Home Improvements

[Larry.Jenkins]

We have an Island cabinet in our kitchen that has a Formica top on it.

I want to make a solid wood top for it and would like your opinions about:

Type of wood

Thickness

Type of construction (edge grain, wide strips, etc.)

Edge trim

Finish

The present top now measures 27" x 36"

Larry

[amateur60]

Does this island have stoves and/or sinks in it? 

[firejohn]

How does it get used?  If it's like ours, whatever is brought into the kitchen gets dumped there first.  I'd stick with the formica, rather than wood, just for the durability.

[PeteM]

El Boss wanted to match the existing counters, which were all granite, so for me "none of the above".

[Larry.Jenkins]

Present island countertop is plain.

I just wanted something different.  No need to do any matching.

The War Department would like granite on all the other counters, but I would need a gun, mask and a lot of courage.

I think I want a laminated hardwood set on their edges?  Further comments?

Larry

[thehandyandy]

Butcher block tops are popular with a lot of people for islands.

[GeorgeK-NJ]

Found this link.  Looks like for a couple bucks you can get one.

 http://www.butcherblockspecialist.com/Tabletops.htm

[whitedogstr8leg]

 Typeof wood: Maple    Thickness:  1-1/2"   Board width: Again 1-1/2"    Glue up strips, in what ever "pattern" ( grain-wise) you like.  As to finish..... well, I suggest checking with the "Finishing Gurus" on this one.  Edge trim: Maybe as simple as a "round-over" to maybe an Ogee.   Let the "end grain" show,  any "trim" across this area will result in problems.  Of course, being a "concrete guy", you know what I'd do, LOL.

[Larry.Jenkins]

Dawg..

Somehow I knew you would say that..  Considering it.

Larry

[jandsjacobson99]

I find it funny that the butcher block site posted has red oak as a choice for butcher blocks.  That sure sounds like a bad idea to me!

Maple, walnut, and cherry are all good options.  You could mix them with a bit of others (purpleheart, etc) to get a really nice looking top.  Gonna be expensive no matter which way you go.

Best of luck!