Questions & Answers
Butcher block, shelf & mantel FAQ.
Straight answers on price, lead time, wood, finishes, care, shipping and warranty for custom solid-hardwood countertops, floating shelves and mantels.
$97–$148per sq ft for countertops, delivered
8-10 weekscountertop lead time
Freeshipping to the lower 48
3 yearscraftsmanship warranty
01
Cost and ordering
How much does a custom butcher block countertop cost?
A custom solid-hardwood edge-grain countertop from Walnut Wood Works costs about $97 to $148 per square foot, delivered, including finishing. For example, a 96" × 25" × 1-1/2" black walnut top is $1,943 and the same top in hard maple is $1,893; a 72" × 36" walnut island top is $2,012. Any size prices instantly in our online builder.
Why do you show prices online when most custom shops make you request a quote?
Every Walnut Wood Works price comes from the same pricing engine our shop uses, calculated from the square footage, thickness, species and finish. Everyone pays the same published price: we don't run sales or coupons, and trade professionals get a published tiered discount.
Do you offer a trade or designer discount?
Yes. The Walnut Wood Works Trade Program gives interior designers, contractors and builders 7%, 14% or 20% off product pricing, based on annual spend. Freight is billed at standard rates.
Can I change or cancel my order?
You can change or cancel a custom order within two weeks of placing it. After that, your lumber is cut to your dimensions, so custom-made countertops, shelves and mantels can't be returned.
02
Lead time and shipping
How long does a custom countertop take?
Standard lead time is 8-10 weeks for countertops and 4-6 weeks for floating shelves and mantels, from order to shipment. Rush production is available for an added fee. Every order gets a live build tracker that follows it through our production stages.
Is shipping free?
Yes. Shipping is free to the lower 48 states on every order: the delivery cost is built into the price, so there's no shipping charge at checkout. For Alaska, Hawaii or international delivery, contact us before ordering.
How do you ship a countertop?
Countertops ship by LTL freight in a custom crate built from 2×4s and plywood. Residential delivery is curbside with a liftgate. Tops longer than about 8 feet need two or three people to help unload, because the driver works alone with a pallet jack.
What if my countertop arrives damaged?
Inspect the crate before the driver leaves. Any damage must be written on the delivery receipt with the driver present: freight carriers only accept damage claims noted at delivery. Then send us photos right away.
03
Wood and construction
What's the difference between edge grain, end grain and plank?
Edge grain glues long strips on their narrow edges for a striped, stable surface and is the most popular for kitchens. End grain stands short blocks on end for a checkerboard surface that is the most knife-friendly but costs more and needs more oil. Plank (face grain) uses wide boards for a furniture-like look, up to 42" wide.
Which wood is best for a butcher block countertop?
Hard maple is the hardest (Janka 1,450) and the traditional choice for chopping. White oak (1,360) is hard and resists moisture well, with a light modern grain. Black walnut (1,010) is the most popular for its dark chocolate color. Cherry (950) is the softest and darkens to a rich reddish-brown. All four make durable countertops; the finish matters more than the species for everyday wear.
Are your countertops solid wood?
Yes. Every countertop, shelf and mantel is solid hardwood, glued up from full-thickness boards. We never use plywood, MDF, particleboard or veneer.
What's the largest top you can make?
We build tops in one piece up to 155" long and 72" wide. Any top under 2" thick is limited to 42" wide, so a wide island needs a 2" or thicker top.
Can you cut the sink and cooktop openings?
Yes. We CNC-cut sink and range or cooktop openings for a flat $150 per cutout on edge grain and plank tops. For an undermount sink, choose conversion varnish, which is waterproof.
04
Finish and care
What is the best finish for a butcher block countertop?
Choose natural oil if you want to cut directly on the top: it's food-safe and any scratch touches up with a little oil. Choose hardwax oil for more water resistance with a natural look. Choose conversion varnish for a 100% waterproof, essentially maintenance-free surface around sinks and in busy kitchens; don't cut on it.
What oil do you use?
Our natural oil finish is tung oil on black walnut and food-grade mineral oil on white oak, hard maple and cherry, so each wood keeps its true color. Both are food-safe and hand-applied in our shop. We no longer use beeswax.
How do I maintain an oil-finished countertop?
When the wood starts to look dry, wipe on a coat of food-grade mineral oil at night, let it soak in overnight, and wipe off the excess in the morning. You can't overdo it. When water stops beading and starts darkening the wood, it's time for a coat. Hardwax oil needs a refresher every three to five years; conversion varnish needs none.
Can I put hot pans on a wood countertop?
Use a trivet. Hot pans can scorch an oil finish and mark conversion varnish. Unlike stone, a scorch on an oil-finished top can be sanded out and re-oiled.
05
Shelves and mantels
Do your floating shelves come with brackets?
Yes. Every floating shelf includes our heavy-duty hidden steel bracket, made in-house, rated about 150 lb per bracket when screwed into wall studs. The shelf is pre-drilled and recessed to slide over it.
What sizes do your floating shelves come in?
We build floating shelves 12" to 120" long and 7" to 12" deep, cut to the 1/16 inch. For kitchens and bathrooms we recommend conversion varnish, the most waterproof finish.
Do you make fireplace mantels?
Yes. We build solid-wood floating mantels in walnut, white oak, maple and cherry, 2-1/2" to 5-1/2" thick, on a hidden bracket. Before mounting a wood mantel, check your fireplace manual and local code for clearance to combustibles.
06
Warranty and returns
What warranty do you offer?
Every Walnut Wood Works countertop, shelf and mantel carries a 3-year craftsmanship warranty. If a glue joint, finish or construction problem shows up, send us photos; we review every claim and, when it's covered, repair, refinish or replace the piece. If an issue is going to appear, it almost always shows up within the first few months.
Can I return a product?
Custom-made products are built to your exact dimensions, so they can't be returned, but you can change or cancel within two weeks of ordering. Floating shelf brackets and tools can be returned within 30 days; the buyer pays return shipping.
07
About us
Where is Walnut Wood Works located?
Walnut Wood Works is at 204 Church Cross Rd, Bell Buckle, Tennessee 37020, about an hour southeast of Nashville. We've built custom woodwork since 2010 and ship nationwide. Call 931-488-8480, Monday through Thursday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Central.
Still have a question?
Price your piece, or call the shop.
931-488-8480, Monday through Thursday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Central.