Many people think that a butcher block with subway tile is not the most suitable material for their wood kitchen countertop. However, this is actually not true anymore. The fact is that subway tile has emerged as one of the most suitable materials to use for your kitchen countertop and it has several advantages over wood. It is extremely easy to work with and requires very little maintenance.
Here are the advantages of using tile over wood: Wood looks elegant when installed in a formal setting like a dining room. However, the wood is very heavy and you need professionals to install it. When you use tile on the other hand, you can do it yourself and save a lot of money. Tile is also easy to handle because it has a smooth feel that makes handling it a pleasant experience.
You may wonder how using tile can improve the look of your wood kitchen countertop compared to using ordinary wood. Well, this is simply because of the natural grains that will be integrated in the design of your kitchen renovation project. Tiles also give your kitchen a warmer feeling since it tends to make the space seem bigger. This means that you can actually use your wood kitchen countertop for additional storage or for the purpose of cooking food.
Using a subway tile for a butcher block gives you a very modern looking kitchen design. Since the slab is flat and has straight edges, it gives a nice contemporary look. With this kind of design, you will definitely find that using your countertop for a long period of time will not be a problem. Furthermore, it allows you to use different kitchen layout strategies since you can slide the slab aside. It can even be used as a breakfast bar since the slabs of this material can be slid together.
To add a more rustic feel to your butcher block subway tile, you can opt to use wooden material on top of the tile. There are lots of wood materials that you can choose from and wood is the most recommended one. However, there are some kitchen pros who prefer the beauty of natural stone or marble on their kitchen counters. If you have the funds, these materials can surely give your kitchen a classier look.
Another good thing about using a butcher block subway tile for your kitchen is the fact that it does not need any grouting or sealing required. With this kind of material, you do not have to wait for years for your kitchen countertop to be properly sealed so you will never have to bother yourself with that. In addition, you can still leave your slab exposed so you can display it wherever you like. Of course, this option will cost you extra but it can truly give your kitchen an inviting look.
But if you really want your butcher subway tile to last for a long time, you better make sure that you keep it properly maintained. You can start by sealing your slab after you install it. Then you should wash it regularly, especially if you are using harsh cleaning products on your countertop. Make sure that you use a soft sponge or clean cloth to wipe your countertop dry after you are done washing it.
Having a butcher’s slab or any other type of subway tile in your kitchen is not enough to transform your kitchen. You also have to make sure that you have a proper ventilation system inside your kitchen so you can keep your slab fresh and free from molds and bacteria. It is also important to have a sealant applied on your countertop so you can prevent moisture from building up. Last but not least, you have to consider regularly repairing your subway tile so it can last for a long time. All of these things are possible if you choose high quality subway tile for your countertop.