21

May

Replacing Kitchen Countertops On A Budget? 7 Countertop Options To Choose From

If your countertops are damaged, worn out, or you want to revamp your kitchen or bathroom, you should contact countertop replacement services providers to replace the countertops.

If you have a large budget for the work, you do not worry as you can use any material you want, but you can only go with cheap materials if you are working on a tight budget.

Thinking about replacing kitchen countertops on a budget? There are several countertop materials you can go with. The most common ones being:

Laminate

Although laminate countertops were popular a few decades ago, you can still install them in your home at an affordable price. The beauty of modern laminates is that you can find countertops that resemble almost anything. Thanks to advances in technology, you can find laminate countertops mimicking stone, wood, and other materials.

The main flaw with laminate is it tends to easily scratch, so you need to be cautious when preparing your meals or cleaning so you don’t cause substantial damage. Thankfully, you can reduce the chances of scratching by sealing the countertops. When doing it, ensure that you use sealant materials specifically designed for laminate countertops.

Cultured marble

This is faux marble that resembles real marble but comes at a much lower price. The countertops are made from a mixture of polyester resin and pigments, marble dust and fillers.

These surfaces replicate the marble appearance, but they are more stain-resistant than the real marble, making them easier to maintain.

Paint

Many people use paint to revamp their walls, but did you know you can also transform your counters using it? The cool thing is you can easily paint the surfaces by yourself without requiring the services or contractor.

All you need to do is to find a color that will give your surfaces a brand new look you are looking for. You can paint any counter surface, so whether you want to transform tile, laminate, solid surface or any other surface, you can definitely use paint.

Bamboo

Bamboo isn’t the most popular countertop material, but it can give your surfaces a unique natural look when properly done.

Bamboo surfaces are known to be stylish, tough, and eco friendly. The only flaw with them is they require significant levels of maintenance. For example, you need to paint them or seal them, so they aren’t damaged by water.

Tiles

Are you looking for durable countertops, but you are operating on a tight budget? These are the countertops to go for. Besides being tough, the countertops are colorful, so they will significantly transform your surfaces with their unique colors.

To make the countertops more appealing, use them in conjunction with plainer, more affordable styles.

Wood

Wood or butcher block counters add warmth to your surfaces and give them a unique natural look. The beauty of wood is it’s cheaper than stone countertops, so you will save a significant amount of money by installing them.

Bamboo and maples are two of the most popular wooden countertop materials, but you can install any other wooden countertops of your choice. When you install them, you should note that the countertops require regular oiling to prevent them from wood-boring insects. You may also have to seal the surfaces to prevent them from water damage.

Stainless steel

Although a good quality stainless steel countertop isn’t cheap, a properly constructed custom made steel countertop can double as a kitchen island, meaning you don’t need to build a kitchen island, and as you can imagine, this saves you a lot of money.

The cool thing is many freestanding stainless steel counters provide plenty of storage space beneath, so you don’t need to construct storage cabinets for your produce.

Recycled glass

This is a new entrant in the market and has quickly risen in popularity. Recycled glass surfaces are made by mixing pieces of recycled glass with cement and other binders. At first look, the countertops are beautiful and easy to maintain, but this isn’t the case.

You need to be ultra-cautious when preparing your meals or placing hard objects on the countertops as they can easily chip or break. So like granite countertops Rockville and other countertop materials, you need to be careful, so you don’t damage them.

01

Nov

6 Granite Countertops Problems And How To Fix Them

Many homeowners install granite countertops as they are durable. Unfortunately, the countertops aren’t impervious to damage. Here are six common problems with granite kitchen countertops and how to fix or prevent them:

Ruptured countertop surfaces

A ruptured countertop gives the kitchen a cheap and unmaintained look. Many homeowners are scared of the rupture as they think they have to replace the entire countertop surfaces. This isn’t the case. If the damage is isolated, you can fix the damaged slab without touching the other areas.

Countertops rupture due to many reasons:

  • Poorly crafted joints
  • Countertops installed over uneven surfaces
  • Failure to give glue enough time to dry during the installation
  • Placing a lot of weight in one area

How you fix the damaged area depends on the extent of the damage. For small cracks, use an adhesive. For deeper cracks or damage brought about by excessive weight, remove the damaged slab using a drill then apply special filler.

To maintain a uniform look, choose a filer that blends seamlessly with the countertops.

Separating seam joints

If you notice the countertops moving and the joints separating after applying pressure on them, the adhesive might have weakened. Hire a professional stone technician to make the right adjustments to the countertops. The expert should remove the existing adhesive and replace it with a better, more durable option.

Avoid doing the replacement by yourself as you risk causing more damage than was originally there.

Dull surfaces

If your countertops are slowly losing their shine, it’s because you are exposing them to harsh cleaning products. Don’t rush to replace the countertops as there are plenty of solutions you can use without having to replace the surfaces.

Hire a professional from your local store to fix the dull granite countertops. He/she can do this by buffing and re-polishing the countertops. Don’t try fixing this problem on your own as you risk making it worse.

To prevent the problem from coming about in the future, watch the type and quality of cleaners you are using. Most cleaners are too harsh for the surfaces; therefore, stay away from them.

For everyday cleaning, go with soap and warm water. Avoid products with chemicals. When in the store, read the ingredients and ensure none can damage the surfaces.

For peace of mind, choose products designed specifically for granite countertops.

Countertop stains

Properly sealed countertops are highly resistant to stains, but when you allow even water to soak in, the countertops easily stain.

Oils, wine, and even fruit juice can penetrate the surfaces leaving stains. Don’t remove the countertops when stains happen. Remove oil stains with a homemade paste made from acetone and baking soda.

When it comes to organic stains, remove them by soaking a paper towel in bleach, then placing it on the affected area.

To prevent the stains from coming about, seal the granite regularly with a high-quality granite sealer. You also should make a habit of wiping the spills as soon as they happen.

Heat damage

Just as granite is resistant to water damage, it’s also resistant to heat damage. Unfortunately, it can be damaged by hot pots and pans. This is because the sealant and finish aren’t as heat resistant as the rest of the stone.

When you repeatedly place hot dishes on the countertops, you leave black marks on the surfaces bringing about thermal shock and even cracks. Extreme heat can also damage the sealer making granite susceptible to stains and acid damage.

For you to prevent the damage, avoid placing hot pots and pans directly on the countertops. Always use hot pads, pot holders, trivets, and other barriers.

If the damage has already happened, how you repair it depends on the extent of the damage. If minor, remove the stain using toothpaste. You can also re-polish the surface. Only consider replacing the countertops if the damage is extensive.

Scratches

Only materials harder than granite can cause scratches. Scratches aren’t a major problem with the countertops, but to avoid them, granite installers Rockville recommend you avoid sliding rings with precious stones across the surfaces.

If they have already happened, applying a thin layer of polish on the surfaces will get rid of most of them. If you have the skills, you can apply the layer, but if you have never done it before, let an expert handle it.