Is Countertop Resurfacing Worth Your Money?
Constant exposure to high heat pressure and humidity in the kitchen might call for frequent countertop replacement. After all, no one wants an old, stained, and scratch-covered countertop blotching the beauty of their house. But before you invest in a new countertop, take a step back and explore other options like resurfacing it.
Resurfacing countertops is an efficient way of making your old countertops look brand new at a much lower investment. If you are still skeptical about that, here is a little guide that analyses if countertop resurfacing is worth your money.
And if you are looking for experts to resurface your kitchen countertop to make sure you check out this page.
Popular Resurfacing Options
There are several types of materials that can be used to resurface your countertops. The material that you use for resurfacing impacts the overall expense.
Paint And Seal
Paint and seal is the most common type of resurfacing. This technique is highly effective for light scratches and stains. All that needs to be done here is to apply a fresh coat of paint and seal it. The average cost for this procedure is $2 to $4, depending on your location.
New Laminate
If you are looking for resurfacing options for your laminate countertop, then this one’s for you. It’s one of the cheapest yet most effective techniques used to hide blemishes. In this method, a new layer of laminate is pasted over the old one. The average cost varies from $3 to $6 per square foot.
Epoxy Coating
If you want to retain the crystal-like finish of granite or marble without actually paying for the real material, the epoxy coating is the best alternative. Although it is slightly costlier than the previous options, it is also durable and looks as realistic as natural granite or marble. The cost varies from $4 to $8 per square foot.
Polymer Resin Coating
Polymer resin coating is similar to epoxy coating and costs the same. The only difference is that it’s made of various blends of polymers. This kind of coating comes in various designs and can be used to replicate other materials like granite and marble.
Resurfacing Techniques For Different Materials
Different materials have different requirements. Here is a list of resurfacing techniques for different kinds of countertops.
Tiles
Unless the damage is so bad that you need to replace the tile, paint and seal is the best option to resurface tile countertops.
Laminate Countertops
Needless to say, the best resurfacing option for laminate countertops is to add a new laminate layer.
Quartz Countertops
If you want to retain the sparkling crystal look of a quartz countertop, you should go for epoxy coatings.
Porcelain Countertops
Although common, porcelain countertops are prone to scratches and stains. In this case, a combination of paint and seal is enough to make it look brand new.
Marble Countertops
Marble brings along a unique beauty and charm to your kitchen. If you want to retain its original appeal, you should go for epoxy coating.
Granite Countertops
Granites are similar to marble and quartz. Hence the same technique applies here. To resurface granite countertops, always go for epoxy coating.
Concrete Countertops
Concrete countertops require more robust coatings and a polymer resin coating is the best option for them.
5 Benefits of Resurfacing Your Countertops
Now that you know the cost involved with resurfacing countertops, you might wonder if it’s actually worth your investment. Hence here are the top 4 benefits that tag along with it.
Resurfacing Countertops Costs Much Less Than Installing New Ones
On average, homeowners save approximately between 30% to 70% on resurfacing countertops instead of replacing them. The savings largely depends on your DIY skills as well. If you do it yourself, you will be saving a lot on the installation cost.
However, if you are not a pro, it’s better to let an expert take care of it. Even if you do hire an expert, the overall cost would be much less than replacing it.
Resurfacing Countertops Requires Less Time And Effort
This is a pretty obvious advantage that comes with resurfacing your countertops. If you are preparing your home for an upcoming event or party, you should always go resurfacing. It starts with a week of planning, and the actual job is done within a couple of days.
However, replacing your countertops will take several weeks. Starting from planning to measurements and then removing your old countertops to get the new one. It’s a hectic and tedious job.
Covers Scratches And Imperfections Perfectly Well
Most of the time, the reason behind resurfacing the countertop is to hide blemishes. Now, if that’s your concern, why go through the pain of getting the entire counter replaced. All that you need to do is get a new layer for the countertop and bid adieu to those unwelcome scratches and marks. It also works perfectly well for hiding stains.
Resurfaced Countertops Add Value to Your House
When a house is put on sale and its value is assessed, the kitchen is one of the most significant selling points. Thus, having resurfaced countertops that look as good as new can be a huge benefit for you.
Although the house’s selling value might not be the first thing on your mind when you set out to repair old counters, it is certainly worth considering. When you get the opportunity to add to your house’s value without a huge investment, it’s difficult to say no to an offer like that.
Endnote
It’s natural to choose cost-effective options when it comes to making additions or repairs to your house. However, resurfacing your countertops is an affordable option and enhances the quality of your countertops. If you can get your hands on a quality service at a reasonable price, there is no reason not to take it up. Always consider taking professional advice before deciding on your countertops. This would make sure you don’t end up damaging your kitchen.
