How Much Do Wood Countertops Cost?

Price of Wood Countertops

Butcher Block Countertop Prices

For an average kitchen with about 50 square feet of countertop, the price runs $1,000 to $3,500. That price doesn’t include labor. The lower end represents what’s known as “builder grade” or off-the-shelf varieties found at your local home improvement store. Designer or artisan sourced represents higher prices. The price depends on a few factors, including size, type, and material, and whether you are buying it finished or unfinished.

Wood Countertop Prices by Type

*Cost ranges include both finished and unfinished materials. It does not include labor or installation costs.

Maple

Maple wood countertops cost $20 to $100 per square foot. Hard with a clear grain, flat-grain maple makes an economical and popular choice.  “Although more cost-friendly, maple is a softer wood that is more easily scarred and nicked,” says Ezra Laniado, Expert Home Building and Remodeling Contributor. 

You’ll often find the light-colored maple mixed with dark walnut or mahogany for mixed wood counters.

Acacia

Acacia (Golden Teak) costs $20 to $60 per square foot. Finished acacia can run over $100 per square foot but due to its popularity, the price continues to drop.

Walnut

Walnut wood countertops cost $20 to $100 per square foot. This is a stronger material that comes in a variety of hues. You might find that some of your other furniture is also made of this material.

Oak

Oak counters, a traditional American hardwood, costs $20 to $100 per square foot, depending on the species. White oak costs about twice as much as darker oaks. It’s also considerably denser and makes for a contemporary edge or end grain counter.

Cherry

Cherry countertop prices range from $20 to $60 per square foot. It has a rich, red color. It is strongest when the end grain is facing up. Cherry has a smooth, even finish that’s used in everything from butcher blocks to some furniture. Also, be careful not to mistake the common cherry stain finish, which mimics cherry wood's red look, for real cherry wood.

Teak

Teak costs $100 to $200 as a countertop. It’s almost always custom work. Teak has become an incredibly popular luxury wood for everything from countertops to floors and siding.

Zebrawood, Leopardwood, and Tigerwood

Zebrawood, Leopardwood, and Tigerwood cost $40 to $150 per square foot.

• Zebrawood: Comes from Africa and has distinct, attractive light and dark grain. This is a very dense wood, making it quite suitable for butcher blocks.

• Leopardwood: Comes from Central and South America with a spotted light and dark grain. Extremely dense and better for edge grain boards.

• Tigerwood: Also known as African walnut, tigerwood has larger stripes than zebrawood. It’s better as an edge grain than end grain.

Bamboo

Bamboo counters cost $25 to $100 per square foot. As demand for this sustainable product increases, the price continues to drop. Like cherry, bamboo is strongest at the end grain. You can darken bamboo for variations in the finish.

Wenge

Wenge counters cost $50 to $140 per square foot. This dense African wood hides knife marks and won’t warp with exposure to moisture. It is resistant to warping even when cut thin and laid flat.

Mixed Woods

You can mix almost any variety of wood for $30 to $150 per square foot. You can mix end grain, face grain, and edge grain for visual appeal. Pricing depends on which woods you mix. For example, you can mix maple and cherry for around $40 per square foot, or walnut and zebrawood for close to $150 per square foot.

Petrified Wood Countertop Price

Petrified wood counters come from fossilized wood. They’re each unique, and pricing varies considerably. But it’s a stone and not a wood counter. You’ll buy it from granite and stone specialty stores and install it like marble or granite.

Wood Countertops Price vs. Granite

Granite countertops cost 20% to 50% more than wood counters. However, they’re more durable and require less maintenance.

Wood Countertops Cost per Square Foot

Wood countertop prices range from $20 to $140 per square foot, with an average of $40 per square foot. The price for wood counters varies significantly depending on the type of wood you choose. Here are some typical prices for common wood types:

Average Cost of Butcher Block Countertops

A butcher block counters' average cost runs $2,000 for 50 square feet or about $40 per square foot. Prices can double for finished counters with custom edges, stains, and cutouts.

Wood Kitchen Countertops Cost

Wood kitchen countertops cost $40 per square foot on average or $50 per square foot on average to purchase and install. Kitchen countertops need to be thicker and finished in some way. You can use unfinished wood for office and living area counters and des.

Kitchens usually required thicker wood, anywhere from 1.5 inches to 3 inches thick. In an office, you can get away with wood as thin as half an inch thick. You’ll also need specialty cuts for corners and cutouts for sinks.

Wood Countertops Installation Cost

Labor for installing your wood countertop costs $5 to $15 per square foot. Butcher block countertops cost $40 to $100 to install, including materials and labor.

DIY Wood Countertop Installation vs. Hiring a Pro

Wood countertops make for the most DIY-friendly counter install. They’re lighter than most other types and are easy to cut and finish. It takes 10 to 20 hours to do correctly. The main drawback you’ll encounter comes from incorrect cuts for sinks or joints. Once cut, if done improperly, you’ll need to replace the entire wood top, which costs more than hiring a pro to install it in the first place. Find a local countertop installer to skip the hassle of a DIY project and potentially increase your costs.

FAQs

What are some styles and types of wood countertops?

When determining what kind of wood countertop to install, it’s important to determine the style you need. The three main styles are:

• Flat grain: Install this type of counter when you want a stylish look to show off the grain of the wood. Also known as wide plank style.

• End grain: Best for preparing food. Classically known as butcher block countertops, but modern usage has it meaning any wood counter.

• Edge grain: Very stable and works well as a surface counter. Must have a minimum thickness of 1 inch.

How long do wood countertops last?

Wood countertops last anywhere from 20 to 100 years, depending on how well you maintain them and the type of wood you purchase.

Are wood countertops hard to maintain?

Wood countertop maintenance depends on both the type of wood you purchase and how it was finished. Talk to your installer to find out what type of maintenance you’ll need for your kitchen.

Is a wood countertop sanitary?

Wood countertops are sanitary if they’re sealed and you clean them regularly. Like any counter, it’s best to clean any surface you plan to prepare food on.

How often should I oil my wood countertop?

Oiled finishes require monthly maintenance for the first year, with bi-yearly maintenance every year after that. Stained or sealed wood requires far less maintenance