15

Jun

How to Change Countertops without Replacing

Are you wondering how to change countertops without replacing them? There are plenty of ways on how to do it. Here are some of them:

Install some tile

If you don’t have money to buy granite countertops, you should go the tile way. Here you need to buy the tile countertops then lay them on already existing countertops such as laminate.

Before you place the countertops on the new surfaces, put a waterproofing membrane on the existing countertops and an edging trim around your sink. Once you are done, start tiling the surfaces.

While this project seems easy, it’s not, especially if you have never done it before so if this is your first time, consider hiring a professional to help with the installation.

Install a concrete countertop

Concrete countertops are affordable, and you can plaster concrete on any surface. You only need to ensure that the surface can carry the concrete weight.

Begin with sanding the surfaces, then apply a feather finish product according to the instructions given on the bottle.

You should then apply an even layer of concrete on the surface and let it dry. Once it has dried, sand it with 120 grit sandpaper, then apply two more concrete layers.

Most homeowners opt for the standard look but if this isn’t what you are looking for, customize the surfaces as per your needs.

Slap on a coat of paint

The beauty of painting countertops is you can easily do it by yourself even if you have never done it before. You can use any paint to transform your surfaces but for the best experience, use high-quality enamel paint.

Begin preparing the surfaces by roughing them up with a power sander to provide a suitable surface for the paint to adhere to. Once the surfaces are prime for the paint, apply your desired paint with a brush or sponge roller.

Would you love to add texture to the counters? Use a sponge dipped in contrasting paint colors.

Your imagination is your limit when transforming your countertops with paint, so you should be as creative as possible to get an interesting look.

After applying the final coats, apply a couple of polyurethane coats to protect the painted surface and add a glossy shine.

Cover the surfaces with polyurethane

When properly installed, polyurethane adds a deep, glossy shine to the countertop surfaces, and the beauty is you can use several variations of the product to refurbish your countertops.

If you have never done it before, hire a professional to help you place the polyurethane on the countertops.

If you don’t have money to hire a professional to help with the installation, there are plenty of videos online you can use to learn.

Install granite overlays

From their name, you place granite overlays directly on your existing surfaces, and if you don’t have a large kitchen, you can do the installation in one day.

To install the overlays, remove the sink then cover the counter and backsplash surfaces with overlays. All you have to do is to attach the ¼-inch pieces using adhesive to your surfaces.

Although you can easily install the overlays on your surfaces, you should always hire a professional to help with fabricating the pieces to your desired size.

Apply a concrete skin coat

If you like the concrete look, but don’t want to remove your existing counters and install concrete counters from scratch, apply a concrete skim coat on the surfaces with a specially designed product for patching or skim coating floors.

You should note that while the skim coat might make the countertops look tough, they aren’t, and they don’t last as long as full concrete counters.

Cover the countertops with contact paper

Contact papers make a lot of sense if you are renting a property, but you want to transform the look of the surfaces. Since you can’t transform the surfaces permanently, contact papers make an excellent option.

Begin with finding contact papers resembling your dream countertops. These can be quartz countertops Rockville or any other surfaces. You should then clean the surfaces and, after drying, position your paper in such a way that there are as few seams as possible.

Using a credit card or a similar product, flatten down the paper and trim the excess. Go over the surfaces with a sealant and overlap any seams by at least an inch.

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.