Like every other item, countertops wear out after a few years of use, and despite our careful usage and care, a good refinishing or replacement might be the only way to go. Depending on your choice, here are a few things that you need to know about refinishing that you may wish to consider before settling on the best choice for the countertops.Â
Refinishing countertops involves removing the old finish and laying a new one to give your kitchen and bathroom countertops a new look. This process works for kitchen countertops, bathroom and cultured marble sink vanities, and even breakfast bars.
Save Money
Your countertop probably looks dull and edged off, and it’s starting to give your house an old vibe. It’s time to do something and you have many options, but your pocket has a few on the table. Countertop refinishing helps you save money instead of a complete do-over. In addition, refinishing your countertop increases its life span by 10 to 15 years.
Save Time
Aside from that, countertop refinishing saves you a lot of time, close to half the time it would have taken to completely change the entire countertop. That is especially if you are a busy person and you use your house space a lot. Replacing your countertop will be a great inconvenience if you work from home or are a stay-at-home parent. Replacement takes up much time and room, however, it makes sense if you intend to completely change its look and feel or upgrade the material used.
Avoid the Demolition Mess
That is something we have all been through at some point as long as you have owned a house for a while. Sometimes, breaking a small part of something in a hose to fix it can open up new problems we didn’t know existed. Also, the time it takes and displacement that happens is never foreseen, despite careful estimation.
Material Determines the Refinishing Process
There are different countertop materials and each is unique on its own. Some materials are easy to refinish and you can do it yourself, while others are hard and need professionals to work on them. These are some of the countertop materials.
Natural Stone
Natural stone refinishing is simplified with new products. Many DIY restoration videos can help you through the process. However, in case you are not entirely confident about your DIY skills, don’t risk ruining over $5000 worth of property just to save a few dollars.
Natural stone has 4 steps:
- Grind
- Hone
- Polish
- Seal
The grinding phase is to remove the top thin layer to give what looks like a new countertop. Despite the ease, honing and polishing requires inept skills since an error could cost you a lot. A successful natural stone refinishing gives your countertop another decade and more with constant maintenance.
Wood
Wood has the simplest refinishing process. Sand and finish. Also, if the wood countertop isn’t far gone, a simple polish will do. You can apply a polyurethane finish and rent a buffer. Wood is the simplest but not as simple as this next material.
Epoxy
Epoxy is the simplest of the three as it only has one refinishing step. The process involves adding a new layer of epoxy to the surface. However, epoxies are susceptible to damage under too much heat. Therefore, hiring a professional to do the refinishing is advisable. If you, however, insist on doing it yourself, be mindful and use trivets and other tools meant to protect the epoxy from heat.
DIY or Contractor
That is the point where you choose whether to do the job yourself or hire a contractor. Countertop refinishing requires time and precision and doesn’t need to be rushed. Also, consider the budget. If you do not have enough money to hire a professional, it’s best to do it yourself. However, if you cannot do it yourself, put off the project for a while to allow yourself time to save for a professional. That will amount to $250 to $700 depending on the type and size of countertop that needs work.
Experience
Whether you choose to do the refinishing yourself or hire a professional contractor, the bottom line is the experience, skillset, and competency in handling the job. If you can do it yourself and possess the skillset for the job, you also have to consider the time it takes to complete the task and if you have that time to avoid rushing the process.
Risks Involved
Your contractor may not tell you this, but countertop refinishing has its risks despite being simple. First, using the right tools is very important since the wrong tools can cause damage to the existing finish. That paves the way for mold growth and water damage. Secondly, avoid using chemicals that may cause adverse reactions to your health over time, such as respiratory issues and allergies.
In conclusion, different countertops don’t require much more attention than others. Bathtubs are an example of countertops that need constant attention. Bathtub reglazing helps keep the flooring smooth, with scratches, and stains.
