Expansion and Contraction

All Butcher Blocks are at a moisture content of 6% when fabricated at the factory. Occasionally the blocks may take on additional moisture while being transported, especially in the spring and fall of the year, and slight warpage may occur. The block may expand as much as 3/16” every 4'. The wider the block, the greater the expansion. This is only temporary, once your top has become adjusted to its new surroundings, the moisture content will equalize and the panel may straighten out. 

The block will never change in length, only the width expands and contracts. Measure your block prior to installation to determine if it has changed in width. If it has changed, it would be advisable to allow the block to become equalized to the surrounding atmosphere. Under normal conditions the block will return to the original dimension during the winter months and will expand during the summer months when the humidity is greater. In areas where temperatures drop to 15 or lower in the winter, the indoor humidity can drop to as low as 10% relative humidity. At that low relative humidity below 35 % or above 45%.
A  25” block can shrink as much as 1/8”. Be sure to make allowances for this dimensional change.

Warping is caused by the expansion of either the top or bottom surface. This condition is easily corrected by placing the block on the cabinet bases and drawing the block down to a level position by attaching screws. All counter blocks should be attached to bases on or at least near all four corners.

Should the warp be too severe to fasten down, allow both sides of the block to be exposed to the same atmosphere. This is a temporary condition. The warpage will be corrected as the moisture content of the block is equalized on both top and bottom surfaces. 

#1 Edge Grain, Face-Wood Plank and End Grain (Pieces) for our Butcher Block  counter tops offer a beautiful warm look and are available in a wide range of wood colors. Hardwoods such as maples, ash, steamed euro beech, birds eye maple,  american walnut, alder, bubinga, jatoba, bubinga, butternut (white walnut), cherrys, english sycamore, brown oak,  hickory-pecan, iroko, lacewood, mahogany, sipo, sapele, african mahogany, padouk, knotty pine, red birch, oaks, teak, tigerwood, wenge,  yellowheart are most often used as counter top woods.
Pros: easy to clean; smooth; can be sanded and resealed as needed.
Cons: can be damaged by water and stains over time; scratches must be sanded and oiled for years to have proper protection on glass rings, or sealed with a Gel Urethane like"GOOD STUFF" for food safe.
Or Not food safe with Marine Varnish.

Marine Varnish / Not a Food Safe Coating

  counter tops offer a beautiful warm look and are available in a wide range of wood colors.are most often used as counter top woods. easy to clean; smooth; can be sanded and resealed as needed. can be damaged by water and stains over time; scratches must be sanded and oiled for years to have proper protection on glass rings, or sealed with a Gel Urethane like"GOOD STUFF" for food safe.Or Not food safe with Marine Varnish.

Marine Varnishes have always been considered a mysterious blend of black art and science. Varnish has long been used as a protective and preventative agent for protecting wood in a wet, marine environment. Marine varnish, aka boat varnish, ingredients are commonly oil, resin, solvent, dryers and ultra-violet additives. When combined, all of these ingredients serve to keep the wood at optimum functionality. Different oils increase the penetration capabilities of the varnish, while solvents and dryers treat and expel excess moisture. Resins, both organic and synthetic, allow wood to dry faster, with better water resistance. Finally, ultra-violet additives protect wood from damaging UV radiation from the sun, prolonging the life and luster of the wood. By varying these components, and by adding UV inhibitors and other secret ingredients each particular varnish will have different characteristics. Varnish can have gloss or matte appearance, can be extremely hard and durable, and can vary in color. High Quality marine varnishes presently use China Wood Oil more commonly referred to as Tung Oil. The China Wood Oil, which is derived from trees, provides long-term resistance to cracking and crazing. Another common oil is Soya. It is used for more standard quality varnishes.

 

"The aged look seems to be growing in popularity", glazed, distressed and whitewashed finishes, and this extends to the hardware as well. You can call it Old World, but with a more relaxed and contemporary feel." NOTE ARE NOT FOOD SAFE, Stains and Glazed are used in an OFF AREA NOT IN CONTACT WITH FOOD OF ANY KIND.

Consumers are also taking a new look at range hoods, which are often done in the same wood-tones found on the rest of the BUTCHER BLOCKS.  We provide, Top Edges:  http://www.amanatool.com/solidsurface.html 
http://www.whitesiderouterbits.com/catalog.html 
Selections that makes your island top unique!
Sink cut outs are also in demand, although only on certain BUTCHER BLOCKS where contents are easily arranged and kept neat for an uncluttered appearance.  Appliance garages that house microwaves, blenders and other BUTCHER BLOCK on the counter top-appliances help keep the room looking neat and clean.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, half of the world’s forests have already been altered, degraded, destroyed or converted into other land uses. Much of the remaining forests today suffer from illegal exploitation and otherwise poor management. FSC was established as a response to these concerns over global deforestation.
FSC is one of two global forest certification system established for forests and forest products. This voluntary market driven mechanism can be regarded as one of the most important initiatives of the last decade to promote better forest management.
Forest management according to FSC’s internationally recognized standards delivers environmental services to local and global communities, including clean air and water, and contributes to mitigating impacts of climate change. FSC directly or indirectly addresses issues such as illegal logging, deforestation and global warming and has positive impacts on economic development, environmental conservation, poverty alleviation and social and political empowerment.
FSC is an international association of members. It is a platform for forest owners, timber industries, social groups and environmental organizations to come together to find solutions to improve forest management practices. FSC works to ensure the permanent existence of forest areas through responsible forest management and conservation.
FSC, as a market driven mechanism, empowers consumers to express their demand in the market for responsible forestry by offering an independent, global and credible label for forest products.According to Greenpeace, consumers can choose forest products with the confidence that they are not contributing to the destruction of the world’s forests. Moreover, the idea of the FSC logo is to guarantee that the product comes from responsible sources - environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable. The FSC label can be found on a wide range of timber and non-timber products from paper and furniture to medicine and jewelry.

CALIFORNIA BUTCHER BLOCK now commonly used in the home. It may form garage work benches, kitchen islands, kitchen table tops, conference tables,  Counter tops, or the classical legged chopping block. It is easily cut and shaped with conventional Woodworking Tools and compared to many counter top materials such as Corian, Granite and Ceasarstone.