Resurfacing Your Countertops

If the countertops in your home are beginning to look dull, worn, or generally unattractive, you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars updating it with an entirely new counter. Instead, you could have your countertop resurfaced or refinished.

Resurfacing vs Refinishing: What’s the Difference?

You may see these two terms used interchangeably in your search for information, but there are actually some key differences between the two you should be aware of before you commit to starting your project.

Of the two options, resurfacing is the most transformative. This process can involve up to removing and replacing the countertop. Typically, though, you will see people resurfacing their counters by re-coating it with a fresh layer of laminate or even tile.

On the other hand, refinishing involves repairing the counter where needed, sanding down the finish and stains, and recoating the existing surface. This will give your counters a fresh, updated look at a fraction of the cost of a full replacement.

Both of these options are highly attractive for their cost-effective nature.

When You Should Consider Resurfacing

Because most people use their kitchens every day, you want it to look nice. However, your countertop gets a lot of daily abuse and, over the years, may have begun to show it. Whether your countertop is covered in knife-related battle scars, burn marks, unidentifiable stains, or worse, there is still hope.

The good news is, you don’t need a heavily damaged countertop to resurface it – some people just want a new aesthetic for their kitchen. That’s fine, too. Whatever the reasoning, you can resurface or refinish your countertop, or have it done for you.

While offering nearly the same number of plentiful options as completely purchasing a new countertop, resurfacing will cost significantly less. The results will be just as attractive, though.

Can You Resurface Any Kind of Countertop?

The short answer to this question is…kind of. Some countertop materials are better suited to resurfacing than others, which may not work at all.

Any man-made surface which is completely smooth can be resurfaced. This includes laminate, faux stone, cultured marble, and even glass. Surfaces that are grouted tile or similar, however, cannot be resurfaced without removing all the tiles and then sanding the surface. Alternatively, in instances where you would like to resurface a tiled countertop, you could coat the surface in thin layers of a special epoxy until it is smooth.

Many professionals may also refuse to resurface natural stone or porous surfaces. Specifics may vary between contractors, however, you should always ask when expressing interest to be sure that they can handle the job at hand.

Another material you might be considering for resurfacing or replacement is wood. Wood countertops are beautiful, but, they may also need an updated look at some point. However, if your wood countertop needs a makeover, you should have it refinished rather than resurfaced. You may need to enlist the help of a specialist for wooden countertops, as they can be difficult to refinish depending on the extent of their wear and tear.

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