But what if there was a hardwood kitchen countertop that was affordable and looks great? As a very popular, durable and versatile hardwood, this Rubberwood countertop can be customized for your needs and can be easily cut, machined and finished. I think cheifneil's got a useful approach to thinking about this: the big question is what you expect out of your butcherblock, how you expect to use it and how much wear is okay. Rubberwood is classified as moderately hard at 4,280 N. For comparison, merbau wood has a Janka hardness of 7,620 N, nyatoh at 4,760 N, andteakwood at 4,740 N. As such, a rubberwood countertop will be able to withstand regular kitchen use without any problems. A kitchen cart not only provides additional space for your kitchen storage needs, it also enhances the look of your kitchen. 12 years ago they sold a butcher block size table! Hope that helps. You just want to even out the wood for whatever finish you'll use. We Sendhamarai Engineering. I've also purchased from a local lumber store called Northwest Lumber. And while we don't eat off of the island, if food falls on it while chopping or prepping, we currently feel comfortable picking it up and putting it back on the plate. Maple does yellow over time, especially with exposure to direct sun, but the yellowing of a given piece of furniture also depends on the finish used. Or is there not really any good substitute for the e.g.m.? I want a satin finish and wonder if poly would make it too "shiney?". You can customise these designs to your floor plan, or even replace materials, finishes and colours. Prior to Recommend, Alex was a former coder and content director at a B2B agency for Fortune 500 tech clients. I remembered I trick I had heard about years ago and decided to try it out. I didn't want butcher block but boards and I wanted it thick. We also serviced for aluminium scaffolding rental process to help man access any service in height design. But these options can be expensive. It is large and my mother in law hates it but I love it!! I think you are smart to be concerned what you finish your countertops with. I ask that you credit my site with a link if you reference one of my projects or use a photo. It left the finish looking exactly the same -- no cloudiness at all. If I buy rubberwood, will it age like the Maple and ultimatelly match the Maple? Your working style always forced me to comment and appricate you work. x 4 ft. (635mm x 1219mm)25 in. There are a few options when it comes to finishing butcher block and those depend on your design preference. Sustainable harvested What is the hardness of rubberwood compared to other hardwoods? if it doesn't say that, it's a varnish. For some reason, this retailer touts the fact that rubberwood is an eco-friendly wood since latex is used from its sap and thus the wood can be used. A308 Phileo Damansara I, Jalan 16/11, 46350 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. Rubberwood is considered a hardwood, although it is lighter than other common wood varieties like chengal and keruing. I was wondering if you are planning to do an entire project post on the desk (cabinets, end bookcase, and attaching the butcher block)? (44mm) Thickness Sizes W x L:25 in. Vee. The hardness of wood is measured by the Janka hardness scale. No matter what you plan to do with your butcher block, the first step is to sand it. A wooden kitchen counter is also less noisy. I'm Sarah, and I love sharing simple, inexpensive ways to decorate your home. If you have a bag that is heavily creased for some reason, just use an iron (no steam!) My frustration is that on the website they show other slabs and all my next choices for light, hardwood are all unavailable. That makes me think it's OK as long as it's fully cured, and as long as you aren't chopping food on it. In fact, 80 per cent of furniture exports from Malaysia to other countries are made from rubberwood, according toMalaysian Timber Industry (MTIB) director-general Datuk Dr Jalaluddin Harun (source: NST). Lowest Prices. 1.25 in. However, some homeowners shy away from rubberwood in favour of other premium hardwoods, because they feel that the grain pattern in rubberwood is a bit dull, or has less personality (source). They give any kitchen a warm and natural look. Remember if you want a high gloss finish to pick accordingly. Luckily, any marks or stains can be easily sanded off and refinished. One thing I thought of is dining tables are usually finished with poly or some kind of hard finish, and we eat food on/around those every day. It's beautiful natural. As always, avoid putting hot woks and pans directly on the counter. Answers probably vary widely. x 8 ft. x .708 in. As such, it may be beyond the budget of first-time homeowners. I couldn't even believe how well it worked! Be sure to wipe it down with a tack cloth or a wet rag -- if you use a wet cloth it will open up the wood even more to accept stain. Any given piece of