We’re redoing the kitchen and I’m thinking about putting in some solid oak countertops.
I would constrct the counters myself in the same way that one would construct a solid oak table top.
Then I would poly the heck out of the top 4 or 5 coats–anyone have a good suggestion for a good waterproof product?
Has anyone out there ever done this or seen it before-I’m thinking I would use 1″ thick oak.
Am I insane for even considering it?
cje
Replies
We've had all mahogany kitchen countertops for five years. We used a non toxic finish from Bally called Good Stuff, three coats top and bottom. We also wipe them with butcher block oil (mineral oil) about once a week. The kitchen gets lots of use and while we try to not leave spilled liquids on the counters or put hot things on them, we are not fanatical about it. We've left the place in care of house guests for months while we are away and never a problem. The counters are still beautiful, no stains, no rings, nothing. And was WAY cheaper than Corian, marble, etc..
But.....
Oak, at least Red Oak, is very porous. You'd be drunk to consider Red Oak. White Oak, is marginally better.
Boris
"Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1927
Oak will turn black with the slightest amount
of iron. It reacts with the tannic acid.
You'd need an amazing quality finish to prevent
spots with oak. If you want "character", oak
will do it. There are laminates that truely
look just like oak butcher block. Also a fraction
of the cost. No maintenance. You can make solid edges.
Don't fight nature. If you want plastic on top,
use plastic. If you want wood with all the inevitable
stains and scratches, use real wood. If you want to
use wood and make it behave like plastic with 5 coats
of varnish, probably will spend the rest of your life
refinishing it.