DIY Wood Countertop: Pros and Cons of Wood Countertops

A wood countertop is a countertop or tabletop made from solid wood, such as teak, hard maple, or Brazilian cherry. Most wooden countertops are made up of several narrow wood planks secured together, known as butcher block countertops. Wood counters are popular choices for kitchen countertops, kitchen islands, work tables, laundry rooms, and bathroom countertops.

Installing wood countertops can be a relatively simple do-it-yourself (DIY) project for homeowners who want to update a space with a warmer look. The lumber is easy to work with and typically less expensive than granite, quartz, or marble.

Wood countertops have several benefits:

• Less expensive than other options: Per square foot, professionally installed wood countertops are usually cheaper than stone (like quartz, granite, or marble) and around the same price as laminate. Wood countertops can be even more budget-friendly than laminate if you take on the project yourself.
• DIY-friendly: For homeowners comfortable with simple woodworking, wood countertops can be a simple DIY project since they’re much easier to source, install, customize, and finish than other materials like laminate or granite countertops.
• Noise-dampening: While stone countertops tend to bounce sound waves back into the surrounding room, wood countertops absorb sound and dampen the noise from kitchen appliances or voices.
• Fixable: Wood countertops are more straightforward to restore than other materials since you can sand down the lumber and refinish it to create a like-new surface free of knife cuts, chips, or burns.
  

Wood countertops have a few drawbacks:

• Flammable: Unlike stone, wood burns, which can cause a fire hazard in the kitchen if the stovetop flares up.
• Higher maintenance than other options: Wood countertops require more care than other options since they can be sensitive to liquids. Experts recommend wiping spills up immediately to avoid cracks, joint separation, or stains. In addition, wood counters need regular care (with mineral oil, wood conditioner, or other wood-specific products) and refinishing, depending on the finish.
• May warp: While stone counters retain their rigid shape, wood naturally warps and bends with temperature, moisture, and time. Thin, DIY, or poorly cared for wood counters are more likely to warp; thicker, professionally installed, or well cared for counters should hold their shape much longer.

Building a wood countertop is a straightforward project that doesn’t require the skill set of a master woodworker. Here’s a quick tutorial on how to make your own DIY wood countertop:

1. 1. Measure the countertop space. To determine how much wood you’ll need, measure the countertop space to determine the ideal surface area of your countertop. If you’re replacing an existing countertop in a home makeover or remodel, simply measure the existing countertop and plan to replace it exactly. If you’re building a new countertop, decide how much overhang you prefer along the edge and plan that into your measurements. Experts recommend making a countertop template out of a material like cardboard to help measure your wood.
2. 2. Choose the type of wood. There are several types of wood that DIYers use to make countertops. Softwood species like pine boards and poplar can be cheaper and easier to cut, but they also can get damaged quicker and require more sealant to stay protected. Hardwoods like maple or walnut have higher durability and require less sealant but are more expensive and difficult to cut.
3. 3. Select the grain. Wood countertops are made with three main wood grain types: flat grain or face grain (in which planks are laid flat and glued along their sides), edge-grain (in which planks are laid on their edges and glued along their faces), or end-grain (in which the surface is made of the open-grain texture of the ends of the wood). Flat grain is the least durable, while edge- and end-grain countertops are better work surfaces, able to withstand more heavy use; choose the grain according to how durable you need your countertop.
4. 4. Determine the thickness. With a DIY countertop, you can decide the thickness of the wood. In general, the average countertop is 1.5 inches thick. Thin wood will be easier to source, but thicker options will be less prone to warping. Note that sanding and planing wood will shrink its thickness, so consider purchasing planks that are a quarter-inch or half-inch thicker than your finished product.
5. 5. Source the wood. Most home improvement stores offer wood between .75 and 1 inch thick, so if you prefer thicker countertops, find a lumber yard selling thicker planks. If you purchase rough-sawn lumber and don’t have a planer, jointer, or table saw to mill your wood, ask the lumber yard if they’re willing to plane and edge joint your boards, which will give them straight, even sides.
6. 6. Cut your wood to size. Using a circular saw or table saw, cut your wood according to the measurements for your desired countertop. If you have leftover wood, you can use it to make matching cutting boards or backsplashes out of extra countertop material.
7. 7. Glue and clamp your planks. Once your planks are cut to the desired length and width, apply strong wood glue along the edges and use clamps to secure the pieces together. Leave the clamps in place for the length of time noted on the packaging of your wood glue—usually between one and 24 hours. Then, use a knife or chisel to scrape any excess glue off of your joints.
8. 8. Do a test fit of your countertop. After gluing, ensure that your countertop is the right size and shape for your cabinets. Carefully place the countertop in the desired location and assess its shape (especially if you’re building it around a sink or tricky corner). If your countertop needs adjustments, use a circular saw or jigsaw to give it a perfect fit or make necessary cutouts.
9. 9. Sand your countertop. After the planks are joined, pass over the entire countertop with rough sandpaper (like 100-grit sandpaper) and smooth sandpaper (like 220-grit sandpaper). You can use a sander or do it by hand (which is cheaper but takes longer).
10. 10. Stain your countertop (optional). After your countertop is smooth and sanded, you may choose to add a layer of stain to the wood to change its color.
11. 11. Seal your countertop. Sealing your countertop is an essential step if the countertop will be in a high-use area or around water, like a kitchen island or bathroom vanity. Look for an appropriate seal for your countertop. For instance, if your countertop is near a faucet, look for a seal that’s designed to be water-resistant. If your countertop is for food prep, a food-safe sealant is essential. Sealers are available in matte or glossy and either sink into the material (like tung oil) or sit atop it (like polyurethane). Apply your sealant to all sides according to the package instructions.
12. 12. Install your countertop. Once your countertop is finished, it’s time to install it in the desired location. There are several ways to secure your countertop to your cabinets—popular methods include drilling angle brackets underneath the countertop or installing wood supports on the cabinets, and screwing the countertop to the support from underneath.

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