Hot take: I think solid wood countertops are overrated in most kitchens

Went to a custom home show in Charlotte last weekend and saw some beautiful work, but everyone was raving about these solid walnut tops. I dunno, I've installed enough of them to know they'll warp or crack within 3 years in a humid kitchen. Am I the only one who thinks a good laminate or quartz is actually more practical?

3 comments

3 Comments

james_bell1mo ago

Yikes. A buddy of mine spent a fortune on butcher block counters and within two years they had this dark water stain spreading from the sink like a crime scene. He tried sanding it down but it just came back.

wendy8201mo ago

Oh man, "spreading from the sink like a crime scene" - that's exactly what happened to my cousin's place. He installed this beautiful maple butcher block and within a year the water damage was creeping up like a slow invasion. He tried every oil and sealant under the sun but the stain just kept coming back, almost like it was alive or something. I guess some woods are just more stubborn than others when it comes to moisture, and once it gets in there deep enough, sanding only takes off so much before you're basically down to toothpicks.

smith.nancy1mo ago

A few years back I had the same problem with a birch counter. What finally worked was sealing the whole thing with a marine-grade spar urethane after a deep sand. That stuff is tough as nails and keeps water from ever touching the wood.