Butcher Block vs Quartz Countertops | Everything you need to know!

Chapters
0:00 Introduction
1:04 How butcher block is made
3:00 How quartz countertops are made
4:43 Appearance
5:23 Porosity
6:38 Sponsor
7:44 Cost
8:48 Hardness and scratch-resistance
9:41 Heat resistance
10:14 Conclusion

Countertop trends seem to change every single year and social media is fuelling this movement. Homeowners are encouraged to upgrade their work surfaces regularly to the latest trend to add value to their home. Butcher block and quartz countertops are the two most popular choices right now. Both materials can redefine the look and functionality of a kitchen or bathroom and create a space that reflects your personal style.

Butcher block countertops are made from strips of wood which are glued together to create a solid, durable surface. Butcher blocks can be made from nearly any wood, but the most common ones are maple, walnut, beech, cherry and red oak. They can also be crafted from teak, bamboo and sustainably farmed exotics like wenge, zebrawood, and iroko. The top finish coat not only enhances the natural beauty of the wood but also provides protection against moisture, stains, and bacteria. It's important to note that using mineral oil or beeswax to seal your butcher block countertop involves regular oiling or resealing to prevent drying, cracking, and staining.

Quartz, on the other hand, is an engineered stone made from a combination of natural quartz crystals and resins, resulting in a non-porous and stain-resistant surface. To make countertops, white and clear quartz or silicon dioxide is ground into a fine powder. It is mixed with plastic resins, colored pigments, recycled glass and metallic flecks. Quartz countertops are a fairly new product. They were invented in the 1960s and have recently become very popular because of their durability, low maintenance and wide range of color and pattern options. The manufacturing process of quartz countertops is more energy intensive than butcher blocks.

Butcher blocks add warmth and natural coloring to a space. Wood mixes well with many other countertop materials, like granite, concrete, marble and quartz. Quartz countertops are usually more minimalist, lighter in color and have uniform designs.

Next, let’s compare their porosity which refers to the amount of voids that allow liquid and air to pass through. Porosity determines the material’s susceptibility to water, oil and food stains. As expected, butcher blocks are very sensitive to liquid so you must limit any exposure to moisture. On the other hand, quartz didn’t absorb any of the liquid and wasn’t affected by the food coloring. They have the same susceptibility to oil. The unsealed butcher block was permanently stained, while the quartz sample was unaffected.

One of the biggest advantages of butcher block countertops is cost. Butcher block is one of the most affordable countertop materials. With installation, it costs $40-$100 per sqft, much cheaper than quartz, which costs $100-$200 per sq ft. Their cost difference directly relates to their DIY-ability. We used basic tools to cut holes for the sink and faucet, route the edge and smoothen the surfaces.

Butcher blocks are also not as heat resistant as quartz. You can’t place hot pots and pans on the wood because it will develop gouges and deep burn marks. Fortunately, sanding will take off a thin layer from the surface and eliminate any blemishes. Quartz countertops are heat resistant, but not heat-proof. You should avoid placing very hot pans on the surface since anything over 150 degrees Fahrenheit can permanently damage the resin in quartz.

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#butcherblock #quartz #countertops #diy #remodel #kitchen #construction #architecture #design

[BelindaCarr]

Which countertop would you prefer? Quartz is definitely lower maintenance, but recent reports of silicosis among workers who manufacture and install quartz countertops concerns me. I'm conducting some interviews and researching this topic. I'll try to publish a video on silicosis soon!

[TRAZ]

I went with limestone countertops in my kitchen. It looks great as long as I avoid cooking in the kitchen.

[oromani]

We had butcher block countertops in my fathers NYC deli that received daily, commercial level abuse. The best thing about it is you can just take a belt sander and smooth it out. If you’re actually going to do serious cooking and prep on the counter, go for the butcher block.

[victoriarotramel]

Butcher block counters are ideal if you are into working with dough. Bread, pasta, pastry, anything that needs to be rolled out on a floured surface works best on wood as the texture of the grain helps evenly distribute your bench flour over the surface. We chose walnut and only seal them every 3 months but we live in a humid environment. You do have to be careful with wet metal as the wood will react with the moisture and metal of a pot lid and leave a ring that has to be sanded off and refinished. But we like the look of a lived in kitchen so we keep the rings.

[jimjimgl]

Another interesting post. In our work/home we have three kitchens. One has quartz material, one is granite and one was created using 4x8 porcelain tiles. The granite one so far requires the most maintenance. Occasionally we re-apply sealer. Both the quartz material and porcelain tile we just wipe down. And yes. We are careful with heat for the quartz. The porcelain tile can take very hot objects. The one caution with porcelain is that a heavy object dropped onto the surface might crack the material.

