Installing a Saman Butchers Block is one way to bring the beauty of the outdoors indoors. Many people want a yet affordable solution for their outdoor living spaces, but many do not want to break the bank to do so. There are plenty of companies that make them, so it is no wonder why they retail for such a high cost. But, by installing a wood kitchen countertop instead, you will see just how beautiful your outdoor space can be and how much money you can save over the long term. In fact, you may even find that the block will pay for itself in no time!
The main selling point for a wood kitchen countertop is the sturdiness it provides against damage from heat, scratching and chipping. Plus, wood looks great and adds a lot of value to your home. This is an excellent reason to choose a wood butcher block for your backyard or other outdoor area. But, a wood block does have its disadvantages. In fact, these disadvantages are very important things to know if you are going to make the choice to install a block in your yard.
One of the major disadvantages of using a wood kitchen countertop, or any wood block for that matter, is that they are more susceptible to damage than many other materials. For instance, even though laminate wood is more durable than traditional wood, it still can be damaged more easily than other woods. Using a wood butcher block in this situation could actually reduce the amount of damage to your wood kitchen countertop by quite a bit, but it all depends on the quality of the lumber that was used and the overall construction of the block.
If your budget does not allow for purchasing a brand new wood kitchen countertop, or if you are simply tired of the thought of putting a wood block in your kitchen that will be subject to damage, there is another option that you can use. You can use particle board. It might sound like it is a poor substitute for a wood kitchen countertop, but it is actually just as strong and can usually withstand much more abuse. Particle board is also fairly affordable compared to wood. But, there are some downsides to using a wood kitchen countertop that is made of this type of material.
One of the biggest disadvantages to using particle board in your kitchen countertop is that it can easily be gouged and cut by your utensils. If you accidentally chisel a finger in the process, the board will have a large divot in it. If this happens to your board, you will find yourself wasting a whole afternoon sanding and smoothing the divot out so that it is even. In addition, particle board can warp when it is exposed to moisture for a long period of time. The ends of the boards will start to curl and this will cause your cuts to be off center.
Although particle board has many advantages over wood kitchen countertops, it does have one big disadvantage. It can be extremely heavy, and it requires that you have a well built and sturdy work area where you can work. This means that if you do not have an area built, you will have to use a table to work on the projects that you have. Another issue with particle board is that it is very slow to set up, and if you are working on a big project you might find that you have to wait for it to dry completely before you are able to start working. The bottom line is that if you are going to use this type of kitchen countertop, you might consider building a custom work area so that you are not trapped in your counter.
When you are working with materials like this, you should know that the possibilities are endless. You can use butcher block to build a wine rack or a butcher block sideboard. There are a multitude of other uses for these blocks too. For example, you can use them as a substitute for a table saw because it is light weight and easy to transport. In addition, since there are no joints, you will not need to use nails or glue to install your butcher block sideboard or a table saw project.
One of the most appealing things about this type of butcher block is the fact that you do not have to spend a lot of money to get one. You can even purchase it at a used furniture store, in many cases for just a few dollars. The great thing about wood is that even if the wood within the piece is seriously damaged, you can often repair it yourself. If you want to have the beauty of wood within your kitchen countertop, but you do not have a lot of money to spend, consider using a particle board that can provide you with the look of wood at a fraction of the cost.