Maple is the predominant species used for butcher blocks because it is the proper hardness: it is more durable than softer woods yet isn’t as hard as some woods that would blunt the edges of knives. On the Janka Hardness Scale
Mohs scale of mineral hardness
The Mohs scale of mineral hardness is a qualitative ordinal scale that characterizes the scratch resistance of various minerals through the ability of a harder material to scratch a softer material. It was created in 1812 by the German geologist and mineralogist Friedrich Mohs and i…
How to make a maple butcher block?
- Begin by staining the top and sides of the butcher block with a bristle brush
- Wipe away any excess stain with a rag and allow the stain to dry for few hours
- When dry, sand the surface lightly to smooth and remove any blemishes
- Stain and sand the surface two to three times more to achieve the depth of color you like
Which Wood is harder maple or walnut?
Walnut is a softer wood than Maple. The benefit of this is that a knife will be much less likely to dull when using this wood, but there is a tradeoff since the softer wood is easier to scratch or dent. Its medium to large pores offer some resistance to bacteria and moisture but not as much as Maple.
What is the best butcher block material?
What is the best butcher block material? Butcher block could be made from almost any kind of timber. Maple is just one of the best as well as most preferred for butcher block counters because it’s hard as well as has a clear grain. Cherry and red oak offer abundant shade.
What is the best wood for butcher block countertops?
What is the Best Wood for a Butcher Block
- Maple Butcher Block Countertop Wood. Maple is a traditional choice of hardwood for butcher blocks, with fine grain and generally light colours.
- Oak Butcher Block Countertops. ...
- Bamboo Butcher Block Countertop Wood. ...
- Birch Butcher Block. ...
- Teak Butcher Block. ...
- Cherry Butcher Block Countertops. ...
- Hickory Butcher Block Countertops. ...
Is maple better than walnut for cutting board?
1. Maple. Both soft and hard maple make for excellent cutting surfaces. But hard maple (1,450 lbf on the Janka hardness scale) is the industry standard among cutting board makers: It's more scratch- and impact-resistant than beech, teak, or walnut but not so hard that it will dull your knives.
What is the best wood for a butchers block?
Butcher block can be made from nearly any wood. Maple is one of the best and most popular for butcher block counters because it's hard and has a clear grain. Cherry and red oak offer rich color.
Is maple or walnut stronger?
John Boos & Co. As you can see in the accompanying graph, rock maple is the hardest of these four hardwoods - about 15% harder than red oak, which ranks second. Black walnut ranks third in hardness - about 20% below red oak. Cherry is another 5% or so softer than walnut.
Is walnut good for butcher block countertop?
Walnut Wood Works was an excellent choice for my butcher block island top for my kitchen remodel. Really exceeded our expectations! I would highly recommend Walnut Wood Works to anyone looking for a high quality custom wood creation! Choosing Walnut Wood Works for my Bar Top was the Best Decision I've made.
Is maple good for butcher block?
Because of its solid nature, Hard Maple is used for a variety of popular products including baseball bats, flooring, rolling pins and of course, butcher blocks and cutting boards. It's no coincidence that this harder wood species is referred to as “Sugar Maple”.
Is maple good for cutting boards?
Maple is the industry standard when it comes to wooden cutting boards — specifically hard maple or sugar maple wood. At 1,450 lbf on the Janka scale, it provides an excellent cutting surface that wears well against daily chopping but doesn't ruin a good cutting edge.
Is walnut cheaper than maple?
Because of this furniture made in walnut requires the purchase of more lumber than would be needed to make the piece in another wood. Since walnut is already more expensive than cherry, maple or oak this makes walnut furniture considerably more expensive.
Is walnut wood more expensive than maple?
Walnut vs Maple: Price It can range between 600 and 1,500 euros per m3. In the case of European walnut wood, the price is much higher, around 2,500 euros / m³ . Being one of the most used woods in the world, its price is usually cheap, compared to other woods. There are usually large maple forests .