[gateway]

Wood counter tops have to be sealed on all six sides. Any time water meets wood, the wood acts like a straw, especially end grain. Wood always moves in response to humidity... expanding and contracting. Wooden counter tops in high humidity environments will always be problematic. The maintenance of wood never ends.

[emilyobrien]

The first time I watched one of your videos, I became an instant fan!

The information you provide is thoughtfully prepared and professionally presented.

Being able to see how things are manufactured and what products are used makes your videos even more interesting and informative.

Thank you for your quality video production and the valuable content you provide.

[HolsingerE]

Quartz will most definitely chip. You have to be careful when placing heavy cast iron pots/pans in the sink or it will chip the edges. I learned that the hard way a couple days after the installation.

[weirdnewworld]

Woodworker checking in. Polyurethane is a good sealant. HOWEVER - for high water environments, a scratch will allow moisture to get underneath the finish and both stain the wood and cause bubbling with polyurethane. Once you get a scratch, the whole thing will need to be stripped and refinished. Oil finishes, like BLO (boiled linseed oil), will soak in and harden into an impervious barrier. Some oil finishes, like Tung, will create an even better water resistance coating that soaks into the wood while sealing it against scratches. Using a wax cleaner will continually maintain the waterproofness without having to do any other maintenance.

[brainwashingdetergent]

I wouldn’t have thought of using butcher block in a bathroom, that looks good! It looks like it might make a good table top for hobbyists and crafters too!

[phillipjohnson]

I am enjoying your videos. Thank you so much.
It makes me believe there are true educators out there that do NOT have to belong to subversive teacher unions.

[jackieknits]

Butcherblock actually refers to the end grain, not just normal strips glued together no matter how thick. When you finish wood with a heavy polyurethane finish, they are no longer good for what wood is usually used for, like as a cutting board or for working doughs for baking.

[ljprep]

I added formica countertops to my kitchen, buying one and making two small others. You can lean against it and it does not freeze you, it warms up when you put your hand on it. The look I chose was suede, and I love it. I have tile in my bathroom and it is frightfully cold. Tile and granite can stain easily and require maintenance. Wood and formica don't. I like quartz much better than granite or tile because it requires less maintenance, but it can stain. My favorite wood finish is a modified tung/linseed/rosin oil clearcoat finish called Waterlox Original Satin. I'll put that on a butcher block topper in the bathroom when I finally get tired of the tile.
Question: Did you brush your first coat of poly, then wipe on the remaining coats? Waterlox is a wiping finish, too. I truly love it.

[JamesCusano]

I would love a review/comparison of store bought butcher block materials! I will be doing butcher block countertops in my kitchen in a few months, plus my brother is doing butcher block countertops in his kitchen AND bathroom in a few months, so we're both already trying to evaluate the material options. Thanks for this comparison video and the polyurethane recommendation - I've heard of other waxing and oiling options, but had a feeling that good ole polyurethane may still be the most practical choice.

[michaelschneider-]

+1 ... We were fortunate in finding a Bowling Alley going out of business. . The bowling lanes' length was cut into 12ft to 15ft lengths; I forget. . Bloody heavy... this I do recall. . Anywho, , , the recycled lanes made for a superior large kitchen island top; Complete with sight line markings.. Cheers,

[whiteknightcat]

My house proudly sports 1980's era green Formica countertops laminated over particle board cores.

[byebyefederalreserve]

I like combining them with epoxy countertop. You can do epoxy over existing countertops and update the look without throwing the old countertops away. Or make a new one with plywood and epoxy. Also you can relatively easily update the look down the road with a new coat. It would be interesting to hear your thoughts on the different epoxy countertop solutions.

[Davesobscurevideos]

I would love to see you do a similar video on granite vs. Concrete countertops. Concrete seems to be gaining in Popularity but I was surprised to find out it’s even more expensive than granite!

[lindacgrace]

My only objection to wood countertops is that so many people come to grief because they don't understand wood! you have to attach the countertops with relief slots to allow for expansion and contraction, you have to seal all six sides evenly or the uneven finish (finished top and unfinished underside) will induce cupping and warping. My solution for burning is a set of huge Victorian highly decorative trivets that remain out on the countertop beside the stove at all times. I prefer quartz for around the sink, since I have never seen a wood countertop that didn't get moldy in that application. The wood tops add so much warmth (and improve acoustics!) so I use them often. Great analysis, Belinda. Thanks

[johnleca]

Another great video. I am doing some work with butcher block now and I do prefer it. I reuse materials and actually butcher block has some nice character flaws that just look cool. Thank you. Love your sink too!