How To Resurface Kitchen Countertops

One home improvement project that many homeowners choose to undertake is resurfacing their kitchen countertops.  Learning how to resurface kitchen countertops is a simple way to update the look of the kitchen in a matter of a few hours.  The countertop of a kitchen is quite often the main focal point of the kitchen and countertops that look dingy and damaged make the rest of the kitchen look bad as well.  Many homeowners learn how to resurface kitchen countertops in order to make their kitchen more attractive without spending a great deal of money to do so.  With a few tools and a little bit of hard work, the homeowner can have a kitchen countertop that they can be proud of at a fraction of the cost of purchasing a new countertop.

Resurfacing a kitchen countertop is most easily accomplished with the use of laminate sheets.  Laminate can be purchased at almost any home improvement store in the nation, along with the other materials that will be needed to complete the project.  The laminate material can be used to change the color of the countertop to match new décor in the kitchen or used to cover up any scratches or damage present in the countertop.  Sheets of laminate also come in a wide variety of designs, including faux stone, flowers, stars, or whimsical swirls.  Different manufacturers of laminate material offer different designs in their products, so it might be possible to find something that the homeowner really likes if they shop around.  If the homeowner is taking the time to learn how to resurface kitchen countertops, they should make the style of the countertop exactly what they desire.

When learning how to resurface kitchen countertops, the first thing that needs to be done is to remove the countertop from the cabinets that are supporting it.  The countertop is typically attached to the cabinets by screws that penetrate the top of the cabinet into the bottom of the countertop.  Removing these screws can be a long process if the homeowner does not use an electric screwdriver to remove the screws.  After all of the screws have been removed, the countertop can be removed and placed onto sawhorses or a table to keep it stable while the homeowner completes the project.

The next step is to remove all of the old glue and laminate from the countertop.  A stripper to dissolve the glue and a small paint scraper can be purchased at the home improvement store when the laminate material is purchased.  Follow the directions for the stripper carefully to ensure that you do not damage the countertop.  After all of the glue and old laminate have been removed from the countertop, the countertop will need to be sanded with a medium grade sandpaper to prepare the surface of the countertop for the new laminate.  This step, preparing the countertop, requires the most amount of time when learning how to resurface kitchen countertops.

After the countertop has been prepared for the new laminate, the next task is to apply the new glue over the entire surface of the countertop.  The glue should be applied in a thin even level to ensure that the laminate is even when applied.  Because laminate material is so thin, a slight change in the texture beneath the laminate will be noticeable.  After the glue has been applied to the surface of the countertop, the laminate should be carefully laid on top of the glue.  Experts say that for individuals who are learning how to resurface kitchen countertops, starting from one end of the countertop and working towards the other end produces better results than working from the middle.  A large roller may be used to flatten out the laminate and remove any air that may be trapped beneath the laminate.

Once the laminate and glue have been allowed to dry, resurfacing the countertop is complete.  The homeowner may decide to add additional edging or detailing to the countertop for contrast or to better match the décor of the kitchen.  After they have learned how to resurface kitchen countertops, the homeowner will have a countertop that they will be proud of for many years to come.