How To Seal Butcher Block Countertops

Butcher block countertops are as popular as ever because of their classic and timeless appearance. They look great and look great in almost any kitchen. Even still, many homeowners understandably struggle with how to seal butcher block countertops.

Sand your butcher block countertops and clean the debris off of the surface with a vacuum and dry cloth. Apply your first coat of sealant and allow for 6-24 hours for it to dry depending on which sealant you use. Once dry, you can apply the second coat of sealant to the countertops and that should be enough.

You may not need to add a 3rd layer of sealant if you use an oil-based polyurethane sealant because of how durable it is. Make sure to oil your butcher block cabinets each month after you seal them to retain a nice appearance. Follow along as we explore how to seal butcher block countertops.

Butcher block countertops need to be sealed, or else you risk wood damage. The wood beneath the countertops can suffer water damage if you don’t seal your butcher block countertops. This can lead to wood rot and mold which can be dangerous.

Even if the wood doesn’t rot, it will likely get stained with water and it can become weak. The countertops themselves can suffer stains that will tarnish their appearance. There is no reason to forego sealing your butcher block countertops, and it is worth the cost to avoid problems in the future.

Polyurethane is the best sealant for butcher block countertops. Both oil-based and water-based polyurethane is effective for sealing butcher block countertops. It ultimately comes down to your budget and what you want out of a sealant.

You get more durability with oil-based polyurethane, but water-based polyurethane dries much faster. Oil-based polyurethane smells bad when it is drying, but the extra durability is worth the odor and long dry time. You also get a lusher finish with oil-based polyurethane which is worth it to many homeowners.

Sealing butcher block countertops is easy and doesn’t require professional help in most cases. You will have to spend at least $2 per square foot plus labor and material costs if you hire a professional. It typically takes at least 2 days to seal your butcher block countertops due to the time it takes for the sealant to dry.

You will save a fortune if you do it yourself and buy the materials on your own. Your only cost will be for the materials and sealant itself if you forego professional help and go the DIY route. It only requires a small list of materials for the job to seal butcher block countertops, such as:

Now, you are ready to apply the sealant to your butcher block countertops. Use either water or oil-based polyurethane to seal them. Prepare the sealant and stir it according to the manufacturer’s directions on the label. Never shake a can of polyurethane.

Use a brush to apply the polyurethane sealant to your butcher block countertops. Bristle brushes are the best option because they make it easy to achieve even strokes on the surface. Pay attention to your brush’s position so that you make consistent strokes.

It only takes 6 hours for water-based polyurethane to dry, but it takes a full day for oil-based polyurethane to dry. Leave your countertops alone while the first coat dries.

After 6-24 hours, your butcher block countertops will be ready for the second coat. Check to make sure that your sealant is dry by lightly touching a small area with your finger. Allow more time for it dry if it is still wet, and it’s likely because you used too much.

Point fans at the countertops if you need to speed up the process. If it’s dry, you can apply the second coat of sealant using the same steps as the first coat. Give the countertops another 6-24 hours to dry when you are done.

You need to clean your butcher block countertops once the second coat is dry. Debris and dust will likely settle on your countertops while the sealant is drying. You can remove the debris from the countertops as long as they are dry using a dry cloth, vacuum, or sandpaper.

Use a razor blade to carefully remove clumps of sealant that are abnormal and uneven if necessary. You can always add a third layer of sealant, but that is unnecessary if you apply the first two coats evenly. Oil-based polyurethane requires fewer coats than water-based sealant in most cases.

You should oil your butcher block countertops once a month to keep the appearance pristine. Otherwise, you risk your butcher block countertops looking dry, weak, and unappealing. Many manufacturers recommend that you oil your new countertops once a week for the first month.

This may be overkill for some homeowners, but it’s worth it if the manufacturer recommends it. After the first month, you can switch to oiling your butcher block countertops every month. Try not to oversaturate your countertops with oil because they won’t be able to absorb all of the oil.

You need to sand and clean your butcher block countertops before you seal them. It is easier to use a power tool from Black & Decker or Ryobi than to sand them by hand. You can sand them by hand if you use 60-grit sandpaper or stronger, but this will take much more time.

Clean and vacuum the butcher block countertops after you sand them so that the surface is clean. Now, you are ready to brush the first coat of sealant onto your butcher block countertops. Consider using oil-based polyurethane because it is much more durable than mineral oil or water-based polyurethane.

However, water-based polyurethane dries much quicker within 6 hours in most cases. Brush the first layer of sealant onto your countertops in broad and even strokes and let it dry. Add another layer two after each layer is dry. After that, you need to oil your countertops once per month so that they don’t get too dry.