If you are in the market for a new kitchen island or if you just need some more counter space, why not consider building a butcher block wood kitchen countertop? A butcher block is a rectangular wooden frame that is used as a cutting surface in the kitchen. Most of them are either wood or concrete. The butcher block takes up much less space than a traditional kitchen table and the cost for a butcher block is much less than that of a wood kitchen countertop.
Building a wood kitchen countertop using a butcher block takes a couple of steps. First you need to locate a slab of wood that is at least one foot bigger than your kitchen table. The second step is to prepare the slab by nailing together two long boards that run across the width of the slab. Then you need to build up the slab by staining it with an impregnating coating of wood putty. Lastly you need to screw on a board across the bottom to reinforce the boards and help them stay in place.
To build a wood kitchen countertop you will need to do the same steps as you would to build a wood kitchen table except the slabs of wood will be smaller. In fact, a piece of wood that is over four feet in width and over twelve feet in length is considered to be a slab. These types of slabs are commonly used in kitchen remodeling projects.
One of the most difficult things about building a wood kitchen countertop is that it is hard to get the slabs straight. You need to allow for drainage to be able to work properly between the slab and the wood framing. A good way to get a straight slab is to use a carpenter’s level. Level the slab to where it will sit flush against the wood frame.
Once the slabs have been level, you need to prepare the wood that the slab will sit on. Start by nailing or stapling the slab to the wood frame until the nailing or stapling is no longer evident. After the slab has been fixed to the frame, you can start to build the wood kitchen countertop using planks of wood. Make sure that the wood you choose to use is mildew, moisture, and insect resistant. This will help to keep your wood kitchen countertop from cracking or rotting. If the wood you use is too strong for your needs then you might want to consider buying soft woods like pine.
Once you have the lumber cut and ready to start building a wood kitchen countertop, take your framing square and mark the wood to make it easier to cut. Your cutting line should be two inches outside of the actual edge of the board. The depth of cut should be two times the depth of the slabs. Once you have marked the wood, lay the boards out on the frame and begin nailing or stapling them together. You may need to add some extra glue to the edges to keep the boards together tightly.
When you are done stapling the boards, you will want to smooth out any bubbles that might be there by scoring the board with a knife. Then, use your score board and glue the board edge to the boards inside the frame. You may also want to tack the board down with some wood glue.
When you are done gluing the board edge to the board lining, you will want to screw the butcher block into place. A good way to do this is by using some wood screws. You can also score the board near the ends to give them a sturdy finish. Once you have the butcher block in place and dried thoroughly, you can begin constructing your butcher block kitchen countertops.