Lamination

  • Edge-Grain
  • End-Grain
  • Double Dovetail End-Grain

    • Edge-Grain

    Edge-grain butcher block is probably the most popular construction style today. Edge-grain construction is used throughout our entire line—for standard countertops, kitchen islands, commercial food service tops, professional cutting boards and industrial workbench tops.

    Functionally, edge-grain butcher block is less durable relative to end-grain construction, but still provides an extremely solid work surface. As a cutting surface, edge-grain surfaces perform nearly as well as end-grain surfaces, but do show wear more quickly. Of course, the beauty of butcher block is what living brings in, sandpaper takes out. Butcher block can be easily restored to its original condition.

    Stylistically, edge-grain features a tighter, more consistent grain pattern that runs parallel along the length of the top. Colors can vary within the same top and species, as both sapwood and heartwood is used in the construction.

    Edge-grain butcher block is built by stacking wood staves of various lengths and widths on their sides—or edge. The staves are glued up with our exclusive Wood Welded® gluing process for maximum strength and durability.

    Thickness: up to 6”
    Construction: single species; staves may run the entire length and may contain butt joints
    Relative price: least expensive

    End-Grain

    Often referred to as the original butcher block, massive end-grain blocks were popular in the corner butcher shops of yesteryear. Today we use end-grain construction most often in kitchen countertops and islands and for smaller cutting board-sized chopping blocks from our gourmet products line.

    Functionally, end-grain butcher block provides the most durable and best “feeling” cutting surface, because the knife bites into the end-grain, reducing knife slip. And because end-grain has an open cell structure, the surface is somewhat self-healing, typically exhibiting less wear as a cutting surface than an edge-grain top.

    Stylistically, the “checkerboard” pattern of end-grain construction creates a dramatic design statement in today’s gourmet kitchens, often with lots of color variation and grain character.

    End-grain butcher block tops are built with individual blocks of wood (approximately 2” square), set vertically, corner to corner, and glued up with our exclusive Wood Welded® gluing process for maximum strength and durability.

    Thickness: up to 6” for countertops and islands
    Construction: single species; may include finger jointed blocks
    Relative price: more expensive

    Double-Dovetail End-Grain

    The “Double Dovetail” method of lamination, exclusive to the Wood Welded Companies, has been deeply ingrained in our company culture since the early 1900s. In fact, there is only one machine left in operation today, the Linderman Joiner, capable of creating double-dovetail construction.

    Only two products in our line, the Monarch Meat Block and Island Encounters kitchen island tops, feature this extraordinary construction.

    Functionally, double-dovetail is the most durable lamination method available today. It’s built with interlocked end-grain blocks, the best design for chopping, cleaving, slicing and heavy use.

    Stylistically, a top featuring the double-dovetail pattern is a true original, with a relatively limited number in production. The “checkerboard” design is dramatic and the double-dovetail adds another level of character.

    Double-dovetail butcher block is built with the Linderman joiner, which tools both the male and female edges, applies glue and slides each individual piece together. The machine also tapers the dovetails, so that as the pieces slide together, resistance is increased until it is virtually impossible to separate the planks.

    Thickness: up to 16”
    Construction: single species, interlocking end-grain
    Relative price: most expensive

    PDF - Lamination Methods