topic Re: Does Anyone Have Butcher Block Countertops And Do You Like Them? in Home

Does Anyone Have Butcher Block Countertops And Do You Like Them?

jubilant — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 01:38:38 GMT

We are going to be redecorating our kitchen this Spring or Summer. We will be painting our cupboards and doing new countertops and backsplash. I see the butcher block is making a comeback. I especially like the little bit darker ones that I am seeing so much of online. I have country/ early colonial type décor with a touch of traditional. If you have them....do you like yours? I am not hard on my countertops. Also not at all sure what kind of backsplash to use. I was thinking bead board but it seems to me tile would be easier to clean and more durable. Any suggestions??? Thanks in advance.

Re: Does Anyone Have Butcher Block Countertops And Do You Like Them?

lolakimono — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 13:32:29 GMT

I used to have them in a previous house and I did not love them. If I had a large kitchen, a butcher block island would be ok, but I would prefer not to have them throughout.

Maybe something like this:

But I find this one creepy-

Re: Does Anyone Have Butcher Block Countertops And Do You Like Them?

ID2 — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 13:37:56 GMT

Butcher block, to me, just harbors bacteria. I won't even use a butcher block cutting board.

Re: Does Anyone Have Butcher Block Countertops And Do You Like Them?

StylishLady — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 14:13:14 GMT

I have it on the kitchen island. I do not use it for a cutting board. For show not for go.

Re: Does Anyone Have Butcher Block Countertops And Do You Like Them?

Little Way — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 14:28:41 GMT

I had wood countertops in my old house. They are a lot of work. They need to be maintained, sealed - very unforgiving in terms of scorch marks, harboring bacteria, dings, scratches...but maybe it depends on what type of wood. If you want to go ahead though, I would avoid bead board unless you are an absolute clean freak. The dirt, dust, crumbs, grease will work their way into the open areas of the bead board. I don't' know what is trendy right now in countertops. Soapstone is a lovely look.

Re: Does Anyone Have Butcher Block Countertops And Do You Like Them?

jubilant — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 14:37:59 GMT

My kitchen is on the small side so if I used butcher block it wouldn't be a big mass of it. I like that first picture, lolakimono. It has the feel of my home. I have a cutting board that I use all the time. It is not wood. I used wood for years till I found out they retained bacteria. We eat our big meal out almost every day so I don't cook very much. I cooked my heart out for 30 yrs. and both DH and I look forward to eating out and it is surely a nice "vacation" for me! Thanks for your responses ladies. I didn't know if I would get any being as you don't see it much anymore. Maybe that bacteria thing is the reason for it. I will have to look into it.

Re: Does Anyone Have Butcher Block Countertops And Do You Like Them?

jubilant — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 14:44:04 GMT

On 1/26/2014 Dilemma Meringue said:
I had wood countertops in my old house. They are a lot of work. They need to be maintained, sealed - very unforgiving in terms of scorch marks, harboring bacteria, dings, scratches...but maybe it depends on what type of wood. If you want to go ahead though, I would avoid bead board unless you are an absolute clean freak. The dirt, dust, crumbs, grease will work it's way into the open areas of the bead board. I don't' know what is trendy right now in countertops. Soapstone is a lovely look.

That doesn't sound good. I am not a clean freak so maybe this isn't the way to go. I'm not old but I'm no spring chicken anymore and I would like something easy to take care of. I haven't looked at Soapstone yet. I will take a peek!

Re: Does Anyone Have Butcher Block Countertops And Do You Like Them?

grammarqueen — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 15:29:18 GMT

How about wood look laminate countertops? Just Google it, and bring images up. I see some nice ones that fooled me into thinking they were real wood.

Re: Does Anyone Have Butcher Block Countertops And Do You Like Them?

FrancescaTn — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 15:35:56 GMT

Have had butcher block for about 14 years and it still looks brand new, very easy to keep clean to me . I do have a very small house , but I like the butcher block in kitchen.

