What defines the best countertop? Well, it is not just about a horizontal surface, but a lot of factors go in. A countertop should have a purpose that is kept in mind while looking for the best material for it. Wooden countertops are undisputed in both aesthetics and durability.
In today’s session, I’ll be taking you on a tour of the best wood for a countertop for this year. My goal is to help you make the right choice by demystifying it. So, without further ado, let’s dive right into it!
Table of Contents
5 Best Types of Wood for Countertops
While looking for the best wood for your countertop, remember that not only the hardness of the wood is important but the grains as well. Keeping in mind these aspects, let me show you the best five kinds of wood that you can get for your countertop.
On the top, I would like to keep walnut that is also my first choice in top picks. This is because it is hard, resilient, heavy, and can resist warping as well.
Then comes the maple that is also very strong and especially recommended for butcher countertops. Other than that, we have cherry, oak, and bamboo. These woods also impart great strength alongside the good density and grain factor.
Things to Consider When Making a Countertop
Several factors go in while making a countertop. The very first factor that I think considerable is the purpose. Then comes the material part; you have to choose the right material for your countertop to achieve endless results. Then comes the aesthetic and beauty factors; you should choose the color and finishing according to the surrounding environment.
Afterward, you have to make sure about the texture and grains and choose according to the requirement and convenience.
Comparison Table of Top 11 Best Woods for Countertop
Image | Product | Special Feature | |
---|---|---|---|
John Boos WALKCT-BL7225-V (Overall Best) |
-Premium quality walnut wood -Blended Walnut -Varnique finish -Great aesthetics |
Check Price | |
Big Bison Blocks Premium | -NSF certified – Maple Wood -Good dimensions -Multiuse |
Check Price | |
John Boos CHYKCT-BL1825-O | -Good for small range kitchen purposes -Blended Cherry Wood -lightweight yet sturdy |
Check Price | |
Forever Joint Walnut Butcher | -Ideal dimensions for longer shelves – Walnut Butcher Block -premium quality walnut wood -highly durable |
Check Price | |
Workbench Top – Birch Butcher | -Sanding done for smooth surface Birch -Both for kitchen and butcher block purposes |
Check Price | |
Gladiator GAAC28HWGX | -Good quality hardwood -Hardwood Sturdy design -Good cutting size |
Check Price | |
Workbench Maple Butcher Block | -Strong maple for tough purposes -Maple -durable -Easy maintenance |
Check Price | |
Forever Joint Hard Maple Table Top | -Ideal coffee tabletop -Hardwood -great texture -Aesthetic design |
Check Price | |
Grizzly Industrial H9687 | -Good for cabinets -Maple wood -Good quality Maple wood -Medium dimensions |
Check Price | |
Winco WCB – 1830 | -Good brand -Hardwood -sturdy cutting board -premium hardwood |
Check Price | |
Ironwood Gourmet Double – Sided | -Ergonomic design -Acacia wood -Great texture -Multi-use |
Check Price |
Our 11 Picks of Best Wood for Countertops
After performing good research, I have reviewed the products from the comparison table. I have mentioned the features that differentiate these products and make them unique in their own kind. To grade the products, I have rated a set of features that should be considered in all the products. The scaling goes like A+ to C, where A+ defines the best while C defines the least. Let’s get into it!
1. John Boos WALKCT-BL7225-V Blended Walnut Countertop
Durability: A+
Range of Use: Medium
Ease of Maintenance: A+
Appearance: A+
Let’s get it on with John Boos WALKCT – V Blended Walnut Countertop that is my first choice and is quite up to the mark in its features. Here’s why!
Firstly, it is made up of walnut that is an amazing hardwood; it is resilient, resists warp, and almost shrink-proof. That makes it an ideal piece for a countertop.
Secondly, this deal gives a very spacious countertop that has amazing and ideal dimensions of 72 x 25 x 1.5 inches, and not only that; you get a unique varnique finish in this countertop that is semi-gloss finish and virtually maintenance-free. That makes it the best wood for kitchen countertops.
Thirdly, to make it eye-catching, they have constructed it with edge grain walnut wood with full-length exterior rails with finger-jointed interior rails to come up with unique color variations. This takes the beauty of your kitchen to a whole new level.
