If you have had your countertops for a long time, they must have lost their original look, right? Those with resources usually replace the countertops, but if you don’t have a large budget or don’t want to replace them, you can still do several things to redo the surfaces without replacing them.
How do you redo the kitchen countertops without replacing them? There are several ways to go about it. These ways include:
Paint the countertops
When done right, painting the countertops is not only economical but also gives your countertops an elegant look.
For the best outcome, use paint best suited for your countertops. For example, if you have laminate counters, go for specialist paint. You can also go for acrylic interior paint if you can access it.
For the paint to stick and give you a beautiful look you are after, you must prepare the surfaces properly. This calls for you to thoroughly clean the surfaces with a detergent and water. You should rinse the surfaces and give them time to dry before lightly sanding.
Depending on the paint you use, you might need a primer. For example, if you are using specialist paint, you need a primer, but when you are using acrylic paint, you don’t need it.
After priming the surfaces, apply the paint with a roller and use the right number of coats. Sometimes you might need to seal the paint with a resin.
Cover the countertops with contact paper
If you want to cover the countertops for the short term as you save money to improve them permanently, you can go the contact paper route.
Start with ordering contact papers from your local store. To account for mistakes, order more papers than you need. If you have never cut the papers before, you might need to practice cutting before you begin the covering.
As you practice cutting the papers, pay close attention to the corner cuts, as they often go wrong in most cases.
You should note that contact paper won’t simply stick to your old countertops. To attach the paper, you need to use waterproof glue.
As much as contact paper will cover your countertops, you should know that it’s not the most durable material, so be ultra cautious when handling it. As a rule of thumb, avoid placing hot pots and pans directly on it as it will start to peel up.
Place tiles over your countertops
If your countertops are still in good shape and you don’t like how they look, you should consider placing tiles over them.
For the tiles to stick on the countertops, ensure that the countertops are smooth and level.
When choosing the tiles, go for stain and heat-resistant ceramic tiles or porcelain that will look good and last for a long time.
You can place the tiles directly on the countertops, but you must ensure that the surfaces are clean and smooth. This calls for you to sand the surfaces and then use a special adhesive to stick the tiles on the surfaces.
If you are a dab hand at DIY projects, you can place the tiles on the countertops by yourself but if you aren’t a handy person, hire a professional to help you out.
Cover the countertops with a peel-and-stick product
If you aim to give your surfaces a new look, you can cover them with a pick-and-stick product. Like when applying the other materials, ensure that the countertops are clean.
You should then peel and stick your product of choice on the surfaces. You should note that the product sticks better on smooth surfaces, so don’t place it on damaged countertops.
Like the paper covers, peel-and-stick products aren’t meant as a permanent solution, so don’t place them on your laminate or granite countertops Durham and think that your work is done. If you want a permanent solution, you should replace the countertops.