furniture, though, may or may not have a finish that's prone to yellow. It will become gummy and won't dry well if you rush it. At 30 years old it is no longer a good sap producer. It really enhances the tones in the wood and protects it from liquids and most stains. And 45% cheaper than Merbau (Source: Malaysian Timber Industry Board). :) (Next year we'll have one here in Indy, yay!!) A lot of inexpensive furniture is made from it because it machines well and is plentiful in the vicinity of certain Asian manufacturing companies. Regular maintenance of your Sparrow Peak countertop will ensure its beauty lasts for generations to come. Since the wood fibers are perpendicular to an end-grain surface, you don't cut through them as you chop food; you do less damage. The wood planks are popular in furniture and cabinetry because of its uniform grain and ease of manufacture. I used a section of IKEA butcher block, cut straight down the middle, to make the counters for the. These butcher blocks have the chops to perform under pressure, Keep butcher block counters and boards looking sharp as a knife and sanitized for safe food prep with this advice from a pro woodworker, Edge-grain and end-grain butcher block options for any kitchen, Keep knife marks in their place and make dicing and slicing more convenient with an integrated butcher block or cutting board, Make your kitchen workspace stand out with colored ceramic tile, back-painted glass, butcher block and more, Wood floors, butcher block countertops, custom furnishings and LED lights make life on the road feel like just another stylish day at home, Sun-blocking screens help you stay cool, play with light and create a stunning modern exterior, A San Francisco space goes from blocked off to spot on, blending Victorian, midcentury modern and contemporary details, Contrast or complement textures, tones and more by using a mix of materials for countertops and island tops, Explore the pros and cons of 11 kitchen countertop materials. Thanks Sarah!! Do this diligently and your wooden worktop will last for a long time. Waterlox could be the same, although, they do say it's food safe (once dry!). Perfect timing as we just purchased 2 inch think rubberwood for our kitchen counters this past weekend. It's beautiful to me, but the sales pitch seems a bit over blown compared to some of the remarks about rubberwood here. One of the top glass design work held in art gallery expo. Every year or so I would sand down the island and reapply the Tung oil, so there is a bit of upkeep with this. Thanks for the reply. I used their island size for our kitchen and they cut it down and refinished it with a food safe protective treatment. The high availability of rubberwood In Malaysia means that local manufacturers can use it predominantly in their cabinets and furniture. Make sure you have time to stain the entire piece at one time. Links:http://www.oakplus.com/rubberwood.htmhttp://web.utk.edu/~mtaylo29/pages/rubberwood.htmhttp://www.andamans.com/RubWd.htm. thickness (100mm x 1219mm x 18mm), Message please include details of the species or items you are inquiring about, 2022 Sparrow Peak. I think the birch will be ok, so I might just make due with that if I don't get that pretty ash. In my casual observations, rubberwood has seemed to be more color-stable than maple. My parents have had butcher block countertops for 35 years and they are beautiful. I think polyurethane would help keep it looking better, but I'm weary of using that since it's in the kitchen. I'm not planning on using polyurethane, would just like to use oil. Alex is a content marketer, geek dad, and digital marketing specialist. I have used paper bags for years. Just a tip thoughdon't use the printed side, especially with light/white paint. I believe the brand he uses is General Finishes. They are more expensive but are maple and come in much larger sizes. Even though that number is lower today due to a switch from rubber plantations to oil palm, Malaysia is still the worlds sixth largest producer of natural rubber, after Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, China and India. I have even eaten food from the table (like crackers,etc) and eaten it. Here's how this finish looks with IKEA butcher block: Can you believe how different our kitchen looks? At Recommend.my, you can browse our collection of pre-designed kitchen cabinets that incorporate rubberwood worktops. But I did love the natural look and it was a nice contrast to our dark floors. Rubberwood (aka hevea) has a Janka rating of 995 or so (between Cherry and Teak), and hard maple is 1450, so I would expect the maple to hold up better. : 201401020765 (1096851-A). However, wooden kitchen cabinet counters are generally seen as an expensive choice. Hi Sarah- I have been reading your blog for a few years now and always enjoy your projects. Does Rubberwood yellow/darken with age like Maple does?Since both woods are near the same color when fresh, what happens if combined in the same piece over time?What is really at play here is that rubberwood is becomming very ecconimical, and I am in the market for some additional furniture, and the other pieces and the room accents are in natural Maple (which have aged). Regarding Rubberwood.