Finally, the countertop is maintenance-free, and with that being said, you don’t need tough cleaning procedures on it; instead, you can clean it with mild soap and water. You also do not need regular oiling for it.
One thing that I would like you to know is that this countertop is not a direct cutting surface, and that’s why you should not look for that feature in it. But as this wood is impervious to most of the household chemicals, that makes it ideal for a kitchen.
Highlighted Benefits
- Maintenance-free due to varnique finish
- Spacious owing to its great dimensions; 72 x 25 x 1.5 inches
- Great aesthetics due to different cut combinations of rails
- Highly durable owing to the high-quality walnut wood
Read Also:An Expert WoodCritic Reviews Wood for Kitchen Utensils
2. Big Bison Blocks Premium Kitchen Countertop
Durability: A+
Range of Use: High
Ease of Maintenance: A
Appearance: A
Big Bison Blocks Premium Kitchen Countertop is my follow-up product. It has a lot of unique features which justify its second place on my list.
First off, this countertop comes in good dimensions, especially the thickness, which is 1.5 inches to make it stable and warp-resistant at the same time.
Secondly, it is a solid maple butcher block of premium quality grade A maple. To ensure high quality, this countertop is made using full-length staves and an amazing edge-grain cut. These aspects make this the best wood for the butcher block countertop.
Also, to add more delight to it, I would like you to know that this butcher block is made using 100% responsibly harvested North-American hard rock maple.
To top this off, the ultimate mineral oil and wax-based finish on this countertop make it a certified countertop for food contact.
Thus, the good news is that you can directly cut and chop your vegetables/meat on this countertop. Now, you do not have to worry about the food grade aspect as it is NSF certified countertop.
The last thing that I want to add is that this countertop is a light-colored product, and that depends on your taste. If you want light color for your kitchen, table, or other applications, as it has a wide range of purposes, then definitely go for it.
Highlighted Benefits
- Premium quality maple wood as it is graded A maple
- Certified food grade countertop
- Widely useable owing to its strength and compatibility
- The higher thickness makes it more stable
3. John Boos CHYKCT-BL1825-O Blended Cherry Countertop
Durability: B+
Range of Use: Medium
Ease of Maintenance: B+
Appearance: A+
Now comes the John Boos CHYKCT Blended Cherry Countertop. This is a small-sized countertop as the length is only 18” and thus, it highly depends on your need. Though there are other sizes as well that you can get on-demand.
First off, let me tell you that cherry is a moderately durable and moderately shock-resistant wood. But by blending it in the right way, you can use it as the best choice for countertops.
Secondly, due to the food-safe oil used over its surface, it allows you to do cutting and chopping on it directly. Thus, the need for a wooden kitchen top can also be fulfilled using this countertop.
Moreover, to impart great strength and make it an ideal butcher block at the same time, the exterior rails are of full length, while for aesthetics, interior rails are made finger-jointed.
Lastly, when it comes to its maintenance, the periodic application of John Boos Mystery Oil can help in preserving its durability and beauty.
Highlighted Benefits
- Good range of use
- It can be used as a butcher block and a kitchen countertop at the same time
- High-quality design owing to the great idea of assembling rails
- Fairly easy maintenance
4. Forever Joint Walnut Butcher Block Wood Countertop
Durability: A
Range of Use: High
Ease of Maintenance: A
Appearance: A
If you are looking for some very spacious countertops, then Forever Joint addresses your demands. Providing to you a very high-quality walnut countertop made by top-quality walnut strips takes the beauty of countertops to another level.
They also provide custom cut sizes, so no need to worry if you need other dimensions in this material.
When people ask, what is the best wood for kitchen countertops? I mostly recommend them walnut as it has almost all the features of a good countertop wood in the high and medium range of qualities.
Now, look at this very beautiful product; it is simply aesthetic and wildly durable. Thus, fulfilling your demands.
To top that off, let me mention the deep details as well. This countertop comes sanded using 120 grit for extra smooth texture, the edges are good, and afterward ready to use with an oil-based sealer.
Finally, you get a 100% pure and solid walnut countertop/butcherblock in a single product that is made from extremely fine quality wood.
