I have tiled kitchen counter. Any ideas on what I can do otherwise.

Question

My budget is low. The counter is porous and plain ugly. I wanted to install quartz countertops but they are way too expensive. I would love to hear some ideas. Thank you, Diane

Janet Pizaro · Answer

See if you like this idea. Rustoleum Countertop Transformation kits.They have there own site for you to look at the product.

Pat whitmus · Answer

Put a layer of board on top and secure. Lay one foot sq. tiles that only cost 70 cents each when on sale. Grout, seal and you will have a new counter. We did this and our kitchen looks so nice. You can secure a strip of wood molding along the edge to give it a nice finished look.

Nancy · Answer

If you live in the East, try this. I got several (cheap-ish) blackboard slates, cut them with a regular circular saw(but with a special blade), and thin-set them over the icky laminate. THEY LOOK GREAT! Remember that one side will be *natural* and the other smooth. put the smooth side up for easy cleaning. Finish with mineral oil.

Vontice Hembree · Answer

concrete countertop overly... it can be painted to look like granite, or marble... have a professional do it with an epoxy seal. Still way cheaper than the real granite but looks like it

Ellen Knox · Answer

Another idea would be to replace with preformed laminate countertops. The new laminates look very much like high end countertops and are pretty affordable.

Linda Johnson · Answer

I bought an 'ezfaux' type of counter top contact paper film. It looks like granite and turned out beautiful. IT's heat, stain and scratch resistant. You can find it on ebay. It comes in a variety of colors and isn't porous. It was easy to install and has made a huge difference in our kitchen! Here's a sample: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Granite-Contact-Paper-Film-Overlay-roll-36-x-6-Gold-Ezfauxdecor-/321973725157?hash=item4af72127e5:m:mIqa0tscqhuDatDok6SnYYA

Marion Nesbitt · Answer

Good suggestions given. Will shortly be attending to a new countertop. There is a business here that handles hollow-core quartz - much cheaper and much lighter than solid that I will look into. Maybe you could do a bit of research in your area.

Hope Williams · Answer

Hi Dbelchamber, I agree with Vontice Hembree about the overlay!  Also another option is using remnant pieces of Quartz.  You can absolutely luck up and get a 6X3 sheet of 'remnant' for cheap.  I found when talking with all the granite people, if I told them I needed a piece for the top of a dresser turned island they were much more willing to help.  Not knowing I was redoing all my counters was a plus.  I didn't lie, I just did not reveal all the truth if that makes sense.  The first two folks were not willing to help at all with the info that I needed all new countertops.  It worked out!  They made money in scrap and I got countertops.

Shelley S · Answer

Here is one that I saw here that looks wonderful.. It only cost $150! http://www.hometalk.com/diy/kitchen-dining/countertops/turn-the-laminate-to-high-end-for-less-than-150-stunning-12885639?se=fol_new-20160118-1&utm_medium=email&utm_source=fol_new&date=20160118&slg=86dcfc0ffc63e33b280053d153167b51-96249

Linda Y · Answer

If you want to invest some time, use pallet wood or floor boarding and make yourself an oiled wooden worktop butchers block style.

LD · Answer

Quartz is the new hot item for countertops right now, so therefore the high price. Each type of countertop has its pros and cons, such as cost, and maintenance. Your counter tops need to be a very durable product to withstand the enormous amount of use it gets. I personally have quartz, but that because I got before it became the in thing to have and I loved the cleaning method (windex), can't get any easier than that. You have the option of using Rustoleum's Countertop Transformation, you can have the tiles refinished (painting them more or less); re-grouting them after thoroughly cleaning them and then sealing them; or replacing them. Find a local stone countertop store, for they may remnants that will fit your countertops and are typically sold at a lower price. A builder surplus store or the Reclaim Store may have countertops that you can repurpose in you kitchen. My best advice to you is to decide if there are going to be further renovations in the kitchen down the road or are you just looking to make your counters renewed and updated. If you're going to make further renovations down the road in your kitchen, then I would say clean the time, regrout the countertop, and apply a sealant to the countertop for now. If you plan to make no further renovations to the kitchen then spend the money now, and update your counters and backsplash with a color that is timeless and will last a long time. When I did my galley kitchen, cost was a big factor, so I resurfaced the cabinets and they also included a counter to, but I opted for the additional cost to have the quartz installed. Here's a link to Consure Report about the best countertop options for a busy kitchen. http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2014/08/the-best-countertops-for-busy-kitchens/index.htm

JOHNNY · Answer

TAKE A LOOK AT MAKING A CONCRETE CUNTER TOP, DIY PROJECT, LOOK AT U TUBEAS AN ALTERNATIVE

Terry · Answer

Put a board down and then use Ardex. http://karapaslaydesigns.com/diy-ardex-concrete-countertops/

Stacie Bennett · Answer

I am looking at spray painting mine. look it up on pinterest. I am going to do a stone look. time and messy, but from what I have seen, worth it

Pat · Answer

I think Janet's idea sounds good....countertop restoration kit. Ask at the paint department in your big box stores, they may have some suggestions for you. Spray paint of some kind should work...depends on what material your countertop is now.

Dbelchamber · Answer

I want to thank everyone for their excellent ideas. They were helpful.  I decided to go with concrete.

Connie Hoge · Answer

That's what I would have suggested, would love to see it...

I have tiled kitchen counter. Any ideas on what I can do otherwise.

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I have tiled kitchen counter. Any ideas on what I can do otherwise.

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