Ideas, how-tos, and things we’ve made.

Twenty years of notes on wood countertops, butcher block, and the projects that taught us something.

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Wood Countertop Maintenance

How To Repair A Crack In A Wood Countertop

Learn about repairing small cracks in wood countertops, including filler and finish considerations, with guidance from J. Aaron.

Walnut butcher block countertop, angled view

Wood Countertop Maintenance

How To Clean & Care For Your Butcher Block Surface

Learn how to properly clean and maintain a butcher block surface so it lasts a lifetime.

Wood Countertop Ideas

Check Out This Very Large Walnut Island Top

Some of the islands J. Aaron makes monsters. Check out this large kitchen island made from walnut butcher block. It's a beauty.

Walnut kitchen island in a modern kitchen design

Wood Countertop Ideas

Modern Kitchen Design Using Wood Countertops

A modern kitchen design can be a bit cold and sterile but by adding a wood element you can warm it up and give it texture.

Wood Countertop Ideas

Kitchen Islands With Waterfall Ends

Explore kitchen islands with waterfall ends we've done for customers throughout the years. Be sure to get a quote for your project.

The framework of a wood countertop shipping pallet

Wood Countertops 101

How A Wood Countertop Is Shipped

See how J. Aaron builds a pallet, protects a custom wood countertop, and crates it for shipping across the country.

Distressed walnut countertops with gas range and undermount sink

Wood Countertops 101

Is It A Good Idea To Have A Wood Countertop Next To A Stove?

Explore wood countertop placement next to a stove and why following the appliance manufacturer’s installation requirements matters.

In The Shop

A Custom Butcher Block Bar For The Georgia World Trade Center

The making of a commercial wood bar top for the World Trade Center in downtown Atlanta.

Custom Wood Bar Top With Chicago Bar Rail

In The Shop

A Custom Wood Bar Top

A custom wood bar top made from sapele. This is for a residential home and features a Chicago style bar rail. Perfect for a entertaining.

Wood Countertop Ideas

Bleached Walnut Kitchen Island

See a plank-style walnut kitchen island bleached to a light driftwood color and sealed with clear Monocoat by J. Aaron.

Wood Countertop Ideas

Custom Butcher Block Cutting Board

A wood countertop idea that anyone can do. Incoporate a wooden cutting surface into the side or end of a kitchen island that has a dominant stone surface.

Wood Countertops 101

Supporting Your Wood Countertop Or Kitchen Island Top

Learn how to properly support a wood countertop with or without brackets. It's simple but important.

DIY Wood Countertops

Typical DIY Wood Countertop Mistakes to Avoid For The Weekend Warrior

Ten basic mistakes and how to avoid them with your DIY wood countertop

Check in a wooden counter made from walnut.

Wood Countertop Maintenance

Are Your Wooden Counters Cracking?

Cracking or checking can happen to wooden counters during the dry days of winter or if you live in an arid part of the world.

Wood Countertops 101

Butcher Block Countertops With A Sink

Should butcher block countertops be used with a sink? Learn how J. Aaron engineers ours to be used with drop-in and undermount sinks.

Wood Countertop Ideas

Hardwood bar top with Chicago rail

Hardwood bar top with curved and contoured Chicago bar rail would be great for home entertaining or commercial use.

DIY Wood Countertops

Distressing Your DIY Wood Countertop

Learn how to distress a DIY wood countertop. It's fun and very simple to do if you know what you're doing. Here are some tips and tricks you'll love to try.

African-Exotic-Hardwood-Azobe-Ekki-Round-Logs

Go "Green" With Wood Countertops

Are Exotic Wood Countertops A Responsibel Choice

Exotic wood countertops make for a beautiful focal point of a kitchen but are they a environmentally responsible choice. Yes and no.

Wood Countertop Ideas

Distressed Walnut Countertop With Breadboard Ends

The sleek linear look of a plank grain wood countertop is perfect for most kitchen applications but another option is adding planks at a right angles

Wood Countertop Ideas

A Hand Hewn Surface For Your Wooden Countertop

Adding hand hewn texture to a wooden countertop adds texture & character. At J. Aaron we offer this custom texture among other finishes.

Custom walnut butcher block with built up edge

In The Shop

Built Up Edges On Wood Countertops

A 3"-4" thick wood countertop can cost a lot but by using built up edges the cost can be significantly reduced without losing any of the solid look an feel.

Wood countertop with hidden steel support bars.

Wood Countertop Ideas

Hidden Countertop Support

Hidden countertop support bars or brackets allow for a cleaner look with the full function of an eat at kitchen island overhang.

In The Shop

The Team Making A Custom Wood Bar Top

A custom wood bar top adds a great deal of character to any home. See the process here and learn how we produce the finest bar tops available.

Go "Green" With Wood Countertops

Recycling Kitchen Countertops, Cabinets and Fixtures

Why add to the landfill when you can recycle or re-purpose your old kitchen countertops, hardware and cabinets. Here are a few good ideas when you remodel.

Wood Countertop Ideas

Hickory Kitchen Countertops

A hickory countertop is the perfect surface for a kitchen both in look and function. It's very hard, the wood is stable, it's abundant in the US with most

DIY Wood Countertops

DIY Wood Countertop Project

DIY Wood countertop project with photographs

Wood Countertops 101

Does Wood Harbor Bacteria?

It's a myth out there that wood countertops harbor bacteria. In fact they are for the most part naturally antibacterial and healthier for you than plastic.

A close up of a reclaimed heart pine table top corner section.

Go "Green" With Wood Countertops

The Pros and Cons of Using Reclaimed Wood

The pros and cons of using reclaimed wood in home construction or remodeling.

Wood Countertops 101

Understanding Wood Countertop Colors

Understanding wood countertop colors when choosing from a small sample means you must aware that there is variance with wood species and individual planks.

Wood Countertops 101

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Sealer for Butcher Block Countertops

Protect your butcher block countertops with the right sealer. This ultimate guide will help you choose the best sealer for your needs and keep your countertops looking great for years to come.

Go "Green" With Wood Countertops

Sustainable Wood Countertops

Wood countertops are sustainable countertops. Learn how the lumber industry is helping make wood the new "Green" counter choice.

Cherry peninsula countertop built as a DIY project

DIY Wood Countertops

Finishing A DIY Wood Countertop

Finishing a DIY wood countertop is simpler than you think and costs a fraction of what a fully finished countertop from J. Aaron. Learn how to do it here.

Your next step

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