But, one thing that you should be aware of is the price; that is quite high. If you can afford it, buy it. Otherwise, don’t feel bad as there is a lot more. So, keep reading!
Highlighted Benefits
- Premium quality wood owing to steamed black walnut
- Smooth finish due to good sanding
- Highly multi-purpose
- Custom sizes available
Recommended Reading: Wood for Table Top (An Expert Woodcritic reviews)
5. Workbench Top – Birch Butcher Block
Durability: B+
Range of Use: Medium
Ease of Maintenance: B+
Appearance: B+
Whenever you need birchwood for your countertop/butcherblock, get it from Forest Products-Distributors because you are never going to regret that. Here’s why!
Firstly, they give you this high-quality birch wood with a fair enough thickness to resist vibrations and warp at the same time.
Secondly, this countertop is kiln-dried to remove all the unnecessary moisture out of it and then glued electronically to make it durable and sustainable.
This is why I like this product and feel like sharing it with you. The curing process is also done up to the mark on it, while a good deal of sanding makes it ultra-smooth on the surface.
Lastly, the dimensions that you get in this product are mid-range and ideal for a multipurpose countertop. Also, as you might know, that birch wood is a heavy wood that is strong and hard at the same time.
This wood also holds a good crushing strength, and the shock resistance that you get in this wood is impeccable.
All the features that I mentioned above make it the best wood for the butcher block countertop and, at the same time, the best wood for the kitchen countertop.
Highlighted Benefits
- Its the high-quality birch wood
- This wood has a good crushing power so nothing slips here
6. Gladiator GAAC28HWGX Hardwood Work Top
Durability: A
Range of Use: Low
Ease of Maintenance: B+
Appearance: A
Next on this list is the Gladiator GAAC28HWGX hardwood worktop. If you need a regular-sized countertop of length 28”, then this is your piece. Surprisingly lower at a price, this worktop goes best with gearboxes and gear drawers and enhances their beauty.
Firstly, let me tell you more about the purpose of this countertop. When you go for a worktop with a length of fewer than 3 feet, it ultimately reduces the work scope of that board.
But staying within the range of uses, you can do a lot more exciting stuff using this worktop. Supposedly, you need a countertop for household repairs, where you don’t need that much space, this product is the right choice there.
Moreover, owing to the good strength of this hardwood, you can use this worktop for woodwork purposes as well.
Thus, staying within limits, you can have a lot many ideas. Hopefully, you’d already have a purpose in mind. If your purpose demands it, then I must say, go for it.
But, keep in mind that don’t buy it specifically for kitchen cutting board as it is not that smooth to serve the purpose. Always stay specific when it comes to countertops.
Highlighted Benefits
- Good for gearboxes and gear drawers
- Hardwood makes it sturdy and durable
- Very good price
- The appearance is quite remarkable due to the good finish
You can Read About:Best Quality Wood for Carving Spoons
7. Workbench Top – Maple Butcher Block
Durability: A
Range of Use: High
Ease of Maintenance: B+
Appearance: B
If you are looking for a good and durable Maplewood countertop, then try this Global Industrial Workbench Top that is made up of a very good quality maple and is among the best butcher block countertops.
The first that I like about this countertop is that the extra-ordinary material and good dimensions make it an all-purpose countertop. You can either use it in your kitchen for a wooden kitchen top, or you can use it as a butcherblock. Also, if you need it in your garage or workshop, it is good to go.
You might be wondering what makes it an all-purpose top. The answer is simple; this countertop is kiln dried, electronically glued for good strength, after that cured by a good procedure, and finally sanded for a good deal of smoothness.
Moreover, for making it ready-to-use, it is finished with a penetrating mineral-oil protectant in the end. And keep in mind, if you buy it, you must oil the surface every two weeks for sustainability and durability.
Highlighted Benefits
- All-purpose workbench top owing to the strength and texture
- Highly durable due to good-quality maple
- Ideal for a butcher block
8. Forever Joint Hard Maple Coffee Table Top
Durability: A
Range of Use: Medium
Ease of Maintenance: A
Appearance: A
Now comes the Forever Joint Hard Maple Coffee Table Top that is no doubt an ideal choice for a coffee tabletop.
