Time to replace the kitchen counter tops. They kitchen cabinets and counter tops are 25 years old. They are builder grade. The cabinets aren’t in bad shape and I have replaced a lot of the fixed shelves with drawers so we are ok keeping them. We would like to replace the formica counter tops and are looking for recommendations. We don’t want anyting super fancy or high maintenance.
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Jim
Thanks for allowing us to spend your money.
Quartz-nice style/color available-almost invisible seaming from a quality company. Sometimes a decent clearance price. Undermount sinks. Pretty indestructable. Hot pan safe from what I"ve been told. Overhangs more than stone-12" is within manufacturer specs (that I've dealt with ).
Granite-some decent prices for a few colors. Undermount sink-often invisible or disquised seams. Can scratch-could crack or chip............not often-but a possibility. Needs resealed maybe yearly.
Corian or other solid surface-lots of colors/styles-mostly flat seam invisible (edge seams in some looks will show a line). Not heat safe-will scratch-can be repaired on site. $ more than stone for their expensive groups/sometimes less than upgrade stone for their standard groups. Molded in sinks (no seams) or regular undermounts.
Soapstone-a soft stone but can be beautiful-little color selection. Sealed-pretty stainproof (think Chem Class in the pre-70's). Not cheap. Undermount sinks - sure.
Concrete-some good work and beautiful looks from quality makers. Time consuming-not cheap either.
Tile-grout joints can be maintanence headache-easier to DIY. Big tile less joints. Can chip easily. Can undermount sinks with some care.
Best bet for pricing-get bids. Local prices surely vary. If you're in the house for a while-get what you like. If you eat out alot-new laminate with nice edging.
my 2 cents.........
Why not go back with what lasted 25 years, or a custom built p-lam top?
I've never warmed up much to stone or similar tops that will last 25,000 years. Seems a bit like overkill not to mention the cost.
Counter Tops
I'm with you. The formica is still in good shape but my wife wants something new. Actually some of the new formica looks really nice. What's P-Lam?
There is nothing wrong with 'mica in a kitchen you actually cook in. I get the impression most of these exotic counter tops are for show kitchens where nobody actually does that much cooking.
It was certainly that way in the houses my wife used to build. They had huge kitchens with 75-100 square feet of granite and the only thing that got used was the microwave, reheating restaurant food.
Formica
Our formica counter tops are in good shape but my wife sees others doing the kitchen remodels so wants something new, but only the counter tops.
We had our cabinets "refaced"
We had our cabinets "refaced" at the same time we had the quartz countertops installed. Also got new vinyl, and the wife tiled the walls between cabinets and backsplash. The kitchen looks entirely different and much, much better than it's ever looked before. The overall cost was like 1/4 what it would have cost to completely remodel, and we could (sorta) use the kitchen while it was being done.
Refaced
What were the original cabinets? What part gets refaced?
The original cabinets were mediocre mass-produced cabinets such as you might buy from a "big box". Face frames, lightweight plywood carcases, the doors were solid wood but just unframed flat panels of not particularly fine quality, and everything was ugly (and blemish-hiding) dark-stained oak.
Refacing primarily involved laminating veneer to the face frames and exposed sidesl, and replacing the doors and drawer fronts with fairly nice flat panel doors about like http://www.rockler.com/adobe-contemporary-style-flat-panel-cabinet-door . The guy who did the work had his own techniques and, eg, ran the drawers through a saw and planer at his shop to remove most of the existing drawer fronts without affecting the joints. He also replaced most of the shelves with heavier ones, installed some pull-out shelves, etc.
(It should be noted that the skill of the guy doing this is critical. There are plenty of hacks doing it.)
same thing
p-lam is shorthand for plastic laminate. Formica is a name brand of plastic lamnate.
My wife is quite happy with our Cambria quartz countertops -- we've had them about 5 years and no problems. More color options than granite and pretty much stainproof (though it reportedly can be burned with a very hot pot).
We went for a better-quality top-mount stainless-steel sink -- the wife doesn't think undermount sinks are clean (and I kinda agree).