Countertops are probably the most used surfaces in a kitchen. They take knocks from pots and pans, they’re covered with crumbs, food and drink is spilled on them and they are often the surface you use to prepare meals, do your homework and host parties. Eventually, though, even if you try to keep your countertop clean and intact, they can become harder to clean, chipped and a poor match for the style of the room.
When you consider replacing your countertops, the decision depends on how you use your kitchen and whether you’re willing to tolerate any inconvenience as a result. You need to think about how well your cabinets are holding up and the aesthetics of the new countertop in relation to the overall design of the room.
Replacement Signs
Minor repairs to chips, scratches and caulk are relatively easy to make. However, some situations are easier solved by a replacement rather than a repair. If the countertop is damaged in a way that compromises its functionality, such as where water has gotten underneath, then replacement may be the better option – more on countertop replacement Davie if you want that route. Otherwise, the damage can worsen and affect the cabinets.
Other common reasons to replace your countertops rather than repair them:
- Cracks that get wider
- Soft or spongy spots
- Deep stains that don’t come out
- Burns, broken edges or peeling laminate
- Gaps and unevenness from cabinet warping
- Obsolete sink cutouts that won’t match a new sink or stove
Of course, sometimes a countertop can look bad but isn’t structurally compromised. If that’s the case, there may be no reason to replace it.
Material Choices
There are many options for countertop materials, and it can be difficult to decide which is best for you. It helps to first look at your lifestyle and how much you expect the countertop to endure on a day-to-day basis.
For example, if you do a lot of cooking in your kitchen, you may benefit from a countertop that is more resistant to heat and scratches. If you just eat fast food and microwave dinners, then aesthetics may play a bigger role in your decision.
Natural Stone
Natural stone countertops have distinctive appearances. These countertops may be more susceptible to staining and etching, and some may require regular resealing. It can be hard to tell what type of stone you are going to get since each slab is different. Seeing the exact slab before it is fabricated can save you from unpleasant surprises.
Engineered Stone
Engineered stone is relatively easy to care for. It has less variation than natural stone. This is an excellent option if you want a very durable countertop that is non-porous. You should still be careful with very hot pans, however.
Solid Surface and Laminate
There are a wide variety of colors and patterns available for these countertop materials. Solid surface can usually be refinished. Laminate is lighter and cheaper but can be susceptible to cuts, burns and moisture intrusion where pieces meet. Just because a material is expensive doesn’t mean it’s the right choice.
Cabinet Readiness
Replacing your countertop isn’t as simple as ordering a slab and having it placed over your existing cabinets. Before any countertop installation takes place, the cabinet boxes must be inspected to determine whether they are level, rigid and sturdy enough to hold the countertop you want.
Another important consideration is how high the countertop will be around the refrigerator and dishwasher. The thickness of the countertop, plus the height of the back splash and any raised edges will determine whether you will be able to open the refrigerator or dishwasher doors fully. Even an inch of error can lead to a very costly fix.
Fabrication involves making decisions about sink and faucet hole locations and the placement of seams. Large overhangs, especially in bar seating areas, may require brackets or structural support.
Should the cabinets be fixed if they’ve started to shift?
Installation Preparation
Installing a countertop typically involves several steps: choosing a material, measuring, fabrication, removing the old countertop and installing the new one. Depending on how your plumbing is set up, you may not be able to use the kitchen while the old countertop is being removed and the new one is being installed. The team at Kitchen Remodeler Davie is familiar with this kind of sequencing.
Clear all items off the counters, remove dishes from the drawers and move breakable items out of the cabinets. Be prepared for an inordinate amount of dust as the old countertop is cut off the cabinets.
Find out beforehand what will happen to the old countertop material (look at epa.gov/smm if you want numbers). Will it be recycled? Can it be reused for something else, like a cutting board or smaller tabletop? Can it be disposed of?
Final Project Checks
To ensure a successful countertop project, start by determining the condition of your cabinets and appliances. When looking at countertop materials, bring along samples of your flooring, cabinets and wall colors, because the lighting can alter the color of the stone.
Prior to finalizing fabrication details, double-check the location of the seams, sink cutouts, backsplash heights and overhangs.
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