I want to replace our yellow formica counter top. The cabinets are smooth birch with very dark stain and the butternut will contrast nicely plus add the natural wood grain. I'm thinking mgf backing with butternut laminated on top, both for thickness and strength.
Has anyone used butternut for such a project and what would be the best finish for water resistance and general kitchen use?
Unless you're using veneer thickness material laminating solid wood panels to manufactured panels such as MDF or plywood is not a good idea. The solid wood will expand and contract with changes in moisture and will cause the panels to eventually destroy themselves.
I've used butternut for a closet door…..great looking wood, strong enough, and it's light, so it worked out well for a door. I agree that butternut isn't a great wood to expose to moisture. On the plus side, it works pretty nicely, but I'd cover it in epoxy or resin as Lis suggested, or wood consider a different wood.
I put Mahogany counter tops in my kitchen a couple of years ago. I would think Butternut is too soft but I'm no expert. There was a good article in Fine Homebuilding about 2 1/2 years ago on wood tops.
All the butternut I have seen needs A LOT of work to get into usable shape. Tons of huge knots, splits, and defects. I have about 8 board feet that I need to do something with
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