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Design Dilemma
chrisbouvier

Butcher Block vs Granite Counter tops?

13 years ago
I am embarking on a new build, and I am very interested in butcher block counter top for the island. Please help me with pros and cons.
Featured Answer
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    Great question. Because our wood countertops are waterproof, stain resistant and food safe they are a great addition to the kitchen or even bathroom. Most of our customers choose to actually use BOTH granite or other stone in the SAME kitchen as a wood countertop. Mixing surfaces is the most popular trend we have seen in high end kitchen countertops/design recently. The key is truly in the finish used on the wood.

    Why It's Waterproof:

    http://www.craft-art.com/why-craft-art-wood-countertops-are-waterproof/

    Daily maintenance of our wood tops is very similar to granite. Clean with a mixture of white vinegar & water or a mild soap/detergent that contains no bleach or ammonia (just like granite!). Every 3 to 5 years if water stops beading up on the surface then you can simply reapply one coat of Waterlox.
    Check out the video(s) here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAxe-rC_5mg37uKLwb2DoxQ

    How to Clean Craft Art Butcherblock Wood Countertops:



    For a busy household some people choose to add our Distressing option so that scratches (which can naturally will happen over time) are disguised. I’ve included photos of distressed and non Distressed below.

    All of our wood species fall within a range of hardness that is best suited for countertop use. For example a 10’x5’ island would be made with full 10 foot long boards so that you do not have a choppy “hard wood floor” look. Each countertop is custom made to order and the boards go from lumber to the finished product in about 14 business days.

    You should definitely test water, red wine, mustard etc on a sample to see in person. https://store.craft-art.com/product-category/samples/organic-tung-oil-finish-samples/

    I’ve attached lots of photos with our wood tops to help inspire you!

    (Photo Credits:
    1. Mrs. Benink - homeowner- submitted photo, Black Walnut plank style with Farm sink
    2. Photo submitted by homeowner who wished to not be named Black Walnut Plank style countertop.
    3. Design by Classic Cabinetry (Christy) TN - Distressed Black Walnut Plank wood island countertop with undermount sink.
    4. Beech edge grain - photo and countertop by Craft Art)

    Comments (19)

    • PRO
      13 years ago
      last modified: 13 years ago
      I like butcher block, especially when it is NOT at the sink or range. An island with a butcher block top sounds great. Pros are: you can use it for a cutting board and food prep and if it stains, pull out your sander and clean it off. It looks good, adding color and texture to the horizontal plane of the kitchen. It is pretty low maintenance, needing a coat of mineral oil about once a year. Cons? You mess it up using it for a cutting board and food prep and need to sand out stains. It is a little busy, color and texture wise for some kitchens. It takes maintenance, needing mineral oil about once a year. Oh, and water and grease are kinda bad for it, so keeping the sink and range away from the wood is good. Not being snide at all, the pros really are cons for some people!
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      last modified: 13 years ago
      There are quite a few woods available for butcher block which is a plus. If you buy one from Craft-Art it comes sealed with tongue oil and they do not recommend cutting on it.They do suggest that their countertops can be used in a sink area so if you want to put an island sink in, you should be able to. They are beautiful. Here is a link to their site, showing species and layups. http://www.craft-art.com/wood-species/

      I too like the idea that they can be sanded down and refinished.

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    • PRO
      13 years ago
      Butcher block is not as sanitary as granite. Also butcher vlock might be a little dated, if you are thinking of future resale .
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      Here is an example of a movable butcher block on top of a solid counter surface which could provide you with the best of both worlds.

      Kitchen · More Info
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      I love wood tops and don't think they are dated at all. They are warmer than stone or quartz and offer a different design element instead of so many cold surfaces present in todays kitchens. That said, I do suggest that our clients do not use them as cutting boards but treat them more as you would a wood surface on a piece of furniture. They can dent and scratch over time but they can be re-sanded and refinished easily. See this Lyptus wood top we did below.
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      Lyptus wood countertop
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      Lyptus wood top
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      It's good to break up the surface areas in the kitchen with the use of alternate surface products and colors, and makes for a more interesting kitchen!!!!
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      A granite top would make cleaning much easier. You can purchase a butchers block as Dytecture picture shows. You'll have the option of both!
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      Go with granite or quartz for counters, opt for butcher block on an island! I don't think the butcher block look is dated at all and some butcher blocks feature a stripe in the middle with a darker wood. Love this look!
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      last modified: 13 years ago
      Wood butcher blocks look great in kitchens. I agree with what Ironwood Builders said about them. A good source for butcher countertops online is Chop Bloc see: http://chopbloccuttingboards.com/butcher-block-countertops/
    • 13 years ago
      All my kitchen counters are butcher block.. That said, I agree fully with the first comment! What I love about is also what I hate. I guess if I were to do it again I would keep the island and replace counters. I don't use them as a cutting board, however, often Company does so be sure you lay down the rules before you let someone loose in your kitchen! I've had them completely sanded and refinished once, to the tune of about 800 bucks...they need it again....
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      I agree with everyone suggesting a multi surface kitchen. That way you can have both looks, and do on one what you cannot do on the other. Island block and quartz/granite for the perimeter. Both stone and wood are porous and need different kinds of maintenance (unless you use engineered stone), but using the two together will provide a nice balance and contrast to each other.
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      last modified: 13 years ago
      People have been using wood surfaces for cooking, wood bowls and utensils for thousands of years.

      Countertops that are glued together with the edge up (straight grain on side) are harder.
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      We have an 8' maple butcher block island (custom built by John Boos) with an elevated granite sitting area at the end. We are avid cooks and actually use a cutting board on top of the butcher block. At first I thought my husband was crazy, but after these many years of use, we would not be able to plane down the counter top as we could the cutting board. I love the look and the feel of it and in a pinch I can cut on it- but we save the heavy prep for the actual cutting board so it stays nice and flat.
    • PRO
      10 years ago

      I do not agree about the cons of solid wood. The City of Venice is still standing on wood for crying out loud! Wood is easy to care for and easy to clean, it is also incredibly durable. And wood is SAFER than plastic cutting boards!

      http://www.nytimes.com/1993/02/10/health/wooden-cutting-boards-found-safer-than-plastic.html

    • 9 years ago

      What is the best kind of wood to use on a center island with a under mount sink and is an apron sink better seeing that it is not surrounded by wood?

    • PRO
      9 years ago

      You'd better be a very fastidious wiper if you've got an undermount sink in any wood top.

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