Lowes butcher block

At a minimum, butcher block countertops require oiling every six months to keep the wood protected. Different woods come with different finishing oil recommendations and it&#;s best to follow the instructions of your installer. Depending on level of use, butcher block countertops may also require more frequent oiling and conditioning to prevent the wood from cracking and looking dull. N.B.: Avoid using cooking oil to treat butcher block; it can damage the wood. Because butcher block is soft, it mars more than other materials, leading some people to use it for certain surfaces only, such as work islands. Just before oiling, you can lightly remove scratches, burns, and other surface damages with fine sandpaper, and your countertop will look like new.

Can butcher block be used as a cutting surface?

Yes, unsealed butcher block works well as a large stationary work surface and has been used this way for centuries (after all, it comes by its name honestly). That said, it&#;s not as easy to clean a butcher block counter as it is a movable cutting board, which explains why many owners use cutting boards on top of butcher block. And, as mentioned, cutting on butcher block over time leaves marks and scratches—character-defining to some, best avoided to others.

March 18,

If you've read this blog for any length of time, you know I'm a HUGE fan of wood counters, or butcher block as it's often called. I've used them in both of our houses in a number of rooms over the years. One of the most common questions I get is where I've purchased the wood counters I've used around our home. I'm sharing all of the places you can find them in stock (today!) at the end of this post.

I may be wrong, but I feel like it used to be much harder to find wood counters readily available for purchase. Maybe the farmhouse design trend increased the availability? Could be. Could be I was living under a rock all those years. 

I know some shy away from using wood counters, especially in a kitchen, but they can absolutely hold up to just about anything (heat is the only thing we watch)and if you treat them well they will hold up great even around a sink. 

This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience. 

Wood counters look great stained or just finished with a protective coat -- either one is fine if you use the right products. **If you plan to use your wood counters as an actual chopping block, you'll want to use only food-safe products. 

Of course, butcher block isn't just for kitchens. Their warmth contrasts so well against built in bookcases of any color:

I would use wood counters in every room if I could! :) 

I wouldn't use that option in a kitchen, but everywhere else it's a great dupe!

When I'm working on a project and want the warmth of a wood counter, I want it RIGHT THEN. Thankfully we now have so many places that carry butcher block in stock. 

At first I was going to keep this one on there, but then I realized that the butcher I had been coveting for YEARS would be absolutely perfect in this spot. 

I shared a blogger years ago who installed a beautiful herringbone counter in a bar area and I loved it so much. I decided then that someday I'd use it in our home. 

It's the BARKABODA counter from IKEA and it is SO lovely:

IKEA used to carry solid wood counters -- I used them in our previous house. Unfortunately they don't sell solid wood anymore, but the options they do carry have a wood veneer that can be sanded and/or treated just like butcher block (at least a few times).

It can also be cut just like a solid wood counter: 

Side note -- that Kreg circular saw guide is the bomb! It made easy work of cutting this at home. Make sure to cut from the bottom of your piece if you're using a circular saw or jigsaw. Ikea provides end pieces for any exposed cuts, but I didn't need it since this side goes against the wall. 

This counter isn't exactly cheap (less than most solid surface counters though). This spot was perfect because I only needed six feet, so it wasn't going to kill my budget. 

After I got it installed I wasn't sure it even needed to be treated -- it was so beautiful on it's own. But I figured it would only enhance the look and protect it as well.

My go-to for treating wood counters is Tung oil: 

It gives wood new life and makes it shine (literally): 

Geesh, I love it! I've tried other methods for protecting wood counters and this is the absolute best. My Dad is the one who told me to use it, and we all know Dads are always right! 😊

Isn't she lovely? I love the dark walnut and the herringbone design: 

Thankfully there are a BUNCH of places you can find butcher block wood counters to pick up today if you are working on a project. All of these links take you to the options available at each location. On some you'll need to toggle the option for "in your local store" to see what they have available to buy immediately.

Also -- all but the IKEA options are solid wood. Some butcher block is the more traditional look with different tones throughout, and some are more uniform and simple -- it just depends on the look you want. 

Where to find butcher block you can take home today: 

**Also, search for lumbar yards near you. I've purchased from local companies as well. They usually offer more variety and can also cut them to the size you'll need. 

