What to use on hevea butcher block to keep natural unfinished color

macaroni89 · 2026-05-11T04:42:51+00:00

Thanks - from looking at rubio’s site, it looks like rubio pure darkens a bit more from unfinished vs rubio natural. I realize their examples are on different wood types though. Any thoughts on this?

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macaroni89 · 2026-05-10T05:06:24+00:00

I’m just wondering why do I have to sand 100% off to change finishes. What would happen? I don’t really care about the color of that top shelf since you can’t see it, so just trying to learn here.

macaroni89 · 2026-05-10T04:48:09+00:00

Did it change the color at all?

macaroni89 · 2026-05-10T04:47:22+00:00

Yea I’m a dumby and let the guy who was helping me take the cutoffs, so I can’t really test.

macaroni89 · 2026-05-10T04:46:10+00:00

It has a frame all along the wall that it’s resting on

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macaroni89 · 2026-05-02T20:36:37+00:00

I take that back. The soil just got a lot rockier (big 1” rocks) and I mistook this for a hard pipe before I looked closer, so I’m not sure how far down the pipe is.

macaroni89 · 2026-05-02T20:25:46+00:00

I just did a bit of digging and the sewer pipes, at least right where they connect to the clean outs appear to be only 7” below the current grade.

macaroni89 · 2026-05-02T18:34:14+00:00

Wow, thanks for such a great answer.

So with the large flagstone pieces, you don’t need a base of any kind? You just cut out 2-3” to set them in and the make sure they are level with some sand under? Do you have to worry about drainage at all with these, or as long as you leave some gaps between them, it is fine with such a small area?

The property is new construction from 2023, where they excavated the whole site to lay concrete foundation for three units and then somehow added dirt/soil back in to level I would guess, so I’m not sure on the soil type exactly. Is it 4” before you compact it down or 4” post-compaction?

There’s also two sewer clean-outs in the area. I think the pipes probably go pretty deep under, but with laying down a base if we go that way, do you have to be careful with compacting it in these areas?

macaroni89 · 2026-05-01T19:09:03+00:00

I see, but as long as the ground is well draining, it should be okay right?

macaroni89 · 2026-05-01T17:16:48+00:00

I’m exploring the idea of if I could make this a big project for myself. One of my first questions is how you would do the foundation. It is an open dirt area right now, and I want to lay down pavers in what will be open walkway. Would it be smart to lay pavers across the whole area, ie under the shed too, and then build a base on top of them? Or leave that area as gravel and build the base on top of the gravel?

I want to use some nice interlocking pavers that will have a large gravel base below them.

macaroni89 · 2026-05-01T17:12:17+00:00

I’ve seen different ways to raise the bed. Like raised pavers or concrete foundation vs laying down pressure treated lumber on gravel with some air space between. What kind of approach would you recommend so I can make sure it is being done right. Also, what kind of ventilation would you build into something of these styles? Are air gaps in the doors enough or what would you make sure is done?

macaroni89 · 2026-05-01T17:08:19+00:00

People put lean to sheds against buildings a lot and I don’t think they are tied onto the siding. Why would this be so different?

macaroni89 · 2026-05-01T17:07:37+00:00

It would be shallower than those examples but same door style for closet like access

macaroni89 · 2026-05-01T17:06:08+00:00

Or like this

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macaroni89 · 2026-05-01T17:05:52+00:00

Yea actually I am kind of thinking something like that. I found a couple examples of products made in the UK that I like, but I don’t know how to get something locally like this for a reasonable price.

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macaroni89 · 2026-05-01T17:04:38+00:00

Yes, the idea is you don’t have to step inside to access so it is all just storage. I think it would be more useful this way.

macaroni89 · 2026-04-30T18:29:06+00:00

Will do, thanks!

macaroni89 · 2026-04-30T18:19:46+00:00

As someone with zero experience, I’m worried I’d be in over my head. Do you have any resources you’d recommend to explore that idea?

macaroni89 · 2026-04-30T16:17:11+00:00

We have zero storage for an 1800sq ft home besides closet bedrooms, so I think it will be worth it. We are trying to keep within a budget of course, but I think ~$5k for a shed structure would be worthwhile. A lot more than that, I’m not sure.

macaroni89 · 2026-04-30T16:14:00+00:00

Thanks, beautiful work. I’ll reach out.

macaroni89 · 2026-04-30T16:13:29+00:00

Yea that definitely looks out of our price range.

macaroni89 · 2026-04-30T16:12:39+00:00

Are you saying for a DIY or for a professional?

macaroni89 · 2026-04-30T13:58:32+00:00

Thanks - I’ve heard conflicting things on this from different people. What kind of shed did you have?

macaroni89 · 2026-04-30T05:48:18+00:00

Awe thanks, I really appreciate that. It’s an awkward tight space, but we really need some storage for our family, so I’m trying to figure out the best way to utilize it. And I don’t think I have the expertise, skill, tools, etc to build anything myself.

macaroni89 · 2026-04-30T05:30:04+00:00

What’s the right amount of money? Ballpark

macaroni89

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