Butcher block is a sleek slab consisting of individual wooden strips fused together, it looks cool and catchy and it’s a timeless idea for kitchen countertops. Does it fit your kitchen? Let’s take a look at some pros and cons to find it out.
Pros
Butcher block is very affordable, it’s less expensive and allows a DIY installation, which will save you even more money. It costs less than popular stainless steel, concrete, marble, soapstone or limestone, so it’s a good idea for a tight budget.
The butcher block has different varieties and looks, you can pick your own hardwood and grain. You may customize the hue and pattern to perfectly match your own kitchen highlighting its personality.
Butcher block’s maintenance isn’t a hard job: for everyday cleaning, scrape off food debris with a plastic spatula, then use a dish sponge saturated in a solution of two cups warm water and one teaspoon dish soap to wipe away the residue. Vinegar works great as a stand-in for soap and water. To banish a stain, sprinkle table salt over the stain, then gently rub it with half of a lemon to remove it. Every 10 years, or as needed when stains grow numerous, use sandpaper to sand away the old sealant. Re-oil the sanded surface to make it look like new. Butcher block can last for 20 years and longer if you follow the maintenance tips and install it right.
a black and white kitchen with light-colored countertops and matching shelves for a softer look
a bright green kitchen with butcher block countertops that contrast the cabinets and calm them down
a creamy kitchen done with rich-colored butcher block countertops for a more natural look
a dove grey kitchen with warm light-colored butcher block and a wicker shade for a warm touch
a graphite grey kitchen with a dark stained butcher block countertop that enriches the look of the space
a grey kitchen with an industrial feel and light-colored butcher block to make it look more natural
a neutral contemporary kitchen with light-colored butcher block countertops that warm up the space
a pale blue kitchen with rich-colored butcher block countertops for a bold touch
a powder blue vintage-inspired kitchen with light-colored butcher block countertops
a spatel blue kitchen with light-colored butcher block countertops that add a natural touch to the space
a two tone kitchen in green and white and stained butcher block countertops for a touch of warm color
a white kitchen with gold and brass touches and a large kitchen island with a warm-colored butcher block countertop
black cabinets with brass handles look great with butcher block countertops that soften the space
Cons
Butcher block is ultra-sensitive to liquid. Wood can gather germs, grow mold, stain, or even warp in shape when exposed to moisture. To counteract these unwanted effects, you’ll need to seal your butcher block countertops immediately after the installation. You may also reseal the countertops every month in case you need that. Butcher block countertops ding easily, they are vulnerable to scratches and dents.
Butcher block expands or contracts as the temperature fluctuates: by roughly one-eighth of an inch in summer and contract by the same amount in the winter. Leave enough room for that otherwise you’ll get cracks. Take a look at various examples below and decide if you want these countertops or not!
dark-stained butcher block countertops make a colorful statement in the white kitchen
graphite grey cabinets and rich-colored butcher block countertops plus matching wooden beams
grey cabinets, mosaic tiles and light-colored butcher block countertops for a wow look
modern white cabinets and light-colored butcher block countertops and a brick backsplash for a texture
retro-inspired black cabinets with light-colored butcher block countertops that soften the monochromatic kitchen
kitchen design with Scandinavian touches
sleek white and grey kitchen with light-colored butcher block countertops for a softer look
sleek white cabinets and a chevron clad butcher block countertop that adds color and pattern to the space
teal cabinets with rich-stained butcher block countertops and a white subway tile backsplash looks very bold
vintage white cabinets with light-colored butcher block countertops for a cozy feel and touches of blue
vintage-inspired grey cabinets are softened with light-colored butcher block countertops
white cabinets with rich-colored butcher block countertops and wicker shades for a rustic feel