But hold on, as it is highly durable and strong, it can serve the purpose of the best wood for butcher block as well. But for that, you have to look into the dimensions as well because this countertop gives you a length of 38 inches.
Don’t be sad, because the custom-size option has got you covered in this. You can get a length up to 96 inches in this product.
Owing to the strength and appearance, you can either use it to prepare food (food-friendly), or you can use it to make a table. So, the choice is yours.
Also, there is no doubt in this as well because the color of this table is ideal to use anywhere. The finger-joint makes the bonding extremely tight, and to keep the appearance good, there is no putty or filler on top as well.
Finally, once you have it, you can seal or install it readily by using an oil-based product of your choice. Before moving forward, I would like to add that this product has an extremely good user response that justifies its credibility as well. So, you should consider it as an option!
Highlighted Benefits
- High-quality finish with a good sanding
- Ideal maple coffee countertop/tabletop owing to the features
- Finger joint enhances the strength
- Highly durable owing to the material quality
Woodcritic Recommended:Wood for Butcher Block Materials for home use.
9. Grizzly Industrial H9687 – Solid Maple Cabinet Top
Durability: A
Range of Use: Low
Ease of Maintenance: B+
Appearance: A
Next up, the Grizzly Industrial H9687 solid maple cabinet top that is a pretty solid choice for you if you need a good cabinet top.
Its most notable feature is the satin-smooth appearance with a low sheen or, you can say, semi-gloss that makes it look quite natural. The finger joints and the color combination make you fall in love with it.
The very next noticeable aspect about this product is the dimensions that are not too large nor small, thus making it ideal to use as a cabinet top.
To top that off, these countertops are coated with a food safety durakryl finish that allows you to use them in your kitchens for a good outcome. Thus, you can also find a good wooden kitchen top in it.
Adding more to it, the maintenance is quite easy, and thus, you can clean it using the usual mild soap and water bleach. Hence, you get an all-around normal-sized product at a fairly good price.
Highlighted Benefits
- Owing to the strength, it is ideal for cabinet top
- Good quality construction makes it durable
- No visible putty
- Food safety assured
10 Winco WCB – 1830 Wooden Cutting Board
Durability: A
Range of Use: Low
Ease of Maintenance: B+
Appearance: B
Winco is the brand that everyone knows who knows about wooden tops. Because Winco delivers products of choice.
If you are in pursuit of a good quality cutting board made of hardwood, then this is the right product for you.
It is made up of the most durable hardwood to serve you endlessly. People use it and define it as a reliable product.
If you ask for the range of use of this product, then remember that it is specifically designed as a cutting board. Thus, it allows all kinds of cutting jobs on it, and you get satisfactory results in the end.
Moreover, the 1.75inches thickness makes it quite remarkable instability and vibration resistance. The appearance is also fair enough as the grain structure is quite visible, and you can see the beauty of that texture while cutting.
Lastly, this cutting board where imparts good strength; it is also easy to maintain and keep clean like all the commonly used procedures. So, if you like it, get it!
Highlighted Benefits
- Ideal cutting board owing to the hardwood
- Durable due to good material
- Stable and vibration resistant
11. Ironwood Gourmet Double – Sided Countertop
Durability: A
Range of Use: Low
Ease of Maintenance: A
Appearance: A+
Last but not least, the Ironwood Gourmet Double-Sided countertop is the ideal small-sized, efficient, and unique countertop.
The first thing that I love about this countertop is its being double-sided. This feature makes it a lot efficient to have two jobs out of a single countertop. Thus, it is an ideal wooden kitchen top.
With one side, you can prepare the dough, while with another one, you can cut vegetables, carve meat, and chop things. Thus, its food-friendly surface is all that one needs.
The second thing that made me fall in love with this is the beauty of acacia wood that provides the ultimate grain structure and enhances the beauty of your countertop. It also takes the experience of working on a countertop to another level.
Moreover, the sturdy construction of this countertop makes it last for longer and provide endless satisfaction to you.
What else could you ask for?
Lastly, when it comes to its maintenance, it is also quite easy as you can wash it with warm soapy water and dry it to retain its appearance.
