We use hardwoods like maple and walnut that draw moisture and bacteria below the surface of the board. What most peopole don't know is that bacteria needs moisture to survive. As the board is washed and left to dry, that moist environment disappears. Within hours, the bacteria dies off. At the same time, these hardwoods are structurally sound. They resist cracking, warping, and separating over time— so you don’t end up with seams and damage where bacteria can build up. That means less uncertainty and a surface you can actually trust.