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Butcher block counter tops (Ikea types)

14 years ago

I'm having trouble deciding on counter tops for my new home- which I am trying to keep to a country/cabin-like style (lots of woodwork, etc)

Then I came across the thin Ikea butcher block style counters and decided to 'just do it'.

Are wooden tops a serious maintenance pain? Do they "weather" nicely like Ikea suggests?

Do you like or regret yours?

And... would they go well with wooden cabinets- we were concerned about using too much woodwork in one area.

Cabinets likely being the Ikea Fagerland.

Most likely considering the light birch counters which is a lighter wood than the Fagerland.

Would appreciate hearing anything on the butcher blocks! My search function here comes up empty which can't be right. Thanks.

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Comments (3)

athensmomof3
14 years ago
Not sure about the Ikea butcher block but my parents have a butcher block island (and have for 35 years). Every so often (like every 10 years), they sand it down. Only maintenence is regular mineral oil. It has made it through two kitchen renos and they will be doing another in the next year or so and the plan is to keep it or at least part of it (they are expanding their island so they may cut it down and have it inset or dropped down onto a seperate level for a chopping area).

They use it daily - no cutting boards there!

Interested to hear the responses . . .
sara_the_brit_z6_ct
14 years ago
I have one wooden counter, of Ikea butcher block. It's more of a "putting down" spot, than a work spot, but after 6 coats of Salad Bowl Finish, I've never oiled it again. Going on two years now.

My sister has all wooden counters in her kitchen (even at the sink) - they look fabulous. They used linseed oil, and did 8 coats. She told me she's never needed to re-oil them in 2 years, and I know they get pretty hard treatment.

Incidentally, having spent some time looking at photos of properties in the UK recently (another story), I see that wood counters are really popular there, and they look great.
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Redstar, My husband has made and installed two lyptus end-grain butcher block countertops for customers. Both families had the countertops made for their island. I have provided a link to his website so you can see the projects. At the top of the web page is an island with no sink. Further down on the page is an island top with a SS undermount sink and follow up pictures after a year's worth of usage. If you will be cutting on this type of countertop, you would want to finish and maintain it with a food grade mineral oil finish. On the top with the undermount sink, the inside cut out edge around the sink was finished with Waterlox as a water sealant. There should be no problem with using an undermount composite granite sink. With the mineral oil finish, dishes sitting on top will not hurt it nor will your crockpot. If you don't plan to cut on it directly, you could have some other finish applied that will seal out water. Hope this is helpful to you. Here is a link that might be useful: Lyptus Butcher Block Countertops
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You've gotten good advice! I applied 2 coats of Waterlox Original to the underside of the Ikea slabs before they were cut to size. (A carpenter was cutting and installing them and I didn't want to have to move them afterwards.) I tried every application method I could think of - old t-shirt, foam brush, lambswool applicator, brush, etc. The foam brush (a wider one, 2" or so) worked best for me. Use a new brush for each coat. Do let it dry well in between coats, and be generous with the first few as it will be absorbed into the wood. You're going to want lots and lots of coats around the sink area - and probably a vapor barrier between the dishwasher and the underside of the butcher block. I ended up applying 2 coats of Original to the bottoms, then 3 coats of Original and 4 coats of Satin for a total of 7 on the tops and sides. I'd suggest more at the sink. Good luck - the Waterlox will make it look rich and honey colored!
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Yes, you should be concerned over the long term. Water will take its toll over time, not just on the wood, but on the glue that holds bb together. If you are considering this you might want to use marine varnish around the faucet cut outs especially. I can't post images right now, but one of my faves is of a maple butcher block island with a soapstone sink AND sink surround. How would you feel about having a bit of stainless surrounding your stainless farmhouse sink, about a foot on each side, then transitioning into bb? That surround will save you from a ton of maintenance and decay over time.
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dirtslinger2
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you both, sounds positive!
Would butcherblock countertops(birch) with pine cabinet doors be a fashion no-no then or could it look decent?
I am going for rustic/cabin/country style if there is such a thing.
Thanks again.

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