If you’re looking for a new kitchen countertop but you’re tired of the typical choices, consider a 3 ft butcher block countertop. This unusual choice will give your kitchen a distinctive look that’s also very functional. You will enjoy the unique style and versatility of a butcher block kitchen countertop when used as an under counter refrigerator, side burner, or even as a butcher block island. The wide variety of wood materials used in the construction of these countertops allows them to be matched with just about any decorating style.
Installing a wood kitchen countertop is a fairly easy process as long as you have the proper tools and know-how to perform the tasks needed. There are many different types of wood kitchen countertops on the market today from which to choose including maple, oak, birch, cherry and more. Each of the wood materials has different benefits and drawbacks so be sure to research the pros and cons of each material before deciding which one would be right for you.
Installing a wood kitchen countertop is fairly simple if you follow the right procedures. First, choose the appropriate blocks for your kitchen. For example, if you’re using a 3 ft by 3 ft butcher blocks as your base kitchen countertop, you’ll need to make sure that the blocks are at least that wide. The key is to leave enough room to be able to easily move or flip over the countertop without harming the underlying wood. Check out manufacturer instructions for specific dimensions for each particular type of block.
To make the wood kitchen countertop into a work surface as well as an eating surface, cover the exposed wood with a drop cloth or a kitchen towel. Not only will this prevent dust and food particles from making their way to the top, it also gives you some added personal space. You might find that laying a wooden butcher block on top of a clean kitchen tile makes the space seem a little larger because there aren’t any solid surfaces to poke through. It’s a great idea to line the tiles up in order to create a uniform surface. This will help keep your knives away from the hot stove or oven’s exhaust vents.
Start by drawing a rough sketch of the layout of your new woodwork surface. Use pencils or other flat mediums to mark off exact measurements. Make sure to include a border of at least one inch all around the perimeter of the piece so that you don’t have a smooth surface. Keep in mind that your border should be slightly bigger than the piece of wood so that it doesn’t catch on things when you cut into it.
Once you’ve drawn the sketch, you can then go back and do a couple of things to it to prepare it for staining. Clean the surface with warm water and soap, and wipe down the wood with a rag or sponge until the wood is free of debris. Dry the wood with another clean cloth before applying the stain. You can purchase wood and stain kit at your local home improvement store.
After you’ve stained the surface, make sure that you allow it to dry thoroughly between coats. Don’t hold the stained surface underneath a light to avoid streaking. If you find that the color is still uneven after waiting the amount of time suggested by the instructions, you can put a third or second coat of stain on the surface. Follow all of the instructions carefully and don’t let the stain become too dark or it will be difficult to clean later. Allow the stain to dry for the recommended amount of time.
Once the stain has dried, you can then add your own touches to your piece. Using medium density fiberboard or particleboard will give your countertop a little bit of extra stability. This is also easy to do at home. If you choose to use hardwood, you may wish to bring your wood flooring down to a lower level so that the extra weight won’t cause the boards to sag.