As a restaurant owner, no one wants to compromise on customer satisfaction. From mouth-watering delicacies to high-end furniture, from swanky interiors to flawless service, you thrive to excel it all. In this regard, table tops don’t just hold the plates that serve food, but your restaurant’s image as well. Irrespective of your restaurant’s theme, butcher block table tops are the perfect choice. They are eco-friendly, inviting, inexpensive, and can withstand stains or spills quite well. Made by gluing together straight sections of wood, butcher block table tops can be the perfect addition to your restaurant.
Types of Restaurant Table Tops
From solid wood to resin, from granite to plastic, table tops are available in several materials, and a majority of restaurant owners tend to go with the popular materials only. Let’s take a quick look at the properties of some of the common materials:
- Granite: Although expensive, it is durable and easy to clean & maintain. Suitable for indoors as well as outdoors.
- Wood: Requires routine checkup and maintenance. Expensive, durable material mostly used indoors.
- Plastic: Inexpensive, easy to clean, and requires minimum care. Suitable for indoors and outdoors, but it lacks class.
- Resin: Durable and cost-effective alternative to wood. Available in a glossy finish and resistant to chipping or scratching.
Apart from the classification based on the construction material, you can classify restaurant tables based on the space available, table-setting, and theme. Some of the popular options include:
- Booths: Intimate seating arrangement that offers a comfortably, cozy, and private space for your guests.
- Family tables: Large tables, usually in round or rectangular shapes, that can accommodate eight-ten guests.
- Bar-height tables or stools: Mostly used in pubs or bars with high-chairs or stools.
- Couple tables: A popular table option for seating two customers in high-end, fine-dine restaurants.
- Outdoor tables: All-weather tables suitable for outdoor seating. Usually stackable or foldable to store when not in use.
Butcher Block Table Tops Advantages:
Several things go in favor of butcher block as a table top material, some of which are:
- Economical when compared to granite and marble table tops.
- Butcher block table tops are easy to clean with a mild soap solution.
- Since it is a natural material, table tops made from butcher block are sustainable and eco-friendly.
- The natural look and warmth of butcher block table tops can complement any theme in your restaurant.
- The anti-bacterial property of the butcher block makes it easy to maintain and long-lasting.
- Butcher block table tops are available in different price ranges with custom shapes, sizes, and thickness.
Materials Used In the Making of Butcher Block Tables:
Depending on the wood used for constructing butcher block table tops, their properties, finishes, and price ranges vary. When it comes to restaurant tables, the hardness of the wood decides whether it will bend or dent easily. Therefore, hardwoods are common for constructing commercial-grade restaurant chairs and tables. Here are some of the popular materials used in the construction of butcher block tables:
- Maple: Smooth, traditional look with a golden hue.
- White Oak: Fine, inexpensive grain with a medium tone.
- Red Oak: Inexpensive grain that goes well with the colonial ambience.
- Walnut: Durable, naturally available in several colors to match any restaurant theme.
- American Cherry: Expensive grain famous for its rich, traditional look.
- Teak: Distinctive dark brown look with golden streaks that reflects class.
- Ash: Consistent, light-colored grain.
- Beech: Cheaper option available in medium and light tones.
- Birch: Exotic wood having a distinctive reddish-brown tone.
However, softwoods like aspen, pine, cedar, etc., help create a rustic, worn look. Whether you go for hardwood or softwood, consider requesting samples and trying them to see how they match with other elements in your restaurant.
Maintenance of Butcher Block Table Tops:
Periodic maintenance of butcher block table tops keeps them visually appealing and extends their life. Regular checks might appear cumbersome, but the savings they offer is totally worth it.
Many restaurants use butcher block tables in their dining room as well as the kitchen. If you use them for food preparation or chopping, use mineral oils to retain their shine and prevent the grains from separating. Mineral oils moisten the butcher block but evaporate quickly, so ensure you apply them every other week. For the butcher block table tops in the dining area, wax them for a shiny finish. Here are some handy tips for proper maintenance of butcher block table tops:
- Avoid spillage and soaking the table tops with water or other liquids.
- Use a mild soap solution in water to clean the butcher block tables.
- Follow the instructions from the manufacturer for the maintenance ofspecific finishes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid with Butcher Block Table Tops:
Knowing what not to do is as important as knowing what to do. When it comes to butcher block tables, here are the top mistakes to avoid while cleaning them:
- Avoid using walnut oils as they might trigger nut allergies.
- Do not use abrasive cleaning tools like steel brushes, scrub pads, etc., as they might chip the grains.
- Do not use vegetable oils, olive oils, etc., for finishing as they spoil the material.
- Do not use bleach for sanitizing the table tops.
Types of Butcher Block Table Tops:
Here are the highlights of some of the popular types of restaurant tables:
Round Butcher Block Table Tops:
Although round butcher block table encourage conversation between your guests, they are not space-efficient. If yours is a fine-dine restaurant or wish to create an intimate setting, go for round-shaped table tops. A round table top with a round table base is usually more stable than a round table top with a square table base.
Square Butcher Block Table:
Apart from giving a symmetrical, classy look to your dining room, square table tops are space-efficient. Moreover, they keep your guests equally placed and make it easy for the waiters to serve. Additionally, you can club them together to accommodate larger groups.
More than a regular table top material, butcher block is a valuable addition to your restaurant. The inviting look, vintage charm, cost-effectiveness, sustainability, etc., make it a perfect material for your restaurant table top. More importantly, its rustic appearance and warmth complement any restaurant interior design, layouts, or theme. Additionally, it sets the right tone for the dining experience that your customers can expect in your restaurant.
This article lists some of the properties of butcher block table tops, their advantages, types, and tips for maintaining them. The points mentioned above highlight why butcher block restaurant tables are the perfect choice for indoor restaurants. Hopefully, by taking note of the points discussed above, you will realize the benefits of butcher block table tops for your restaurant.