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walnut countertop on island

Posted by lafacia (My Page) on
Wed, May 2, 12 at 16:27

Curious about walnut countertops. Seems to me like it would be more easily damaged/more in need of protection than marble. What am I missing? I love how it instantly brings warmth to a white kitchen but if I plan to use my island surface a lot is it not a good choice?


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RE: walnut countertop on island

There are varying thoughts. Most feel it's easier b/c it doesn't etch with acids like marble. If you finish with a product like Waterlox, it will be stain and water resistant. Others finish with mineral oil or an oil/wax combo. That needs to be maintained monthly. A plus is that you can buff out any issues whenever you want with a little sanding block and just re-oil.

I have heard one person say it is harder to keep than marble but most others say the opposite. We are doing a marble perimeter (danby) and a walnut island (oiled). I am thinking having the kids eat at wood will be better than at marble- where every orange juice or tomato sauce splatter will etch immediately. Plus I find wood warmer to sit at.

Here are a bunch of discussions on wood: how to finish it, how it holds up, etc... I had just suggested these to someone else with wood questions so here you go...

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0116253024906.html?1 1

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg012043375905.html?7

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0913354730186.html?d f796bfdf359db38a4b9594d4fad145aGq26I

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0211025631864.html

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg1214103427485.html

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0210344920885.html

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/wood/msg021053255637.html


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RE: walnut countertop on island

Nearly every kitchen table is made of wood, so I don't see the issues with using it on an island. My counters are currently laminate, so I don't cut on them or set hot things on them. I just love the warmth of the wood, too! Go for it!!


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RE: walnut countertop on island

I love my walnut island/peninsula. I have two bar stools that I occasionally sit at, and the thing that strikes me the most is that it's not as cold feeling as stone is.

I am one who uses the wax/oil combo, and I love it.


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RE: walnut countertop on island

Thank you! Reading through these links is really helpful. Someone said something about if you write on a piece of paper directly on the island it will imprint into the wood. There is no way I can avoid that - my kids will want to sit there to do homework and will definitely forget. And I'm also afraid guests/family visiting will think they can cut on it. I just don't love how it looks with scratches/cuts. It will be the only work surface in my kitchen that faces the outdoors so I think I'll end up cooking and baking at the island a lot. I think, believe it or not, marble might be friendlier for me. I guess I'll do the island itself in walnut for the warmth and make the top marble like the rest of the counters will be. Maybe there's another surface in my kitchen design that would work with the wood countertops...it's really stunning.


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RE: walnut countertop on island

I have a walnut butcher block island and I adore it. It's beautiful and strong. 4 years old and shows minimal wear.


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RE: walnut countertop on island

we are doing part of our island in walnut and part in granite. there may be a way you could still get the warmth of walnut...


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