A hard slab of granite, or quartz, including edges and backsplashes, goes on top of the existing countertop. These are variously called countertop overlays, granite counter units (GCUs), modular granite, or modular quartz, and they're great choices for primary homes, rental units, and investment properties alike.
Covering existing countertops with granite or another quality surface is a cost-effective and easy way to update the look of your kitchen or bathroom. One popular option among homeowners is counter overlays. And it is easy to see why.
How Much Are Granite Countertops Overlays? The cost of a granite countertop overlay ranges between $40 and $60 for slabs, $25, and $40 for modular and $5 and $15 for tile. Note that this cost is calculated per square foot.
The most temporary countertop covers are spray paint and PVC countertop films. At some point, these covers will scratch, gouge, or otherwise fail. Other covers are longer-lasting temporary solutions: ceramic tile, laminate, or wood overlays.
Concrete overlay for countertops is an ultra-strong, easy-to-apply concrete layer used to “lay over” existing laminate, Formica, wood, or tile countertops. Overlay ensures a durable concrete look and feel at a fraction of the cost required for freshly poured concrete slabs.
Overlays are less expensive than full-sized countertops because they are thinner. Allows you to have premium quartz countertops without the high price tag. Less expensive than sending your existing counters to the landfill since you must pay for disposal costs.
Then, we overlay the new countertop surface right on top of the laminate using a strong adhesive. The entire process is relatively mess-free (as far as kitchen remodels go) and only takes about a day. But the best part is that overlaying laminate countertops is much more cost-effective than a complete replacement.
Painting Countertops
This is possibly the least expensive way to cover up old countertops, especially old wood or linoleum countertops. It's very easy to paint your countertops yourself. Just sand, prime and then paint. You can use a pad sander, but sanding by hand will work just fine.
How do you redo a countertop without replacing it? There are many options available on the modern market - wrap it with the interior film, DIY concrete one, paint it to look like marble, tile it, imitate terrazzo surface, etc.
Resurfacing Is a Cost-Effective Option
Resurfacing your kitchen countertops, though, is still a cost-effective alternative—not to mention a low-cost investment that will last for years to come.
Laminate countertop overlays are typically the thinnest option, with a thickness of around 1/8 inch. Solid surface countertop overlays, such as those made from acrylic or polyester resins, are typically thicker, with a thickness of approximately 1/4 inch.
Quartz and Quartz Overlay Worktops
Quartz is also extremely durable and you can have confidence that it will withstand the demands of everyday use. It's resistant to scratches and heat, as well as mould, bacteria and mildew. Save yourself time and money by having the quartz fitted over your existing worktop.
A: We don't typically recommend laminating over laminate – but you can do it if you're willing to put some elbow grease into it. You need to sand the old surface down to the brown core in order to make sure the adhesive sticks and stays stuck.
To give you an idea of quality and longevity, most warranties max out at about five years. However, if the countertops are in a high-traffic space you'll likely see signs of wear much sooner than that, even with a higher quality product.
There is some debate around recouping the money you spend on upgrading kitchen countertops. But as a general rule, you should not bet on this happening. Instead, if you do choose to go through with the upgrade, consider it an investment towards selling the property faster.
If you're looking to give your countertops a whole new look but are watching your budget, you can completely transform them for less than $300. Refinishing kits and tough peel-and-stick vinyl coverings are tailor-made for the DIYer, and the results are dead ringers for real granite slabs.
Use a Countertop Paint Kit
You can purchase paint kits that allow you to update the look of your countertops. The product is simple to use and can give you the look of stone for less than hundred dollars. If you want a new look, but don't want to spend a lot of money, painting your countertops is a great option.
Quartz countertops are one of the best alternatives to granite counters in terms of durability, aesthetic appeal, functionality, and versatility.
Some materials, like laminates, are screwed in place, which is easy to remove. However, marble and granite slabs are trickier and can damage your cabinetry. That's why it's better to ask a professional to remove the old countertops to avoid damage to your cabinets.
The two largest factors are labor and material. You can save a lot of money by installing countertops yourself and choosing a cheaper material, but professionally installed countertops in a more durable, high-quality material typically last longer—and fetch a higher value when you sell your home.
Although laminate countertops have decent impact resistance, they're vulnerable to heat damage and scratch easily. Moisture can penetrate seams and cause delamination. Not repairable. Small scratches can be touched up with designated resin paint, but deep scratches and chips aren't fixable.
If you're covering laminate, you might want to opt for a specialist paint like Rust-Oleum's Countertop Coating, which is tintable to 12 colors. However, you could use an acrylic interior paint instead for a laminate countertop.