Install a Butcher Block Countertop

If you need a countertop that can stand up to heavy use, a butcher block countertop is just the surface for you.

These wooden surfaces can withstand heavy daily use and food preparation. They’re the perfect surface for your kitchen or laundry room. 

Butcher block countertops come in a variety of sizes and designs, so you can find the perfect fit for your space. Here’s how to install one.

Materials Needed

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Trim the Butcher Block to Fit Your Space

This butcher block countertop is six feet long and twenty-five inches wide. It needs to be cut down for a five-foot cabinet that is twenty-two inches deep. Start by trimming two and a half inches off along the length of the piece. Use a table saw to make this cut so it is perfectly consistent from end to end. The two-and-a-half-inch piece will serve as a backsplash. 

Next, mark the panel at the five-foot mark with a framing square before making the cross-grain cut with a circular saw. Cut the narrow backsplash piece to five feet on the miter saw. 

Sand the Wood

The butcher block is pretty smooth right out of the package, but before it’s installed and finished, sand it once more with a fine-grit sandpaper. 

Apply Adhesive

Applying a heavy-duty construction adhesive allows you to simply set the countertop in place without the need for any fasteners to secure it. While the adhesive is still wet, double-check the overhang margins before we glue the backsplash in place. 

Seal the Butcher Block

Use a tung oil-based wood sealer and finish that penetrates the wood to seal and protect it from moisture. Applying it with a stain pad allows you to rub the formula into the grain of the wood. After two or three coats of this, the countertop is complete.

Watch the video above for more information!

Cost

This project is on the pricier side, but it’s far less expensive than hiring a professional.

Here’s what you can expect to pay for this project:

Further Reading