Replacing a kitchen countertop: measuring, choosing material and color

The kitchen is one of the most visited rooms in the house. Its convenience and appearance are of great importance for creating a cozy atmosphere. Kitchen furniture is constantly subjected to tests: temperature changes, humidity fluctuations, frequent wet cleaning using household chemicals. Over time, there becomes a need for its repair or replacement. One of the most common operations is replacing kitchen countertops. Is it possible to perform this operation on your own? And what points must be taken into account?

Replace or restore?

The countertop is the most eye-catching element in a kitchen set. It carries a considerable functional load: food is constantly prepared on it, heated dishes are placed on the surface, liquids are spilled, and it is scratched with various objects. Because of this, over time it loses its attractiveness.

What is more profitable: restoring an old countertop or installing a new one?

Minor damage such as scratches and chips are fairly easy to repair on all types of countertops except glass. The easiest way to restore work surfaces is made of wood or laminated chipboard. But it should be remembered that in appearance a new part will almost always have an advantage over a restored one. And the new one will last much longer. In case of significant damage, there is only one option - replacement.

I had to introduce myself as a cleaner

This story happened in a time when there were no mobile phones. At work in our room there was one telephone for everyone. As I see it now, it’s green.

My boss asked me to come to work early so that I could complete an urgent report by 9.00. Well, I think it’s a good topic, I’ll come early and leave early, especially since I’m a morning person.

I arrived just before dawn and started reporting. There's a phone call here. It should be noted that our organization worked from 9.00 to 18.00 and everyone seemed to know about it. Without suspecting anything, I pick up the phone, what if my family calls? But no, I hear the voice of an unfamiliar man (M):

Why do countertops deteriorate and why change them?

The main reasons for part damage:

Using abrasive or aggressive detergents.
Temperature changes upon contact with heated dishes, hob or gas stove installed nearby.
Moisture penetrating and leaving marks on the surface.
Pressure on the edges and corners of the slab, leading to their delamination or fracture.
Burnout when exposed to direct sunlight.
Mechanical wear and tear from routine kitchen operations.
Incorrect or poor-quality installation.

A countertop that has lost its external beauty or structural integrity will have to be replaced.

Price issue

I’ll tell you right away about the approximate cost of a professional replacement at home.

First, you will need to call a specialist. He will come to the kitchen, assess its condition, and draw up an approximate estimate.

The replacement cost is based on dismantling and installation. Having ordered a turnkey service, you should not expect that you will be able to resolve the issue inexpensively. This is a rather expensive undertaking as it involves a large number of steps. Each of them must be done extremely carefully. And the masters take money for it. And they are far from small. And the more components you need to remove and install, the more impressive the final receipt will be.

So not everyone is in a hurry to seek help from specialists. The new countertop itself is not cheap, and costs from 500-1000 rubles per meter when choosing the most budget models made from chipboard.

Often, when requesting the cost of work from a specialist, only the installation price is indicated. To these costs you will have to add the costs of a new countertop and dismantling work.

It is difficult to predict how much this will ultimately cost the customer.

Approximate prices for services

But I can give some approximate prices for various dismantling works. And you can add them up and understand the total amount.

The list of dismantling works usually includes:

removal of a thin tabletop for at least 500 rubles;
removal of the plinth, that is, the side wall, from another 350 rubles;
Removing the hob will cost at least 350 rubles;
to remove the oven, you need to pay from 400 rubles;
the hood can be removed for 300-600 rubles;
upper cabinets for 150-200 rubles apiece at best;
mixer and siphon inexpensive, about 200-300 rubles;
the wall panel, that is, the apron, can be dismantled for at least 500 rubles.

And this is just dismantling.

For the installation services of the countertops alone, you will have to pay at least 1000-1200 rubles. Returning all dismantled components to their places, including the hob, baseboards and other components, costs, at best, 2 times more expensive than dismantling.

As a result, installation may cost more than a new countertop. And if you have a countertop with an integrated sink, then the prices are sometimes astronomical.

How to avoid frequent countertop replacements?

As with any other product, you can extend the service life of the product by following the operating rules:

Carry out wet cleaning with a soft cloth, using non-aggressive, non-abrasive products - for example, dishwashing liquid.
Place hot dishes or heating kitchen appliances on special stands.
Immediately wipe off any moisture that gets on the work surface and reliably protect it from penetrating into the thickness of the material.
Do not perform heavy operations on the edges and corners of the slab.
Be sure to use a cutting board.
Equip the legs of household appliances located on the countertop with soft pads to prevent scratching the surface when moving it.
Protect from direct sunlight with curtains or blinds on kitchen windows.

USEFUL INFORMATION: Siphon for sink under washing machine

Facades

Restoration may be required not only due to breakdowns or other defects of the furniture, but due to its “moral” obsolescence. Having seen a design he likes, the owner may want to change the appearance of the facades. In this case, repairing a kitchen set involves updating its front panels.

Pasting with polyvinyl chloride film

PVC film is a popular material for redesigning kitchen furniture. It is easy to use, durable and does not fade. There are several types of film:

smooth;
with a textured surface imitating various natural materials;
with embossing.

Imitations of wood and natural stone are the most impressive, not only in appearance, but also to the touch. The average film thickness is 0.2-0.55 mm.