Re: Does Anyone Have Butcher Block Countertops And Do You Like Them?

stevieb — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 16:34:50 GMT

They aren't for me, but what do I know, because I still prefer nicer laminate! You might consider doing just a section of butcher block , as I've seen this in some kitchens and it looks nice, stands out and yet permits you to use something else on the other surfaces. Bead board that's been sealed is very durable and, I think, probably easier to keep clean than tile. Though I personally prefer tile, I love the look of bead board.

Re: Does Anyone Have Butcher Block Countertops And Do You Like Them?

mima — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 18:25:22 GMT

My MIL has a butcher block section in her counter top by the range. It looks absolutely awful and she is a clean freak. She uses it and I can't imagine how nasty it is with bacteria.

It wouldn't be for me unless it is just a regular counter top that LOOKS like buther block. That would be ok.

For actual use, no way.

Re: Does Anyone Have Butcher Block Countertops And Do You Like Them?

jubilant — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 18:55:25 GMT

On 1/26/2014 grammarqueen said:
How about wood look laminate countertops? Just Google it, and bring images up. I see some nice ones that fooled me into thinking they were real wood.

I just went to a Wilsonart website and also saw some in the Formica. Actually they look pretty good, I think. I have always had laminate and quite frankly have liked it. I think today it looks much nicer in the way they do the trim now.

Re: Does Anyone Have Butcher Block Countertops And Do You Like Them?

bells4me — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 19:07:57 GMT

I have laminate that look like granite, but I think butcher block would be beautiful.

Re: Does Anyone Have Butcher Block Countertops And Do You Like Them?

colliegirls — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 19:18:16 GMT

Butcher block is making a comeback???

Re: Does Anyone Have Butcher Block Countertops And Do You Like Them?

LilacTree — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 19:40:06 GMT

If you don't use them for cutting, they are very pretty. If you plan to use them for cutting, you will have a great big bacteria problem. I don't think you can ever get them clean enough to prevent that.

Re: Does Anyone Have Butcher Block Countertops And Do You Like Them?

TootyJane — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 20:24:38 GMT

On 1/26/2014 ID2 said:
Butcher block, to me, just harbors bacteria. I won't even use a butcher block cutting board.

The news now says to avoid buying anything if it says antibacterial, antimicrobial or odor-fighting because it may contain Triclosan (or Triclobarban) as this is a pesticide. You can check out the following information which was on Dr. Oz the other day. http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/antibacterial-isnt-worth-it My thought is that ANY surface can harbor bacteria. You just need to be diligent when washing/cleaning cutting boards, countertops, etc. HTH.

Re: Does Anyone Have Butcher Block Countertops And Do You Like Them?

Marsha2003 — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 00:24:26 GMT

I think I would choose one of the manufactured quartz products that doesn't need to be sealed regularly and that is non-porous and resistant to heat. There was granite in my house when I bought it and I've had no issues with it except that I have to re-seal it regularly. I've had Corian in the past and didn't really like it because you can't set a hot pan down on it and you have to watch out for acidic foods etching it. I've never had butcher block counters, but I've had butcher block cutting boards and found them a pain to maintain.

Re: Does Anyone Have Butcher Block Countertops And Do You Like Them?

depglass — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 00:25:31 GMT

I had butcher block laminate in a couple of apartments in the 70's. That was enough for me, been there, done that. I guess I like variety. That table in lolakimono's photo, my island looks like that, two long pieces seamed together with an L on one end. Our builder made it out of a large pine tree we had to sadly take down when we built our log cabin.

Re: Does Anyone Have Butcher Block Countertops And Do You Like Them?

Cyndog — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 10:44:09 GMT

I have faux wood laminate counters in my old house. I actually like them enough not to have ever changed them. They clean up like Formica and you can set hot pans right on them and nothing ever stains them. It's actually odd how new they still look after 50 years.

Re: Does Anyone Have Butcher Block Countertops And Do You Like Them?

luvmyteddy4 — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 17:38:36 GMT

I loved it in 1980 but I don't want it back.