Need Frugal Kitchen Counter Tops

By

ksallen

My kitchen counters are free for hauling off linoleum for floors - just glued in in places - tacked on in others. Have also used Contact Paper.
P. S. Also have linoleum around the tub wall, kind of like a shower guard.

By Cali (Guest Post)

I have old tile kitchen counter tops and need to spruce them up or replace them and money is really tight. Any ideas for a cheap fix?

By Paula Jo Carr Mebane, NC (Guest Post)

Use peel and stick paper that is sized to the width of your counters to cover them properly.

There are many colors & patterns and very cheaply done on the pocket book!

By deb hays. (Guest Post)

my kids are remodeling old house we are running out of money. Is there a cheap way to cover kitchen counters until more money comes along?

By gayle (Guest Post)

you can paint with melamine paint, I just finished my bathroom and kitchen counters.

first sand lightly, then wash with a good cleaner for this type of work such as TSP (ask your hardware person)

Next step is to apply a thin coat of melamine, it is oil paint so it really needs a good 16 hours to dry between coats. Make sure to overlap your strokes and do not push too hard on the roller - smooth and clean lines.

After 16 hours sand lightly and wash again - completely dry and apply a second coat the same as the first.

Once dry 16 hours later apply a clear polyurathaine with a good quality brush, allow to dry for 5-6 hours, sand lightly and reapply if necessary.

Remember the finish is not impervous to scratches until the clear coat is added. When done as directed above the finish is absolutely beautiful.

By shelley (Guest Post)

I have varnished old bar tables made of butcher-block. I want to redo them and make them into butcher block kitchen countertops. Can I just use any thing to strip the wood or should I just sand and when I am done can I use any stain or is there something that is food safe.
Thanks

By Mike (Guest Post)

melamine paint is supposed to adhere to laminate. So I don't think you should use primer. melamine bonds to the laminate.

By gina (Guest Post)

i am actually looking for someone to tell me how i can redo an old ugly counter top that has a burn mark on it. can i paint it can i wall paper it and if so is ther something i can seal it with so i can clean like i would a regular counter top

By Lisa (Guest Post)

Laminate countertops are relatively inexpensive and pretty easy to install. It just takes time and patience. I found our countertops at Foxworth-Galbraith for about 150.00 for 2-10 foot sections. My kitchen counters are "L" shaped. Plus they even cut them to the size in lenght and appropriate angle cuts for no charge. Give it a go... and sit back and admire what you were able to do. Good Luck

By Jennifer (Guest Post)

I don't know what shape your countertops are in, but have you thought about decorating your kitchen around the pink countertops? How unusual would that be! You could do a whole retro 50's look with pink and turquoise, or pink and black and white, or pink and gold. It could really be fun!

By Lis (Guest Post)

Check with different home stores (Sears, Lowes, Home Depot, or whatever is in your area) and find out if they offer countertop refinishing. What that means is that they would simply put a new layer of laminate (just the colored part) over what you already have - no new wood, framing or major installation. They basically just re-cover what you have. It would look the same as brand new laminate countertops, but is supposed to be MUCH cheaper.

By syd (Guest Post)

The old counters are not hard to remove. You will have to undo your sink and pipe connections.
Tip: You would have to cut the sink opening in the counter too.

Depending on the layout of your kitchen you can look in Lowe's or Home Depot, they carry Formica-type counter pieces that you can assemble. They can be cut to the size you may need. Your labor is a lot cheaper than hiring someone to take out and put it in new counters.

If you can afford this approach, rather than trying to paint them, it will be better in the long run.

Lowe's & Home Depot employees are most helpful in telling you how to handle this type project.

By

Jo Bodey

I live in Australia so don't know if you have such a thing but we have 'salvage yards' - these are places where you can buy secondhand timber and building supplies. If you could find some cheap second hand good quality wood, (planks, floor boards, etc.), you could glue and dowel/biscuit join them, sand and seal and have a beautiful wooden worktop for a fraction of the price of new. I made a bathroom vanity top from a wide plank which cost $10 - cut into two lengths, joined sanded and sealed with polyurethane varnish. It is attached to the wall with two legs and a curtain at the front.

My kitchen worktops are sheoak, bought directly from timber miller, (?lumber mill in the US). He joined them, rough sanded them and bevelled the edge for $400(Australian), (it would have been cheaper only I wanted an unusual width). I got a joiner to fit them, (cut out the area for cooktop and sink and attach them to the cupboards), and I finished sanding them and sealed them with a very tough two pack varnish. I also have a beautiful jarrah kitchen table made from floorboards. Wood always looks a million dollars and once its sanded and sealed no one will guess its source, or how cheap it was to buy!

Regards

Jo

By Karin (Guest Post)

You can paint them with melamine paint. Make sure to prime them first. Any good paint store will be able to give you directions.