Wood countertop - resale value - would it be a dealbreaker for you?

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone, would appreciate your advice on this one. I would like to put a kitchen like this in my 1920s Craftsman Bungalow (white "retro" white cabinets, wood countertop, probably different door handles and for the floors i hesitate between tile and hardwood floors) http://www.ikea.com/fr/fr/catalog/categories/departments/kitchen/roomset/20151_idki08a/

I feel like it matches the rest of my Craftsman well. BUT I am a foreigner, and my american husband think the wood countertop is absurd. We should do granit. When I check the US version of this Ikea kitchen I can see they only present wood for the kitchen Island http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/kitchen/tools/conk/roomset/20153_cosk30a/

So I am wondering if there is a cultural diff at stakes and using wood for countertops is indeed something that most people here would hate? (It is somewhat common in France I would say)

[Anonymous]

If I were thinking of bidding on your house would plan to replace it and factor in the cost and hassle when I came up with an offer price.

[Anonymous]

Are you planning to sell in the next five years?

I love wood counters. BUT they are higher maintainence, especially around the sink, where they are prone to getting wet.

But if they were in good shape, I would not reduce my offer on your house because it has wood counters.

[Anonymous]

Deal breaker.

[Anonymous]

I think the bigger deal is that your husband won't like them.

[Anonymous]

Bonjour compatriote. There is certain preference around here that things ought to look "expensive". For example, many Americans prefer kitchens that, instead of the clean lines ("euro" style), have lots of mouldings, crown molding, corbels, glazes, etc, even though such elements may not be appropriate for the size.

So, yes, quite a few of them would prefer a stone plan de travaille than w wood one.

If you do wood, do a premium wood countertop, not just ikea wood. If you plan to resale very soon, perhaps your husband is right.

[Anonymous]

I like the look of that first kitchen with the all wood countertops better than that 2nd picture. The wood counters give a warm feel to the kitchen whereas that Ikea kitchen looks sort of industrial.

Is there a big difference in price between the butcher block and other types of hard surface counter tops?

[Anonymous]

I would prefer a non porous surface. Granite, quartz or poured concrete are easier to clean and more popular with the typical American buyer. Having said that, changing a kitchen countertop isn't the hardest thing to do so it certainly wouldn't cause me to not buy your house.

A gppd compromise would be to do one area or the island with wood and the rest in granite or quartz.

[Anonymous]

Funny... I love them, I have all my furniture and counter tops handmade by a friend, who happens to be French. Maybe I love them because of his influence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I like the look of that first kitchen with the all wood countertops better than that 2nd picture. The wood counters give a warm feel to the kitchen whereas that Ikea kitchen looks sort of industrial.

Is there a big difference in price between the butcher block and other types of hard surface counter tops?

I agree, but I also think the first kitchen's warmer look is due to the paint and the flooring, and this can be achieved even without doing all wood countertops.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Deal breaker.

Would you also pass on a house because you didn't; like the paint color on the downstairs bathroom?

You must not be in the DC market - around here, we don't have the luxury of passing on desirable properties because of silly little things like this.

[Anonymous]

I would love them, but I know I'm a minority. Can you do soapstone instead?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Deal breaker.

Would you also pass on a house because you didn't; like the paint color on the downstairs bathroom?

You must not be in the DC market - around here, we don't have the luxury of passing on desirable properties because of silly little things like this.

+1. Few minor things like this would be a deal breaker in this market.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would love them, but I know I'm a minority. Can you do soapstone instead?

Soapstone is the most beautiful -- very understated colors verde gris, grey, black tones -- that's it. Extremely tasteful, unobtrusive, not flashy at all.

[Anonymous]

I don't like them, but as long as they are confined to one area and not the entire kitchen, it's okay. I don't like any porous countertop - wood is unsanitary as bacteria gets caught in the crevices,,especially if you ever cut on them.

I cook, and I cook with ingredients that stain. Wood is I appealing for that reason as well.