You can enjoy having an outdoor countertop for an outdoor kitchen or bar. 1. It's grass. If it’s made right, it will be able to handle the elements with ease. Heck, you can use lemon juice to clean away certain stains. If you're looking for something more likely to stay very light-colored, you're better off using white oak or hard maple. Wood Countertop FAQ What is the best wood for countertops? Its golden hue is also good for warming up icy colors, like light blue or gray. Cherry is another wood that's not as hard as some of the other woods listed above. Also, maple is domestic, so it costs less and is a more sustainable source of wood! Maple is also very durable, so it's perfect for butcher-block countertops. We used walnut for our countertop and we love how they hold up. We don't build computers out of wood, or jetliners, or skyscrapers. Like hickory, it's not necessarily the best wood for kitchen countertops, but it, too, is up there. Oak To clean these countertops of everyday use, you simply wipe them down with a damp sponge or cloth the same as you do any other countertop. Many wood finishes used in baths, like Spar Varnish or Tung Oil Urethanes are damaged by bar soaps and shampoo. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Since it's softer than other domestic hardwoods, you're better off using something else if you want to be able to cut food on it. Besides that, you need to take into account the fact that iroko is initially a very light yellow when first cut but quickly darkens to more of a honey color. The difference is that, since counters take a lot of abuse, there are woods that just aren't suitable for them. So if hickory could survive the Ice Age 50 … We also used This Old House and Grothouse to compile our list of the best wood for kitchen countertops. As we've stated above, the best wood for kitchen countertops depends heavily on what you plan to use it for as well as how it looks. Northern European birch is one of the most popular countertops throughout the world. In general, though, you can expect to pay anywhere from $12 to $300 per square foot for wooden countertops. If you're planning on building your own counters, you might want to consider birch. x 25 in. It also takes stains and finishes very well, which is why it's among the best wood for kitchen countertops. Teak is popular for a wide variety of reasons, not the least of which is its very warm appearance. Made to last, a cherry wood countertop can add character and brightness to any kitchen. Although quartz is a popular countertop material, both Freudenberger and Wallenstein offer … This will allow the wood countertop to absorb the finish. As such, it's more prone to warping than woods with straight grains. Okay, so, great. People often use iroko as a substitute for teak. x 50 in. Ten basic mistakes and how to avoid them with your DIY wood countertop Keep countertops clean to protect them from stains. As it ages, it becomes darker, going from honey-colored to a richer brown. Durata ® is an excellent choice for vanity tops. Another possibility is food-safe epoxy, which will give you a very glossy but durable finish for your counters. Shellac is an excellent film-building finish, and it's food safe. Wood Countertops Are Nature's (Almost) Original. Some are beautiful, but not suitable for kitchen use. Workability: Easy to work with but with chances of tearout. The best wood for your custom kitchen countertops is the one that meets your cooking and entertaining needs, enhances your kitchen and makes you happy. But if you want wooden countertops for their beauty and durability isn't an issue, walnut is up there with the best. In fact, many finished wooden bowls and cups use shellac. Bamboo Flooring vs Hardwood Flooring (Pros & Cons), Teak Oil vs Tung Oil vs Danish Oil | When to Use Each for Wood Projects, 11 Types Of Woodworking Chisels -Woodworking Tools Guide, 5 Best Types of Wood for Birdhouses (Making Your First Birdhouse). There are many benefits to finding the best wood for kitchen countertops in your kitchen. Hardwoods hold up to daily wear much better than a soft wood like pine. Here are the best countertops from Consumer Reports' tests. How do you decide what the best wood for kitchen countertops is? Bamboo technically isn't wood. First off, what do you primarily do in your kitchen? Wood counters have a wide array of prices. Best for: Large areas, like a long kitchen counter or island top. Wil it have a sink or will it be used for heavy chopping. It has similar durability to hard maple, making it yet another popular wood for wooden countertops. 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