Highlighted Benefits
- Immensely beautiful outlook
- Two-in-one (meat & dough)
- Easy maintenance like usual methods
- Good quality acacia wood is used in it to make it durable
Recommended Products:Bowl Carving Wood reviews.
What to Look for When Buying the Best Wood for a Countertop
Choosing the right countertop is pretty important, and that is the reason; this part is dedicated to what to look for and how to go when buying the best wood for a countertop. Giving importance to these aspects will make you opt for the best indeed! Let’s dive right into it!
Wood type
First off, you have to keep in mind that hardwood is what goes in countertops, and among all the hardwoods, you have to opt for the one that is well-suited to the purpose. Some hardwoods are average in wooden properties, while others are superior. But you should choose according to the purpose.
Dimensions
Whether you need wood for your shelf, a cabinet top, or a cutting board, the choice of dimensions varies from purpose to purpose. Thus, you should be certain about it and go for a custom cut accordingly. If a pre-cut is available according to the demand, that would be awesome.
Grains & Texture
Mostly wooden tops are opted to have a good strength and remarkable aesthetics imparted by the grains. Moreover, for tough jobs like that of a butcher block, the grain density is important. Thus, you should look for these aspects to come up with something adorable and classy.
Finishing
If you are buying a countertop to prepare food on it, then make sure the food-friendly finishing is already done on it. Otherwise, resins and chemicals can create trouble.
Durability
You always need a durable countertop to last for longer and impart strength. Thus, never compromise this factor. But how would you come to know that a wooden countertop is durable? It simply lies in the material and the construction process. If you have already gone through my reviews, you would certainly know what I am talking about.
Range of Use
A good countertop is what comes in a good range of usability. This trait lies in the strength and characteristics of the wood. This is always a plus point, and you don’t have to follow it strictly; instead, you can have it by choice.
Frequently Asked Questions Related to Wood for Countertop
I have added some frequently asked questions to demystify it further.
1. What is an ideal wood for a countertop?
Ideal woods for a countertop include walnut, maple, and bamboo. There are many other good kinds of wood as well, like oak, cherry, and Birchwood.
2. What wood goes best for butcher block?
Usually, good grade walnut/maple with sticks bonded strongly makes an ideal butcher block. The thickness is also important in this.
3. What countertops are the easiest to maintain?
Quartz countertops that are made of stone/refractory materials are the easiest to clean. You can either wash them, rub them hard, and wipe them easily.
4. What is the best countertop for your money?
Usually, countertops made of refractory material come at a good price, but wooden countertops are also the best for the money owing to the beauty and strength.
5. What to consider when buying a countertop?
First, look for the best wood suiting the purpose and then look for the durability, maintenance, compatibility, and design.
Read more about: Woodcritic Suggested Wood for Dremel Carving
6. What is the best quality laminate countertop?
Wilsonart HD and Formica 180X are some great choices for the best quality laminate countertops.
7. What is a finger joint in countertops?
A finger joint usually made in the interior of the countertop by wooden sticks imparts great strength and an unbreakable bond. Mostly, the countertops that I mentioned have this feature in them that imparts great strength and durability.
8. Is a food-friendly factor important in countertops?
Yes, especially when you are using the countertop in the kitchen for cutting and chopping purposes directly. There are food-friendly finishes that make it easy to use the countertops for food jobs directly.
9. How to maintain a countertop?
It mostly depends on the countertop, but the general method is to use soap/soapy water along with bleach water or simple water for cleaning purposes. Warm water is preferred because the cleaning becomes a lot easier with it. After cleaning properly, dry it up, and it is ready to use again.
10. What makes a countertop warp-resistant?
The thickness is what goes into this. You need a countertop with greater thickness, like above 1.5 inches, for this. Also, if the wood is denser, that will also play a role in it. Combining, find a good quality hardwood with a good thickness, and as a result, you will obtain a warp-resistant countertop.
Wrapping Up
Finding the best wood for your countertop is never easy, especially when you are a beginner and don’t know much about the product. I have tried to ease it down for you by covering almost all the aspects. Rest is up to you. I recommend you always settle for what seems comfortable to you. This will help you make the right choice as well.
If you liked our products, then don’t forget to share your worthy feedback in the comment section. Have a good day!
Leave a Reply