Is walnut OK for a cutting board?
Similarly, walnut is another hardwood that's an excellent choice in the kitchen. Its dark color is one of its main appeals, and although it's softer than maple it will still hold up well over time. Walnut falls in the “just right” category of hardness that's perfect for both board and knife maintenance.
Is walnut good for a kitchen countertop?
Maple, Cherry, Hickory and Walnut make excellent and intriguing hard counter surfaces and will age wonderfully with proper care (which we will detail below).
Is Black Walnut good for butcher block countertops?
Do you love kitchen countertops that look solid and have robust natural wood color? A black walnut countertop is perfect for your kitchen. Walnut works in every construction style, including butcher block.
How do you finish a butcher block walnut?
3:214:47European Walnut Butcher Block Countertops – Hardwood ReflectionsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can hardly see right here but they had joined. So so well and then just put a poly urethane. OnMoreYou can hardly see right here but they had joined. So so well and then just put a poly urethane. On all sides of this to keep it looking fantastic forever.
Which Wood Species Should You Choose: Walnut, Maple or Cherry?
Wood is the most versatile, natural material. It can be used for everything from construction to kitchen items. Whether you are building furniture or creating beautiful hand painted items, it is important to know how to pick the right type of wood.
Walnut
Walnut is one of the popular species of hardwood used. Its colour ranges from deep brown to purple, and typically it is clear-coated or oiled to bring out the rich colour.
Maple
Maple is one of the lighter coloured hardwoods. It is one of the hardest wood species out there and is known also for its moisture resistance. Due to its affordability and resilience, it’s perfect for items that are often used, like butcher blocks, kitchen cabinets or other kitchen utensils.
Cherry
Cherry wood can be identified by its reddish-brown to blond tone. Usually, it is used for warm and elegant looking pieces of furniture, carved chairs, tables, cabinets, butcher boards and more, because it can be easily shaped and polished well. It is more affordable than walnut but more costly than maple.
Where are maple cutting boards made?
They’re not only sourced from American forests in Virginia and Maine, but they’re also hand carved in Atlanta, Georgia. Maple and walnut cutting boards are also hardwood, meaning they’re perfect for kitchen use and totally food safe.
Is maple better than walnut?
Maple has some nice advantages. It’s generally cheaper than walnut for the same quality, and laser engraving shows up much better. The dark burns of the laser contrast with the light wood grain of the maple nicely. If you’ve got a bold statement to say, get a maple!
How many different types of wood are there for butcher block?
With 15 different species of wood to choose from for your butcher block, you might feel a bit overwhelmed by so many great-looking options. The purpose of this article is to help you filter your options using two important criteria: the wood hardness and the aesthetics of each wood species.
What is the most neutral wood?
Most Neutral – Poplar and Birch. So for instance, if you are seeking a wood that’s harder than most AND visually interesting but not overpowering, you might want to consider one among the quartet of Beech, Ash, White Oak and Maple.
Which is harder, Brazilian cherry or poplar?
First, note that based on Janka scores, Brazilian Cherry is about FIVE times more resilient than Poplar. Hardest – As you can see, Brazilian Cherry is far and away the hardest of the wood types we use at BBC. It earns a Janka hardness rating in excess of 2500 pounds-force.
Where is maple found?
About 70-80 species of maple are found in Asia and the rest of the species are found in Europe, Northern Africa, and North America.
What is walnut used for?
Walnut is famous for its light brown to a dark chocolate color. It is mainly used to make quality furniture, flooring, gunstocks, carvings, etc.
How long does walnut wood last outside?
Although it is durable, there is a possibility of insect attacks. Walnut wood can last only for about 2 to 4 weeks in the external environment. Ipe and other hardwoods are very good options for outdoor use.
Where are walnuts native to?
Seeds are referred to as walnuts. Nuts are most commonly used as food. It is native to North and South America, southern Europe, Asia, and the West Indies. There are about 21 species of walnut. The properties of these species are almost the same.
