If you do decide to look at wood as a countertop option, you’ll find there are more options – and decisions – surrounding this material than you may have thought. Let’s talk grains. The three basic types of grains for countertop applications are: flat grain, edge grain and end grain.

Flat grain is also known as “wide plank” and is what you might typically see as tabletops and desks. Aesthetically, this type of surface is beautiful, showing off the richness of color and natural variations of the wood. This grain is ideal for transforming kitchen islands or bar tops into true showpieces.
Edge grain is more typical of what you would find as a fine kitchen countertop. This wood is laid with strips running the length of the counter.

Finally, there is end grain, also known as butcherblock, chopping block or checkerboard. Butcherblock countertops are ideal for the homeowner who not only wants a unique look, but also a fully usable work surface. End grain gets its name from the application itself – wood pieces are stood on end to make up the surface of the counter. This is what creates the classic checkerboard appearance and also what makes this grain 10 times more durable than edge grain. When cutting on butcherblock, knives are not pressing against wood fibers as they would on edge or flat grain. Blades actually go between end grain wood fibers – similar to cutting into a stiff brush. This not only keeps knife marks from showing, but also helps knives to maintain their sharpness longer.

Once you’ve decided what grain best suits your needs, you’ll want to look at wood options. The Grothouse Lumber Company, specializing in fine custom wood countertops, butcherblocks and bar tops, has a huge assortment from which to choose. Whether you desire the light hues associated with ash or American beech, the honey tones of hard maple or walnut or something more exotic like zebrawood or Brazilian cherry, Grothouse can assist you in finding the wood perfect for your project. Beyond what they feature in brochures and online, they can acquire woods to suit your special taste.

For further customization, Grothouse can incorporate knife slots, juice grooves, curves, drain boards, inlayed trivets, expanded corners, bar rails and more into your countertop. In fact, design possibilities abound. If you don’t happen to like a checkerboard pattern, what about stripes? Grothouse is even able to inset pictures and logos into their wood.

Owning their own sawmill ensures that Grothouse customers are provided with the finest wood available from hand-selected and carefully processed trees. And with a company slogan of “Responsible Harvesting and Processing Today, means Trees for Tomorrow,” you know that your new showpiece is not at the expense of nature, but rather a representation of it.