Can I paint my countertop? Painting countertops is for short term use. It won't last. To save money when remodeling their kitchens, many homeowners ask "Can I paint my countertop?" Jason Flippo, who is...
To save money when remodeling their kitchens, many homeowners ask "Can I paint my countertop?" Jason Flippo, who is the owner and president of Signature Home Improvement Inc, which is a business that concentrates on remodeling kitchens and living areas, says, "There are a couple of companies out there that do that. They have a coating they spray onto it, but I think it is more for short term use. That kind of treatment is more for someone who just wants to get the house onto the market real fast, and just do a quick fix. But for long term, there is nothing on the market that is going to last for your existing counter tops."
One of the cheapest ways that you can update a kitchen countertop is with laminate. According to the book "Home Project Manager: Kitchen Planner", published in 1997 by Cowles Creative Publishing: "The most popular and least expensive countertop material, laminate is a 1/16 inch thick polymer bonded with contact adhesive to a 3/4 inch thick plywood or particle board core. Another type of laminate, called solid-color laminate, features consistent color throughout the thickness of the sheet. Solid-color laminates don't show dark lines at the trimmed edges the way that traditional laminates do. Solid-color products also can be routed like wood to create graphic effects. Any laminated countertop can be dressed up with a rolled edge. Wood edges and metal inlays can also be added to enrich the look. Laminate countertops can be purchased as post-form products, in which the backsplash and edges are already finished; or as custom-built countertops. Post-form laminates can be easily installed by a do-it-yourselfer, though it costs little to have a carpenter do this work. A moderately skilled homeowner can also build custom laminate countertops, but most remodelers prefer to delegate this task to a carpenter or countertop contractor." It goes on to state that the advantages of laminate are "The most inexpensive option for countertops; Huge selection of colors and patterns, including stone and wood look a-likes; Very easily to maintain, resists grease and stains and doesn't require special cleaning products; and Readily available at home centers and lumberyards." (Though, selections may vary and you may have to allow extra time in your plans to order a certain color or design if the store does not have what you want in stock.) The disadvantages that the book mentions is: "Laminate can be damaged by sharp knives or hot pans, and is difficult to repair." But, if you painted your countertops, you would have the same disadvantages plus the extra show of wear and fading that might occur over the years.
If you do decide to install the laminate countertop yourself, there are many books available on the subject. Many home improvement stores also offer a variety of classes and workshops for "do-it-yourselfers". You will need to learn certain steps, such planning the cuts, how to cut the laminate (including mitering corners), how to correctly apply the adhesive and the laminate itself to avoid bubbles on the countertop as well as the edges and backsplash, cutting out the sink opening, and trimming the countertop when you are all done.
Even though it might be a series of simple steps to learn, there is a lot of work involved. I guess this is why most kitchen remodelers pay a little extra money to have a professional take care of the installation while they concentrate their energy on other projects.
