There is a keen interest in kitchen counters nowadays, mainly because it’s not so complicated to change them or at least to refresh them. There are various solutions by which to “refresh” a countertop, just choose the one that suits you best, according to your tastes and your budget. You can either: paint your counter, put a new cover, change it completely or apply ceramics.

Painting the countertop

Regardless of the laminate that covers your counter, it is possible to repaint it at low cost. You can take a step-by-step approach to this:

Step 1 - Sand the counter to remove its gloss. You can repaint the counter even if it is smooth.

Step 2 - If a piece of your countertop is burned or broken, you can simply cut out that part of the counter and replace it with a butcher board (available at most home centers). You can also repair the damaged section by cutting the counter around the bump, removing what is raised and repairing the hole with plaster of Paris. When everything is dry, you must sand again.

Step 3 - Clean the surface with the TSP degreaser.

Step 4 - If a piece of the countertop of was ripped off, remove the broken tape and replace it with a band made especially for this purpose found in hardware stores, or simply in a kitchen cabinet manufacturer. If you don’t find the right size, you can take a piece of laminate, cut the desired size and glue it to the adhesive contact.

Step 5 - Apply immediately the dressing with oil. Some oil dressings dry in about one hour. For cutting, take a brush, for under the countertop, a roll. Be careful not to apply too thickly to avoid scratches in the paint. Wait about 2-3 hours, until the paint is completely dry.

Step 6 - Then use a fine sandpaper to remove small particles of dirt or dust that could dry with paint. Wash thoroughly the leaf surface of the counter to remove dust.

Step 7 - When painting your countertop, choose a painting to floor (acrylic urethane 100%) and apply three layers, making sure to dry between each layer as if the paint is not dry enough, the top layer will adhere poorly to the surface. The darker the color is, the longer it takes to dry.
You can apply this technique both for the countertop and the cabinet doors.

Putting a new laminate

If your countertop is molded or round, putting a new cover is not an option. On the contrary, for a  plain countertop, this is an economical and practical solution. There is a large variety differing in terms of price and quality. Simply cut the right steps and apply contact cement on the countertop and the laminate, then place your coating. Just follow the instructions on the bottle of the glue because everything is very well explained.

Changing the countertop

To change a counter, you must first cut the seal around the counter, remove the screws under the counter and remove the faucet and sink if you want to change this part of the kitchen counter (in the case of counters in a house older than 30 years, as well as in the case of countertops made in unconventional ways, the approach can be a bit different).

Most manufacturers go to your house to take measurements for the countertop, show you samples of recovery countertop (laminate, marble, granite) and will deliver the countertop tailored to your requirements. You install it in the same way you take it off.

Installing ceramic on the countertop and backsplash

This is probably the most impressive method as it can completely change the look of your kitchen. You can let loose your imagination and have fun with wacky designs, as tiles come in a good variety of sizes and colours. You can also perfectly your countertop and the backsplash of the counter (the part of the free wall between the countertop and the cabinets).

It is recommended to first prepare your design by placing your tiles on the counter before sticking them, to see how they fit on it. This way, you will have the flexibility to make adjustments before gluing everything in place. It is important to use a square to draw a line that will allow you to make sure everything is right. If you're not used to lay ceramic, it is preferable to use small crosses between each tile to ensure a uniform space. You withdraw them before asking your grout. To cut the ceramic on the edges of your countertop, it's best to use a wet saw for a better result (you can rent it in the tool rental centers).

Paste all the tiles and use a spatula with serrated teeth as it allows you to adjust each tile separately.
Remove the cross and wait between 12 and 16 hours before you apply your grout. Regarding the grout, it is better to put more than enough. Either way, you will then use a sponge to remove the excess. For the purposes of the grout, you can use a tube similar to the sockets pins or a type of sponge with a handle, specially designed for grout application , which allows you to insert the grout into all cracks. When the grout is spread evenly, remove the excess with a sponge making sure to spread it between each tile, but not too far off. You must later remove the excess, otherwise you risk removing too much sauce.

You have the choice of two grouts: one with epoxy, which is often used for showering and cooking. It is much tougher, but more difficult to install and more expensive than standard grout.

If you choose to use the standard grout, you need no-fault and then applying a sealant in each slot with a sponge brush to protect it from the infiltration of water, coffee, juice or cooking oil. It is a very effective stain. It is however advisable to wait at least two days before applying a sealer.

Finally, when everything is dry, take a wet sponge to remove excess grout. You must be patient because the grout is sometimes difficult to control.
 

Natural stone, Ceramic tile, Laminate, Wood, Quart, Metal, Glass and Stainless steel

When you build a new home or renovate an old one, you spend a lot of time thinking what kind of furniture would fit best. Regarding the kitchen, a countertop well matching the rest of the kitchen furniture can contribute essentially to achieving a great look for your kitchen. That is why we will present seven types of materials for kitchen countertops, and try to keep you informed in order to facilitate your decision in choosing the right counter.

