Butcher block countertops can be made from a wide variety of wood types and grades (or finishings). All butcher block worktops are made in a similar way, cutting the wood to shape, sanding and buffing it, polishing and then sealing it before proceeding to install it. But the type and grade of the wood is what will give your butcher block the desired look and feel, so it’s worth spending some time choosing one you love. Different woods also mean different butcher block countertop prices, and more exotic woods will carry a premium.
What is the Best Wood for a Butcher Block
There is not a single “best wood for butcher block” because depending on your tastes and priorities certain types of hardwood will be better than others. For example, if price is a priority then cheaper woods from quick growing trees like birch can be preferable, whereas for the eco-conscious customer bamboo or reclaimed wood would be the top choice. If your main thing is fair trade, then look for woods that are guaranteed to come from managed forests and with respect to the local people working them, even if it involves higher costs. Or you may prefer to choose based on the colour of the rest of the kitchen, such as the cabinets and floors. A small kitchen would benefit from a lighter wood, whereas a very large one can go for elegant, darker hardwood countertops without looking opressive. Here is a small overview of some of the most common wood for a butcher block countertop.
Maple Butcher Block Countertop Wood
Maple is a traditional choice of hardwood for butcher blocks, with fine grain and generally light colours. It has a smooth texture but it’s very resistent and durable, so a good choice for almost any kitchen and one of the most popular types of wood.
- For Where You Work: Create a stable, solid surface for your kitchen, garage, art room, or office. Update tables and counters or create custom butcher...
- Versatile Surface: Bring practical farmhouse decor to your home or workspace. Enjoy neutral and natural tones that mesh well with a variety of...
- USA Grown Hardwood: Only made from USA grown hard maple solid wood.
- Food-safe Oil: The wood surface is finished with natural food grade oil. The countertops can be used as a cutting surface.
- 48x25 INCH COUNTERTOP - The 25" depth is the standard for most kitchen countertops. Can also be used on top of washer and dryers or for tables. All...
- GRADE A MAPLE - Big Bison Blocks uses clear, premium maple that is guaranteed to be knot free on the visibible side of your butcher block countertop....
Oak Butcher Block Countertops
Red oak is popular in the northeastern U.S. because it fits great with colonial style homes, whereas white oak has a medium tone and fine grain that make for beautifully neutral butcher blocks. Oak butcher block countertops with white cabinets look understated and classic, for example.
- USA Grown Hardwood: Only made from USA grown oak solid wood.
- Food-safe Oil: The wood surface is finished with natural food grade oil. The countertops can be used as a cutting surface.
- (60"Lx25“w) Premium Solid Birch Hardwood (Unfinished , Seal Promptly-Apply paint/wax) : Crafted from 100% natural birch with tight grain and light...
- Customizable Size (3ft-8ft) & Style: Choose from 3ft to 8ft lengths for kitchens, islands, labs, or diy projects. Leave unfinished for natural texture...
- UNFINISHED PREMIUM HEVEA WOOD: Our butcher block countertop are crafted from solid sustainable hevea wood of the maple family with strong grains; Well...
- HIGHLY PROTECTION PACKAGING: Our unfinished butcher block slabs is carefully packaged to meet high standards to prevent warping during delivery;...
Bamboo Butcher Block Countertop Wood
Bamboo may sound like a strange choice for a hardwood kitchen countertop, but it’s actually really practical and has impeccable green credentials. Bamboo is actually a herb that grows incredibly quick, so there is no damage to the environment. At the same time, bamboo countertops are naturally anti-microbial, resistant and durable.
- MOISTURE-PROOF AND ANTI-CORROSION BAMBOO TABLE: Our's cutting board countertop are made from high-grade bamboo wooden planks. This material is known...
- CUSTOMIZABLE CUT – TAILORED TO YOUR NEEDS: Our's butcher block counter top offers customizable cut options to match your exact style and space...
- 🌳UNFINISHED HIGH-QUALITY HEVEA WOOD: Our butcher block counter top is crafted from solid sustainable hevea wood of the maple family with strong...
- 🌳FOUR LAYER PROTECTIVE PACKAGING: The multilayered packaging undergoes meticulous production to upgrade protection ability, thus prevent the...
- 【CUTTING BOARDS FOR KITCHEN】Four-layer thickened cutting board set includes 3 chopping boards of various sizes: "XL" size is 17.0*12.0*1.0 inch,...
- 【INNOVATIVE DESIGN】 The unique splicing craft and the four-layer thickening design are stronger and more long-lasting than ordinary cutting...
Birch Butcher Block
Birch worktops show off the rings caused by the quick growth of the tree. Fine-grained and pale, it has a satin-like sheen that will darken with age. It can be found at major retailers at relatively unexpensive prices.
- (60"Lx25“w) Premium Solid Birch Hardwood (Unfinished , Seal Promptly-Apply paint/wax) : Crafted from 100% natural birch with tight grain and light...
- Customizable Size (3ft-8ft) & Style: Choose from 3ft to 8ft lengths for kitchens, islands, labs, or diy projects. Leave unfinished for natural texture...
- BUTCHER BLOCK CUTTING BOARD: Unfinished Birch Hardwood Butcher Block features finger-jointed slats in a rustic design. Available in one-piece table...
- SOLID WOOD TABLE TOP: Each desk top has an A (upper) side, which is more pristine, and a B (bottom) side, which is more rustic. Pair your birch...
- PREMIUM NATURAL BIRCH SOLID WOOD Crafted from 100% natural birch hardwood, our table top boasts exceptional durability and distinctive woodgrain...
