Trending Now: Everything You Need to Know About Wood Countertops
One of the fastest growing home trends of 2017 is the use of wood or butcher blocks for kitchen countertops. While this trend is hot for many reasons, homeowners need to consider the pros and cons before jumping aboard the bandwagon. Here’s a look at everything you need to know before buying wood countertops.
The Pros
Wood countertops warm up any kitchen, modern or traditional. They work particularly well with 2017’s trendiest kitchen styles--farmhouse and transitional.
They’re budget-friendly, particularly when compared to stone or engineered countertop materials. Maple, teak, and walnut are all popular choices for wood countertops due to their functionality and ability to withstand its use as a cutting board. Alder wood is another popular choice. It’s similar to the look of cherry wood but is softer and less expensive.
The softness of wood countertops makes them “quieter” than other countertop materials. Not only do wood countertops reduce common eating and prepping noises, like the banging and clattering of dishes against the counter, they also reduce the whirs and sounds of kitchen appliances and breakage of fragile kitchenware such as drinking glasses.
Wood can be refinished. Though wood countertops are susceptible to gouges and burn marks, unlike their stone or engineered counterparts, signs of wear and tear can be sanded out and restored.
Wood countertops are “green,” making them appeasing to our most environmentally friendly customers. Wood countertops can last for years with proper care and maintenance, but eventually they can wear down. When this happens, the wood can be recycled and given new life.
The Cons
They require regular maintenance and upkeep to increase longevity. Unfinished countertops require monthly oiling sessions using mineral oil.
They need watchful care. Even the most carefully installed wood countertops are subject to absorbing liquids, which can lead to cracks, stains, and other damages. Certain liquids, such as vinegar, are particularly harsh on wood countertops and can dissolve the glue that holds the wood together.
Wood is more prone to fire damage--which means placing wood countertops around a stove range can be extremely risky.
The Tips
Wood countertops work best on an island. You can use them around the entire kitchen, but as we mentioned previously, wood countertops are more likely to be damaged around sinks or stove ranges. Using wood countertops as an accent on a kitchen island with no sink or range increases the longevity and decreases the frequency of maintenance needs.
Maple, teak, and walnut are the best materials for countertops you plan to use as a butcher block.
The type of wood you select for wood countertops is typically based on two factors--use and color.
Alder wood is our most popular choice for wood countertops.
Though some DIYers swear they can install wood countertops as well as any professional, trusting an expert to help you select and install the best countertops for your lifestyle guarantees long-term satisfaction and sustainability. If you’re considering wood countertops for your kitchen remodel, let the experts at McCarley cabinets help you today.