Is maple hard or soft?
Some species of maple come in the hard maple category. The density and weight of this type of species are high so that it may be difficult in machine work. Maple has a tendency to burn and heat when being machined with high-speed cutters. Otherwise, it Turns, glues, and finishes well.
Is maple wood durable?
Maple wood looks great, strong, stable, and Durable. However, these properties are found differently in different species of maple. It is widely used to make quality furniture, flooring, cabinetry, kitchen platform, Pulpwood, craft, and more.
Can you stain walnut wood?
The color of walnut wood is slightly darker. Its color varies from light brown to dark brown. It can be stained. But most people do not like to stain. Because walnut wood has a natural dark color.
Which is harder, rock maple or red oak?
As you can see in the accompanying graph, rock maple is the hardest of these four hardwoods - about 15% harder than red oak, which ranks second.
What is the difference between maple and red oak?
The grain found in Red Oak tends to be straight.
What is the color of maple?
Each Hardwood Species Has Its Own Unique Coloration and Grain Pattern. Hard Maple or Rock Maple (Acer saccharum) is lightest and palest in coloration among the four hardwoods. Its sapwood (outer growth rings) tends to range from off-white to cream, sometimes with a golden hue; while its heartwood ...
What is the darkest wood?
Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) is the darkest of the hardwoods. It typically features a rich brown coloration. Its sapwood can be a pale yellowish gray or very nearly white. Starkly different is walnut’s heartwood, which can be a light or pale brown or a chocolate brown interrupted with streaks in an even darker brown.
What are the characteristics of hardwood trees?
Four characteristics distinguish hardwood trees from others: they are deciduous; they produce a nut or a fruit; they go dormant during the cold season of the year; and they are noticeably harder and more durable than soft woods.
Is black walnut harder than cherry?
Black walnut ranks third in hardness - about 20% below red oak. Cherry is another 5% or so softer than walnut. Wood hardness is certainly something you’ll want to take into consideration as you make your species selection.
What wood is best for butcher block?
There is not a single “best wood for butcher block” because depending on your tastes and priorities certain types of hardwood will be better than others. For example, if price is a priority then cheaper woods from quick growing trees like birch can be preferable, whereas for the eco-conscious customer bamboo or reclaimed wood would be the top choice. If your main thing is fair trade, then look for woods that are guaranteed to come from managed forests and with respect to the local people working them, even if it involves higher costs. Or you may prefer to choose based on the colour of the rest of the kitchen, such as the cabinets and floors. A small kitchen would benefit from a lighter wood, whereas a very large one can go for elegant, darker hardwood countertops without looking opressive. Here is a small overview of some of the most common wood for a butcher block countertop.
What is a butcher block countertop?
Butcher block countertops can be made from a wide variety of wood types and grades (or finishings). All butcher block worktops are made in a similar way, cutting the wood to shape, sanding and buffing it, polishing and then sealing it before proceeding to install it. But the type and grade of the wood is what will give your butcher block ...
What is the difference between red oak and white oak?
because it fits great with colonial style homes, whereas white oak has a medium tone and fine grain that make for beautifully neutral butcher blocks. Oak butcher block countertops with white cabinets look understated and classic, for example.
What is end grain grade?
Finally, end grain grade uses smaller blocks of wood placed so the front of the wood (the bit that would go at the end of a board) forms the surface. As such it shows a lot of pattern with the knots and grow rings, and since the pieces are very small it’s very strong. However, it’s also the most expensive and the one with more room to get damaged by water being absorbed into the wood and expanding it.
Why do birch worktops have rings?
Birch worktops show off the rings caused by the quick growth of the tree. Fine-grained and pale, it has a satin-like sheen that will darken with age. It can be found at major retailers at relatively unexpensive prices.
What wood is best for a kitchen counter top?
If you are after a centerpiece for your kitchen, teak is one of the hardwoods better suited for a dramatic statement, particularly against solid coloured countertops. The wood is highly textured with light and dark brown grain.