> It is enviro-friendly because it is farm grown for its sap. I don't know enough about the cellular structure of rubberwood to guess whether it would absorb more or less moisture than maple, which I think might be relevant to the block's long-term lifespan since the expansion and contraction that go with moisture absorbtion might put stress on the glue joints that hold the thing together. If you love a natural, Scandinavian look in your home, then you will likely want a granite stone, quartz stone or wooden kitchen counter. |, A natural light blonde to medium tan heartwood, sometimes with medium brown streaks and sapwood that is not distinct from heartwood, Grain is straight, with a somewhat coarse, open texture, Complete Care Instructions & Warranty Info. Countertops and cutting boards will likely take a beating over the holidays. I was thinking of just doing a natural oil treatment or a wax. Sparrow Peak Butcher Blocks are easily customizable and can easily be cut or joined together to fit any project needs. Of course, the grain patterns will never change to match maple. So when I was finished with the desk in the craft room it still had a slightly rough texture that was bugging me. How many trees is too many? Here's how the wood stain and poly looks on, If you don't add that protective coat they will be very hard to clean and will not be protected against liquids. sorry. I don't think it is worth the risk to use something that is not food safe. The rolling island will be stationed at the end of a run of cabinets when not in use, so it will look like it belongs with the stationary cabinets and is not an add on accessory, like a cart. Solid wood butcher block can easily be cut, stained, lacquered and finished We are planning to route, stain poly in the next couple of weekends. seam directly through middle of walnut counter top/desk. Manufacturer will also suggest that you oil it every few weeks, and reapply the protective seal once every few years. Now I need to decide between those and find the right sealer quickly because my cabinets have arrived - and I need this storage badly! Also, it is really important to let the stain dry and cure the recommended time in between coats. Can I put a sink in a rubberwood worktop? It turns out, there is. Required fields are marked *. Your kitchen countertop will take a lot of abuse over the years, so you need to choose one that suits your needs and budget. Looks very nice. I never used it before because I thought it would slow the process down, and that's not true at all. Also, IKEA used to have an island size and I get mixed info on whether or not they still carry it in the Numerar butcher block. Still, would an end-grain rubberwood be better than and edge-grain anything, if DH won't spring for the end-grain maple? Above: Processing rubber trees in sawmill, In May 2017, the Malaysian government imposed a total ban on the export of raw rubberwood. Hi! Two choices then are its fate. x 6 ft. (762mm x 1829mm)39 in. Where did you get the dark handle pulls for your new loft/craft room desk? Explore a collection of kitchen carts and islands that make for efficient mobile storage that can be used in the kitchen, office or garage. But how are you going to fit an island in there? Sometimes referred to by its scientific name, Hevea brasiliensis, Rubberwood stems from the Maple family and is plantation grown then harvested after it completes a latex producing cycle. One important decision in any kitchen renovation is choosing the right kitchen countertop material. Just dont pound your sambal belacan on it! We recommend visiting with a Lowes paint and stain specialist for tips on finishing with oils or varnishes based on your specific needs. The one thing that has stopped me is that I want it where I prepare food. When a rubber tree has passed the age where it no longer produces quality latex, it can be harvested into planks, woodchips for MDF board, or plywood. It takes mere minutes to spread it on and you just leave it. We source each design from local and international designers, and manufacture them locally, direct from factories so they remain affordable. However, chemical treatments are being replaced by a method called high-temperature drying (HTD), a process developed in Malaysia by FRIM. For our kitchen island, we had one made out of hickory, same as our floors. Sounds like the stand-by end-grain maple is worth its price, and that one gets what one pays for with shortcuts. In Malaysia, sawn rubberwood timber is about 70% cheaper per cubic metre compared to Chengal. Put your dinnerware on a granite counter, and compare with a hardwood counter, and you can hear the