Countertop restoration is a cost-effective way to breathe new life into your old countertops. It involves applying a special coating to the kitchen countertop surface that looks like new.
A professional resurfacing company will clean the existing counter, fill in chips and scratches and apply a bonding agent. You can also resurface countertops yourself with DIY refinishing kits.
Refinishing Your Countertops Will Make Them Last Longer
A lot of people believe that their countertops need to be replaced when they start showing signs of age, but this is not always the case. Many older countertops are structurally fine, but the surface is stained, scratched or simply outdated. Refinishing will give them new life for a fraction of the cost of replacement.
Refinishing will also protect your counters from damage. A high-quality sealant will help your counters resist stains, chipping and mold growth. This will also make them easier to clean and keep looking good for longer.
Refinishing kits can be applied without stripping or sanding, and they will usually dry to the touch in just hours. However, you should wait at least 3 days to use your counters as normal, to ensure the coating is fully cured and hardened. Some countertop refinishing kits have specific requirements for the type of counter they are intended to be used on, so read the product description carefully.
It Will Conceal Flaws Effectively
While basic cleaning and maintenance can go a long way in keeping your countertops looking great, it’s important to have them repaired when they start to show signs of wear. When this happens, countertop restoration can conceal any blemishes to make your counters look brand new again.
You can even use the product to hide small scratches, gouges and chips. Just be sure to apply it very carefully, as a mistake could ruin the finish of your counters. It’s best to use a color-matched repair putty that can be bought at most hardware and home improvement stores.
If you are considering replacing your countertops with tile, a quick online search can provide you with step-by-step tutorials on how to do it yourself. However, it is a very involved process that requires you to clean your counters, sand them, then cover them with laminate adhesive, fiberglass reinforced paper and a skim coat layer of mortar. This can take more than a day.
It Will Make Your Counters Look Better
Many people try to cover up dings and scratches on their countertops by using contact paper. While this might seem like an easy solution, it rarely looks good and is prone to peeling. In addition, it can leave sticky residue and is difficult to remove once the adhesive has worn off.
Countertop resurfacing is much more effective at concealing flaws. The process involves cleaning the surface and sanding it. It also involves filling in chips and cracks, which is best done up front to ensure the new chemicals adhere properly. The countertop must then be degreased and cleaned thoroughly to eliminate grease, residues and stuck-on substances.
Once the counters are resurfaced, they should be allowed to dry for several days. Once they are tack-free, they can be used as normal. There are a variety of color options available for countertop resurfacing, and there are kits that can help you achieve different appearances such as faux granite.
It Will Save You Money
Depending on the type of refinishing you choose (either a professional service or an epoxy kit), it can cost less than replacing your countertops. Some refinishing methods require that you strip your countertops down to the base or re-glue them, which can be expensive and time consuming.
Resurfacing also saves you money over a total countertop replacement because it doesn’t require removing your cabinets, purchasing new counters, and installing them. A professional refinishing company can finish the job within a few days.
A complete refinishing of stone counters involves grinding, honing, polishing, and sealing, all of which are skilled processes. DIY refinishing is possible, but it may not be as durable as a professional’s work. Furthermore, you will have to purchase a building permit for countertop replacement, which diverts remodeling funds away from your home and into politicians’ and other government coffers. That’s a waste of your remodeling dollars. Unless you’re doing a full kitchen remodel, you should consider refinishing your countertops.