Once your kitchen countertops begin showing their age, becoming antiquated-looking or damaged, you will have an important choice to make: Should I refinish the counters or replace them? Each route has advantages and disadvantages depending on your budget, desired aesthetic, and the condition of the counters. Let’s take a moment to consider both options.
Understanding Countertop Refinishing
Countertop refinishing is also referred to as resurfacing, which is basically when you repair your countertop and resurface it to look new or back to its natural state again, this technique works great with countertops that show light damage and for the design enthusiast who needs a simple low-cost alternative to breathe life back into their surfaces. The countertop materials of tile, laminate, and cultured marble are some of the most common restoration materials. In addition, from refinishing today, you may even achieve an appearance of granite and quartz surfaces without the costs of granite and quartz surfaces using modern resurfacing equipment.
When Countertop Replacement Is the Better Option
Countertop replacement means you will be removing your surface entirely and starting fresh with a new surface type. Countertop replacement may also allow you to upgrade to new materials as well (granite, quartz, marble, butcher block) and you have the potential to re-design your kitchen space as well. Replacement means you may have more time and budget investment, but if the current countertop repair is for issues of significant damage, the age of the countertop, or damage due to structural instability, the replacement will likely be worth the time and expense.
How to Choose the Right Option for Your Home?
1. Evaluate the Condition of Your Countertops
If your counters simply have a little scratching, staining, and perhaps an overall poor finish, refinishing will have your counters looking like new in no time! Not only is this a nice way to save money, but it also prolongs the life of your counters as opposed to replacing them. Conversely, if you notice any cracking, sagging, or other problems from water or structural damage, replacement is likely going to be the safer and better choice. New countertops will last longer and refinishing will still carry the same prep or damage costs associated with refinishing.
2. Consider Your Budget and Timeline
Refinishing will save homeowners somewhere between 50% and 70%, and is typically done in a day or two. This is useful for homeowners who want a very inexpensive, easy enhancement of their cabinets. Replacement is certainly much more expensive, will take much longer, but maybe it does give longer lasting cabinets, and more design options. If you are thinking through a kitchen remodel, spending the work and money on replacing your cabinets will ultimately pay off for you.
3. Define Your Design Goals
By refinishing, it is possible to change the color, pattern, or texture of your countertop while maintaining the material and configuration. Refinishing can be a good option for a minimal update to the look of your countertop, or if you are comfortable with the existing design but want to revitalize it. Replacement provides unlimited design options when it’s time to completely change everything-whether that means transitioning from a laminate countertop to a quartz or granite option, changing the shape of the countertop, or changing the edge.
4. Factor in Durability and Maintenance
With proper care, refinished countertops are functional for several years before needing to be refreshed. Certainly, they can withstand daily use, but are not as durable as the most modern products. Replacement is the entire new countertop with longevity intended for decades, especially if you go with high-quality materials like granite or quartz. In fact, if durable with low-maintenance is the goal, replacement could be a good investment.
5. Think About Resale Value and Long-Term Plans
If you intend to sell your home anytime soon, new countertops will appeal to buyers and have a positive effect on the resale value of your home. A new style of countertop will create a great first impression. If you are a stayer and just want to update your home without a huge expense, refinishing will create a new look at a reasonable price.
6. When in Doubt, Consult a Professional
Occasionally relying on your local best professional is the best method to make a decision: a countertop professional can go into your existing counter, discuss your goals with you, and give the best advice associated with your home needs and budget, all which makes you comfortable in your long-lasting results when replacing or refinishing a countertop.
Final Thoughts
Countertops can be refinished and replaced to make your kitchen look great. Refinishing may be all you need in case you have a limited budget, and your countertop is not in bad shape. But, in case you want a long-lasting product, that is more stylish and can be replaced, then it is safer to resort to the latter version. Whichever you choose to follow, having a professional, who has the good name, will make sure that the countertops are not only as pretty, but also as long lasting.
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