Butcher block countertops can be great for kitchens both aesthetically & functionally. However, please take into consideration that if you are someone who wants a low maintenance countertop that will always look the same as it did the day it was installed, butcher block countertops may not be the right choice for you. If you love when materials in your house age with time and show character, butcher block may be a good choice for your kitchen. Follow along as we discuss the pros and cons of butcher block countertops so you can decide whether they are the right choice for your kitchen.

Benefits of Butcher Block

• One of the biggest aesthetic pros of using a butcher block kitchen countertop is that it’s a great way to add warmth in a kitchen design. If you have an all white kitchen, butcher block tops can add much needed contrast & warmth in the space.

• If you are looking to prep food directly on your countertop surface, then a butcher block countertop is a great option. However, it’s important to note that this means you will see scratches/marks from your knives on the surface. Depending on your personality/opinion, these markings can either be seen as something that adds character & charm, or something that is an eye sore. If you want to keep a perfect unscratched countertop, then you should use a separate cutting board instead of cutting directly on the butcher block top.

• Butcher block can be a less expensive alternative compared to other countertops such as quartz or natural stone (depending on the square footage/configuration).

• Butcher blocks are versatile and allow for a lot of different looks & applications. The most commonly used wood species for butcher blocks are either maple or walnut. Maple is light & bright, and walnut is dark & rich. There are other wood options, however, these can be more pricey and have a longer lead time. On top of the wood species/color, there are also different configuration options. There are two main configurations of butcher block tops: either edge grain or end grain (edge grain being the more commonly used option). Edge grain is where the pieces of wood are glued together horizontally and end grain is where they are glued together vertically. End grain shows the end of the wood pieces, where edge grain shows the edge of the wood. End grain is a more pricey option, but this type of butcher block is better for your knives (it does not dull your knives as easily). End grain is also typically thicker (usually around 3” thickness) where edge grain is a standard 1 ½” thickness. The 3” thick end grain option can create a more substantial focal point in your kitchen design.

Limitations of Butcher Block

• It is not too difficult to maintain butcher block countertops, however, they require more steps & take more time & effort than other materials such as quartz. Butcher block requires regular cleaning & oiling to seal the wood and keep it from splitting/cracking. For a more detailed explanation of how to care for butcher block, see our blog: Butcher Block Countertop Care & Maintenance.

• We advise against using a butcher block countertop around a sink since wood & water do not mix well. Over time, water would penetrate the butcher block if it’s not sealed correctly, which causes warpage and damage. If a butcher block top is needed at the sink area, then you would need a sink that requires top mount installation (as opposed to undermount installation) to try to avoid water damage.

• As previously stated, if you want a butcher block top that is not maple or walnut, then this could be a pricey option with a longer lead time. Also, end grain butcher block tops can be a pricey option as well.

• Butcher block tops are not heat resistant, therefore, anything hot can scorch the wood and leave a burn mark, causing the need to refinish the top.

Premium Wide Plank Countertops from Brooks Custom

One of our valued dealers that we have been working with for many years (Brooks Custom) also has an amazing option for wood countertops. Their premium wide plank countertops have a custom “marine finish” that is only exclusively used at Brooks Custom. With this finish, the limitations of not being able to use an undermount sink/the recommendation of not using a wood top near the sink is no longer valid. However, it’s important to know that this finish is not suitable for direct food prep, and they recommend using separate cutting boards for any cutting or chopping.

They offer a wide variety of wood species (some even offer “character” such as knots & other characteristics) & wood options and are not limited to maple & walnut like standard butcher block. If you want wood countertops that are built to last a lifetime and have character & charm, then Brooks Custom Premium Wide Plank Countertops may be right for your project. Please note that these countertops are custom ordered specifically for your project, so they will not be as cost effective as standard butcher block countertops.

To Wrap it All Up

Butcher block is a great option for a lot of homeowners, however, it’s important to know what you’re getting into before signing off on your kitchen countertops. As always, if you have any questions regarding the care & maintenance of your countertop, be sure to ask your kitchen designer. If you are interested in getting a quote for butcher block or premium wide plank countertops, contact us today!