My teak countertops are in an :L: around the gas cooktop , deep fat fryer (built in) and the undermount soapstone sink. It has been sealed by me with Waterlox. There were many threads in the past on this topic...not sure if they are still around. Our wood looks just like it did when installed almost 2 years ago. We do a lot of high heat cooking and of course lots of dishes and prepping on the counter. Here is a pic or two. c

before waterlox:

{{!gwi}}

after 1 coat:

{{!gwi}}

I have had two of my wood counters since 1980 and two since 2006. They both look the same. The old ones have been sanded many times and the new ones not at all. I oil them once in a while and prep everything on all of them. Granted, they aren't teak or fancy -- just very thick. I love them.

Elizabeth, what kind of wood are they? Do you cut on them? I wonder about writing with pen on wood counters...

Wow, I'm becoming convinced! Trailrunner, thanks for the pics. It's amazing how good the wood looks given all the work going on there. Elizabeth and trailrunner, I'd like to know the same as kelleg, on top of all the work that it takes, can my 11 year old do his homework on it? This is kind of exciting...I haven't been able to get into granite or caesarstone-type countertops too much yet (maybe not enough exposure yet)...but I love the wood.

I have never tried writing on them ! I guess that will be a task for tomorrow :) I will let you know. Thank you . c