Wood countertops do not normally come in one huge piece of wood unless you decide to be a little exotic and go for a single piece of tree trunk cut down to your liking.
Then you can really have a cool looking kitchen countertop.
Wood countertops normally come in wood segment pieces that are glued together and planned to smooth out the surface.
The wood countertop segments are arranged by paying attention to the wood grain.
This will determine how the wood countertop will look like and how strong it will be once assembled.
There are three types of wood grains to be considered when assembling a wood countertop for your kitchen.
The first is known as the face grain which uses the surface width of the board.
The next is known as the edge grain which uses strips placed on edge.
The last one is known as the end grain which utilizes blocks of wood arranged with the ends pointing upwards to reveal the growth rings.
Wood countertop can be built with just one type of wood if preferred.
The hard maple with its tight grains has long been a favorite while the rich-grained red oak is fast becoming popular.
Some wood countertop fabricators will mix and match different wood to build a wood countertop.
A combination of Brazilian cherry and mesquite can bring out some beautiful tone and color combinations.
Some care needs to go in maintaining a wood countertop to preserve the luster.
Wood oxidizes over time and some wood countertop will change their color a bit.
Wood countertops also absorb or lose moisture depending on which environment they are in.
Apply a good finish to ensure that your wood countertop remains in good working condition.
The right kind of finish depends on your personal preference and the type of usage your countertop will see.
With the right combination of wood, finish and some tender loving care, your wood countertop will last a long time.
The grains of the wood countertop and the earthly shades of the colors will certainly add some warmth to your kitchen.