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How Wood Countertops Can Be Beneficial To Your Kitchen

When considering all of the various countertop materials that are available, more and more people arechoosing wood countertops. Not only do wooden countertops bring the natural beauty of the outdoors intoyour kitchen, but they are highly functional. Whether you enjoy cooking and need a countertop that willwithstand your time in the kitchen, or you simply love the gorgeous grain of the wood, these countertops area great option for many different lifestyles. Here are some ways in which wooden countertops can benefityour kitchen.

Wood counter material brings a rich and warm look to your kitchen, one that tile and stone simply cannotmatch. Depending on the grain, type of wood, and coloring that you select, you can introduce an amazinglook to your indoor living space. If you want a dark wood, you can select cherry wood, mahogany, teak orcedar. Many people also love the lighter woods, including maple, fir, pine, and oak, as it tends to brighten upthe home. No two countertops are alike, as the natural grain of each piece of wood exhibits a differentpattern.

You can also use various stains and finishes to create a different look, if you should desire. Designs can becreated into the wood counters, such as diamonds or checkerboards. As your countertop ages, the truebeauty of the natural wood will continue to develop and add character to your kitchen.

Whether you choose a temporary or permanent wood finish, there are various benefits and cautions thatshould be taken into consideration. The most common types of finishes include mineral oil, tung oil, wax, awax and oil combination, and polyurethane. Before you decide on a finish for your countertops, you need todetermine which finish will fit best in your kitchen depending on your intended purposes and needs.

Wood countertops provide an excellent work surface for preparing food, making it a popular choice forcooking enthusiasts. Depending on the grain orientation, you can have a solid butcher block area in yourhome kitchen. The end grain wood orientation provides the most durable area for your chopping needs. Also,if you are preparing food on your wood countertop, make sure to use a finish that will not contaminate yourfood. Tung oil or mineral oil are perfect choices for this to protect your wood, and are also safe for foodpreparation.

If you are looking for a way to reduce your carbon footprint on the Earth, wooden countertops are anexcellent way to incorporate a renewable material into your home. Reclaimed wood is salvaged from oldbuildings or barns, and reused in kitchen floors and countertops. Using reclaimed wood brings a rustic andantique look to your home.

Make sure that you seal your wood counters with a protective treatment in order to avoid water damage.Also, your wood counters may be susceptible to scratching and chipping if you do not apply the protectantcorrectly. Depending on the species of wood that you choose for your countertop, you may be able to easilyremove cuts or scrapes that occur within the wood.

There are many benefits to selecting wood countertops for your kitchen. If you are remodeling your kitchenspace or designing a kitchen in your new home, consider the beauty and function that a wood counter canbring to your space.

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