Kitchen worktops have always been the centerpiece, connecting all the elements in the kitchen. Of all the elements, kitchen worktops are also the ones that are getting most exploited – as there is constant cooking, chopping, dicing around, and the worktops are always in contact with water and highly acidic liquids such as lemon juice, vinegar, cleaning materials.
Even though kitchen worktops are designed to withstand highly aggressive cleaning products and be exposed to high levels of wear and tear from daily food preparation, there comes a time when the look of the kitchen worktop gradually fades away. Of course, kitchen worktops, that are well taken care of, can maintain their day-one look for many years.
However, kitchen worktop replacement would be essential if the worktop is damaged, as, depending on the damage, it may further cause damage to your cabinets.
Can you just replace the whole kitchen then?
Well, replacing the whole kitchen would be the ideal choice, but it is very costly and this process can disrupt the family budget planning. It will also disrupt the daily life of the households as the homeowners will not going to be able to use their kitchen until the project is finished. Besides, changing the whole kitchen may also mean that you have to change your tiling or your existing appliances, as they may no longer fit the style of your new cabinets.
How can you postpone the complete kitchen makeover?
Well, postponing the complete kitchen makeover is possible, simply by replacing your kitchen worktop. Replacement kitchen worktop will change the entire look of your kitchen, provided that your existing kitchen units are in good condition. Kitchen worktop costs only a fraction when it comes to replacing the complete kitchen. So kitchen worktop replacement can even refresh the look of your kitchen.
How do I know if I need a new kitchen worktop?
First of all, even the most durable kitchen worktops lose their visual appeal over time. Some worktops such as solid wood are more forgiving when it comes to damage as they can be easily repaired and their look can be replenished. However, it is a personal preference, as kitchen worktops are built to last, and the customer’s desire for a change in style is actually the main driver for this makeover, rather than the wear and tear aspect. Besides, replacing kitchen worktops is actually a much cheaper option than having a complete kitchen overhaul. Therefore, you can have a completely new look kitchen for less.
Does the worktop have to simply fit the look of your kitchen?
Yes, the ability of kitchen worktops to perfectly fit to the style is very important. However, kitchen worktops should also fit the lifestyle of the households. Some kitchen worktops such as laminate, compact laminate and quartz require less maintenance due to their stain-resistant non-porous surface. Hence, they are a very suitable choice for homeowners with a busy life.
Others such as granite and solid wood have a very authentic natural look, but if not sealed, have limited stain resistance. Wooden worktops and granite have to be re-oiled every now and then, to prevent any unwanted stains and damages, as cleaning materials dissolve the oil from the surface over time. Although solid wood worktops have a maintenance aspect, they can be extremely easy to repair and the re-oiling process actually does not require any particular experience, hence it cannot be even considered as a drawback. One thing is for sure wooden worktop will preserve its timeless beauty if is well looked after.
Fitting new replacement kitchen worktops
A replacement kitchen worktop will provide a complete new look to your kitchen. One thing is for sure even the most durable worktops may get damaged. Quartz worktops are known for their hard-wearing and stain-resistant nature, however, they have limited heat resistance. Granite worktops, on the other hand, are also hard-wearing but, if not sealed they are very easy to stain.
Can you just replace kitchen worktops?
Taking the old kitchen worktop is a straightforward process. When removing the worktop, it is better to make a plan to avoid any damage to the cabinets and scratches on your tiles and splashbacks. Removing the cabinet drawers and appliances is highly recommended, to safely remove the screws or silicone joints from the top of the cabinets. Ideally, the replacement kitchen worktop should have the same thickness as the original one to avoid any unwanted gaps between the new worktop and the existing tiling.
What are cheap replacement worktops options?
Laminate worktops are the most affordable and among the most popular options, available in a huge range of styles.
Wooden worktops are slightly more expensive than laminate worktops, but equally easy to fit and popular. Despite new worktop styles being introduced throughout the years, their popularity has remained stellar.
With granite, quartz and solid surface they are all more expensive options and are popular choices among kitchens with high specifications. Marble, granite and quartz are simply not versatile enough, given their expensive nature as they would look odd if installed in kitchens with modest specifications.
How to change kitchen worktops cheaply?
First of all replacement kitchen worktop project can only be as cheap as the cost of the worktop plus additional costs associated with fitting, gas-safe engineering and plumber services. Households may have cost savings by removing the old worktop and re-fit the new one on the same day. Ideally, the new worktop has to be ready to fit – with hob and sink cut-outs already made – before removing the existing worktop. Households can make savings if they can do the fitting job themselves.
How hard is it to replace a worktop?
Laminate or solid wood replacement kitchen worktops are DIY friendly and can be fitted by keen DIYers. Opting for such a style may result in cost savings. Even if they are going to be installed by a kitchen fitter, fitting laminate and wooden worktops is cheaper than other options.
How hard is it to replace a worktop?
Granite, quartz and solid surface worktops are not among the most DIY-friendly products. One has to factor kitchen fitters’ cost when calculating the replacement kitchen worktops project. Besides, granite and quartz worktops are heavy and one must check the loadbearing capacity of existing kitchen cabinets, prior to making a final decision.
Householders can get their ready-to-fit with all the cuts, hob and sink cut-outs made via the Custom Worktop Builder at House of Worktops.
A replacement kitchen worktop can completely change the look of your kitchen. It is the most cost-efficient and effective way to simply change the look of your kitchen. In most cases, is the desire of homeowners for a change that drives the change and not the outdated look of the tops, as the worktops are made to last.