Am I forgetting any places you've found butcher block in stock? Have you used these beauties anywhere in your home? 

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It's no wonder butcher-block countertops are a constant in cozy country cottages and rustic farmhouses alike. The surface, made up of assembled wooden boards, is warmer and more inviting than other materials and never goes out of style. Taken directly from nature, butcher-block is biodegradable and eco-friendly—and it brings a bit of an earthy element into any kitchen.

Since wood is so neutral, many homeowners mix with other materials: You could install all butcher-block countertops, incorporate a built-in cutting surface, or opt for a butcher-block island instead.

But butcher-block has its drawbacks too. We cleared through the sawdust to uncover the choices available, as well as the price and pros and cons.

Types of Butcher-Block Countertops

There are so many options for butcher-block countertops, starting with the various species of wood, including maple, cherry, walnut, and oak.

"Hard rock maple has the highest density and is a closed-grain hardwood which makes it the overall surface of choice," National Kitchen Countertop Sales Manager
at John Boos & Co. Steve Pless tells CountryLiving.com. Happily, it's also more affordable than its closed-grain counterparts, cherry and walnut, which also make great countertops. And then there's oak. An open-grain wood, oak isn't ideal for direct food preparation, Pless explains. However, when lacquered or varnished, the material is just fine for general purposes.

Beyond the type of wood, you should also consider the kind of construction: edge grain (in which the boards are laid parallel with their "edges" showing), end grain (in which small square pieces are are lined up vertically with the "ends" showing), and blended (in which different lengths are joined with no particular pattern).

As for finish, Pless recommends homeowners think about the way they see themselves using their butcher-block countertops. For food prep areas, you'll want to apply (and periodically reapply) an oil finish. But if it's just a general or dining surface, choose a lacquer finish, since an oil finish could come off on clothing or paper.

The Cost of Butcher-Block Countertops

The price you pay is based on the species and construction, as well as the area in which you live.

But butcher-block is generally pretty competitive with other countertop materials, Pless says, adding that a standard edge-grain maple island top retails at around $35 to $38 per square foot—cheaper than granite but more expensive than laminate.

Cost of installation varies by location as well, so reach out for a quote.

"I would estimate one hour per linear foot for the amount of time it will take to install the top," Pless advises. "A top that is 60 x 30 inches would take an estimated five hours for install. If the labor rate is $25 per hour, then the install would cost $ If the install is $65 per hour, the install would be $"

Whether or not you hire a pro to help is entirely up to you and will probably depend on the difficulty level of your project.

Pros and Cons of Butcher-Block Countertops

Pro: They're as easy on the knives as they are on the eyes. The only countertop that can actually be used as a cutting surface, butcher-block won't dull your knives like stone or concrete counters. The soft surface also makes for a quieter kitchen. And for those who are a bit clumsier, dishes are less likely to shatter when dropped on wood versus stone.

Con: Butcher-block is susceptible to scratches, dings, and stains. If you plan on chopping directly on your countertops, you're going to end up marking things up a little (or a lot). That glass you dropped might just leave a dent, and the wine inside could settle into a stain.

Pro: But they're easily restored. "To remove nicks or gouges after years of wear, just sand the surface [with fine sandpaper] the same way the grain runs, and re-oil," Mandy Cook, another John Boos & Co. rep, tells us. "Sanding reveals an entire fresh new cutting surface." Or, to keep butcher-block scratch-free, simply use a cutting board as you would on any other countertop.

When it comes to cleaning, soap and water should usually do the trick, but a little diluted vinegar or bleach can also serve as a disinfectant and deodorizer. To scrub out deep stains, borrow this clever cutting board-cleaning trick: Cut a lemon in half, dip in salt, and rub on the affected area.

How to Care for Butcher-Block Countertops

Wood does dry out. To keep it gleaming, apply food-safe oil (such as a standard food-grade mineral oil) to oil-finished countertops every few weeks. On the other hand, varnique tops, or those finished with semi-gloss seal, shouldn't require much elbow grease at all. You can refinish both as needed, with a non-toxic polyurethane gel (like EZ-DO).

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