Custom Countertops by John Boos and Butcher Block Co.

• John Boos is the leading name in butcher blocks
• Maple, walnut, cherry or oak
• Edge, end or blended-grain style
• Residential, commercial or industrial-grade
• Custom cuts and sink & stove cutouts

John Boos & Co. made their very first butcher blocks in 1887 and remains the worldwide market leader to this day. In their Central-Illinois wood plant Boos makes an array of kitchen furniture and accessories, including custom counter and island tops in butcher block style. If you’re looking for a recognized brand-name, you’ll find none better than John Boos. They make residential counters in four different wood species: maple, walnut, cherry and oak; plus commercial and industrial-grade countertops in blended maple. All Boos wood counters come finished with either a coating of natural, food-safe oil or a varnish-like Varnique sealant.

• 15 wood species; 4 styles; 47 varieties in total 
• Edge-grain & end-grain butcher block, plus PLANK-style
• Up to 15 feet long, 7 feet wide, 4.5 in. thick
• Custom cuts and sink & stove cutouts
• Fast turnaround: tops ship in 2 to 3 weeks

Custom countertops from Butcher Block Co. are made of the finest materials and handcrafted to exacting standards by Amish craftsmen in the U.S. Midwest. BBCO. counters might be just the ticket if you’re interested in a less common wood species or look; if you need an extra-large size or a particular thickness; or if a tight timeline requires speedier delivery. BBCO. offers an extraordinary array of species and styles, including plank-style countertops. Plank countertops feature wider wood rails (3 to 6 inches wide) and deliver a distinctive, expansive look. Finish options include natural oil, conversion varnish and unfinished.

Boos Custom Countertops - In Maple, Walnut, Cherry & Oak

	Clockwise from upper left: Maple is the most popular choice, thanks to its superior hardness and neutral color palette. Red Oak features light to medium browns, with a reddish cast. Walnut is loved for its rich, dark coloration. Cherry tops start out pale-pinkish, but patinate over time.
Visit our Boos Photo Gallery.

BBCO. Island Tops & Countertops - In 15 Species of Wood 

	BBCO. also offers maple, red oak, walnut, and cherry, plus 11 other species and two quarter-sawn options (red and white oak). From upper left: Cherry, Ash, Beech, Birch, Brazilian Cherry...Hickory, Knotty Alder, Knotty Pine, Mahogany, Maple...Poplar, Red Oak, Spanish Cedar, Walnut and White Oak.
Visit our BBCO. Photo Gallery.

Boos Butcher Block Tops - Edge, End & Blended Grain Styles

Boos makes butcher block in edge-grain, end-grain and blended-grain styles. Edge-grain blocks are known for their clean and simple look. End-grain tops resemble checkerboards; their fiber-rich surfaces are suitable for cutting upon. Blended blocks, aka finger-jointed edge-grain, incorporate more pieces of wood so deliver more visual variety in a patchwork-quilt-like look.

Learn more about butcher block grain styles.

BBCO. - Edge & End Grain Butcher Block, Plus Plank Style

BBCO. tops use narrower planks than Boos in our edge-grain butcher block countertops (1" wide vs. 1-3/4" wide). Our end-grain countertops also differ from those made by Boos; we use non-square rectangular pieces. BBCO. plank-style countertops show off the source tree's fairly uniform and pleasing face or flat grain. Planks vary in width from 3 to 6 inches.  For a more rustic look, choose a hand-scraped finish for your BBCO. edge-grain or plank countertops.

Learn more about butcher block grain styles.

Boos Finish Options: Natural Oil or Varnique

For your Boos countertops, you can specify one of two proprietary finishes: natural, food-safe oil; or a varnish-like sealant called Boos Varnique. If you plan to cut directly on your countertop, you should select a finish of natural oil, which notably, MUST be re-applied every month or so. Also, you will need to clean up spills quickly.

Varnique provides a semi-gloss, fine-furniture look; requires little maintenance; and is easy to clean. Notably though, you should not cut directly upon Varnique-finished wood, as this might harm the protective barrier. Instead, use a cutting board. 

BBCO. Finishes: Natural Oil, Varnish or Unfinished

You can order countertops unfinished, if you wish to finish them yourself. Your other choices are natural oil or conversion varnish. If you plan to cut directly on your countertop, you should select the natural oil finish. Note that you will need to re-apply oil to your countertop about once a month in order to protect and preserve it.

In contrast, a finish of conversion varnish, which provides a semi-gloss look, requires little maintenance. However, you should not cut directly on a varnished surface, since cuts in the protective coating can leave the wood beneath vulnerable.  

Six Edge Style Options for Boos Countertops

Boos' standard (default) edging is "slightly eased," to remove sharpness on the top corner.  Depending on which species and grain style you select, you might have the option to choose one of these six classic edge styles: Radius-top or top & bottom; Bevel-top or top & bottom; Roman Ogee or full Bullnose.

Note that the edge style on end-grain counters is dictated. It is 1/4" radius, top only.

Six Edging Options for BBCO. Island Tops & Countertops

The standard (default) edge style on BBCO. countertops is "square and sanded lightly." Eased edges (1/8 inch radius) feature smoother, rounded top corners. Radiused edges are even more rounded. In contrast, Beveled edges are distinctly angular.

Three other edging options provide fancier, differentiated looks. Two feature convex top corners: the Radius & Steps and Roman Ogee designs. Coved edges are concave.