Butcher block countertop cost guide

Are you on the hunt for a cost-effective, good-quality countertop? Or have you always dreamed of being able to cut directly onto your kitchen countertop, with no clunky chopping boards in sight? If any of this sounds familiar, a butcher block countertop could be exactly what you’re looking for. Here, we’ll delve into the typical butcher block countertop cost and whether it’s right for you.

What is a butcher block countertop?

A butcher block countertop is a kitchen worktop that’s designed for you to be able to cut directly onto it, without needing to use a chopping board.

To create this kind of worktop, narrow blocks of wood are bonded together and pressurised. Each piece of wood is generally cut into a pattern that looks a bit like teeth, so that they can fit together tightly. This is what makes these worktops so smooth and strong.

Pretty much any kind of wood can be used to make this kind of countertop, although hardwoods are generally the best quality.

How much does a butcher block countertop cost?

The total cost of a butcher block countertop will depend on a number of factors, including:

• Type of wood: Popular woods for butcher block countertops include cherry, walnut, maple and oak.
• Construction: You’ll need to choose whether you want ‘edge grain’, ‘end grain’ or ‘blended.’ These terms describe which part of the wooden blocks are visible on the surface.
• Finish: If your countertop is destined for a food prep area, you’ll need to regularly apply an oil finish. However, if it’s just used as a general surface, a lacquer finish may be more suitable.
• Thickness: Thicker countertops tend to cost more.
• Size: Larger countertops cost more and take longer to install, which means they also come with higher labour costs.

The average cost of a butcher block countertop

Butcher block countertops generally cost around £25-£35 per square foot. This makes them more expensive than laminate, but a lot cheaper than granite.

That said, you’ll also have to budget to get them fitted. Usually, you’ll be looking at around 10 hours of labour for 100 square feet of worktop, which includes planning, preparation and all the materials and equipment. You can expect labour costs of around £40-£50 per hour. So, you’re looking at £450-£550 to have 100 square feet of countertop installed.

Are butcher block countertops a good idea?

Butcher block countertops are strong, durable and affordable. Plus, their natural look makes them a beautiful addition to any kitchen. Butcher block countertops are also the only kind of countertop that can actually be used as a cutting surface, as they’re soft enough not to dull your knives like stone or concrete countertops would.

Of course, there are some downsides. If you choose to chop directly onto butcher block countertops, they’ll quickly become scratched and stained. However, you can easily spruce them back up again by simply sanding them down and re-oiling (or, you could protect them by using a chopping board as you would with other kinds of worktop). They also require a fair amount of maintenance, as they’ll need regular re-oiling throughout their lives.

Key takeaways

• Butcher block countertops are strong and durable.
• They’re relatively cost-effective when compared to other high-quality materials like granite.
• Costs can vary depending on what kind of wood you choose.