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Kitchen countertops vary a lot and, usually, the price is the main determining factor in the selection. When you build on a limited budget, chances are, your countertop will have to be fixed
or replaced in several years. Resurfacing countertops became a popular choice for many households because it allows a relatively cheap solution.
Here are a few tips on resurfacing countertops:
- Fix your countertop. Sometimes you can save a lot of money by fixing your countertop instead of resurfacing. If, for example, you have a tiled countertop with stained grout but good tiles, it will make more sense to remove old grout and replace it with new. Many stains on any countertop can be removed with poultice.
- Resurfacing choices. The choice of resurfacing will depend on the budget and your existing surface.
- Formica. Formica surfaces are not very durable, but can be easily resurfaced. Before attempting to resurface, make sure that the base plywood is in good shape. Plywood warps when exposed to water, so if you had water damage, you may need to replace the whole countertop. To resurface Formica, peel the old layer and scrape off the old glue. Measure and cut new pieces with a fine wood cutting blade. You can also cut it with a utility knife by scoring a line and snapping the piece. Apply contact cement to both surfaces and connect them together. Make sure you align the positions right—it’s hard to separate the pieces once the surfaces touch each other.
- Tile and Laminate. A popular choice for resurfacing countertops is applying an epoxy or resin base finish right over the existing countertop to create hard, heat and scratch resistant surface. The cost of resurfacing is a lot smaller in comparison to the cost of replacing. You can choose from several color choices and you can imitate more expensive surfaces. In many cases you don’t have to remove your sink, and, if you choose, you can resurface your old sink as well.
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