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How Do You Cover An Ugly Kitchen Countertop?

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.

Which Granite Is Best For Kitchen Countertop?

If you have been searching for granite kitchen countertops, you must have realized that there are many granite countertops in the market you can go for.

Which granite is best for kitchen countertops? If you are asking this question, you should know that there are many granite types you can go for, with the common ones being:

Black granite counters

Have you always dreamt of a sleek and elegant kitchen? Black granite counters are the way to go. Besides the countertops giving your kitchen an exquisite look, they are dark; hence any stains won’t be too apparent.

For a great look, pair the countertops with wooden cabinets. Going for a modern, sleek look? Match the countertops with gray or white cabinets.

Since the countertops are dark, they will darken your kitchen and give it a smaller look. To counter this, install them in a large kitchen. You also should be having large windows in your kitchen that will bring in as much natural light as possible.

If your kitchen is small and doesn’t get as much natural light, but you still want to install black countertops, pair them with white or light wood cabinets to keep the room feeling open and bright.

White granite countertops

White is known to give any room a fresh, clean, and open look, so white countertops are the way to go if this is the look you have always wanted.

The countertops look their best when you pair them with stainless steel appliances and sleek white cabinets. For a classic vibe, pair them with vintage appliances.

When buying the countertops, you should note that they come in different shades that can give your kitchen different looks. For this reason, you should be ultra-cautious of the shade you go with.

Most homeowners want to install pure white granite, but it’s hard to find as most slabs come with colored flecks.

To avoid investing in an expensive slab you don’t like, take a few samples of the slab with you to your home and see how they look under different lighting environments.

Red granite countertops

Although, you won’t find them in most homes, red granite countertops have been around since time immemorial. A clear indication of how far back they date is their presence in Egyptian pyramids.

Like other granite counters, red granite countertops come in many shades and patterns ranging from bright pinkish-red to deep burgundy. It’s also not uncommon to find red granites with blue, white, or even silver highlights.

Although red seems like an interesting color, it’s not wise to install it on the entire of your countertops.  Instead, install it at the focal points of your kitchen.

To avoid overwhelming your kitchen, keep all the other finishes neutral. For example, go with wood cabinetry in warm tones, then use red accents such as in the backsplash tile to tie your space together.

Green granite countertops

Due to their close association with nature, green granite countertops bring a natural and calming feel to your kitchen. Like the other granite countertops in the market, you will rarely find pure green countertops—most of them come with brown and gray undertones. Most of them will also have interesting flecks, patterns, and swirls.

For the best look, pair green countertops with white cabinets and shiny hardware. The countertops will also look great if you pair them with wood cabinetry, especially if the wood color has cooler tones that complement the green shade.

To know what you are committing to, take a sample slab to your home before making a large purchase.

Blue granite countertops

Did you know there are blue granite countertops? Yes, they are there, and they are valued for their beauty, and as long as you install the right shade, they won’t disappoint.

Green granite countertops work excellently with white cabinets and shiny hardware. They also look exquisite when you pair them with wood cabinetry, especially when the wood color has some cooler tones that complement the countertop’s green color.

Have the countertops professionally installed

Choosing the right granite countertops for your kitchen isn’t enough—you have to ensure they are professionally installed by expert granite contractors Raleigh.

How to Choose the Most Suitable Granite Top for Your House

kitchen renovation

Granite countertop will give your kitchen ambiance and class. Proper installation of the granite countertops is imperative to provide the house with the much-deserved value. Granites are formed from granite rocks, and through machines, they are cut to different sizes. Granites come in different colors and sizes. The size of your granite depends on how your kitchen is structured.

How to Choose Granite Counter Top for Your Kitchen

Colour

Colors like pure white granite are rare to find, but they are timeless and will never lose their appeal value. Red granite kitchen tops are bold and have a lot of history behind it while green granite gives an earthy feeling.Depending on what outcome and message you want to deliver choose from a variety of colors. Given your kitchen an ultimate look and if you want to sell your property ensure to pick a color that the buyers will love. Also, choose the color depending on the use of granites, dark colors are less likely to get stained and therefore ideal for the kitchen.

