I ran across a great article at The Family Handyman on comparing cost and materials of different countertop options: Buying Countertops: Plastic Laminates, Granite, and Solid Surfaces. At the end of the article is a link to a pdf that summarizes Wear and Maintenance Comparison Chart for each type. Great information when trying to decide what direction you want to go in for a kitchen remodel.

They also have a good tutorial on installing laminate counter tops yourself.

Decision 1: Countertops

Well I’ve made a decision about countertops. Or rather the decision was made itself for me.

I made a trip to Lowe’s to price countertops for the kitchen. Since there’s a mitered corner with one side that runs almost 12 feet the stock counter tops were not an option. They took the measurements and checked with their fabricators on cost.

The very basic waterfall edge Formica would be $370 for the counters. That didn’t seem too bad. Then they told me installation would be around $600 and tear out of the old counter would be another $200 for the installation. $370 for the material and $800 to make the change?

I’m sorry, but this isn’t rocket science. I looked underneath the counters and it’s not hard to get them off but the sink would need to be removed. That’s not that big of a deal. all the attachments would unscrew. The install is the reverse except a hole needs to be cut for the sink. How hard can that be since they should have the right tools? Put the sink back in, caulk the edges and your done. So again, my question — $800??? I figure the longest it could take would be 4 hours and I’d be willing to bet they could get the old counters out and the new one installed in under 2. So at the high estimate they get $200 an hour? I don’t think so. The problem being it’s a project I can’t do solo.

Just as a due diligence kind of thing I’m going to check with a salvage company that sells countertops, but I would imagine installation would once again kill the idea.

Another idea

Totally ticked off at the absurdity of $1200 for cheap countertops when that’s what I already have in the kitchen I started beating the internet to death on economic countertop updates. In that search I ran across a lot of painting ideas, but wasn’t really hooked on the idea until I checked Giani Granite Paint for Countertops.

I read the testimonials, but what really sold me was the long 15 minute instructional video. It was good enough I’m actually excited about painting the countertops because I think it has great possibilities. It would give them a granite look and the sealer coats would add shine.

I will be going with their chocolate-brown, but the color infinitely variable by how much color you do or don’t apply.

Even if it only lasts a couple of years – and there were testimonials from people who had done the painting over a year ago and the counters still looked great – at $70 and a couple of days of work it’s a bargain.

I looked at using Envirotex Lite to coat the counters and got scared off by comments that direct sunlight would cause it to yellow. With a south window over the sink and a sliding glass door in the kitchen the coating would get a lot of natural light. Beside it would be over $100 just for the top coat.

I’m going to wait until it warms up to paint the counters since the Giani instructions say it needs to be above 70 degrees for the whole process and I don’t heat the house that warm in winter months. That’s okay – I can wait.

Decision 2: Backsplash

After looking at a gazillion economical backsplash ideas on the internet I’ve decided to wait until the counters are painted and then go to Benjamin Moore and have their chalkboard paint tinted to a coordinating color.

Not sure where I’ll go once the chalkboard paint is up, but I’ll figure that out then.

These ideas are probably at least a month or so down the road since I want warmer weather for the counters and will be working to solve the cabinet door and drawer fronts in the meantime.

Maybe by summer I will really have the kitchen finished…