Wood Countertop Product Information

• Things to know
• Spec Download
• Care
• Q&A
• Sustainability
• Warranty

Here you'll find great wood counter information that will help you make an informed decision on what type of wood to use, finish options, construction styles, etc. If you have any questions or comments please contact us.

things to know about wood countertops

Structural Considerations of wood countertops

Most people are familiar with a wood surface in the form of a table top or piece of furniture. Most of these, even very high end pieces, are made of laminated plywood and veneer. They do this because it is very structurally stable, meaning it moves little in changing climates. A solid wood counter is different. It is made up of large volume planks of wood that can expand and contract up to a ¼" throughout the year. This can causes glue joints to have texture and can cause a top to warp if it's not properly secured to its base. These are all natural movements and are by no means defects in the top.

Color variations of wood

Wood, as you know, is a natural product. We do not stain our countertops like most cabinet companies or furniture manufactures. This means that if you're working from one of our samples the actual product you get can vary in color. That's not to say we just use the wood we get and call it a day. Color consistency within a top is important to us and we go through several boards before having enough wood to fabricate the top we're working on.

Texture of wooden countertops

Wood has texture and it will vary from board to board and even within the same board. Wood grain will be denser in some areas and more open in others. This is typical of all woods and is not considered a defect.

Glue Joints

Throughout the year as humidity levels change glue joints may start to have a texture to them. This does not mean they are coming apart. It is simply the natural movement of wood.

Knots

Some woods have more knots than others but most have some. When we put together a top we remove as many of these as possible but most tops will still have a few. These are part of counter top's character and are not considered defects. If you prefer your counter top has no knots please specify that when getting a quote.

Checks

Checks are cracks in the wood grain. They are not on the glue joint. Solid wood countertops will do this from time to time, whether it's our counter top or someone elses, and it is not considered a defect. To repair a small check you can use a furniture wax stick. To repair a larger check apply TiteBond II wood glue to the area and let it soak into the crack. After it has reached capacity use a damp cloth to remove any excess glue.

Download Architectural Specifications

For all you architects out there please use these specs on every project you have. We'll do an excellent job for your customer.

• Download as a Word file
• Download as a PDF file

Cleaning Wood Countertops and Butcher Block Counters and Island Tops

• Conversion varnish: This is our standard finish. It is a very durable and scratch resistant finish. To clean it use any non abrasive surface cleaner like Windex or Simple Green.
• Tung-oil: The tung-oil we use and recommend is Waterlox original wood sealer. It is easy to apply and hold up well against water and other liquids. The oil will need re-applied once a year according the the directions on the can. Clean with a mixture of 1 part white vinegar to 3 parts water. This is safe for the wood and you and acts as a great natural antibacterial.
• Food safe mineral oil or butcher block oil/wax: This finish needs re-applied about 6 times a year. Clean with a mixture of 1 part white vinegar to 3 parts water. It will not harm the wood and is a safe antibacterial agent for you. Mineral oil can be found at your local pharmacy store. If you chose to use butchers wax we like Howard Brand because it's good, food safe and available at most home improvement stores. Feel free to use either or and one on top of the other.

question and answer

Do I need to worry about my wood countertop or butcher block harboring bacteria?

No. There is no good evidence that wood harbors more bacteria than plastic. There is evidence that many woods actually kill bacteria. Have you visited a real butcher shop of late? Do you see the butcher cutting the choice pieces of meat on granite or stone? No, the butcher uses what his profession has used for centuries – wood – butcher block. And his health inspection certificate behind his counter verifies the ease of clean up and disinfecting.

Do wood countertops warp?

They can warp at times due to changes in the humidity levels. This is not a problem if you follow recommended installation directions.

Do wood countertops crack?

They can developed small cracks or checks. These are not considered defects as solid wood will do this naturally. They rarely become structural problems and if desired can easily be repaired by the home owner.

Do wood countertops ever move or change shape?

Yes. During different times of the year they will move or change dimension. This is a natural fact of solid wood. Remember that we are not talking about plywood, which makes up virtually all wood furniture. Plywood has a much reduced reactivity to climate change.

Can I cut on the surface of my wood counter / butchers block?

You can cut on the surface if you have our mineral oil finish. If you have our standard finish we recommend using a cutting board.

Can I have an undermount sink?

Yes. Our countertops are sealed to protect them against water damage.

Can I set a hot pan on my counter surface?

No. We recommend using a trivet instead. You can damage the finish and/or the wood if the pan is too hot.

Sustainability of Wood Countertops

As we all know wood is a 100% renewable resource. In the production of our wood countertops we use wood from sustainability harvested forests with much of it certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. This process is still in its infancy so not all lumber is certified due to complications in the procedures and storage of the lumber. In efforts to go beyond this we offer Lyptus, a brand name lumber which is 100% sustainability grown in special forests. Even the mills that process the boards are operated on the unusable remnants of the trees. We also offer reclaimed lumber which has been gathered from construction tear downs and from river beads.

wood countertop warranty

Download a printable PDF version

J. Aaron LLC warrants our wood countertops for 5 years against glue joint separation, structural water damage, and unreasonable warping. Wood tops will slightly move and change dimension with changing environmental conditions but they should never become a distraction or cause structural problems for the counter top or its surroundings. J. Aaron is not responsible for labor or installation charges, or any other expenses associated with defective product. J. Aaron LLC's sole responsibility is replacement, exchange, or repair of defective product.

Exclusions

• This warranty does not cover products installed in any outdoor application.
• This warranty does not cover use for any commercial purpose.
• This warranty does not cover improper use or abuse. Improper use or abuse includes, but is not limited to, damage from mishandling, damage from excessive heat or uneven exposure to weather conditions, physical or chemical abuse and damage from improper care and maintenance.
• This warranty does not cover scratches.
• This warranty does not cover failures due to installers not following the prescribed installation procedures as outlined by J. Aaron LLC.
• This warranty does not cover any chemical damage.
• This warranty does not cover any failures due to inadequate support for the installation.
• This warranty does not cover an texture of glue joints which is a natural occurrence.
• This warranty does not cover the altering of any factory applied finish.
• This warranty does not cover additional modifications such as plumbing, electrical, tile, cabinets, flooring, etc. that may be necessary to repair or replace the J. Aaron product covered under this warranty.
• This warranty does not cover checking which is a natural occurrence in solid wood.
• This warranty does not cover countertops finished with mineral oil or tung-oil against water damage.
• This warranty applies only to installations that are permanently installed in residences and that have not been moved from original installations.
• This warranty does not cover products that have not been paid in full.
• This warranty is transferable during the warranty period to any subsequent owner of the residence in which the surface product was originally installed, provided the original purchaser provides in writing to J. Aaron LLC the name of the new owner and contact information within ninety (90) days of the transfer. Under no circumstance will this warranty exceed five (5) years past the date of sale.
• Routine maintenance and minor conditions such as stains, checking, shallow warping, and water spots that are a function of proper care and maintenance and which may be corrected by following the techniques specified in the Care & Maintenance Guide are not covered.
• This warranty does not cover product installed with known or visible manufacturing defects at time of installation, including but not limited to color variance or flatness deviation beyond reasonable expectations.

Conclusion

The information here is a very good place to start and covers the majority of anything you would need or want to know about the surface. If you need more wood counter information please call us at 866-583-4200.