There is no doubt that wood butcher block countertops are beautiful. The grain the wood provides you with the country, rustic look you desire for your kitchen space. It is important to consider what butcher block countertops have to offer you and what you can do to make sure that you do not choose the wrong type for your home. Let’s explore wood butcher block countertops more in detail to help you choose the best one for your needs.

How Do You Plan to Use Them?

There are different applications for wood butcher block countertops and your use of them does make a difference. For instance, if you plan to use them to for looks only, then you can choose from different variations than those who intend to use them for cooking, chopping, and dicing.

If you do intend to use the countertops for chopping and cutting, you do NOT want to have a varnish on top of it, as the knife will only nick and scratch it If you only want the countertops for looks, then it is important to have a coating placed over top of the wood to preserve it.

Do You Understand How to Care for Them?

Wood butcher block countertops to require some maintenance. If you neglect them, your countertops will quickly turn on you. However, if you have coated countertops, you do not have to worry about the maintenance as much. If you do not have the wood coated, you need to make sure you wipe them down at least once per week with a mineral treatment. Failure to do so can result in splits in the wood.

Do You Want ALL Wood Butcher Block Countertops or Just a Small Area?

Many people do not want to commit to an entire kitchen of wood butcher block countertops, so they only have a small portion installed. For instance, your kitchen island can have a wood butcher block top.  Or, you can even have a small section by your sink to allow you to chop and toss as needed.

As you can see, there are a few things to consider before you settle on wood butcher block countertops. It is important that you understand how to care for them and choose the best variations for your home.