It is advisable to paste kitchen facades and cabinets with a more durable and inexpensive material. It lays down easier and does not bubble during the sticking process. Since it is not easy to cover an old kitchen, it is better to follow the technique of gluing PVC film:

Use a tape measure to measure the size of the façade. Leave 20 mm on each side for bending.
On the back side of the film there is paper lined into squares measuring 10x10 mm. The obtained dimensions of the facade are marked on it. After which the fragment must be carefully cut out with a stationery knife or scissors.
The fittings are removed from the kitchen facade: handles, hinges and locks are unscrewed. Working with PVC film requires an absolutely even base. Therefore, dirt and crumbs are carefully removed. The surface of the door is degreased using White Spirit or another solvent.
Apply the film to the facade, not forgetting about the fold allowance. Gluing is carried out in the direction from top to bottom. Carefully peel off the paper base. Glue the film to the facade, ironing it with a dry cloth or sponge. Make sure that no air bubbles form. Gradually remove the paper, sliding it down. The greatest difficulty will be in processing the corners. To paste over an old kitchen, use a hairdryer. When heated, a slight heat-shrinking effect is obtained. In this case, the film is firmly attached to the base.
The final stage of work is the installation of previously removed fittings.

Coloring

When thinking about how to make a new kitchen set from an old one, they remember the simplest and most affordable method: painting the facades. This method requires careful surface preparation.

The doors are removed from their hinges and the fittings are unscrewed.
Swollen or otherwise deformed ends are cleaned with sandpaper or an abrasive stone. Fine dust remaining after the process is carefully removed using a rag or vacuum cleaner.
The facades are washed and degreased.

It is important to know: before painting, protect the workplace from splashes and drops by covering the surfaces with paper or cloth.

To transform facades, it is recommended to use spray enamels. The paint is applied holding the can at a distance of 15-20 cm. The door is installed vertically. You can also use the double coloring method using stencils. After the facades have dried, fittings are installed on them.

Rattan update

Rattan fabric is a beautiful material with a woven structure that has an easy-to-clean surface. When soaked in cool water for 15-20 minutes, it becomes soft and slightly increases in size. After drying, it becomes strong and elastic again. This property of rattan is used when redesigning furniture.

There are 2 options for updating facades. Using any of them, you can replace the glass of a cabinet and replace it with a dense, beautiful material with a textured surface.

Making a frame from slats and attaching rattan to it with staples using a construction stapler. Work is performed with softened material. After drying, it will stretch and gain strength. The slatted frame is attached to the facade with small nails without heads or fixed with Moment glue.
Glue dry rattan to the facade using water-based glue. A good choice is Moment Montage. A frame of slats is secured on top of the canvas with nails.

The slats are pre-polished and varnished. The most impressive are carved planks or those with a pattern burned into them. Instead of wooden ones, you can use metal or plastic slats.

When can you install a countertop yourself?

The desire to save money by doing the installation yourself does not always lead to good results. Installing a countertop yourself is not that difficult, but the process requires certain skills and tools. Therefore, self-installation is possible if:

The part is made of soft, easily processed material. For example, wood or laminated chipboard.
The installation technology is completely clear.
There are the necessary tools, consumables and fasteners.
There are certain skills in using tools and assembling furniture.

Having decided to install it yourself, you must clearly assess the risk of damaging the countertop. It may be cheaper and easier to turn to professional furniture assemblers.

When to use the services of professionals

It is better to order installation if:

You are purchasing an expensive part. In this case, the cost of error will be very high.
There is no special tool or skill to use it to perform installation. For example, for cutting a hole in a part made of natural or artificial stone for a sink.
The installation technology is unknown or unclear.
Installation services are already included in the price of the product.

What material should I choose for the tabletop?

To make this part of the kitchen set, different materials are used:

An artificial stone made from a mixture of acrylic and quartz. By painting the entire thickness of the slab, minor damage is less noticeable. A durable and smooth surface is formed, impervious to moisture or temperature changes, easy for everyday care. This option will last a long time, but installation is complicated due to the weight of the part and the complexity of its processing.
Chipboard with laminated surface. Lowest cost option. It tolerates temperature changes well, is resistant to dirt and mechanical damage, and is lightweight. Chipboard countertops are painted in a wide range of shades to imitate a variety of surfaces. They are easy to restore or replace with your own hands. The main disadvantage is that they do not tolerate moisture entering through the unprotected ends of the slab.
A plastic covering fixed on top of an MDF or chipboard board. This surface is easy to keep clean, it is resistant to scratches and abrasions, and is not afraid of water.
A natural stone. Very expensive material. And heavy: not every kitchen set can withstand such a load. The hard, smooth surface is easy to clean, withstands temperature changes well, but can absorb grease and strong odors. Does not withstand shock loads well.
Glass table top. Stylish and hygienic, but it bursts when the temperature changes, cannot be restored and cannot be installed independently.
Solid natural wood. It looks great, but requires constant specific care: such a tabletop must be periodically polished and impregnated with oil. The surface is easy to scratch and does not tolerate excess moisture. Easily restored.

USEFUL INFORMATION: How to properly install a siphon under the sink with your own hands (video)

Analysis of the kitchen set.

Hello, dear readers, I’ve decided to try to write a post about my work. It’s a pity that the rating is small and I could have attached the video, maybe in the future everything will change and there will be more detailed materials.

Let's start, and so I received this order, it seems like nothing unusual, everything with right angles, which makes the work easier :)

The first thing we do is cut it, it looks like this

Yes, everything is done by hand, because it’s easier for me in the future, since I can cut and trim myself :) By cutting, you can find out exactly how much material is needed for this set, and so on about the material:

Laminated chipboard – White (light silk) Lamarti

Edge 0.4 – White gloss

Closers - Boyard pro

Lifting mechanism - Bloom

Photo printing glass 6mm

Bottom fronts - MDF White gloss 18mm with integrated handles

Fronts up - MDF White gloss 16 mm

Frames also with MDF White gloss 16 mm

Shelves White gloss 32 mm

Table top – White diamond 38mm

Hidden fasteners 4 pcs

The main thing is to file and close, as it takes a lot of time