Best countertop to go with butcher block island?

7 years ago

Hi! I'm looking for a light, white countertop for the perimeter (where our sink and range will be) of our kitchen. Our cabinets are all White Dove and the countertop on our island will be butcher block. Any suggestions? Thanks!

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Comments (8)

Nothing Left to Say
7 years ago
If you want white, I'd look at Corian or engineered Quartz.
1gofishing
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you! I like the look of some of the white quartz but can't tell if they look too fake (I'm talking about the ones that are trying to look like marble) or not.
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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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Little late to the rodeo here, and I guess you got the butcher block finished already. When I installed kitchens, we used a product called "Good Stuff" that Bally block recommended . It was kinda an oil based paste that you rubbed in then buffed off. Several coats provided a nice matte finish. Cant attest for how long the finish lasts, but I've never got a call back to re apply.
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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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PRO
Anglophilia
7 years ago
White Corian all the way. Then add a bit of color with your backsplash. I used white honed, Carrera marble.
mom2sulu
7 years ago
We have a walnut butcher block island and soapstone perimeter.
Patti
7 years ago
Best is so subjective! We also have a walnut butcher block island and have Fantasy Brown quartzite perimeter.
practigal
7 years ago
Are sink and stove on the same run? Corian is great around the sink and in the prep area...
Nothing Left to Say
7 years ago
Looks are subjective. I think some of the marble look quartz options are nice. Dh did not like them, thought they looked fake. But I wouldn't necessarily go with a marble imitation. I think the plain white options in either Quartz or Corian look really sharp.
localeater
7 years ago
The Corian whites are very nice and you definitely give them a look. The e-stone quartz companies also have many great options. If you want a shinier, polished look the would probably fit your wants better.

I just redid my masterbath, I wanted a 'white' quartz, I obviously had no butcher block but my house is post and beam so I have a lot of wood to work with. I used a remnant of SIlestone Blanco City. I love it.

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Best countertop to go with butcher block island?

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1gofishing
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Best countertop to go with butcher block island?

Comments (8)

Nothing Left to Say

1gofishingOriginal Author

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Anglophilia

mom2sulu

Patti

practigal

Nothing Left to Say

localeater

COMPANY

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1gofishing
Original Author