Wood countertops are a popular addition to a kitchen renovation. While we love adding natural wood to a home's space, there are several elements to consider before committing to a wood countertop. Let's see if a wood countertop is right for your home!
PROS OF WOOD
It’s Warm
Wood provides warmth that stone simply cannot match. A wood countertop softens a space visually, with its rich undertones and soft aesthetic. Wood is also physically warmer to touch than stone, since stone retains a cooler temperature. In our opinion, a wood island top is more inviting than a colder stone top.
It’s Aesthetically Appealing
Interior designers recommend using a variety of contrasting textures (hard/soft, natural/man-made) to balance a space. Adding wood to a kitchen can help soften “harder” textures, like a tiled backsplash and metal fixtures. If you have stone countertops around the sink and stove, consider adding a wood top to your island for warmth and balance.
It’s Fixable
We get it, accidents happen. If a wood countertop gets damaged, it’s not the end of the world. Unlike stone, a natural wood countertop can be refinished to look good as new. And many homeowners choose to view small scratches as the wood’s natural patina.
CONS OF WOOD
It’s Soft
Since wood is softer than stone, it can damage more easily. If you want a countertop that will hold up to heavy use and possibly abuse, go with stone. Or a popular alternative is to use stone where you want extreme durability (ie, around the sink/stove) and incorporate a wood countertop somewhere else for warmth (ie, a kitchen island or bar top).
It Might Require Maintenance
Wood is a porous material that needs a finish coat to protect it from elements like air and water. Depending on the finish coat you choose, the countertop might need periodic retreating. We recommend one of three finish coats: mineral oil, polyurethane or tung oil/linseed oil.
Mineral oil will require monthly applications to protect the natural wood top. For a lower maintenance option, go with polyurethane or tung/linseed oil. (Keep reading or jump ahead to find out the difference between these two options.)
THINGS TO CONSIDER
Everyday Use
Our first question is always “how do you plan to use the countertop?” Do you want to chop food directly on the wood countertop (similar to a butcher block)? Or will you use a cutting board for food prep?
If chopping directly on the countertop, we recommend edge grain or end grain construction. This will provide the most durable surface for chopping.
If you are not cutting directly on the countertop, you can go with face grain construction. Face grain is more affordable since it takes less time to build. And a face grain top will show off the wood’s grain pattern more prominently than edge or end grain.
How It’s Made
Lumber has three surfaces (1) face grain, (2) edge grain, and (3) end grain. Woodworkers construct cutting boards (and in this case countertops) using one of the three surfaces.
Face Grain
When looking at a piece of rough lumber, the widest surface is the face grain. This is where you see most of the wood grain’s beauty and charm. However, since the grain pattern is fully exposed, it will show knife marks faster than the edge or end grain. For this reason, face grain is typically used for serving boards and tabletops.
Edge Grain
If you place a piece of lumber on its side, you will see the wood’s edge grain. The edge of the wood is more durable than the face of the wood. An edge-grain board is made by gluing together many thin strips of edge-grain wood. This creates a stronger cutting surface with lots of variation in color and grain pattern.
End Grain
The end grain is found at the top and bottom of the lumber plank. The ends of the wood are the most durable since you are cutting in between the wood fibers. An end grain board has a distinguishable checkerboard pattern and is commonly known as a “butcher block” board. This is a top-of-the-line cutting board for serious chefs. End-grain boards can withstand heavy chopping, but they also require the most care and maintenance since the wood’s grain is fully exposed. If you want a heavy-duty cutting surface in your kitchen, consider an end-grain wood top.
SEALANT OPTIONS
We recommend one of three finish coats: mineral oil, polyurethane, or tung/linseed oil.
Mineral Oil
If you want to cut and prep food directly on your countertop, go with mineral oil for your finish. Mineral oil is food grade so it is safe to use with food prep. The oil penetrates into the wood, protecting it from drying out. However, mineral oil washes off easily, so the countertop should be oiled monthly to keep the wood from drying and splitting.
If you plan to use a cutting board on top of your countertop, we recommend polyurethane or tung/linseed oil for long-lasting and durable protection. Very little maintenance is required with either of these finish coats. But what’s the difference?
Polyurethane
Polyurethane sits on top of the wood (similar to paint), and it protects the wood surface from general wear. However, since wood is soft, scratches may still happen. If the polyurethane finish is scratched, the entire surface will need to be sanded before retreating.
Tung Oil/Linseed Oil
Tung/linseed oil penetrates into the pores of the wood and builds up a coating that both protects and strengthens the wood. And if the finish coat gets scratched, you can sand & re-coat just the damaged area without having to refinish the entire countertop. We frequently use a tung oil by the brand Waterlox and we highly recommend this for a finish coat.
WOOD TYPES
Before choosing a wood type, it’s important to discuss the end goal for your countertop. Will it be a bar top or butcher block? Will a sink be mounted underneath or on top of the counter? Some wood species perform better than others in various applications.
We regularly build countertops using cherry, walnut, maple, mahogany, and oak. And we often come across reclaimed lumber with an impressive history and unique characteristics. Contact us anytime to see what unique wood species are on hand at the shop.
At BirchBarn Designs, you work one-on-one with our master craftsman to design your wood countertop. Customers can visit our workshop in Scituate to see sample countertops, view various wood types, and discuss options for personalizing the countertop.
PERSONALIZING YOUR SPACE
Our niche has always been personalization. We have a unique ability to customize the wood countertop to represent your family’s personality and style. We offer three options for personalizing your countertop: (1) laser engraving (2) carved engraving (3) inlaid design.
Laser Engraving
We use a laser to digitally burn any design into the wood countertop. The laser burns the design directly into the wood, leaving a darker and slightly shallow impression. Above is a sample of a countertop with a laser-engraved compass rose.
Carved Engraving
Another option is to carve the inscription deeper into the wood. We use a computerized router to carve any design into the countertop. This method of engraving works great for a smaller initial or design off to the side. It gives the countertop a classic and understated touch of charm.
Inlaid Design
You can also have a design inlaid into the wood top using a variety of different woods. With an inlaid design, the surface of the wood remains flat while the design pops against the original wood. You can choose the design and the wood types, allowing for complete control of the customization.
Let’s Chat!
We love working with customers to find a design element that speaks to their family’s personality. Contact us to discuss your countertop ideas. Or complete our countertop questionnaire for a personalized quote.
