- Home
- Electrical Items
- A New Look For Your Old Laminate Countertops
- Home
- Around the home
- A New Look For Your Old Laminate Countertops
A New Look For Your Old Laminate Countertops
- By Lillian Esquival
- Published 03/17/2009
- Electrical Items , Around the home
- Unrated
Lillian Esquival
Lillian Esquival writes about kitchen remodeling and other home maintenance tips for HowToDoThings.com.
View all articles by Lillian Esquival
Laminate countertops are damaged easily over a period if not properly and consistently cared for and maintained. You can create new countertops with little or no money when given the proper directions and if you have the time to spend carefully completing the project yourself. Painting countertops and stenciling designs on them will transform your home into a different living environment. You could start with clean countertops, paint supplies and some stenciling ideas and you’re halfway there already. To top it off, if you can manage the correct finish, along with the information listed in the article below, your countertops can last you a lifetime!
There are some advantages and disadvantages of laminate countertops. The main advantage being, it helps give your home a new look without the cost of hiring a contractor to do the work. The laminate countertops are easy to maintain, durable and inexpensive. These are readily available in the form of DIY (Do it yourself) kits, but you do not get enough choice on colors. Disadvantages of laminate countertops are scratches and chipping that are almost impossible to repair, end finishing and front edge choices can be pricey.
Countertops are of different types - granite, laminate, stone, solid surface, marble, ceramic, soapstone, stainless, wooden, concrete, to name a few. One could plan to choose any of these to renew the look of their kitchens or bathrooms or even a laundry room with a countertop.
A very common style is the formed plastic laminate countertop. These are factory produced with a single thin sheet of laminate curved and glued over medium density fiberboard and other similar base materials.
When painting laminate countertops, ensure the surface is thoroughly cleaned or you will encounter problems as you continue your project. If this is not done correctly, the paint will not stick to the surface causing you additional and unnecessary work. In addition, the proper selection of products is necessary so that the paint can adhere to the countertop. Epoxy is the paint widely suggested by knowledgeable paint professionals to ensure that the paint sticks to the kitchen countertop. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and guidelines to mix the epoxy correctly. While buying a primer to paint kitchen countertops, always tint it slightly with the finishing color. This allows a little extra color for even coverage as an end result. Use of a dense foam roller helps as this will help give a deep, rich finish and allow less paint to be used on the final coats. Give ample time for the paint to dry, while painting coats, or after you finish completely. Always take extra caution when placing hot pots and pans on the countertops to enjoy several weeks of the new look without the damaging effects of the heated pots and pans.
Painting an old laminate countertop not only gives you the pleasure of renewing your kitchen with colors of your choice, but also is a safe and inexpensive method of keeping your kitchen and bathroom countertops well maintained.
There are some advantages and disadvantages of laminate countertops. The main advantage being, it helps give your home a new look without the cost of hiring a contractor to do the work. The laminate countertops are easy to maintain, durable and inexpensive. These are readily available in the form of DIY (Do it yourself) kits, but you do not get enough choice on colors. Disadvantages of laminate countertops are scratches and chipping that are almost impossible to repair, end finishing and front edge choices can be pricey.
Countertops are of different types - granite, laminate, stone, solid surface, marble, ceramic, soapstone, stainless, wooden, concrete, to name a few. One could plan to choose any of these to renew the look of their kitchens or bathrooms or even a laundry room with a countertop.
When painting laminate countertops, ensure the surface is thoroughly cleaned or you will encounter problems as you continue your project. If this is not done correctly, the paint will not stick to the surface causing you additional and unnecessary work. In addition, the proper selection of products is necessary so that the paint can adhere to the countertop. Epoxy is the paint widely suggested by knowledgeable paint professionals to ensure that the paint sticks to the kitchen countertop. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and guidelines to mix the epoxy correctly. While buying a primer to paint kitchen countertops, always tint it slightly with the finishing color. This allows a little extra color for even coverage as an end result. Use of a dense foam roller helps as this will help give a deep, rich finish and allow less paint to be used on the final coats. Give ample time for the paint to dry, while painting coats, or after you finish completely. Always take extra caution when placing hot pots and pans on the countertops to enjoy several weeks of the new look without the damaging effects of the heated pots and pans.
Painting an old laminate countertop not only gives you the pleasure of renewing your kitchen with colors of your choice, but also is a safe and inexpensive method of keeping your kitchen and bathroom countertops well maintained.
