Gone are the days when the wooden countertop was limited to the kitchen. Now you can use it for the laundry area, storeroom, and other parts of the home. The wooden countertop gives a ravishing and extraordinary look to your place. To get the beautiful countertops, you don’t have to spend a fortune as DIY wood countertops look expensive and elegant in comparison to the traditional one.
Today we will equip you with wood countertops DIY that is absolutely gorgeous and highly functional. The classic kitchen design is incomplete without the natural wood countertop. Functional ones like butcher block countertop are best for the kitchen as it is ideal for food preparation while the decorative countertop adds beauty to the place. Read further to know how to make a wooden countertop.
Reclaimed Wood Countertops
Reclaimed wood countertops are very popular since the 1980s. Its long life and sustainability make it the first choice for decades. The rustic and aged looking wood has its own charm and beauty. Its unique features like climate resistance and durable nature make it an ideal choice for centuries. Nowadays, the choice of countertops is not limited to the kitchen. The beauty of this is that you can use your DIY talent for the everlasting and beautiful countertops for the washing, kitchen, and other areas of the home.
Material Requirement:
- Circular saw
- Clean cloth
- Crowbar
- Foam brushes
- Finishing nails
- Large clamps
- Measuring tape
- Nail gun/hammer
- Paintbrushes
- Polyurethane
- Protective clothing
- Putty knife
- Rags
- Reclaimed wood
- Screwdriver
- Sandpaper
- Tack cloth
- Utility knife
- Wood conditioner
- Wood stain
- Wood glue
STEPS:
Remove the old countertop
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Disconnect your plumbing if the countertop is in the kitchen, utility areas, and kitchen. Unscrew the countertop with the help of a crowbar and putty knife.
Take the measurement
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Once all wood and items are removed, take the measurement of the counter with the help of measurement tape.
Measurement of wood
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Cut the wood with the help of a circular saw into the desired length and breadth.
Remove imperfection with medium-grit sandpaper
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The next step is to remove the imperfection and roughness with the help of sandpaper.
Glue wood together
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With the help of liquid nails, glue together separate pieces of wood before placing it on the desired location. Wipe out the extra glue with the help of a cloth.
Attach the countertop to the final place
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Attach the countertop to the desired location with the help of small nails and hammer. You can give a space of 1/8 to 1/4 inch on the counter.
Re-sand the uneven area
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With the help of sandpaper, re-sand the uneven area to affix the stain. Now wipe the block with the clean cloth.
Finishing to the countertop
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Give a finishing look to the countertop with the help of “conditioner”. It’s a water-based product.
Apply wood stain
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Apply the wood stain in color of your choice with the help of cloth or foam brush.
Polyurethane topcoat
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The final step is to apply 2 to 5 coats of Polyurethane topcoat, and your countertop is ready to use.
BUTCHER BLOCK COUNTERTOP:
Butcher Block is beautiful and durable as the natural wood. It is one of the least expensive woods and bulky and hard to cut. As butcher block is difficult to cut, so make sure to use a sharp saw and be careful while cutting it. Always use hearing and eye protection when working with the butcher block. Generally, the DIY project takes 5-6 hours, with the material cost of around $100 to $200.
Material Requirement:
- Raw butcher block slab
- One-by-ten board (optional)
- (32) 1-inch brass Phillips drive wood screws
- (8) 1 1/2-inch zinc-plated corner braces
- Cordless drill and drill bits
- Clean cotton rags
- Circular saw
- Clamps
- Electric belt sander (optional)
- Eye and hearing protection
- Hot glue gun (optional)
- Long strips of cardboard and painter’s tape or 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch hardboard
- Mineral oil
- Oscillating electric sander
- Portable work light
- Project panels
- Speed Square
- Tape measure
- Table saw or a circular saw equipped with a track system for perfect cuts
- Utility knife
STEPS:
Create a template
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Instead of measuring the dimension of a butcher block with measuring tape, create a template to get the accurate measures. The best way to do it is by using the long strips of cardboard. Keep the strip at the edge of the countertop. Now connect each strip with the hot glue to get the perfect idea about the measurement.
Cut the blocks
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For the perfect cut of large material, make sure to use the table saw with the track system. You can also use a straight board as the guide or one-by-ten pine board to get the perfect cutting.
Install the countertop
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Now place the block countertop on the top of cabinets and access the countertop from underneath. Attach the bottom top of the countertop with the L-shaped corner braces on the perpendicular wood elements. For a strong hold attached the braces at the multiple points of cabinets.
Final touch
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Once it is properly attached, take an electric sander along with the fine-grit sandpaper to smooth the surface. For the rougher surface, you can use the wood-scouring power of a belt sander. To protect the coating for longer-term, make sure mineral oil. Before installing a sink, make sure to apply oil inside-out of cutouts.
CARING TIPS:
- Keep the countertop as much dry as possible
- Avoid placing hot pan directly on the countertop
- Clean the countertop with soapy water
- Make use of cutting board to chop vegetables and fruits
Source: www.hgtv.com
Are You Ready for DIY?
With this post, we hope that your problem to refurnish or to remodel your kitchen look is solved. So are you ready for your own DIY wood countertops? Let us about your ideas and suggestion for wood countertops DIY in the comment section below. For all the beautiful DIY ideas, keep coming to HouseDecorationTips.