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The Old House Design Dilemma Kitchens

Dark Brown Stained Butcher Block Alternative?

Sunshine Anderson

last year

last modified: last year

Hello Houzz Community! I am wondering if anyone knows of an ultra durable countertop that could resemble Butcher Block with a dark brown stain. The install is for a stovetop kitchen island in an airbnb property (this is why I NEED an alternative and not actual butcher block). The material must be low maintenance and durable to account for (1) guests cutting directly on the counter without using a cutting board; (2) making red sauce dishes and leaving the spoon on the counter; (3) not wiping up drink spills or anything for that matter. I have searched online and haven't come up with any thing to consider. If this product does in fact exist, I know someone here in the Houzz discussion knows. Help! Thank you!

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Comments (4)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
Walnut butche block I have oak butcher block in my catering kitchen it takes all kinds of abuse including chopping once in a while I sand it and reoil often. This was my old kitchen also catering space it is now 23 yrs old and apparently looks awesome with that same oiling and sanding IMO better thsan quartz or laminate the only other choice would be areal stone thay will dull the knives but those are easilt sharpened I would suggest you provide a large chopping block regarless of what counter you choose .
Sunshine Anderson thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
apple_pie_order
last year
Soapstone. BTW, on check-in, some vacation properties hand out free cutting "boards" which are much like heavy plastic placemats. The plastic also has a printed ad for the vacation property. An ounce of prevention goes a long way.
Sunshine Anderson thanked apple_pie_order
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I hope you have some samples for testing, or can detach and turn the countertop over, because just sealing can darken a finish. Also, if you don't seal the underside, they can warp. My IKEA numerar slab, sealed only on one side, warped when the humidity rose during the rainy season and there was almost an inch of difference between the edges and the center. It eventually straightened out when the humidity went back down, but it's better to prevent it. My alder countertops went from pale blonde to a reddish brown with just untinted tung oil (Waterlox). I saw the color change and canceled plans for staining it. Try the sealant alone. For an eating area, any finish will do, but consider something matte that will not show the inevitable scrapes and nicks as badly as high-gloss does. Then try several stains. You can buy tiny test packets of stain at ACE and perhaps other stores. It's convenient and cheap.
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Sunshine Anderson
Original Author
last year
@apple_pie_order Thank you! That's a wonderful suggestion.

@Patricia Colwell Consulting Thanks you. I am considering going with the maple, based on your feedback and experience. Question: do you know what would happen if someone sat a hot pot on it? I will make sure their are trivets near the stove but just wondering what if...
User
last year
last modified: last year
Soapstone is not going to solve the "cutting directly on counters" problem, as anything stonelike will ruin knives. And it's expensive. If you're not worried about your knives, I'd just go for an inexpensive dark color quartz and give them plenty of machine washable cutting boards, left out in plain sight.

Do your renters tend to put hot pots and pans on the counter? If it's something that happens often, you might consider tiles. Very affordable and nearly bulletproof. Our kitchen has large format tiles that look kind of like concrete with matching grout, set in an offset pattern. Honestly, I thought I was going to hate them when we first bought the house but they've really grown on me. We have absolutely abused them and they're fine. Not something I'd choose for a high end kitchen, but totally would for a vacation rental.
Sunshine Anderson thanked User

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