Wood countertops may not be as widely used today as natural stone options like marble or granite, but they offer a warmth and character that’s hard to match. With their rich texture and timeless appeal, wood countertops still have a dedicated fan base and continue to show up in kitchens of all styles.
Many people love the look and texture of real wood countertops and don’t mind the reconditioning necessary to keep them looking their best. For others, this ongoing maintenance is too much work.
Types of Wood Countertops
There is some confusion surrounding the term “wood countertops”. Some people refer to all wood countertops as butcher block countertops. Instead, there are three main types of wood countertops: butcher block, wood slab, and wood plank.
1. Butcher Block Countertops
These consist of small pieces of wood that manufacturers fuse together to form a solid whole. There are three types of butcher block configurations of wood: Edge grain, end grain, and face grain.
- Edge Grain – Edge grain countertops are the most common type of butcher block countertops. These feature small pieces of wood placed end to end to create a continuous pattern of wood strips.
- End Grain – End grain countertops feature wooden slabs made from small square pieces of wood joined together to create a complete board. This type of butcher block countertop is the most expensive as the labor is more intense. They also use more wood for this kind of countertop.
- Face Grain – For this kind of countertop, fabricators place wood planks flat and then glue them together to form a seamless whole slab. This type of countertop highlights the beauty of wood grains. Face grain countertops are not as durable as edge grain and end grain.
2. Wood Slab Countertops
Wood slab countertops feature one solid piece of wood that manufacturers cut for the countertop. There are two main varieties of wood slab countertops: live-edge and cut edge.
- Live-Edge – The most popular type of wooden slab countertops feature a natural edge, also called a live-edge. This is when the fabricator leaves the natural contours of the wood on at least one side of the countertop. This is popular in rustic types of kitchens.
- Cut Edge – Cut edge countertops are those that use a single slab of solid wood with both edges trimmed.
3. Wood Plank Countertops
Wood plank countertops are similar to face grain butcher blocks in that they feature wide planks that fit side by side. The difference is that each plank is an individual piece rather than fused together like they are for face grain butcher block. This is a cost-effective option for countertops, but it can lack the durability of other wood countertops.
Common Wood Varieties
There are many varieties of wood used for wood countertops including domestic and exotic hardwoods. Here are some of the most common varieties of wood types used for countertops.
- Maple – Maple is one of the most popular types of wood for wooden countertops. It is a hardwood that is more cost-effective than other more exotic wood types.
- Oak – Oak is one of the hardest of wood types. There are variable colors from red to white. It is also a cost-effective wood choice.
- Birch – Birch is a durable and versatile hardwood for countertops. It is a hard wood with a fine wood grain.
- Walnut – Walnut is a prized variety of wood for countertops. It has wide color variations from rich golden to almost black.
- Teak – Teak is a native wood from Mexico. It has a rich color and contains a high oil content that makes it ideal to counteract moisture.
- Cherry – Cherry is a North American hardwood. It is prized for its rich color and fine grain.
- Wenge – Wenge is an African hardwood that people prize for its hardness and dark color.
- Hickory – Hickory is the strongest of American hardwoods. It resists scratches, gouging, and staining. It has a light to medium tone.
End Grain Countertop
End grain countertops are some of the most popular for food prep. They are also some of the most striking.
Wood Countertops With Marble
Wood is one of the most versatile countertop materials. It warms more sterile countertop types when you use them in combination with wood.
Larch Wood of Canada Countertops
This small Canadian company, Larch Wood, specializes in end grain cutting boards, countertops and floors.
Wood Countertop Extension
Wood is so versatile. It is an ideal material to create extensions from other countertops for tables and bar stools.
A Contrast Between Light and Dark
Pale wood countertops are a beautiful way to bring contrast and warm texture to a dark and minimal kitchen.
