[daintron]

Just want to know if anyone has Polyurethaned their NUMERÄR (oak) counter tops? We have just installed ours and I'm going to treat them soon. My wife does not like the idea of cleaning the counters with soapy water and sandpaper. I thought that we could maybe Polyurethane them. Everything I've found said it's not a good idea.

Any thoughts or experiences anyone?

[DesignDiva]

It's not a good idea to have polyurethane on a food prep surface. If you cut on it, you'll get tiny bits of poly in your food, and the surface will then be breached allowing bacteria and nasty things to grow in your countertop.

Do a search here for tung oil. That is the preferred treatment for surfaces that will be around food. You don't need to clean it with sandpaper! It is a penetrating oil based treatment that needs to be renewed periodically but it isn't any more maintenance than soapstone or granite would require.

[taylorma]

Part of my kitchen will include a short section of NUMERAR oak countertop covering a 24" sink base with an EMSEN sink and a 24" dishwasher. I read that one should use polyeurathane to seal the sink cut out. I was also thinking about doing 3 coats of poly on the bottom and back side of the counter to protect it from moisture. Any thoughts on this? I intend to use Waterlox on the top, sides and front of the countertop.

[GardenOfDarwin]

Poly on a counter is a VERY BAD IDEA. Waterlox should be fine for all surfaces, including the cut surfaces around the sink and the bottom/sides. Take a look at the article: Butcherblock Counters - Finish Options for more information on the different choices, and as Eva mentioned - do a search here or check the bottom of this page for Similar Threads.

Hope that helps!