Wood Kitchen Countertops Are Known For Both Their Warmth, Beauty, and Timeless Elegance
By Steven Tikas
Wood countertops. Few things are considered as beautiful as wood kitchen countertops. Wood has a natural timeless beauty that you can only get from actual wood. The look is something that you can get almost the same look with some of the other materials but there is just something different about real wood that sets it apart for the look-a-likes.
Maple, oak, and cherry are the most common types of wood are commonly used when talking about kitchen countertops. Teak and birch are also used but are a little bit softer than the other three so they are more for decorative purposes then functional use. All different types of wood expand and contract differently so they all require a different type of seasoning and drying to make sure that you don’t have problems down the road with splitting and cracking.
The different types of woods have different grain pattern that gives each one its own unique characteristics and look. Some wood are also better to stain and lacquer then others and will produce different results depending on what stain you put on which wood. You can also paint wood countertops if you want to get a truly unique look and feel or if you are trying to blend the kitchen in with another room in your home.
Wood countertops do require some more maintenance then other materials because they have to be resealed often to avoid warping and cracking and you have to watch a little closer to make sure the bacteria does not build up over time. A single block of wood or many smaller pieces can be used in forming your countertops, the separate blocks of wood allow for a more decorative effect.
Pros:
-Moisture and stain resistant (only when properly sealed however)
-Looks and Beauty
Cons:
-Has to be seasoned and dried to ensure durability
-Cost
-Can burn easily
Wood kitchen counter tops start at around $50 a square foot and go up from there depending on type, finish, and many other factors. If you are going for a natural look for your new kitchen remodel then wood kitchen countertops are a perfect choice for you and your family.
