Butchers block is great. We had it in our old kitchen and it looked amazing. A quick oil every so often and it was as new. Bad points, black areas around the sink where a tap joint was leaking and also darker areas on the draining area. Hard to remove with a slight sand down but take a bit more time and use a coarse grade sandpaper then smooth off and again all good as new again.

We then redid that kitchen and got granite in the kitchen. The butchers block was cut down and used in the utility and survived every onslaught.

We will when money allows, get it in our new utility again. Until then we will reuse the laminate from our existing kitchen.

I have IKEA butcher block countertops that will need to be replaced before we sell next year. Water sitting on the surface will absolutely ruin the countertops, not because of surface damage, but glue failure. A single careless episode of a person leaving a wet sponge or dishcloth tossed onto the countertop overnight might be enough to cause permanent damage. Another issue was around the faucet where water dripped off of wet hands turning the faucet on and off and using the sprayer.

I love the countertop over by the stove where water isn't an issue. It looks nice, works easily and looks quite appropriate in our 1931 kitchen with original cabinets. For the other side of the kitchen, installation of low end butcher block was a major mistake. Fortunately, we had very little money invested in the material (less than $100 total on a closeout material), but I have quite a bit more in the labor and installation costs. Costwise, it was the cheapest option for my shallow depth, unusual corner layout countertops but I'm still disappointed in the short lifespan around water.

Friends of ours have ikea butchers' block and it's as you report Linda. We got ours through a company locally and not idea. Don't know if that is the sticking point, pardon the pun, re the glue!

Living with the butcher block counters that were installed in march has been a challenge. I placed my faucet handle in the front so drips would hit IN the sink. And mounted the sink as a drop in to reduce standing water around the sink. But I still wipe any splash after using the sink. I have 1small spot in the front of the sink that is turning white. Have no idea what that's about. It's a challenge to keep water wiped up when living with 2 adults and 1 preteen who don't seem to care.

oh and don't place Shout spray on the counter. It leaves a black mark. Learned that the hard way.

We have used ikea butcher block in a couple of houses at the beach. It's the nicest cheap diy counter you can do in my opinion. I did many coats of raw tung oil* which made them essentially water proof. Never had any water stains or any other stains. I did have a burn mark where someone must have put down a hot pan, but I was able to sand it out.

*I got the tung oil and citrus solvent, which helps it soak in, from realmilkpaint.com. I'm pretty sure I learned about it on this forum about nine years ago.

We did butcher block on the peninsula and prep corner, and a soapstone-look Formica on the rest. Looks great, and is durable. I didn't want to chance butcher block where the sinks are. Both of our butcher block areas are bigger than Ikea offers.

Changes of direction are difficult to carry off with the material. Single slabs like an island or any straight run are the best applications.

Casey

We installed one of these from IKEA, as well as weaterproofing the heck out of the slab of alder.

The built-in drainboard is wonderful.