I have spent a lot of time researching countertop options for my recent home purchase. I want it to look nice, but I don’t want to spend a lot of money on a 1899 house I don’t plan to grow old in. Yes ...

Yet wood is still alive, subtly breathing with every seasonal shift. Overlook that truth, and yesterday’s showpiece can warp, split, or disappoint a brand-new homeowner. Fortunately, those pitfalls ...