Creative Ideas For Using Butcher Blocks Savannah GA

There are many ways for you to use butcher block in your home.

Butcher block was invented in the late 1800s in response to the needs of butchers for a strong, sanitary working surface that could be thoroughly cleaned and withstand the rigors of a butcher's work. It was discovered that end-grain wood pieces, laminated together to form a slab, provided an ideal solution.

One of the oldest manufacturers of butcher block, The Michigan Maple Block Company , introduced the butcher block around the turn of the last century. In the history section of the company's website, the story is that "the end grain laminated hard maple butcher blocks were enormously successful, easily replacing the old sycamore rounds, whose tendency to split had created sanitation problems. Today, properly dried, hard maple remains the ideal wood for butcher blocks. The close grain provides a smooth surface, easily cleaned and cared for."

Butcher block surfacing is widely available now from a variety of sources, and is used for countertops, workbench tops, furniture, food service island tops, and an array of gourmet products, such as cutting boards and kitchen work carts and tables. It continues to be used in the butcher industry and is also used in research labs, school science classrooms, and industrial arts departments.

For homeowners who love the warmth of wood and appreciate the craftsmanship and sturdiness of butcher block surfacing, there are lots of options for use in:

• Kitchens

Read the full article in the CalFinder Remodeling and Home Solar Power Magazine