What color is hickory wood?
Hickory has a warm, reddish tone once sealed that looks amazing. This is a very heavy and hard wood, and so very durable, with a lot of beautiful texture.
What color is oak butcher block?
Oak – You’ll find the heart of nature in every oak piece with its tan to light brown natural color and even true-grain flowing throughout the butcher block. Oak butcher block countertops provide a naturally neutral color that doesn’t take away from a room, only adds a greater warmth of colors.
What is the best wood for countertops?
Beech – Naturally straight-grained and lays evenly across the entire piece. The Beech choices accept and shine with almost all finishes and colors. It’s a Bob Vila favorite calling beech, “Undeniably good looking.” The pieces are dense and require patience when cutting or trimming to size. Beech is second to maple on the pro’s choice list for cutting board-ready countertops.
What is sapele wood?
Sapele – This hardwood pronounced “sap-el-ly” or “sap-eel-ly” is a beautiful addition to any room adding an elegant and attractive mahogany feature for much less. Sapille is naturally reddish in color with an attractive ribbon-like medium-width grain that flows from one piece to the next. Depending on how you position it, sapille can be an accent to other wood finishes or stand out as the centerpiece in the room.
What is the best wood for cutting board?
The pieces are dense and require patience when cutting or trimming to size. Beech is second to maple on the pro’s choice list for cutting board-ready countertops. Birch – Durable, most widely available, popular in all kitchen styles. Known for it’s straight and uniform grain and generally light-colored in nature.
What is European alder?
European Alder – This wood choice is a new trend for anyone interested in abundant and sustainable choice. This is generally straight-grained wood with some uniformed creativity in the knotty pieces of its look but is softer than it’s wood twin, birch. Our customers use alder if they’re designing a rustic-modern atmosphere in the room.
How many wood species are there in hardwood reflections?
Hardwood Reflections offers 8 wood species choices from 4’ to 10’ lengths to make your DIY Project happen! Unless listed, our product is unfinished so you will be able to choose the mineral oil, stain or lacquer to fulfill your home design.
Is walnut a straight grain?
Because of that its one of the most admired and sought after hardwoods on the planet. European Walnut commonly referred to as Italian or English Walnut has been harvested for centuries as a precious and functional straight grain wood. When installed it makes any room glow with elegance.
What is butcher block?
Butcher block is an affordable countertop material known for its functionality and warmth. Maintain them regularly and butcher block countertops will age gracefully. Because of this, butcher block is a popular choice for kitchen remodels as the material is durable, versatile, and can double as both a chopping surface and a serving table. ...
What wood is best for a countertop?
Beech – This straight-grained wood is known for its ability to to shine with almost every finish and color. A great option if you’re looking to use your countertop as a cutting board, Beech wood is dense and lays evenly across the entire piece.
What is Sapele wood?
Sapele – This hardwood is naturally reddish in color. This is a great affordable option if you’re looking to add color and warmth to your kitchen.
What is the best wood for kitchen lighting?
It’s important to consider the natural lighting in your kitchen, whether you gravitate towards warmer or cooler tones, and whether or not you want to bring any additional light into the room. Birch – One of the most popular options for kitchen styles, birch wood is known for its uniform grain and lighter colors.
What wood is used for cutting boards?
Maple – This wood is typically chosen for its functionality when it comes to being used as a cutting board. However, with the appropriate stain, maple can mimic the look of cherry or mahogany if you’re looking to match with your kitchen cabinets.
What wood is best for solid color cabinets?
Ash – Ash is a great choice if you’re working with solid colored cabinets. Known for it’s wavy grain and variations in color throughout, this wood is also easy to mix and match at the seams.
Can you match wood to other materials?
Matching Your Wood to Other Materials in Your Kitchen. You can choose to match or compliment any other materials in your kitchen when deciding on a wood to use for your countertop. Mixing and matching different materials can create visual interest when done in moderation.