How to update tile countertops

Can You Cover Tile Countertops? Yes, you can cover a tile countertop with concrete, new tile, or even wood however, it is best to remove your old tile countertops and replace them with another countertop option such as laminate, marble, wood, granite, or quartz.

Popular in the ’70s and ’80s, tiled bathroom and kitchen countertops can still found today, especially in Arts and Crafts-inspired homes. However, since the surface isn’t as smooth as, say, its butcher-block and concrete counterparts, tile can be tough to keep clean—especially the grout, which is quite porous.

For tile, you will need to fill in the grout lines to create a level smooth surface. Just use clear epoxy as a skim coat, to fill in the grout lines. For this process one quart of epoxy will cover up to 60 square feet. Just apply 1-2 skim coats as you would with the tile countertop.

Use a Countertop Paint Kit

You can purchase paint kits that allow you to update the look of your countertops. The product is simple to use and can give you the look of stone for less than hundred dollars. If you want a new look, but don’t want to spend a lot of money, painting your countertops is a great option.

Painting Countertops

This is possibly the least expensive way to cover up old countertops, especially old wood or linoleum countertops. It’s very easy to paint your countertops yourself. Just sand, prime and then paint. You can use a pad sander, but sanding by hand will work just fine.

Resurfacing your kitchen countertops, though, is still a cost-effective alternative—not to mention a low-cost investment that will last for years to come. Expect the resurfacing process to take anywhere from 36 hours to a full week, depending on the scope of the project.

Tile countertops are a trend that is back and updated in a big way (and it’s a cheaper alternative to granite). And installing tile countertops yourself is a budget-friendly way to add the charm of stone for a fraction of the price.

Slate is one of the most affordable options for natural stone countertops. Prices average between $55 to $65 per square foot.

Quartz countertops are the easiest natural stone to take care of. They are engineered using ground stone and resin, so they don’t require regular sealing they way most granite and marble countertops do. This stone is non-porous, so it does not easily stain or etch.

Technically yes, you can put fresh counters on your existing cabinets. However, it depends on a lot of different factors and it’s not always the best option. If you‘re looking for a cheap kitchen remodel, a new countertop on your existing cabinets is a great way to make a large aesthetic difference.

Granite countertops will cost you around $40 to $60 per square foot, with the total price for installation and materials coming in between $2,000 to $4,500. Comparatively, marble costs around $75 to $250 per square foot, with the average cost around $75.

You’ll typically find that tan and black granite slabs are the least expensive, and that white granite tends to be higher in cost. Yet, black and white are both the two most popular choices in granite colors.

Granite Is Cheaper Than Quartz

The final cost of countertops will depend on several factors, but generally, granite countertops cost $40-50 per square foot including installation. Quartz ranges from $50-75 per square foot installed.

Quartz now comes in many colors, patterns, and finishing techniques that mimic’s the look of natural stone. One of the most current and trending finishes right now is matte. In 2021, Quartz manufacturers will continue to impress us with manufacturing improvements to keep this countertops option king.