Natural stone (granite or marble) kitchen countertop - extremely durable material, always in trend. It gives warmth, elegance and uniqueness to any kitchen. The durability of natural stone, its resistance to high temperatures and shocks are advantages that should not be neglected.  Natural stone kitchen countertops come in a variety of colours and shades, because nature can never be surpassed in beauty. The price of this material is quite high and you should know that a kitchen countertop made of natural stone requires periodic maintenance for waterproofing, waxing and polishing to retain its beauty, as it is a porous material. Also it’s not too resistant to staining, it faces  problems on contact with acidic substances and strong shocks. Installation can be done only by qualified personnel as it is quite difficult. In terms of cost, this choice is suitable for kitchens with an average budget.

Ceramic tile kitchen countertop - is one of the most common choices of the last period due to the multiple benefits and the financial facilities it offers. A work counter, decorated with tiles, can fit into any interior ambience. Because of the many models and designs, combined models with decorative patterns or made of distinct colours can be made. Installing a ceramic tile kitchen countertop is extremely simple and does not necessarily require the presence of a specialist. These countertops are easy to maintain and withstand high temperatures.

Glazed tiles are recommended because they better withstand heat, scratches and can not stain. As disadvantages, you should note that the leaf surface is not perfectly smooth, the joints between the tiles can stain easily and that they require waterproofing, because they can be a development environment for bacteria and should be treated with varnish special. Also, take into consideration that they’re not too resistant to chipping and a few extra plates must be purchased. Regarding its price, they’re included in the ‘average’ category.

Laminated kitchen countertop - This type of countertop is made from PAL, on which a special resin desired model are glued. Although it often seems like a cheap solution, some types of desks equipped with a safety foil will look very similar those made of hardwood and therefore come with a similar price tag. They are suitable for people with a tight budget, but also for those who are looking for a specific colour, since laminated worktops are available in a wide range of colours, designs, models and finishes. It is easy to clean and has good resistance to impact. This type of kitchen countertop has a reduced installing difficulty, and a low price. Unfortunately, it doesn’t face too well burns or scrapes, it breaks down quickly enough and scratches are impossible to be resolved.

Quart kitchen countertop - For those who love granite look but want to avoid some of its shortcomings, the alternative is a mixture of quart, resin and pigments. An uniform surface is thus obtained, which combines the hardness and durability of quart (only diamond, topaz and sapphire are harder) with the exceptional waterproofing qualities of the used resins. Such a kitchen countertop has the advantage of high-temperature resistance, shock resistance, easy maintenance, waterproof, resistance to stains, acids and oils, a special, beautiful coloring. It seems an ideal material for kitchen countertops, but has the disadvantage that sinks are not incorporate. The cost is one that measures the benefits.

Wooden kitchen countertop - Solid wood kitchen countertop emits a warm and intimate atmosphere. Made of oak, walnut or cherry, wooden kitchen countertops are preferred because they are made of a natural material, have a relatively low cost and the surface can be sanded and  re-lacquered. Some of its advantages are: natural, ecological material with a smooth leaf surface, low cost, doesn’t fret knives, the surface can be used for cutting vegetables, meat or for stretching dough, the surface becomes can be easily renewed by polishing and coating. A disadvantage is the fact that wood tends to work in time, it is predisposed to degradation or combustion under the action of water or fire, and has sensitivity to sharp objects. Other disadvantages: requires regular coating, absorbs odors and stains from food and drinks, traces of knife are visible, affected by excessive heat and can even burn, sensitive to degradation under the action of water.

Metal kitchen countertop - Metal is a very good option for a kitchen countertop. It is waterproof, warm and looks impeccably. It is a durable material with smooth, flexible, hygienic and easy to clean surface. It is hygienic and does not constitute a development environment for bacteria. But special care should be taken regarding stains caused by vinegar, mustard, lemon, as they can while white surface. Because it has a cold aspect, it is a good idea to have in the kitchen furniture made of wood or other some material which has a warm colour. We thus reduce the sober appearance of this material. A disadvantage is the high price and the fact that sharp objects leave traces of cuts, so do abrasive cleaners.

Glass and steel kitchen countertop - For an ultra-modern kitchen is the most suitable choice. With such a kitchen countertop you will certainly impress your friends and relatives. They are distinguished by their elegant style, creating an extreme visual impact. These worktops are quite expensive, can be easily scratched and damaged by objects hitting them accidentally, making them more suitable for kitchens with low traffic. The elegance and style recommend these kitchen countertops to those who don’t use the working space very much and who want their kitchen to impress guests from the first glance. Highest quality materials, with a matching price, offer maximum strength, stability and durability over the years but require constant care. Assembly can be done only by specialists.