There are literally thousands of wood species from which to choose when you’re searching for the best wood kitchen countertop for your project. You’ll need to identify wood species based on how they’ll behave, how old they are, and what conditions are found in your region. For instance, some woods are more mature than others. Some have darker colors than others, and some have desirable patterns that make them great for crafting patterns, etc. Some wood species also grow in unique patterns or in dense stands.
When choosing wood species for your DIY wood kitchen countertop, make sure that they can handle your anticipated usage. One of the easiest ways to tell if the wood species is right for you is by paying it a visit. The wood on your countertop will be a good indicator of the type of wood it’s made of. If you’ve ever had wood products put in your kitchen, you know that the wood is either soft or is full of knots. This means that it’s most likely soft wood and therefore not suitable for use on a wood kitchen countertop.
Soft wood species tend to be more expensive than hard wood species. Hard wood kitchen countertops are usually cheaper because they’re more durable. However, the less expensive wood species such as soft cedar wood can last a long time, and it’s possible to find wood species with desirable characteristics, such as knots, in these cheaper varieties.
As far as hard wood species go, redwood and teak are two of the more popular choices. Redwood is a dense, red wood with unique grain patterns that make it ideal for carving and is highly desirable for use on a wood kitchen countertop. Teak is very dense with distinctive straighter grain patterns and is a great material for a wood kitchen countertop, if it is maintained properly. This material is naturally resistant to rotting and warping, which makes it a popular choice for high traffic areas. There are several grades of teak wood, ranging from grade A to grade E, and depending on the source, the price of a grade will vary.
When it comes to soft wood species, rosewood is one of the more desirable options, especially because of its natural resistance to decay. Rosewood is commonly found in low-quality furniture and flooring, but it is still preferred by many for use on a wood kitchen countertop because of its appearance and durability. This wood species also comes in a variety of colors, with the natural reddish tones coming from a wood that’s actually a group of species called roseofloor. The name rosewood comes from the Latin for rose. The wood is very dense and has very straight grain patterns that make it ideal for crafting patterns into furniture and also into flooring.
Redwood is another popular wood species for a wood kitchen countertop and is usually found in high-quality solid wood doors and cabinets. This species is dense and hard, and it can be stained almost any color you wish. Like rosewood, redwood is also resistant to rotting, but it is a bit more expensive than rosewood due to the laborious process of growing it. Due to its density and wood characteristics, redwood tends to cost a little more than other species of wood.
Maple and chestnut are too dense, hard wood species that are popular choices for kitchen countertops. They have similar grain patterns and shades of brown, and they are popular wood species for flooring as well. If you want a lighter colored wood, birch would be a good choice, especially if you want a wood that is less expensive than oak or maple. Both maple and birch wood are very popular for home furniture, but they are not the best choice for wood kitchen countertops.
Lastly, there is poplar wood species for wood kitchen countertops. These woods vary from softwood through to hardwood, but they are extremely durable and beautiful. Poplar wood is usually reddish-brown, with fine, even grains. It is easily stained and has beautiful, large, open grain patterns. Poplar wood is usually more affordable than some other wood species, so it is an ideal wood for a wood kitchen countertop.