Butcher Block Co. countertops are available in the four most popular North American hardwoods - Rock Maple, American Cherry, Black Walnut and Red Oak - plus 10 other equally spectacular species: Ash, Beech, Birch, Brazilian Cherry, Hickory, Knotty Alder, Knotty Pine, Mahogany, Poplar, Spanish Cedar and White Oak.

View our extraordinary array of species and grain styles.

If you are looking for a gorgeous island or counter top for a residential or commercial kitchen, you'll find a wide range of stunning options in various shades of beige, tan, brown, reddish brown and gold. Choose among species with muted, consistent coloration to others with medium to high color variegation.

For workshop or industrial applications, opt for a species that's especially hard. Soft and moderately hard species should be suitable for most home and commercial offices.

Plus Quarter-sawn Countertops in Red or White Oak

When lumber is quarter-sawn, it means the log was first cut into four quarters, just as you might cut a pie into four equal-size slices, then each quarter of the log is sawn. As a result, the annual rings of the source tree run perpendicular to the faces of the harvested boards, which reveal striped grain lines that run fairly straight and provide a unique look that some people prefer for wood counters and furniture. The other key advantage of quarter-sawn countertops is their superior stability. Each rail of the top is much less likely to warp or cup (i.e., become concave - high on outside edges and low in the center).

The Janka hardness test, which measures a wood's resistance to denting, is widely accepted as the standard for comparing different wood types on hardness. The test measures the amount of force, in pounds-force (lbf), required to embed a steel ball of specific size into the wood. As you view the data, keep in mind two points. First, the hardness of wood varies depending on its orientation (i.e., testing along the wood's grain vs. against it). Second, findings can vary from sample to sample, and even within a particular sample. Consequently, you should not consider any data point as especially meaningful. Rather, we share these findings to give you a general sense of the hardness of a species relative to others. Here's another visual tool to help you choose a species based on both of the above attributes: appearance and hardness.

Very Affordable: Poplar, Knotty Alder, Knotty Pine, Beech, Ash and Birch are the least expensive options. They typically cost somewhere between half to about two-thirds as much as walnut, the price leader.

Moderately Affordable: In the mid-priced tier are classic varieties: Red and White Oak, American Cherry, Hickory and Maple.

More Pricey: Accompanying Walnut in the higher-priced bracket are Mahogany, Brazilian Cherry and Spanish Cedar. These species are also considered the most visually striking.

(Last updated in January, 2015)

Edge-grain wood is constructed by bonding together long wood rails that run the full length of the block. The wood rails are arranged face to face, so it's the edge grain of the wood that shows on the surface of the countertop. In contrast, end-grain tops provide glimpses of the growth rings of the source tree.

Regardless, the wood rails used in Butcher Block Co. countertops are 1-inch wide strips. As mentioned, in edge-grain countertops each wood rail spans the top's full length; whereas our end-grain counters utilize rails from 1-1/2 to 6 inches long and arranged in rows that run parallel to the width of the counter.

Wood Plank Countertops Too!

Plank-style wooden island/counter tops are another option. Each is composed of wood planks bonded together and running parallel to the length of the counter or island. The surface of a plank island or counter top shows off the face grain of wood.

Our plank tops utilize boards that vary in width from 3 inches to 6 inches. Variation delivers a more natural and interesting look.

Hand-Scraping Adds a Rustic, Aged Look

If you're seeking an antique-like appearance or a look of authenticity, consider specifying a hand-scraped finish for your edge-grain or plank countertops. To produce this effect, the Amish craftsmen who make all our lovely countertops guide a wood scraper longitudinally along the wood, causing very slight variations in its surface. The effect is most noticeable when viewing the wood under nearly horizontal lighting, which tends to accentuate the unevenness.

Do You Need an Extra-Large Island Top or Table Top?

No matter what your needs are, it's likely we can satisfy them. Whether you're looking to cover a small countertop work area, or an island 15 feet long and 7 feet wide, we have the capability.

Here's a great example. We created this extra-large plank-style table top made of 1-1/2-inch-thick Knotty Alder for a new Italian restaurant in San Diego. It's 5-1/2 feet wide and nearly 10 feet long, and it seats 18!

Choose From 8 Edge-Style Options

The default edge style on Butcher Block Co. countertops is "Eased," meaning square, but lightly sanded to remove any sharpness. Eased edges are perfect for installations where the countertop will abut a wall, for instance. If you wish to add a bit more visual interest, consider Bevel, Radius or Cove edge styles. For a classic look, we recommend the Radius & Step or the Roman Ogee edge styles.

When a kitchen island top continues down the ends of the island, it's called a waterfall island.
Of course, this moniker alludes to the imagery of flowing water cascading down a vertical wall.
A waterfall-edge island can make your kitchen truly stunning.

Butcher Block Co. waterfall islands can ship in two different modes - either pre-assembled (1-1/2-inch minimum thickness); or knocked-down and ready to assembly on site (in the event doorways are not sufficiently wide).

• We use heavy-duty wooden dowels to secure ends to the top of a factory-assembled waterfall island and attach sturdy skirt boards to both long sides to protect it during shipment. Pre-assembled islands are self-standing and require no additional support. You have the option to select either a Natural Oil or a Conversion Varnish finish, or no finish at all.

• Ready-to-assemble waterfall-edge islands ship unfinished, with all the necessary hardware included. Any experienced DIYer or capable craftsman should be up to the challenge. Sanding will be required after assembly is completed and the RTA waterfall top must be properly supported.