Butcher block countertops: how do they hold up?

Provided by Networx.com

Who else loves the look of brand new butcher block countertops? The natural wood gives a rich, cozy feel to a kitchen. But I've always wondered how these beauties hold up over time. Among folks who actually installed butcher block counters in their home, opinions tend to be sharply divided. After several years of heavy use, some call them a "disaster" while others have grown to love them even more over time. This polarization of opinion is related a number of factors: installation, type of surface treatment, and the level of care their owners are prepared to lavish on them.

What People Like About Butcher Block Countertops

Appearance is mentioned again and again as an enormous advantage of butcher block countertops. The wood complements every kitchen style and tends to grow deeper-colored and more attractive with the passing years. (NOTE: Because of the darkening as the wood develops a patina, choose a lighter color than you hope to end up with, when installing butcher block counters.)

Butcher block is often praised as "warm." This adjective does not apply only to its appearance, but also to its physical temperature. It is a very pleasant surface to work on, even in the depths of winter.

These countertops are equally easy on the ears -- they're sound-absorbent -- and on your dishes. If in the midst of hectic holiday meal prep, you slam down or drop your favorite ceramic platter onto butcher block, it's not likely to break as it would on, say, tile or quartz.

What's more, the smooth wood is fantastic for large-scale baking tasks like rolling pastry or kneading bread dough in quantity.

Perhaps best of all, butcher block countertops are easy to install and even to make yourself. Even if you order them from a contractor, they are very affordable.

What They Hate

Let's put it bluntly: butcher block requires a lot of maintenance.

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Butcher block countertops: how do they hold up?