Wood countertops are beautiful, warm, and can be very durable, but how long they last is often directly tied to the products you use to seal and finish them.

Make sure anyone in your kitchen with a knife in his or her hand understands where the approved-for-chopping area is. Next, consider the two main options for wood countertop finishes.

"A wood countertop can also be factory-treated with a smooth semigloss finish, and can be easily cleaned with mild soap and warm water, which doesn't require regular re-oiling," Pless says.

Since being easy-to-clean is one of your requirements, do not consider a wood countertop. Wood countertops can be very attractive and functional indoors, but in the ever-changing outdoor weather ...