made from small rectangular blocks arranged so that the ends (with growth rings showing) are visible on the surface. The strongest and most expensive type of butcher block, it’s great for surfaces dedicated to cutting, because it camouflages knife marks and is gentle on blade edges (they slide into the grain rather than against it).
Butcher block can be made from nearly any wood. 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. 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.
Pros.
Butcher block counters add warmth and natural coloring.
It’s a soft material that’s easy on glassware and dishes: No clatter when you put down a stack of plates.
Wood mixes well with many other countertop materials, especially marble.
If maintained properly, it’s a long lasting and durable choice.
Unlike laminate or solid-surface counters, wood countertops are repairable: Nicks and burns can be lightly sanded and the surface reoiled.
It develops a lovely patina over time.
Wood has natural antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.
Cons.
Wood counters are not heat or stain resistant. Hot pans can’t be set down on the counter without a pad or trivet.
Wood can swell and shrink in conditions of extreme dryness or humidity, which may cause cracking.
Excessive wetness makes the wood susceptible to rot and discoloration.
It develops a patina over time (a detail that also falls in the Pros category; it’s a matter of taste).
Butcher block requires some maintenance.