difference. The options may surprise you, Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, Outdoor Lighting & Audio/Visual Specialists, http://web.utk.edu/~mtaylo29/pages/rubberwood.htm, Butcher Block Makes the Cut for Holiday Kitchen Prep, How to Clean and Care for Your Butcher Block, Shop Houzz: Classic Butcher Block for the Kitchen, Kitchen Counters: Try an Integrated Cutting Board for Easy Food Prep, New This Week: 4 Surprising Backsplash and Countertop Pairings, Adventure Seekers Hit the Road in a Cozy School Bus Home, Architectural Sunscreens Take the Heat Off Homes, Kitchen Countertops 101: Choosing a Surface Material, How to create wood detail around bathroom mirror. So, instead of working with a designer to build your space from scratch, our designs take you halfway there. I called Boos, they looked up our order and confirmed that they did in fact make the top and that they only do solid pieces - nothing hollow. Can I put my cooking stove on a rubberwood worktop? PS: Want more price estimates for your kitchen cabinet? Theres no denying that natural wooden countertops look gorgeous. As the co-founder of the Recommend Group, he drives digital, content marketing and SEO strategy as well as product development. Any thoughts? Malaysian rubber products are currently exported to more than 190 countries globally. Can you believe it? If only all of my kitchen issues could be so easily solved on Houzz! here's walnut I think doing something other than white would also look better. A natural light blonde to medium tan heartwood, sometimes with medium brown streaks and sapwood that is not distinct from heartwood If the latter then either will work, though maple is probably somewhat better. x 10 ft. (635mm x 3048mm)39 in. Like any other wooden worktop, you want to avoid exposing it to standing water or extreme heat. Co. Reg No. The idea is that my cabinet maker will make a "rolling chopping block island" out of a four drawer cabinet of the same cabinets he is doing for the rest of the kitchen. Whether you are entertaining or just need extra storage, you can interchange shelves, racks and baskets to suit your needs. Here is a link that might be useful: Rubberwood butcher block, "Still, would an end-grain rubberwood be better than and edge-grain anything, if DH won't spring for the end-grain maple?". Each countertop is unique with naturally occurring variations in color, grain patterns and the organic features of real wood, Sparrow Peak Rubberwood 10-ft Natural Straight Butcher Block Rubberwood Kitchen Countertop. Cutting wood destroys trees, no doubt about it. https://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?27840-tung-oil-questionIf you want to use tung oil, then use actual 100% tung oil. find ready made butcher block you can take home today, create the look of butcher block for a lot less here. Choose from stainless steel tops, natural wood top, wood top, bamboo and granite tops that are sturdy and long-lasting. Hi Sarah-- thanks for his post. (The idea is to maximize space for guests to help and pull out a knife and have their own station.) After your stain has dried you need to protect it, especially if you will using the piece. It is showing some age so my plan is to sand it down and oil it. My guess is that endgrain is good because it's more or less self-healing. Butcher block screwed into the top for its counter, and locking casters to roll it where needed. So as far as purchasing a butcher block, would end-grain rubberwood be a good substitute for the end-grain maple if the maple price point was too out of reach, since the rubberwood is dense and not porous? You just rub it over the surface and it knocks down those tiny imperfections that make it feel rough. (Source: NST). Works great as a countertop, desktop, standing desktop, work bench or table I think adding them to an island is a perfect mix -- you don't have to worry about the area near the sink but you still get the warmth of the wood. Blocking liquid is the. After the tree stops producing useful latex (about 30 years after planting), it is used to make rubber wood planks. That's what we used on our kitchen counters, and it's amazing. Any thoughts? Every piece I bring home I sand, even if it's been done already. Use of this site is subject to certainTerms of Service. Look through brands like Boraam, Linon, Crosley, Catskill, Dorel, Hodedah and Winsome. You forgot an alternative sealer that's even better than Polyurethane: Waterlox. Those pieces can scratch the finish. You don't have to go crazy with it -- just a light sanding with a fine grit is fine. I don't know how well it work work between coats but for a final touch it was perfect. I got a bunch of questions about the butcher block so I figured this would be a good time to recap how to finish butcher and share how we've used it in our house. I've used it countless times while painting furniture - between coats and after the final coat. Did you use polyurethane on the kitchen island too? or, why not just do a thin french island type of look? It makes very prety furiniture.