If you don’t like the current look of your kitchen countertops either because the countertops are old or stained, don’t worry as you don’t have to replace them. This is because there are a number of ways you can cover them. Which are these ways? Here they are:
Tile the countertops
Tiles are heavily used in covering walls, showers, and floors, but there is no reason you can’t use them to cover your old, unsightly countertops. When choosing tiles for your surfaces, go with porcelain or glazed ceramic, as they have been shown to be the most stain and heat-resistant.
Tiles come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, and it’s up to you to choose the most appealing. As a rule of thumb, avoid natural stone tiles, as they need regular sealing, which might be too much work, especially if you lead a busy life.
While tiles are durable and easy to maintain, you should note that the grout joints are prone to staining, so if you don’t take good care of them, they are bound to go back to their ugly look.
To minimize the staining, seal the surfaces immediately after you install them. You also should make it a habit to apply the sealer at least once every few years to maintain the protective barrier.
Cover the surfaces with countertop film
Countertop film is thicker than contact or shelf paper, and it’s often preferred by many as it’s a cross between shelf paper and vinyl flooring. The film also has an adhesive backing that sticks directly to the old countertop, making it extremely easy to install.
For ideal results, begin with laying out the film, trim it to a rough size then align it to the edges of the countertops. Once in place, use a squeegee tool to stick it down to remove air bubbles.
Cover the countertops with wood
If you love butcher block or have always been drawn to the beauty of real wood countertops, you can always cover your old, beaten countertops with wide planks of solid hardwood. If you don’t like the cliché hardwood look, get creative and use a blend of woods, such as a blend of bamboo plywood and hardwood.
As much as plywood comes in larger pieces and is more affordable, it’s not as durable and repairable as hardwood.
If you are confused about the right choice, the best to buy is bamboo plywood. It not only has a thicker tip layer, but it’s also extremely durable and easy to repair.
As much as wood seems like an easy material to work with, it isn’t—it requires the right woodworking skills and tools. If you are a dab hand at DIY projects, you can do the work yourself, but if you have never done it before, let an expert handle it.
Lay laminate over the countertops
Do your old countertops have square edges? You can cover them with laminate. All you need to do is buy laminate layers from your local store. The layers come in sheets up to 5 feet wide and 12 feet long.
Work with your contractor and know the right number of layers to get that will be enough to cover your counters.
For the best outcome, avoid covering your rounded edge countertops with laminate layers, as the material won’t conform to the edge contours.
Use a countertop refinishing kit.
You will find refinishing kits in most local stores, and they come with everything you need, including epoxy-like paint and decorative stop chips to help give your countertops a natural stone look.
To use the kit, carefully follow the instructions given on the kit. If this is the first time you use the kit, you should note that you must put in hard work, get messy, and pay close attention to the kit’s details.
Install modular granite
Also known as a stone overlay, modular granite is a system of small thin stone slabs specially designed to cover old countertops. The stones are often 16 by 18 inches wide, but there are special pieces meant for the problematic inside and outside corners.
Of course, let an expert install the granite countertops Raleigh for the best outcome.