Kitchen Countertop Replacement: How To Do It And Everything You Need To Know

The countertop is one of the most notable additions to a home. There are several types that one can use for their homes, and these can be a natural stone countertop, solid surface countertop, or any other material. 

These surfaces can make a statement to anyone that comes across it. However, there are times when your budget may not be enough to get the ideal kitchen countertop that you want. 

In this case, there is no need for you to worry too much. You can get your kitchen countertop replaced on a budget, and you will end up being happy with what you got. 

Many products will help you get the best look for your kitchen countertop remodelling. 

Replacing Your Kitchen Countertop

Before you start replacing the kitchen countertop, there are some factors that you will have to take into consideration. 

Doing this will ensure that you get the job done well. It usually is time to upgrade your kitchen countertop when you realize that it does not match your design vision any longer. 

Of course, different people will have different reasons why they need to change their countertops. 

You can also decide to change the countertop when it gets damaged or is too hard to maintain.

It would help if you got some homework done before you are out there looking for a new kitchen countertop. 

You should first look to see if the old countertop can be repaired or not. If you need to get new countertops, you should shop with the correct measurements in your hand. 

Doing this first will help to estimate the overall cost of materials. You should also have a clear idea of the kind of countertop you are looking for and one that suits your kitchen.

If you are looking for countertops that can be cared for quickly, you should pay close attention to the maintenance requirements of each material. 

Below are some things you should consider before getting a new kitchen countertop.

Repair It Or Replace It

You can revitalize the countertop if you still want to keep using it. You can polish some laminate countertops to get rid of scratches. 

They can also be painted or laminated and tiled to update them. The chipped stone countertops can also be repaired by getting the fragments and using epoxy glue to fix them back to the countertop. 

There are kitchen countertop repair kits that have been designed for several countertops such as laminate, granite, solid surfacing, marble, and wood. You should try checking them out and see if they are worth it. 

Measure Precisely

Try making a sketch that represents countertop placement in your kitchen before taking out your tape measure. 

Mark off some continuous countertops, peninsula, and island countertops sections and measure them separately.

Measure both the length and depth of each section and record the measurements down. 

You then add all the square footage numbers to help you determine all the square footage materials you will need. 

This will also help you estimate and compare the costs so that you can make the right countertop choice.

Further Considerations

You will also have to decide if you want to replace a laminate or ceramic tile countertop. 

Some standard factory cabinets may need additional reinforcement supports when a countertop is on them at their bases and sides. 

You should allow the professionals to check your cabinets and see if the cabinet would support heavy countertops.

When you compare the countertop materials, you should consider their materials and their attributes.

Types Of Kitchen Countertops You Can Get On A Budget

Although you will not be able to get some of the expensive kitchen countertops like the gemstone ones while you are shopping on a budget, you will still be able to choose from a wide range of options that will be open to you based on your budget. 

Below are some of the options for a kitchen countertop that you can choose from. Let us take a look at each of them.

Ceramic Tile Countertop

A ceramic tile countertop is one of the best options for you to choose from when shopping for kitchen countertops on a budget. 

They can be installed quickly, and this installation can even be done by yourself. There are several types and designs of ceramic tile kitchen countertops that you can choose from. 

However, one disadvantage of the ceramic tile kitchen countertop is that you would have to deal with grout lines. 

However, the ceramic tile kitchen countertop makes up for this with its low prices. You can get a ceramic tile countertop for as low as $10 per foot, with the highest-priced ones being around $15 per foot.

Laminate Kitchen Countertop

If you do not like the ceramic tile countertop, you can choose the laminate kitchen countertop. 

Although these have been standard in the past, their surfaces have still been quite popular. However, you cannot quickly repair damages to the laminate kitchen countertop. 

It would help if you also exercised caution when it comes to maintaining the laminate kitchen countertop.

You can get a laminate kitchen countertop for about $20 per foot, with the highest-priced ones being pegged at around $50 per foot. 

