A traditional favorite for homes of all styles and sizes, wood kitchen countertops add warmth and character to any space. The wood you choose should suit your lifestyle and complement the rest of your home’s design.
Walnut is a hard and dense wood that’s easy to work with. It also provides an excellent base for a durable finish.
Color
Black walnut is a popular wood for countertops and furniture because of its rich, deep coloration. It is prized by woodworkers for its tight-grained appearance, strength, and durability. This makes it the perfect choice for any kitchen or dining room.
Walnut is a hardwood that grows in the eastern and central United States. Its appearance ranges from light brown in the sapwood to dark chocolate in the heartwood. It can also have a gray, purple or reddish cast to its surface.
The color of a polished black walnut countertop can vary depending on the species and type of finish used. In addition to natural color variations, the finish may change over time with use and exposure to sunlight, water, and abrasives. A durable, nontoxic coating is typically applied to the surface of a walnut counter.
A urethane, acrylic, or resin-curing-oil finish offers better protection against scratches and stains than wood finishes. However, these finishes are prone to deterioration and must be recoated regularly. These types of finishes are also more expensive than a proprietary finish, which is often less expensive but does not protect against stains and wear.
If you are looking for a premium countertop that will stand the test of time, choose a hardwood with nearly 100% heartwood composition. This will give your finished piece an incredible feel that cannot be matched by any mixture of sap and heartwood.
To enhance the look of your polished walnut countertop, a burnishing technique can be applied. This process lays down the wood fibers and binds the lacquer, resulting in a shiny sheen.
This burnishing can be done on bare walnut, oil-treated walnut, or previously finished walnut. For best results, it should be applied on a clean, dry walnut counter top before the final stain is applied.
A polished black walnut countertop is a great way to add a touch of beauty and elegance to your kitchen or dining room. It can be a beautiful focal point in any design scheme and is sure to raise the value of your home should you decide to sell it in the future.
Grain
The grain of polished black walnut is a beautiful natural pattern, with a range of light colors – off whites and faint yellows to medium and dark browns – that make it a favorite for high-end luxury homes. It’s also a popular choice for kitchen counters, especially edge-grain butcher blocks, which are assembled by bonding long strips of walnut wood together to form an even surface.
It’s a natural and durable option that’s easy to work with, and can resist rot, insect attack, and decay. It’s easy to sand, refinish, and restore to look new.
For the perfect match, select a custom stain that complements the wood’s color and grain. You can also choose a texture, such as wire-brushed, for added interest.
If you’re unsure about which option is best for your project, contact us for more information. We’re happy to answer all your questions and help you find the right wood countertop for your kitchen.
Walnut is a strong and rigid wood, making it a great choice for a kitchen countertop. Unlike other hardwoods, it contains almost 100% heartwood, which is resistant to decay and shrinkage. Its rich color and dense, sturdy construction make it a popular choice for countertops.
It’s also easy to work with, with straight and regular grain that responds well to steam bending. It’s often a good choice for cabinets, too, since it’s easy to glue and stain.
To keep the wood from aging, use a food-safe mineral oil or “curing oil” that’s free of petroleum and based on beeswax or paraffin wax. Then wipe it down periodically with a damp cloth and dish soap.
Another option is to coat the top with a protective finish, such as varnish or Varnique. But note that this isn’t a food-safe finish, and if the counter is cut on, the varnish may chip off.
If you want a smooth, matte look, try FDA-approved mineral oil. This seeps into the wood to protect it from moisture and heat. Or, you can try a nonpetroleum-based walnut oil or a “curing oil,” such as pure tung oil.
Characteristics
Wood counters have a long history in kitchen design. They can enhance the look of any room, and they’re durable enough to handle daily use. They’re also green, since they’re made from sustainably grown woods and are recyclable once you’ve finished using them.
They’re also easy to care for and can be sanded down to bare wood to remove knife scratches, burn marks, and other blemishes. And they’re easily refinished to make them look brand-new again.
Walnut countertops are a great choice for anyone seeking a natural, homegrown look in their kitchen. They’re sturdy, easy to shape, and they come in an assortment of colors.
The only domestic wood species that naturally produces a deep dark brown color, walnut is popular among discerning homeowners and woodworkers alike. It has a rich texture, a beautiful finish, and a strong, dense grain pattern.
These qualities make it an ideal choice for butcher blocks, island tops and other large work surfaces. It’s also a good match for dark or light color schemes, and it looks at home in contemporary or traditional settings.
Premium pieces are constructed with nearly 100% Heart wood, which adds to their rigidity and creates a premium-feeling piece that cannot be matched by any mixture of sap and hardwood. They come in a variety of made-to-order custom sizes and styles, so you’ll find the perfect one for your space.
Edges are an important design element of any countertop. They can be a classic bullnose that makes a bold statement, or a clean-lined straight or eased edge for a more timeless look.
They can also be edged with a contrasting material, such as stainless steel. Stainless steel has long been the go-to choice for professional cooks, thanks to its stain-resistant and heat-resistant properties.
Stainless-steel countertops are available in a wide range of colors and patterns. They can be made of different grades and finishes, and they’re also highly scratch-resistant and resistant to stains.
Polished black walnut countertops are a beautiful choice for any kitchen. They’re a durable option that can be customized to fit your design preferences, and they’re also a great choice for kitchens with busy families or frequent guests.
Maintenance
While a wood countertop may be a natural fit in your kitchen, they do require some maintenance. One of the most important is regular oiling. Applying a thin layer of food safe mineral oil to the surface is an easy way to keep your countertops looking like new. A light coating of this type should be applied at least once every year, if not twice. The same oil can also be rubbed in with a microfiber cloth to remove food debris.
The most common countertop woods used for kitchen counters are oak, maple and walnut. In general, oak is a little more durable than its more exotic cousins, but it still requires regular care and feeding. It’s best to avoid cutting on it, as it can result in knife scratches and nicks. A wood countertop is also prone to moving around, especially with temperature and humidity changes. It can cup and warp if left unattended for too long.
The best way to keep your polished black walnut countertop in tip-top condition is to use the right tools and know your stuff. For example, using the right kind of cutting board is essential to preventing scratches and chips. Taking the time to learn the appropriate techniques can make your kitchen a safer and more enjoyable place for you and your family.
