Wood is a classic choice of material for countertops. And with the rise of exquisite quartz, beautiful natural stone, and affordable laminate, you would expect it to be overshadowed by now.
Yet, the wooden countertop has proven timeless and stays afloat due to its natural and authentic visual appeal, along with the fact that it elevates a home’s resale value and is easily refinished when scuffed and dingy.
Also, wood aesthetically blends with stainless steel, ceramic, glass, and a myriad of other surfaces. It also minimizes kitchen sounds by absorbing the rattling and whirring noises of utensils and appliances.
But what is the best wood for countertops? The best wood for countertops is strong, durable, and resistant to warping, scratches, dents, and rot. Hard maple is arguably the best, as it was the original choice for butcher’s blocks.
However, today’s countertops rarely encounter the wrath of meat cleavers, opening up opportunities for many other wood choices. Hop on as we explore the 9 best woods for countertops.
Choosing Wood For Countertops – What To Consider
When making a decision on the type of wood for your countertop, the following factors should impact your choice.
1. Price
Wood for countertops is often sold in square feet. The price per square foot for some wood species is higher than others primarily due to strength, availability, beauty, or popularity.
Even subtle differences in the price per square foot between two wood species may result in a massive variance in the total cost. Therefore, you must factor in how much wood is needed for the entire countertop when comparing prices.
There are also future costs for keeping the countertop looking pristine and fresh. Some woods are high maintenance, and others are low maintenance.
2. Density
Another critical factor to consider is the density of the wood. The density of wood implies its hardness level, which impacts durability and determines the application.
Hardwoods are typically the go-to timber for countertops. Cheaper softwood options are available too. Just don’t expect them to hold up very long.
Durability is not the same across the different wood species. In addition, some countertops experience more abuse than others, so they are prone to wear out faster.
A butcher’s block or food prep area, for example, requires seriously solid and durable wood like most hardwoods. But you can get away with low-density wood for light-use countertops like a minibar, a decorative centerpiece, or a storage island.
3. Aesthetic
We can agree that colors and grain patterns are purely personal tastes. Whether you want to go with dark or light hues, straight or dramatic grains, it is really up to you.
Notwithstanding, you must consider how the wood color compliments the shades of surrounding surfaces such as cabinets and walls. Also, wood color sets the tone.
The best thing about wood is that it can actually be stained to your preferred tone. Not all woods take stains well though. You must also beware of wood types that darken over time or take up completely new colors.
Light hues are room brighteners, and dark ones absorb light, while amber and red tones evoke warmth. Some wood species are also excellent for a rustic appearance, and others are best suited for a contemporary look.
9 Best Woods For Countertops
There are hundreds, if not thousands, of wood species in existence. And you are at liberty to use any wood species you like for your countertops.
But it would be prudent to aim for only the best because this is too huge an investment to regret or have to replace.
Luckily, we have already done the homework and narrowed them down for you. Without further ado, here are the 9 best woods for countertops.
1. Hard Maple
Hard maple is one of the best woods you can use for your kitchen countertops. It is just as loved today as it was traditionally due to its durable and robust profile.
This wood is tough and resistant to scratching and dents, making it ideal for countertops that face high stress, such as the butcher’s block countertop.
The straight-grained wood is perfect for a simple yet chic style. It has an even, glassy texture and light hue, which opens up the kitchen in a light and airy way.
The color also allows the countertop to blend effortlessly with everything around it. Hard maple is affordably priced and accessible to all budgets.
You can find hard maple for a great price on Amazon.
2. Walnut
Next on the popularity list is walnut. It is an attractive wood in honey, chocolatey brown, or black tone. It is as tough as it is beautiful and makes hard-wearing countertops.
The black walnut, in particular, is a common choice for such projects. Walnut is an expensive wood due to size limitations and a slow growth rate. It costs more than cherry and even oak.
3. Oak
Among high ranking woods in the hardness scale is oak. It is very resilient, resistant to warping, and thus perfect for a rugged countertop.
It has a distinct and prominent straight grain pattern. And as for color, you have an option between the white oak which is cream-colored, and the red oak, which is slightly red-brown.
The former is more durable though. Both types of oak are abundant, so you won’t have to worry about supply. The price range is moderate and much lower for red oak.
4. Cherry
Cherry is America’s sweetheart when it comes to wood. It is highly favored for being versatile, strong, and, most importantly, attractive.
A member of the hardwood family, cherry is very strong, durable, and works great for kitchen countertops. However, it lies lower on the Janka hardness scale than the other hardwoods mentioned here.
Cherry is delightful to look at and is a blonde color with hints of red. It best compliments dark surfaces around the room, such as black cabinets.
But the best part is that it ages like fine wine, getting darker and more beautiful with the passing of time. For this reason, Cherry, despite its ubiquity, is not a cheap wood and is relatively expensive.
5. Teak
Teak is a top hardwood known for its incredible strength. It is also an exotic beauty with a warm color.
As the source of teak oil, this wood is naturally oily and therefore has excellent water repellent properties. It is resistant to weathering and fungi as well.
Combine all that with its low porosity, and you have the perfect wood for a kitchen or bathroom countertop that lasts a lifetime. But with such great value comes a matching price tag. Teak is a costly wood species.
6. Mahogany
Mahogany is a fine wood and, as a result, comes with a high price tag. Its stunning reddish-brown tone is associated with elegance and sophistication.
It is durable but not the most robust wood out there. If the goal is a butcher’s block for high-stress usage, you are better off with a more dense species.
Still, it is a trendy wood option for high-end countertops reserved for luxury bistros and bars. In homes, mahogany makes decorative kitchen islands to show off proudly.
The prices for mahogany are within the high range but not prohibitively expensive.
7. Bamboo
Bamboo is commonly used as wood for cabinets, furniture, and kitchen countertops. Surprisingly, it is superior in strength to some hardwoods like maple when it is, in fact, not wood but a type of grass.
It is a renewable species compared to wood trees due to its rapid growth rate, thus it is also sustainable. If you are looking for eco-friendly options, you’ll love bamboo.
The super-strength of bamboo has seen it the preferred ‘wood’ for cutting boards. It is just as great for kitchen countertops intended to be food prep areas.
Bamboo is a light caramel color that amplifies light and will open up the kitchen.
8. Wenge
You might also consider Wenge, an imported wood from Central parts of Africa. It is very similar to teak, adopting the name African teak.
Wenge is exceptionally dense hardwood. You can throw anything at it. It is very stable and holds up to everyday abuse from kitchen activities such as knife scratches and food spills.
The wood is a rich dark tone, a deep brown with fine, tightly-spaced black strips and a straight grain. Wenge is one of the best woods for longevity, but scarcity is a concern and causes inflated prices.
9. Birch
Birch wood is closely related to oak. It is identifiable by its white or yellow color with a straight grain pattern similar to maple. It is not necessarily exquisite but takes stains easily and well enough to mimic high-end woods like mahogany.
What makes birch excellent for countertops is its stability and strong resilience against pressure and sharp objects. However, it is prone to decay, needing sealing and regular refinishing. If you are on a tight budget, birch wood is a low-cost solution.
Hopefully, we’ve made your decision much easier to make with our list of the best woods for countertops. With regular and proper maintenance, any one of them will make a durable asset for your business or be the envy of your family and friends.
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