Custom Butcher Block Countertops & Island Tops By John Boos & Co.

John Boos is the Top-Selling Butcher Block Brand Worldwide

Boos & Co. made the very first butcher block more than a century ago - way back in 1887. Today, when people think of butcher blocks they typically think of “Boos Blocks.” If you're searching for a recognized and trusted brand name, John Boos is it. Boos & Co. makes countertops for residential, commercial and industrial applications; for kitchens and dining rooms; offices and retail stores; workbenches and manufacturing plants.

Choose One of Four Species for Your John Boos Custom Wood Counter or Island Top

John Boos specializes in North American hardwood: Rock Maple, Black Walnut, American Cherry and Appalachian Red Oak. The company sources the wood it uses only from forests that are managed in a sustainable fashion so that we may meet today's demands while ensuring adequate natural resources are available for future generations. Hard Rock Maple – the hardest of the four woods - is the most popular. Maple's neutral color scheme is another advantage; its light tans and browns complement almost any kitchen’s décor. Walnut is steadily gaining ground on Maple, despite its priciness, due to its appealing mix of tans, creams and browns that range from medium to dark chocolate. American Cherry features pink to reddish-brown hues with pale yellowish streaks. It starts out a bit pale or pinkish, but patinas (darkens) over time. Red Oak shows off bolder shades of brown than does Maple, plus touches of gold, pink and amber. Sometimes, radiating silver streaks called "medullary rays" appear in oak countertops where the tree's growth rings are roughly perpendicular to the face of the board.

Boos Custom Countertops Come in Edge, End and Blended Grain Styles

In edge-grain butcher blocks, wood rails 1-3/4 inches wide run parallel to one another. Each rail spans the full length of the block.

Blended-style blocks are a variation of edge-grain blocks. That's why this construction style is sometimes referred to as finger-jointed edge-grain. In blended blocks, two or more wood pieces are finger-jointed together to span each stripe of the block (except for the outermost rails, which will are always full-length).

End-grain blocks display the classic checkerboard pattern that most people associate with the very term, "butcher block." The surface of the block displays the fibrous, 1-3/4"-square, sawed ends of wood rails, including each piece's unique grain patterns. End-grain blocks are recommended for heavy-duty use.

Boos makes their famous custom countertops in a number of different edge styles. Their default edge type is slightly eased, meaning the top of each edge is sanded very lightly. Radius edges sport rounded tops where the curve marks out a one-quarter-inch radius. Bevel or Beveled edges are shaved flat, so that each of the two internal angles comprising the turn is 145 degrees. In a Bullnose edge, both the top and bottom of the edge is rounded. Both segments of the curve trace out arcs measuring ¾ of an inch. The fanciest edge style is Roman Ogee This edge style first drops straight down, then bows out (convex) then in (concave). Exact dimensions vary based on countertop thickness.