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You’ll want to finish butcher block countertops with a food-safe sealant. Mineral oil and tung oil are great options for a velvety, matte finish. They’re water resistant, but you’ll need to reapply them regularly. Some homeowners also use polyurethane, but this option shows scratches much more prominently—which isn’t great for people who use their countertops as a cutting board.

Labor plays a significant role in the installation of butcher block countertops. Depending on who you hire, your location, the customization level of the project, and whether the wood is already finished, you may pay a professional between $10 and $150 per square foot to install a butcher block countertop. On average, expect the per-hour price to run between $60 and $100.

Butcher block countertops last around 20 years, and even longer in some cases. This largely depends on how often you complete general maintenance tasks, like sanding and resurfacing to remove scorch marks, dings, scratches and other imperfections. You should clean butcher block countertops after every use to make sure they last. Also, the thickness of the specific strips used to build the butcher block impacts longevity. Generally speaking, thicker strips are more durable than thinner strips.

Several kitchen sink sizes are available, with a standard sink size being 30 inches long. Smaller sinks exist, but your options are more limited. If you have a lot of kitchen space, you may consider installing an extra-large sink, which measures 39 inches long or even larger. Typically, when choosing a replacement sink, the easiest option is to choose a size that matches your existing sink's size.