How To Waterproof Butcher Block Countertops

Last spring we did a mini remodel of our kitchen. We had a subway tile backsplash installed, new faucet, and butcher block countertops. We also replaced some appliances that weren't working (a microwave with a broken vent fan & door handle, as well as an oven that would occasionally decide not turn on).

We went with the butcher-block countertops for a few reasons. One-they are less expensive than granite countertops, two--they are more eco-friendly, and three--they give a farmhouse look that we going for with our remodel. They are also supposedly a surface that has anti-microbial properties. All definite reasons to go with butcher block in your kitchen.

However, after having them installed, we sealed them with a simple food grade mineral oil, which isn't a permanent solution for waterproofing. We learned you really have to reapply the mineral oil every two months, and it soon wears off, making your countertops soak-in any moisture, and leaving unsightly water rings in the wood. This wasn't ideal and caused lots of anxiety about anything wet touching the countertops.

So we looked for a more permanent solution. There are a number of products you can use to seal butcher block--such as Waterlox, Good Stuff and General Finishes Enduro-Var sealer. Waterlox is tinted and adds a slight orange color, while the product Good Stuff is not tinted. We went with Waterlox since that was the product recommended in a lot of DIY blogs we had read. We first sanded the countertops to get rid of the water rings, wiped them down, and applied the Waterlox treatment. The finished product is sealed very well and shows off the grain of the wood nicely.

We had to apply three coats of Waterlox to totally waterproof the countertops and wait 24 hours between coats. The product is non-toxic once it is sealed and food-safe but the Waterlox company doesn't recommend using the countertops as cutting boards since that would cut through the waterproofing and open up the wood to germs. The fumes were also pretty strong, and I had to evacuate (since I had a bun in the oven) leaving my husband to do the job with his face mask on.

If you are looking for a product that dries quicker with fewer fumes, the Enduro-Var product only takes 2 hours to dry and is less smelly. If we have another set of butcher block countertops to seal in our future I would probably try another product--either Good Stuff or Enduro-Var, to get a less tinted finish, or a quicker application.

However, considering how the Waterlox turned out we are immensely happy with how well the countertop is sealed from moisture as opposed to the mineral oil sealant. Now water beads up on the surface when spills happen, and the moisture is easy to wipe off. Months later the countertops are just as waterproof as they were when the Waterlox was applied, and I can now use the kitchen worry-free.

Let me know if you've tried any other products to waterproof butcher-block countertops.

The Anne with an E