- FLEXIBLE LENGTH FOR PERSONALIZED SPACES Choose from extended lengths ranging 3ft to 8ft (36"-96") with a substantial 1.5" thickness. This versatile...
Teak Butcher Block
If you are after a centerpiece for your kitchen, teak is one of the hardwoods better suited for a dramatic statement, particularly against solid coloured countertops. The wood is highly textured with light and dark brown grain.
- PREMIUM ACACIA HARDWOOD: Our teak look table top is made from high-quality acacia hardwood, renowned for its strength, durability, and beautiful grain...
- HIGH-PROTECTION PACKAGING: Our butcher block table top teak stained are expertly multilayer-packaged to prevent warping during delivery.
- PREMIUM ACACIA HARDWOOD: Our walnut butcher block countertop is crafted from solid, sustainably forested hardwood Acacia, known for its exceptional...
- WALNUT-STAINED FINISHED: Our butcher block countertop is beautifully stained with oil in a rich walnut color, enhancing the unique grain and providing...
- 🌳UNFINISHED HIGH-QUALITY HEVEA WOOD: Our butcher block counter top is crafted from solid sustainable hevea wood of the maple family with strong...
- 🌳FOUR LAYER PROTECTIVE PACKAGING: The multilayered packaging undergoes meticulous production to upgrade protection ability, thus prevent the...
Cherry Butcher Block Countertops
American or Black Cherry has a naturally deep red or light red-brown colour that darkens with age to a deep brown-red colour in a variety of textures, from straight to wavy or curly streaks. It’s not the most durable type of butcher blocks, but it’s definitely beautiful. You can also find it in a lovely light, creamy pink colour with dark wavy streaks.
- USA Grown Hardwood: Only made from USA grown cherry solid wood.
- Food-safe Oil: The wood surface is finished with natural food grade oil. The countertops can be used as a cutting surface.
- This cherry wood countertop measures 30 inches wide, 25 inches long and 1.5 inches thick
- Varnique Finish: this countertop is finished with a virtually maintenance free semi-gloss Varnique finish
- 🌳UNFINISHED HIGH-QUALITY HEVEA WOOD: Our butcher block counter top is crafted from solid sustainable hevea wood of the maple family with strong...
- 🌳FOUR LAYER PROTECTIVE PACKAGING: The multilayered packaging undergoes meticulous production to upgrade protection ability, thus prevent the...
Hickory Butcher Block Countertops
Hickory has a warm, reddish tone once sealed that looks amazing. This is a very heavy and hard wood, and so very durable, with a lot of beautiful texture.
Other commonly used woods for butcher blocks are pine, poplar, beech or alder. Depending on your location some will be more available and affordable than others, as importing wood is generally expensive.
- UNPARALLELED CRAFTSMANSHIP: Our unique Forever Joint technique ensures that each top is 99% free from unsightly gaps or wood putty, a common sight in...
- INSTALLATION READY: Every top comes unfinished, sanded to a 150-grit finish, and coated with food-safe mineral oil. Ready for immediate installation...
- UNPARALLELED CRAFTSMANSHIP: Our unique Forever Joint technique ensures that each top is 99% free from unsightly gaps or wood putty, a common sight in...
- INSTALLATION READY: Every top comes unfinished, sanded to a 150-grit finish, and coated with food-safe mineral oil. Ready for immediate installation...
- USA Grown Hardwood: Only made from USA grown hard maple solid wood.
- Dimensions with Construction Reserve: 25-3/4"L x 4"W x 3/4" Thk. An additional 3/4 inch is included for construction reserve when working on the depth...
Wood Grades For Kitchen Countertops
The grade, or quality, of a butcher block countertop depends on how the different blocks of wood are glued together. Wood is very strong when parallel to the grain, and the bonding is also stronger when using the face and edge grain, but less strong on the end grain.
There are 3 wood grades.
Edge grain is the cheapest, second stronger and most stable of the three, and as such the most popular. The surface is made with the long and narrow edges of the boards, so it has a striped pattern.
Flat grain on the other hand is arranged so the surface is formed by the width of the boards, which means less of a pattern than with edge grain.
Finally, end grain grade uses smaller blocks of wood placed so the front of the wood (the bit that would go at the end of a board) forms the surface. As such it shows a lot of pattern with the knots and grow rings, and since the pieces are very small it’s very strong. However, it’s also the most expensive and the one with more room to get damaged by water being absorbed into the wood and expanding it.
- 🌳UNFINISHED HIGH-QUALITY HEVEA WOOD: Our butcher block counter top is crafted from solid sustainable hevea wood of the maple family with strong...
- 🌳FOUR LAYER PROTECTIVE PACKAGING: The multilayered packaging undergoes meticulous production to upgrade protection ability, thus prevent the...
- BUTCHER BLOCK CUTTING BOARD: Unfinished Birch Hardwood Butcher Block features finger-jointed slats in a rustic design. Available in one-piece desk top...
- SOLID WOOD TABLE TOP: Each table top has an A (upper) side, which is more pristine, and a B (bottom) side, which is more rustic. Pair your birch...
- Exceeds US FDA regulations for direct and indirect contact with food
- Revitalizing blend prevents drying and cracking of hardwoods and bamboo
As you can see, deciding what is the best wood for butcher block countertops is not easy because there is not really a bad or a absolutely superior type of hardwood. However, price and desired end result will help you choose the one more suitable for your needs.
looking for a 8’x25″x2″ butcher block countertop that work with a mocha glazed maple cabinets. would like to know price also.
Will an unfinished birch butcher block accept a stain for a kitchen countertop in a little rental? Can it be sanded if it needs refinishing?