Colors of your Other equipment and items

Choose a granite color that will complement the look of your house. Check the color of your cabinets and other accessories and choose a color that will compliment and not contrast. If your cabinets are bright, then you can choose a darker granite. You can also pair your granite with one of the cabinet colors. It’s important to check the cabinet and color combination from the dealer you are buying from to ensure you get the best color for your house.

 

Thickness

It’s imperative to have the right thickness of the granite depending on the purpose. It’s essential to ensure that the granite thickness will endure its purpose. If the granite is for commercial purposes, consider choosing a thicker one as compared to home use.

Avoid Seams

While buying the granite, one that has no seams is better than one with seams. Ensure that your granite has no seams especially at the focal points.

Size

Bright colors will work for small areas better than dark colors. Brightly colored granite make the kitchen feel huge.

How to Choose the Right Colors

Visit the workshop and ask for samples

Granite sellers will typically have a small cutting that you can take home and compare with cabinet color and wall colors.

Choose from online selection

If the workshop has an online store, visit their website and select the best granite color based on the above considerations

Tips to save you Money While Buying a Granite Kitchen Countertop

  • Measure the granite size you need to avoid wastage
  • Use less complicated edge treatments
  • Use a granite countertop installer to fix the granite to avoid damage
  • Some colors are cheaper than others, opt for a more inexpensive color that matches with your cabinetry.

Want to know how to seal granite countertops?

best countertops

At The Countertop Factory, one of our specialties is sealing granite countertops.  We also come highly recommended for sealing other solid surface countertops such as marble countertops, limestone countertops, quartz countertops, Cambria countertops and Corian countertops!  The topic of granite vs quartz countertops is often the subject of debate at our customers, as they are our most popular countertop materials.  We have built more granite kitchens in North Carolina than anyone else, period!  The wide number of granite colors and granite countertop sealer available are part of the reason granite is so popular.  Our granite contractors will use the very best granite sealer available during countertop installation to ensure a long-lasting product!

We don’t only seal granite countertops!  We are brimming with countertop ideas for all types of homes.  We are proud of the fact that our inexpensive countertops are the very best countertops money can buy.  Be sure to call us today to speak with a countertop expert!

Are granite countertops easy to clean?

Granite countertops are one of our most popular products because of their lasting durability and simple maintenance.  They are among the top choices for kitchen countertops as well as bathroom countertops.  While granite countertop prices can be a bit higher than other options such as concrete countertops, Quartz countertops and marble countertops, many satisfied customers can tell you that granite is well worth the price.  There are dozens of granite colors you can choose from, many of which you can view in the “Products” section of our website.  To learn more about our specific granite prices and kitchen countertop ideas you can contact The Countertop Factory at 919-510-9001 or visit one of our locations in Raleigh, North Carolina; Addison, Illinois; or Petersburg, Florida.

Granite counter tops, specifically granite kitchen countertops, are among the most popular fixtures for any well-organized, attractive home.  They are extremely easy to clean which is why they are so popular for the kitchen and bathroom, where messes often take place.  Granite tile countertops are very visually appealing, which will make more people want to hang out in your kitchen!  We also specialize in vanity countertops made of any material.  These are a great addition for any bathroom that needs a little added flair.

If you are interested in a different type of laminate countertop or tile countertop, we can help you out with that too.  Our customers trust us with the safe and accurate installation of solid surface countertops, including the very popular Corian countertops.  Recycled glass countertops are also a very popular option for people looking to remodel their kitchen or bathroom to look more modern and be more environmentally-friendly.  We provide numerous “green” products in addition to recycled glass countertops, including Eco countertops and Icestone and Vetrazzo brands.  Look through all of our products and review your options before deciding if a granite countertop is truly the best option for you.  We look forward to hearing from you soon!