> It is not Maple, but as I have read, it is in the Maple family because it is used for its sap. The board is end grain. This can be seen in the image above. (32mm) Thickness Sizes W x L:25 in. This version speeds up the process a bit because you can reapply quicker. (Just be sure to get all areas or it may look different in spots when you stain.). Has anyone had any success using Watco Butcher Block Oil as a finish? Your Home is in Safe Hands. I could have tried steel wool but was nervous it would do the same. Granite and quartz countertops start fromRM250 per foot run and above. I want you to use my ideas! 2016-2021 Super Arbor. We deliver - town to town, door to door. I have wondered about this too. x 6 ft. (635mm x 1829mm)25 in. Anyone know of rubberwood butcher blocks? He to this day is firm about how important it is to use a product that is safe for the countertops. why not a soft blue or green or even charcoal color island? Maybe you know of this awesome trick but I was so surprised with the results. Easy Online Shopping. And I don't want varnish on my food prep surface. I'm looking at Rubberwood as an economical substitute for maple for a 30"x84" butcherblock counter. So, rather than selling raw rubberwood to overseas markets, it is made available to local manufacturers to use. You can leave it natural and put a polyurethane on it (more on that in a minute), you can stain or you can enhance the natural wood with Tung oil: When I first installed butcher block I was concerned about using anything on it that wasn't food safe. So, in a sense, they are being recycled to make your kitchen countertop. And, if you want to change the colour of the worktop, you can do that too. I'm putting this to rest! These are all good questions I should answer. So, if you have a 6 foot kitchen counter, youre already expected to spend at least RM1,500 just for your countertop alone. you have a lot of white already. Fast Delivery. To add more variety into the rubberwood counter, manufacturers will join several pieces together to make a patterned block. I'm back today with some more details on the DIY desk I made in our. We have a butcher block kitchen table from IKEA. I just don't always purchase from there because it's a four hour round trip. They have birch in stock and beech a couple days out, but I don't know what kind of color they turn when sealed. x 4 ft. (635mm x 1219mm)25 in. I've purchased at two places. Rubberwood is most definitely not a maple, but it might make a fine butcher block: dense, not to porous. Should i seal or add poly to my butcher block countertops? Truthfully, I spent some time looking at the Janka hardness ratings, and as much as I like that chevron, the rating for hevea is only 933. research it for yourself. Try our kitchen cabinet calculator, Pingback: Wood Planks Malaysia Best Woods working, Pingback: What is Rubberwood? I am also a bread baker and knead my bread on the counter. Your email address will not be published. Isn't that awesome? Also, be sure not to use the "glued together" parts (like the bottom or where the handles attach, if any). I first learned about it years ago while taking a decorative painting class. x 6 ft. (635mm x 1829mm)25 in. The rationale that says "rubberwood is an eco-friendly wood since latex is used from its sap and thus the wood can be used" sounds suspicious to me; do the trees need to be cut to harvest the sap? If allowable I've linked to the one I'm looking at. Is there a sealant that is food safe? I'm not too worried about the pristine look of the butcher block, but I do want to start out with a hard surface. I appreciate your thoughts! I really prefer something that doesnt have too much gold or reds. Just want to know if it rings any bells. I understand that the beat-up, chopped-up, stained look is part of the charm of butcher block, but personally I'd use a cutting board that I could throw in the dishwasher every once in a while and then it wouldn't matter what species you use for the butcher block. Plus, having a thick wooden worktop is very trendy these days. Wanted to chime in on the paper bag trick. Made from sustainable forested hardwood trees, these solid-wood, finger-joint countertops have light tan to blond tones with straight grains. Realistically, though, unless you're planning to use this thing very heavily, we're splitting hairs. treated in a preservative to prevent it from beetle infestation, high-temperature drying (HTD), a process developed in Malaysia by FRIM, See how these Malaysian homes elevated their interiors with a feature wall, Home offices in Malaysia becoming fancier due to regular WFH, Bangsar luxury condo stands out in grey and warm tones, Soft curves adds a feminine touch to this apartment interior design in Kota Damansara, These porch and patio designs in Malaysian homes are cool and welcoming, 