I chose butcher block countertops for my kitchen, despite everyone telling me not to.
Keep reading to find out why it was a “dumb” decision, why I chose to do it anyway, and what miracle product I discovered that made my butcher block countertops 100% waterproof.
Quick Context Before Diving In
I am renting. When I asked my landlord to make a bunch of changes to her kitchen, we agreed that she would pay for all the materials if I did all the labour myself, for free. So as not to take advantage of this *sweet* situation, told her I would keep the budget as low as I could. And so, butcher block countertops entered the chat.
“Wood and Water Don’t Mix”
I was told time and time again that the dumbest countertop material I could choose for my kitchen was wood. “Wood and water don’t mix” I kept hearing. And it makes sense, especially for around the sink. Water is splashing and pooling every time you do the dishes, and wood swells when water hits it. Over time, wood is going to swell, warp, and rot. Not ideal for your kitchen counters.
Other complaints I kept hearing from people who’d had butcher block countertops before is that they stained super easily and the stains were impossible to get out. Even with diligent sanding and oiling, you’re going to get water rings and stains from food. And if you leave any fresh berries on the counter? That’s it.
Why I Didn’t Listen To Anybody
Marble is obviously the elite – and my dream – countertop material. (Calacatta Viola, anyone?) But I was not about to ask my landlord to shell out a few thousand dollars for me to have my dream countertops installed in her kitchen. Plus, she would have needed to hire out contractors to install it. Not in our agreement.
So after crossing off marble / any stone options, and after refusing to put in laminate (I know it’s durable, that doesn’t change the fact that I don’t like it), it seemed I had one option left: butcher block. It was affordable, a natural material, which I liked, and something that I could install myself (or at least with the help of my dad).
How I Made My Butcher Block Countertops 100% Waterproof
I didn’t want to use oil to seal these counters because as much as I am willing to take care of them while I live here, there’s no telling how a future tenant might treat them. They could get totally destroyed. I needed something more durable and that would hold up against constant exposure to water. Then I came across the miracle product that made this wood, not just water resistant. But waterproof. Spar Urethane.
Spar Urethane (or Spar Varnish) is the sealant that is used on BOATS. It’s literal marine varnish. So I thought, if it’s waterproof enough for a boat, then it’s waterproof enough for my countertops. It’s oil-based, so it totally repels water. (Note that it has a slight amber tint to it, so it’ll warm up whatever wood / stain you have!) I used the satin finish version and applied 6 coats all over these countertops, sanding in between coats, as per the instructions on the back of the can. Might seem like overkill, but I wasn’t chancing *any* water damage on these counters. It applied really easily with a large sponge brush, and dried *so* smooth (see the above closeup photo).
After using these counters for 3 years, I can confirm that water still beads up on it like it did when I first applied the urethane. Apart from a few subtle dents in the wood from use, there is no damage to the actual topcoat. The counters still look brand new. No swelling, no rotting, no staining whatsoever.
Would I Choose Butcher Block Countertops Again?
100% yes. On one condition… if, and only if, they are sealed with spar urethane. As I mentioned above, Calacatta Viola marble is the pinnacle of kitchen counters to me, so that is what will be installed in my dream kitchen. Mark my words. However, I would install spar urethane’d butcher block either as a temporary budget option reno as we save up for the dream marble counters; or for the kitchen counters in a skoolie build. So while wooden counters may not be the ultimate counter material for me personally, I’m truly so impressed with how easy they were to install, and how well the spar urethane has held up. I don’t regret them one bit.
Click here to purchase the spar urethane I used.
Click here to read all about my rental kitchen reno.
