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quartz or butcher block counter (island and wall counter)

9 years ago

our kitchen is currently gutted. we are planning on installing one counter top along the wall (it holds all appliances including dishwasher and sink...it is actually a pretty small counter area, maybe 8 linear feet with a sink in the middle) and an island (4ft x 5ft). we know we want one to be butcher block and one to be quartz....we just dont know which countertop should be which material. the counter along the wall holds all appliances including dishwasher and sink, the island will just be a one level island with a bar for sitting, eating and homework/activities for kiddos (no sink, no cooktop, etc).

im not sure if we plan to cut on the butcher block or not. ive heard you can "seal" it in waterlox and it should be safe to have near the sink and dishwasher. can you cut on it if treated with waterlox. what are the reasons to cut/not cut on butcher block.

because the island will be more area, putting butcher block there would be cheaper.

our floor is darker wood, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and probably going with a white quartz.

thanks for any input.

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Comments (3)

julie1973
9 years ago
I think butcher block on the island with quartz on perimeter will look and function better. If you use waterlox for it, you cannot cut on it. But it will give it a nice protective furniture finish. If you want to cut on it you need to use mineral oil, which is less permanent but repairable. If you cut on it, you will see marks on it, but you can sand it and re-oil over time. You can also use an oil based finish for the more natural look but not cut on it. That what I would do. If you search here you will see discussions of waterlox versus oil versus other products like osmo for wood island tops. Breezygirl highly recommends an osmo product that I am going to use on my wood island counter once it's installed.
ci_lantro
9 years ago
I agree with Julie...definitely butcher block on the island. Lots less water worries (no sink) and, since you mentioned seating at the island, a wood surface will feel much warmer to the touch.
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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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tubalubs
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks for the feedback. I think we decided to go with quartz on the sink counter and butcher block island. My husband really wants the bb to be used so we will care for it (mineral oil, I guess) so that we can still use it for cutting and food prep.

Good point about the warmth of butcher block...I hadn't thought about that

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