Countertop covers arebudget-friendly optionsforupdating kitchenandbathroom countertops.
Most are simple DIY methods that are easier and less expensive than a completecountertop replacement.
As a bonus, they’re eco-friendlierthan replacementbecause fewer, if any, materials are trashed.
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Ceramic tile, laminate, and wood overlays are the most durable covers.
Liquid coatings like spray paint and films like contact paper will tear and become scratched.
Glazed ceramic and porcelain tiles are the most stain- and heat-resistant.
The Spruce / Carson Downing
They come in a wide range of sizes, shapes, and colors.
Natural stone tile also works well, but must be sealed periodically to protect against stains.
Tile is highly durable and easy to clean.
The Spruce / Carson Downing
However, the grout joints are prone to staining and collecting grime.
Most kits are designed to replace old laminate counter surfaces.
The process is straightforward and non-technical but involves hard work, sanding, and careful attention to detail.
The Spruce / Carson Downing
One downside of countertop resurfacing kits is their price, which often ranges from $250 to $350.
Laminate
Laminatecountertops that have square edges can be covered with a second layer of laminate.
Laminate is sold in sheets up to 5 feet wide and 12 feet long.
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To apply laminate to a countertop,cut the sheetsslightly oversized and glue them down with contact cement.
Trim the edges flush to the old counter with a router or laminate trimmer.
A faux-concrete cover isn’t exceptionally durable and may be prone to scratches and stains.
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But it’s an easy, inexpensive option for those who love the concrete look.
Countertop Film
Countertop film is a thicker, tougher version ofcontact paperor shelf paper.
Installing countertop film is much like applying contact paper.
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
Lay out the film, trim it to rough size, and align it to the countertop’s edges.
Apply the film incrementally, using a squeegee tool to work out the air bubbles.
Countertop film is a short-term solution but can be an effective quick cover-up.
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you could cover your old counters with wide planks of solid hardwood or even hardwood or bamboo plywood.
Solid hardwood is more durable and repairable than plywood.
Bamboo offers the best of both worlds.
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This custom makeover requires woodworking skills and tools.
After installation, the wood must be thoroughly sealed or oiled for moisture resistance.
Spray painting works well forlaminate countertopsand other surfaces that can be scuffed down with sandpaper.
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
Spray paint can last years on low-impact surfaces such as bathroom counters.
Paint your countertop much likepainting plastic.
Lightly sand the countertop withfine-grit sandpaper.
Clean off the dust.
Special pieces are made for inside and outside corners, as well as optional edge pieces.
A significant downside of modular granite is its availability.
Since modular granite isn’t a thriving industry, finding a supplier may be difficult.
Contact Paper
Contact paper is typically used as a quick cover-up on shelves.
But it can be repurposed as a quick, highly inexpensive countertop cover.
Contact paper costs from $0.50 to $1 per square feet.
Peel-and-stick
Peel-and-stick countertops are like contact paper: inexpensive, easy to apply, but temporary.
One advantage of peel-and-stick over contact paper is that it’s designed to mimic countertop materials.
Twelve linear feet of peel-and-stick (24 inches deep) costs around $70 to $80.
Countertop overlays are meant to be temporary.
Peel-and-stick is a thin film, so it is subject to gouges, scratches, and peeling over time.
Adding a layer of ceramic tile is the best way to resurface countertops without replacing them.
Tile is inexpensive, durable, and simple to install.