8 small condo interior design ideas in Johor Bahru. As of 7/17/2022, Your credit card will be charged once fulfillment of your order is complete. In fact, acountertop like the one in the image above would cost about RM500, compared to RM1000 for solid surface. Works beautifully and doesn't create dust like sanding. I noticed that rubberwood flakes upon washing iteven more-so than other woods. and press those areas out. If the former, don't plan on cutting on any wood countertop. It also means that its possible to get a rubberwood kitchen counter worktop from as low as RM100 per foot run. I love this stain and it is the color I use most on projects around the house. Our Boom Lift Rental Equipment access to product art in height work. Excellent as always. Very durable Tough question. : It was a paper bag! :-) https://wanderlustingbydesign.com/2016/09/22/sharpie-subway-tiles/. Can be cut for use with a sink - be sure to carefully seal all surfaces and edges from moisture Keep a "wet edge"while applying, meaning don't walk away from your project in the process. Using the whole tree is one thing, but not necessarily entirely eco-friendly if said manufacturers, (and some Asian ones perhaps not all that regulated) are not mindful of their practices. Contact Recommend.myIF YOU ARE A CUSTOMER:E:[emailprotected]T:012 568 3038Whatsapp:603 79311770Help articles, IF YOU ARE A VENDOR:E:[emailprotected]T:012 356 3038Whatsapp:012 988 3038Support articles. Sparrow Peak Rubberwood countertops provide natural wood warmth and beauty for your kitchen and home. Houzz Pro: One simple solution for contractors and design pros, benjesbride,,,, that's tung oil finish,,,it's little oil and full of resins and varnish. The retailer says it is a type of maple. Do knife marks and scratches say "broken" or "broken in?" For one, they are more affordable compared to natural stone (granite), engineered stone (quartz), or solid surface. Each countertop is unique with naturally occurring variations in color, grain patterns and the organic features of real wood. At Recommend.my, you can find the best kitchen cabinet contractors in Malaysia to build your customised design. We have a butcher block island from IKEA, but all we did to it was sand it and we oil it down like twice a year. But if you plan on cutting directly on it, both hard maple and hevea will look terrible pretty darn quick. I realized from some of your comments that the structure under this counter is different from that which was under my previous wood top and could account for the difference in sound. Thanks, Letty. 2022 RecomN Technologies Sdn Bhd. (But it will probably cost more.). x 6 ft. (990mm x 1849mm), 1.75 in. Scheduled contactless delivery as soon as today. They will also cut them down (for a fee). x 8 ft. (635mm x 2438mm)25 in. Last time i used some kind glue for wood. It's a beautiful dark brown with no red undertones: Follow the instructions on the can for the application -- there are two things to keep in mind when staining. This makes rubberwood an affordable way to create a beautiful kitchen countertop in your home. Thanks all for brainstorming. Thanks all for your great suggestions and insights. Our team will recalculate the cost and give you a final quote. "it is in the Maple family because it is used for its sap.". The only product that he has ever used and is willing to use is Salad bowl finish. I love the look. But overall, especially for countertops of any kind, you'll need to add a few coats of poly. Way too soft, especially in the laundry room under the utility sink! In the 1960s, the export of rubber products constituted 55% of Malaysias total exports (Source: rubberasia.com). At Target, find a wide range of kitchen carts and islands. I've since realized unless you are literally eating off of the countertop, you are OK to use a stain and poly. I didn't want to use sandpaper on it because it can change the look of the wood and make it slightly cloudy. I just used a little piece of the bag and it worked for the whole desk. I think I must have jostled the poly around too much before I used it because it was just not the finish I was used to. And using hardwood kitchen counters have a quality that is hard for other materials to match. I'd be more concerned of the stripey butcher blocks clashing w/the busy backsplash pattern. My mother has kneaded many a loaves of bread on her countertops. and cats are in the dog family because they are pets? It works equally well for Malaysian homeowners looking for a minimalist, Scandinavian interior design style, or those looking for a more traditional, rustic look. In addition, they are less noisy when you put dishes on it, and can be polished relatively easily if it gets scratched. Browse through a large collection of kitchen carts and islands to find the perfect pick for you. Here's a closer look at the finished product: Using an island countertop size allowed me to create a massive double-sided desk.