This makes it one of the most affordable kitchen countertops you can acquire while shopping on a tight budget.

Marble Kitchen Countertop

The marble kitchen countertop is one of the most beautiful kitchen countertops that one can purchase while on a budget. 

It is also one of the best choices for homeowners when replacing their kitchen countertops. However, this does not mean that marble is the best choice for choosing a kitchen countertop. 

This is because the marble kitchen countertop is quite porous and requires high maintenance. However, marble can also increase the value of your home considerably. 

Also, because marble is porous, something like an orange can get etched on it. 

This is because the orange is an acidic juice, which will leave a dull whitish mark on the marble. 

There are various sizes that you can choose from when it comes to purchasing a marble countertop. You can get these for as low as $15 per foot to $190 per foot. 

Cultured Marble

Cultured marble is a faux marble surface, and it has become quite popular in recent times. A look of people sees it as an alternative to natural marble. 

Cultured marble is made when one combines polyester resin with pigments, fillers, and marble dust. 

The cultured marble surface is usually designed to look like natural marble while resisting stains. 

This is something you cannot get when you buy natural marble countertops. Cultured marble countertops are also less expensive than natural marble, and cultured marble starts at $30 to $100.

Granite

Granite is one of the most popular kitchen countertops out there, and most homes owners go for this when remodelling their kitchens. 

Most homeowners do this even when they are shopping on a budget. You can get granite kitchen countertops in several colors and designs.

The granite kitchen countertops are also very durable and do not require high levels of maintenance compared to other types of kitchen countertops. 

The granite countertops are also resistant to heat, stains, and scratches. However, you will have to apply a sealant to it every year, and the process does not take long at all. 

Aside from being used as a kitchen cabinet in the home, granites are also ideal for kitchen island tops, backsplashes, and many more. 

When it comes to granite countertops, it starts from around $32 to $75. Granite is one of the best kitchen countertops that you can get.

Cultured Granite

The sophisticated looks similar to the natural granite, and people usually use cultured marble as an alternative to the real one. 

Although cultured granite is one of the best surfaces that you will ever see, it is one of the best choices when shopping for something on a low budget. 

Prices start from around $35 per foot to $70 per foot. The price will generally depend on the color of the marble and the initial cost. They also come in different sizes and colors and some unique patterns.

Quartz Kitchen Countertop

When you are replacing the countertop of your kitchen while you are on a budget, it is pretty advisable to take a look at the quartz kitchen countertop. 

Quartz is a plug-and-play alternative to natural stones such as marble and granite. 

This is because the quartz does not need any sealing, and it is also quite robust for the environment of a kitchen. 

Quartz is an artificially made stone generated through the combination of 90% of ground quartz and 8 or 10% of resins, pigments, and polymers.

Due to this, the quartz forms a complex and similar surface to granite and marble, making it a viable alternative to the granite countertop.

The appearance of quartz depends typically on how the quartz was grounded. 

A coarsely ground quartz will produce a flecked appearance, while a finely ground quartz will produce a smooth-looking appearance. 

Quartz kitchen tops typically start from around $15 per foot to $70 per foot.

Limestone Kitchen Countertop

Limestone is a natural stone that is usually formed from calcium carbonate. The limestone usually is pure white to off-white. 

However, there are other color variations such as beige, grey, ivory, red, yellow, and brown. The color tones usually are natural as well. 

Limestone is also porous and soft, and it is also sensitive chemically. Anything that has acid in it can etch the limestone kitchen countertop. 

Due to this, maintenance of the limestone kitchen countertop and care is essential. You will need to regularly seal the limestone kitchen countertop to protect them from stains. 

Since it is a soft stone, you will have to be careful when using knives if there is no chopping board. 

It is one of the cheapest kitchen countertops you can get when it comes to prices, and prices start from $10 to $70.

Conclusion

So this article was all about kitchen countertops and all you needed to know when you decide to replace them. 

As you can see, there are several types of kitchen countertops that you can choose from to fit in with your kitchen. 

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