Countertop refinishing is the process of resurfacing and restoring existing countertops, where they are in the home, with premium durable coatings. All types of countertops can be refinished (bathrooms and kitchens), including tile, laminate, Corian, Formica, Wilsonart, quartz, granite, concrete, marble, resin, and porcelain.
The coatings used by professional refinishers are engineered to produce a “like new” finish, in any solid color shade or faux stone material. Any existing imperfections, chips or cracks can be repaired prior to refinishing.
Countertop refinishing is an affordable way to change the look of your countertops. Whether you have laminate, manufactured stone, Formica, or early any other countertop material, you can get it refinished to look brand new. The question is, how durable is countertop refinishing? Does countertop refinishing chip or scratch? Check out this guide to learn what to expect from refinished countertops.
Professional Countertop Refinishing Is Just as Durable as the Original Countertop
If you get your countertops professionally refinished, the new surface should be just as durable as the original. Here at Maryland Tub and Tile, we use a specially blended urethane coating that can stand up to daily wear and tear.
Of course, if you drop a heavy object from the right angle, it may chip the coating just like it would chip the original countertops. For standard use though, countertop refinishing is durable and reliable.
DIY Countertop Painting Is Subject to Chipping
There is a bit difference between professional countertop refinishing and DIY paint jobs. If you buy a kit from a hardware store and slap it on the counters, it’s going to chip and scratch. Those solutions have a fraction of the holdup power that urethane coatings have. We can’t tell you how many homeowners have contacted us asking us to cover something they tried to do on their own. In the end, they had to spend more money redoing the counters than they would have by getting them professionally refinished in the first place.
And on that note, refinishing is more affordable than you think! Pricing varies by square footage, but you’ll likely be surprised by the cost. When you think about how long the new coating will last, it’s a no-brainer solution for bathroom and kitchen remodeling.
Tips to Protect Your Refinished Countertops
No matter how you refinish your countertops, there are some steps you can take to preserve them. Follow these simple guidelines to extend the life of the coating:
· Don’t stand on the countertops to reach upper shelves. Use a stepstool or ladder instead to prevent the risk of dropping something on the counters.
· Carefully grip heavy pans with two hands. This will not only protect your counters but also your flooring, toes, pans and more.
· Use a trivet, potholder, or oven mitt under hot objects. This is mostly to prevent warping and hot spots, but it can help with chipping too.
· Avoid putting harsh chemicals on the counters. If you need to set paint thinner or any type of stripper on the counters, put something underneath it to protect the surface. For daily cleaning, use gentle counter cleaners, vinegar, or warm water.
· Give the counters at least two days to cure. The longer you can leave them alone, the better. The surface will dry before the inner layers do, so what feels stable to the touch may not be further down. If you can wait at least 48 hours, you’ll have a more durable surface that lasts for years to come.
Is Countertop Refinishing Worth It?
Perhaps we have a biased opinion, but our customers have the same one. Yes, countertop refinishing is worth it. Without actually replacing your countertops, you can customize the appearance to fit your exact needs. A refinished countertop will last for years to come, and the cost is so much less than replacing it. Get a free estimate from a refinishing company today.
