Wood countertops look fantastic in any type of kitchen. It lends a warm feel to the kitchen and brings nature into an otherwise synthetic space if you live in a typical condo unit, apartment, or home. Back in the day, many homes had them in their kitchens.
Among its advantages is it is environmentally friendly if you get your wood from renewable sources because it is biodegradable. It is also quite beautiful, and looks even better as it ages. However, there are many reasons why wood countertops are more the exception than the rule, with many homeowners and interior designers preferring granite, marble, or quartz countertops in their stead. Below are the top reasons wood countertops are a bad idea for some homes.
Limited options
Wood is as wood does, but not all wood species do well for countertops. The best ones are the hardwoods that can take a lot of use, such as oak, teak, Brazilian cherry, walnut, and maple. There are only a few sources of sustainable wood in these species, so they are not easy to come by. In addition, wood species have a limited range of natural colors. They are easy enough to paint the required color, but that would cover up the natural beauty of the wood, and paint may not be the best finishing option for a countertop. Finally, certain wood species work better for some uses than others do, so you need to decide what you will use them for before choosing a particular wood species.
High maintenance
Countertops take a lot of use and abuse, which can be a problem with an organic material such as wood. Warping, cracking, splitting, discoloring, and burning are common problems with wood countertops. You can prevent or at least minimize these issues with the right type of care and maintenance, such as periodic sanding and sealing, but it usually takes more time and effort than many homeowners are willing or able to spend.
Moisture problems
A common problem with wood countertops is the presence of water. Wood is very porous, so it will react to the presence of water in a variety of ways. Water seepage can lead to swelling, splitting, and even wood rot. You can protect your wood counters by laying down a protective coating. If you are using it as a butcher block, you should use only mineral oil to make it water-resistant as urethane and lacquer finishes are not food safe.
The problem with mineral oil is it must be reapplied once a month at least, depending on use. You can avoid this by using your butcher block as a work surface rather than as a cutting board, which rather defeats the purpose. If you want a moisture-proof material that can double as a cutting board, go for granite or quartz.
The sink can also be a problem for wood countertops, as there is constant exposure to water. Without the proper protection, the wood surrounding the sink will warp, split, or blacken.
Staining
Wood is porous, as mentioned earlier, so staining is a real problem. It will easily stain from any type of liquid, and if left long enough, the stain can go quite deep. The best way to keep stains from becoming a real problem is to keep the surface dry and mop up any liquid as soon as possible. In most cases, you can sand surface stains out quite easily before applying a fresh coat of protective sealant.
Poor construction
Many wood countertop suppliers use finger joints to form the surface because it is the most cost-effective type of joinery. However, finger joints do not last very long compared to full-length wood strips, and cutting into them to accommodate fixtures or a sink can expose the joints. You can hide these unsightly edges by using a surface mount instead of undermount sink, but the fact remains that finger joints are not ideal for kitchen countertop use.
Shipping
Wood is much more delicate than other types of countertop materials, and shipping them safely can be a challenge. Some suppliers ship the wood in sturdy crates to avoid damaging them during handling and stacking. However, in most cases suppliers ship the wood in cardboard boxes that may result in serious damage to the wood during shipping.
Cost
The cost for purchasing and installing wood countertops are about the same as natural stone or quartz countertops. Considering the drawbacks of having wood countertops, it makes little practical sense to choose them over options that are more durable and lower maintenance.
Conclusion
Wood countertops are a bad idea because the modern lifestyle cannot accommodate the care and maintenance they require. It is better to choose a more durable and versatile material such as granite or quartz stone, which is just as beautiful in its own way as wood countertops. If you are looking for a reliable contractor that will help you choose and install your granite countertops, then you need to talk to us. Keystone Marble and Granite is your best bet in the areas of Columbus, Ohio, Delaware cities, Lancaster and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
We have showrooms in Lancaster and Horsham, Pennsylvania as well as New Castle, Delaware and Columbus, Ohio. We will walk you through each slab and explain how each can benefit you in your kitchen remodel. If you want a manmade stone that will last a long time, we also carry the top brands of engineered stones in the industry such as Cambria, Caesarstone, Silestone, and MSI, all with manufacturer warranties.
Once you have chosen your slabs, we provide free professional design consultation and quotes so you know exactly where you are before committing. We also have a quick turnaround, so you will get your products on time and on budget.
We are experts at fabricating and installing engineered stone and granite countertops, so you can be confident that you will get the very best in product and service quality. Give us a call or send us an inquiry through our website to set the ball rolling!