Tag Archives: replacing granite countertops

Is it worth replacing kitchen countertops?

If you are wondering whether it’s worth replacing your old, worn-out countertops, yes, it’s worth it. the benefits you get from replacing your kitchen countertops include:

Improve the appearance of the kitchen

When you replace your old or worn countertops with new ones, you give the kitchen a fresh and updated look, new countertops also bring a cohesive design to the kitchen and can be used to complement the other features and finishes in the space.

For the perfect look, choose countertops that match the kitchen appliances. For example, if your kitchen has stainless steel appliances, you may want to choose a countertop material that complements the finish, such as a quartz or granite countertop.

We have different tastes and preferences so always consider this when choosing the countertop color, pattern, and style.

Improve the kitchen functionality

New countertops provide a more durable and functional workspace in the kitchen, which can be especially important in high-traffic areas or for people who enjoy cooking and entertaining.

For example, when you replace your kitchen counters with quartz or granite, your counters are more durable and resistant to stains and scratches.

During the addition, you can add functional features such as built-in cutting boards or integrated drain boards, which can make food preparation and clean-up more convenient.

Improves the value of a home

A well-designed and attractive kitchen is an important selling point for many homebuyers. New countertops can be crucial in creating a cohesive and appealing design in the space.

If you want to sell your house in the future, materials that are highly durable and easy to maintain are attractive to potential buyers. For example, you can go for materials such as quartz and granite, known for their durability and resistance to stains and scratches.

You should note that when you are remodeling your kitchen for sale, you can easily fail to recoup your investment, so always be strategic about the materials you use. To stay safe, consult an experienced professional to guide you through the materials you can use and those you can’t.

What to consider when replacing kitchen countertops

When replacing kitchen countertops, there are several things to consider

Material: Kitchen countertops are available in various materials, each with unique characteristics and benefits. Some common countertop options include granite, marble, quartz, and laminate. Consider each material’s pros and cons to determine which is right for your kitchen.

You should also consider the reason you are replacing the countertops. As mentioned, you should avoid premium countertop materials when replacing your countertops mainly to make the kitchen and house attractive to buyers.

Cost: Kitchen countertops can be a significant investment, so it’s essential to consider the price when doing the renovation work. Granite and marble are generally more expensive than quartz or laminate, but they offer higher durability and a more luxurious look.

Before starting your project, you need to budget and consider not only the cost of the countertops but that of installation as well.

Durability: Kitchen countertops have a lot of use, so choosing a material that can withstand daily wear and tear is essential. Granite and quartz are known for their durability and resistance to scratches, stains, and heat, making them a popular choice for kitchen countertops.

Marble countertops are soft, but they have a luxurious look making them the perfect option for those who don’t spend much time in the kitchen. If you love cooking or have a young family, you should avoid marble countertops.

Ease of maintenance: The maintenance required for different kitchen countertops can vary. Some materials, like quartz and granite, are low-maintenance and only require occasional cleaning with a damp cloth and a mild detergent. Other materials, like marble and laminate, may require more frequent sealing and cleaning to keep them looking their best.

It’s up to you to decide on the ones that fit your lifestyle.

Appearance: The appearance of your kitchen countertops is an important factor to consider, as they can greatly impact the overall look of your kitchen. Consider the material’s color, pattern, and texture, and always choose a style that complements the rest of your kitchen.

If you aren’t sure about the best material, consult a kitchen designer or contractor to help determine the best countertop replacement NC option for your space.

Guide On Replacing Kitchen Countertops On Budget

If you are thinking about undertaking countertop replacement, the cost of replacing the countertops might be an issue, especially if you don’t have a lot of money. The cool thing is you don’t need a lot of money to replace the countertop as there are plenty of other options you can use.

To help you out, here is a guide on replacing kitchen countertops on a budget:

Painting the countertops

Are your countertops simply old-looking? You don’t have to replace them as you don’t have the money to do it. Instead, you should simply paint them.

Begin with sanding the countertops with a pad sander to scuff up the surfaces to make it easy for the primer and paint to adhere.

When choosing sandpaper, be cautious of the one you go to. As a rule of thumb, avoid sandpaper with rough grit as it will leave deep scratches that will show through the newly painted surface, and you don’t want this.

When it comes to painting, avoid the brush, especially you are new at it, as you will leave unsightly brush marks. Instead of the brush, use spray paint and sealer.

You can also use a dense sponge roller to apply the primer and paint, then seal the paint with four coats of polyurethane to protect the finish.

Cover the countertops

If the countertops are extremely out of shape, you should consider covering them with different materials. You can use fabric, wood veneer or metal. It all depends on you and the results you are looking for.

If you don’t have money to hire a professional to help with the covering, choose an easy covering method such as using fabric or paper that you can even do by yourself.

When covering the countertops using fabric or paper, ensure that you use a 6-inch dense foam roller instead of a brush, then cover the surface with several coats of polyurethane sealer.

Begin with washing the fabric to preshrink it, remove the sizing, and carefully place it on the countertops.

