Countertops: Paint, replace, or reface

Nothing says old and tired more than an outdated countertop in a kitchen or bathroom. Luckily, you have some relatively inexpensive options for upgrading countertops.

Granite is king in countertops because of its performance, resistance to heat, and air of luxury. But instead of upgrading to costly slab granite, you can achieve the same luxury in your kitchen by using largescale tiles with very narrow grout lines for a fraction of the price.

Laminate is still a cost-effective option for updating your countertops. It comes in many different colours, styles, and textures — we’ve even seen a version that’s a dead ringer to granite. Just remember to use a style and colour that won’t be outdated quickly. As with the other larger surfaces in your house, stick to neutrals when replacing the countertops.

Kitchen benchtops can be resurfaced!

If you’re selling an older home and the countertops need to be replaced, consider painting them. It’s cheaper and looks great. You can find a number of paint products formulated to be used over the existing countertops and offered by just about every paint manufacturer. Some even resemble granite.

Painting countertops isn’t a long-term solution. The average life for this counter refinishing treatment is 2 to 5 years.

Treat cracked, damaged, or old countertops with a skim stone refinishing product like Venetian plaster. Most paint manufacturers make a product like this, and you can find them at your local home improvement store. The finish is a rough, stone like texture that adds an organic, natural look. If you use one of these products, make sure you also use the finishing sealant to protect the new surface and prevent any toxicity from transferring to foods.