QA

Quick Answer: How To Make Butcher Block Countertops

How to Make a DIY Butcher Block Countertop Measure your counter area. Use your tape measure to measure out how large you want your countertop to be. Cut your wooden boards for your block. Glue and clamp your wooden boards together. Cut your countertop. Sand and fill your countertop. Seal your butcher block.

Is it cheaper to buy or make butcher block countertops?

PRO: Butcher block is one of the more affordable countertops. Butcher block countertops will run you only $20 to $60 per square foot in supplies.

How much does it cost to build a butcher block countertop?

You can expect to pay anywhere from $40 to $100 per square foot or $3,500 on average for materials and installation of your wood butcher block countertop. Materials alone usually run around $20 to $70 per square foot. Butcher block countertops can cost between $2,000 and $5,000 for a 50-square- foot kitchen.

Can you put hot pans on butcher block?

Placing hot pots and pans directly on the butcher block surface is one of the most common mistakes homeowners make. It is also one of the most problematic. The hot items can burn and even crack the wood, leaving permanent damage, in most cases.

What wood is best for butcher block countertops?

Maple is one of the best and most popular for butcher block counters because it’s hard and has a clear grain. Cherry and red oak offer rich color. Butcher block can also be crafted from bamboo (it works best with end-grain construction) and sustainably farmed exotics such as wenge, zebrawood, and iroko.

Is butcher block cheaper than granite?

Lastly, butcher block is an affordable material, generally costing less than granite. If you have a smaller budget, then butcher block is a beautiful option that doesn’t put strain on your bank account.

Can I make my own butcher block?

You can make up your own butcher-block countertop, or the same technique can be used to create cutting boards, or a top for a roll-around cart. The steps in creating the top are fairly easy, but the project does require some special tools, especially for the larger size tops.

Can I make a countertop out of plywood?

A sheet of plywood is only 8 feet long so we had to use two pieces to make the longest countertop which is just over 13 feet. Then, cut the birch plywood that is being used as the tops of the countertops to the exact same size as the bottom plywood.

What should you not cut on a butcher block?

Avoid cutting raw meat or poultry directly on a butcher block or wooden cutting board. Instead, place a plastic cutting board on the wooden surface and use the plastic board as the cutting surface. This will protect the wood and prevent it from becoming contaminated.

Can I use my butcher block countertop as a cutting board?

You can use a butcher block as a cutting board but not vice versa. Cutting boards are not as thick so they will crack if used improperly. These are made for slicing, dicing, chopping, and julienning rather than chopping meat.

Can you put a sink in a butcher block countertop?

The biggest concern for me was definitely was the idea of water damage. Putting butcher block around a sink is risky enough, even without the sinks being under-mounted. You definitely have to make sure to use silicone around the sink seam and also use a good wood sealer.

How thick should a butcher block countertop be?

Thickness and Edges. Wood countertop thickness generally ranges from a three-quarter inch to six inches, and butcher block from two inches to 12 inches. A wide variety of edge options exist.

What do you seal wood countertops with?

You can seal your countertops with a butcher block oil like you do for cutting boards. But that requires frequent re-application to maintain the water-resistant seal. For our bathroom vanity, we used the Waterlox Original formula and it still looked amazing when we sold it after 3 years of constant use.

Is Hevea wood good for butcher block countertops?

Hevea wood adds warmth and elegance, with either side of the countertops available for greater versatility. Greencastle’s Butcher Blocks come unfinished allowing you to stain your countertops for a look that truly makes the wood your own. A personalized look is the perfect finishing touch.

Can you use pine for a butcher block?

For example, pine butcher blocks are less expensive but are not as durable as maple or other hardwoods and will need to be replaced sooner. Other considerations include the wood’s ability to conceal knife marks, the available thickness, whether it is harvested in a sustainable manner and the appearance.

What wood is a butchers block made from?

A butcher block or butcher’s block is a heavy duty chopping block, typically laminated of hardwood. Traditionally made of hard maple, it was commonly used in butcher shops and meat processing plants but has now become popular in home use.

How thick should plywood be for countertops?

The average thickness of plywood sheets used for backer on counter tops is 3/4-inch. This provides adequate support for a wide range of finish materials. You can use it as a stand-alone product as well as a finish-type plywood if it has a laminate finish that you can paint or finish according to personal preference.

What wood makes a good countertop?

Maple is the most common type of wood used in countertops. Its light hues blend well with any color while adding an open feeling to the kitchen. At a moderate price, many find it a good balance between quality and cost. Though not as durable as oak, maple offers a little more variety in slabs than other types of wood.