Use countertop remnants

Using countertop remnants can save you a lot of money, and the beauty is the remnants are easy to find. In fact, all you need to do is to visit the countertop discount shops, and you will find them at a very low price. You will find them free in some cases as some countertop shops are desperate to get rid of them.

Some of the best remnants to go for are quartz, marble or granite. For the best deal, avoid remnants in a bundle, so when you are in the stores, avoid the remnants that are placed together with the slabs they came with.

Install butcher block countertops

Butcher block countertops are cheap, and they give your home a cottage feel. You can also install them by yourself without a lot of specialized skills.

When you are shopping for butcher block countertops, go for butcher block slabs. While the countertops might not be selected for quality, they are easy to install, and with basic skills, you can biscuit the joints together, and you have a beautiful kitchen countertop.

The countertops are also designed to hide imperfections, so even if you make a few mistakes, you are sure that the countertops won’t show these flaws.

To keep the countertops looking spectacular, finish them with food-grade oil or polyurethane.

Install laminate countertops

Laminate countertops have been around for a long time, and they are often the go-to countertop materials for people working with small budgets. Like butcher block, laminate gives your house a good look at a small cost, and they are easy to install even with basic construction skills.

You should note that unlike before when you had to settle for flat edges when you chose laminate countertops, modern advances have made it possible to go for specialty edges that give the countertops an upscale look.

Install granite countertops

Many people believe that granite countertops Raleigh are high-end and unreachable, but this isn’t the case. While some granite counters are expensive, it’s not the case across the board.

When you are operating on a tight budget, go for obvious colors such as white and green. As a rule of thumb, avoid rare colors such as red as the countertops will be too expensive.

What Are Laminate Countertops Made Of

Although laminate has been around for a long time, many people still don’t know much about them, so you will often hear them wondering what are laminate countertops made of. If you are one of the people asking this question, here are a few things you should know about the countertops:

What are the countertops made of?

The countertops were invented in the early 1900s by engineers from Westinghouse Company. They invented the product from phenolic resins that serve as an industrial insulator. The engineers later left Westinghouse and created the Formica Company that popularized the material.

The countertops are made by combining layers of resins and paper into a single, semi-rigid plastic sheet. The manufacturers use Brown Kraft paper for the bottom layers. The layers are pressed together while cooked, which forces all of the resins and papers to chemically bond into one plasticized sheet.

The countertops come in different grades, often referred to as “grades.” The most popular grades are: horizontal and vertical. The horizontal grade is the thickest type engineered for heavy use and high impact. Since it’s the thickest, it lasts for a long time. Unfortunately, it’s stiff hence difficult to form.

The vertical grade is often used for backsplashes and other areas that can’t withstand a lot of abuse as the other countertops.

Why should you buy a laminate?

Laminate comes with plenty of attractive features that make it a great choice. Some of these features include:

It’s affordable: If you are strapped for cash, laminate is one of the most affordable materials in the market that you can go for.

Elegant appeal: While the countertops materials are cheap, they resemble their more expensive, premium competitors such as granite and marble. This means you can give your home a high-end look at a meager price.

They are easy to install: Since the countertops are lightweight, they are easy to install. You can easily install them on your own without requiring the services of a professional.

Easy to clean: When you pour a potentially staining product on the countertops, getting rid of it is easy. You only need a clean, moist material. When cleaning, avoid using chemicals and abrasives as they can dull the surface or even destroy the resin.

Unlike marble and granite countertops, the countertops are practically maintenance-free as you don’t need to seal or oil them.

Stain-resistant: Since the countertops are made from plastic, they are waterproof. This means they easily repel stains, so you don’t have to worry about them getting stained and looking ugly.

Versatile: The countertops come in a wide range of colors, textures, and patterns. It’s all up to you to choose the ones that are ideal for you. The beauty of it is that you can even get the countertops customized to your liking.

Cons of the countertops

While the countertops are excellent for use in your home, they have several setbacks:

Easily get damaged: Since they are made from layers that are glued together, they easily get damaged when you aren’t cautious when handling them. When you place hot pans or a cigarette on them, you can easily melt them.

The top of the countertops is also highly susceptible to scratches from sharp knives and other items. Unfortunately, unlike other materials that you can easily repair, the countertops are difficult, so you have no option, other than to replace them.

Don’t have a huge impact on the resale value of the house: Compared to granite and marble countertops, laminate doesn’t add much resale value to the house. So you can’t invest in the countertops with the hope that you will recoup your money once you sell your house.

How do you take care of the countertops?

For you to prevent the countertops from getting damaged, you should take good care of them. As motioned above, when you are cleaning the countertops, always ensure that you don’t use abrasive cleaners. You also should avoid harsh chemicals such as bleach.

Since you can only hire countertop replacement NC professionals to replace the damaged countertops, you should be ultra-cautious what you place on the surfaces. As a rule of thumb, never place hot pans on the surfaces. You also should never place any hot material on the surfaces.