questions → any ideas for cheap/ decent looking countertop?

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Any ideas for cheap/ decent looking countertop?

We are putting in a dishwasher (finally!) and a couple cabinets where there was nothing before. I can't afford to replace all the cabinets, but I know we won't be able to match the grey laminate ones that top the rest of the cabinets. Ideas? Was thinking some type of wood/ butcher block, but that is pretty pricey.

by idiotwind13
asked 6 months ago

11 Answers answer

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vote-for4vote-against

If you have an Ikea nearby, go for that. As long as it's not in a continuous run (because it's a bit thinner than most countertops), $60 gets an 8'x2' beech butcherblock slab, $40 if you need 4'x2'.

narfcake
6 months ago

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You can find some good deals on "damaged marble" counter tops at many places. You can find many pieces with a small chip at the outside corner or an imperfection around the sink cutout. The corner chips usually only work out if the piece is longer then you need so you can trim it down to the space you need or want to seem 2 pieces together at a corner. The chipped sinks work if you dont mind having the sink overlay the counter instead of sit inset. While the current style is to have it recessed you can always get a sink that overhangs the counter instead. Might not look cutting edge stylish but works well and can let you find a good deal on marble.

raider9924
6 months ago

vote-for2vote-against

I know it sounds kinda crazy, at least it did to me, but a few months ago I read an article on Lifehacker (I think) on concrete countertops and they looked really really nice in the end. I'm trying to find a link to it but not having much luck.

Also not sure if it's really cheap but it seems like it might be.

gideonfrost
6 months ago

vote-for3vote-against

@gideonfrost: This. I've done mine in concrete, wouldn't do natural stone(re-sealing sucks, + there's the whole radioactivity thing in granite)
Google 'concrete countertops' for tons of pics & links. If you've never seen them, they're amazing. Plenty of DIY videos online as well, you can watch & gauge your own skill level against what's required.
The only things you need are STRONG cabinets(overbuilding IS a good thing!) imagination and some practice if you intend to DIY.

havocsback
6 months ago

vote-for3vote-against

Here's a relatively inexpensive way to match both cabinets and countertops:

http://rustoleumtransformations.com/

I was looking at this and for ~$125 I would have enough to cover all of my cabinets in the kitchen and one of my bathrooms. There's a wide variety of colors available. The only reason I didn't use this is that after I painted my kitchen walls the cabinets actually looked a lot better.

I still might go for the countertop kit though..

professore
6 months ago

vote-for3vote-against

My last apartment had concrete counter tops. Quite nice, but consider your surroundings.

wootbretz
6 months ago

vote-for3vote-against

These are fairly cheap wooden countertops, but it does require a bit of finishing work (easy enough for anyone to do).

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/kitchen/10472/

capguncowboy
6 months ago

vote-for2vote-against

@havocsback: hate to tell you but there is radioactivity in a lot of things... basically harmless. Work in a lab that tests radiologicals and the machines have to account for the background interference from its surroundings..

adonisseraph
6 months ago

vote-for2vote-against

Lots of good ideas here. Has anybody ever tried that liquid granite stuff? I am a little akeptical, have seen some good and some not so good reviews.

idiotwind13
6 months ago

vote-for1vote-against

@idiotwind13: If you spend the time to prep it all, then it'll come out OK.

The thing is, if you're handy, it's kind of foolish to spend $125 to cover up the old when you can buy new all new countertops for less than that, and possibly spend less time doing so. If you know how to use a drill, jigsaw, and circular saw properly, detach and attach plumbing, and you know how to caulk, then it's no issue to replace a countertop.

narfcake
6 months ago

vote-for1vote-against

@adonisseraph: Trust me, completely aware that radioactivity occurs naturally and is literally everywhere. However, granite slabs are exceptionally high in some cases, and are completely unchecked and unregulated. It's higher in many cases than your little smoke detector, but there's no caution and it's installed close to your body, skull level for kids.
No thanks.

havocsback
6 months ago

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