In today’s modern living, people want everything to be done instantly. When it comes to kitchen tops, most of you would love to see a clean and well-organized top. Granite looks perfect for kitchen, table and bathroom top. It enhances the color of the place and it also leaves a gloss finish which really looks inviting and neat. Most granite tiles today are quite expensive; but if you only need a few pieces for kitchen tops, it will not cost you a lot.
There are also tile grouts that can easily match your tile color. Tile grout enhances the color of the tiles; it also makes your tiles look new. Heat resistant, moisture and stain ceramics are best for counter tops. A successful tile can be achieved through sufficient planning and preparation techniques. Before you actually purchase your set of tiles, you need to properly measure the counter top; this needs to be done to calculate the exact number of tiles to be used.
A counter top should withstand moisture, since it is intended for kitchen use; you should make it moist resistant so it will last longer.
[one_half_first]The front edge should be thick enough for edging. You should not forget about the kitchen sink; you need to buy a sink that will also match the looks of your kitchen, as a whole. Remodeling your kitchen and installing new things which will enhance it should not make you feel anxious. It is not as tough as you assume. It can be done easily if you will just use your creativity.[/one_half_first][one_half_last][/one_half_last]
This can be a great way of building family ties. You can work on together with the whole family. Letting your children help you out will make you draw closer together. This activity can bring a lot of fun if you will just utilize everything you have.
How to Paint an Old Counter Top?
Remember those times when you puke into the counter top instead of the sink? Did the water stains leave their mark already? Does your counter top look like a chopping board? This article will show you how to paint an old counter top and make it reusable again. Counter tops take daily abuses and it is inevitable that they will be degraded and later become a junk or be chopped to be used as firewood. But you can still save this treasure made by your father together with the memories embedded in them. Here are some simple steps and tips on how to paint your old counter top:
1. First, clean the old counter top with TSP or trisodium phosphate. TSP is usually used by painters as a degreaser. It is a professional-grade cleanser that removes dirt and grime which prevents the paint from sticking to your counter top’s surface.
2. Next, rinse the counter top with alcohol or warm diluted ammonia to get rid of the oily surface.
3. When you are through washing and rinsing, it is time to dry the counter top. It would be best to use paper towels.
4. After drying, rough up the counter top’s surface using a coarse sand paper. The paint will stick better if the surface is a little rough.
5. Wash it again with alcohol.
6. After drying the alcohol, apply the primer. Make sure what you apply is a binding primer to secure the paint will stick. Also, it would be better to open the windows for primers usually have strong smells. Let is set for about 24 hours.
7. When the primer dries and settles with the surface of your counter top, it is time to paint it. Try to match the counter tops color with the things surroundings it. Another thing you want to consider when choosing the paint is the purpose of the counter top. If it is for preparing food, try using a water-based paint for substances from the oil based paints might contaminate your food.
8. With all the considerations checked, apply two to three thin layers of paint using a roller. Let them dry alter applying each coat. If you like to add some spice to your masterpiece, stencil-paint something to it, a border would be good. You can also try using sponge techniques to give a granite look to your counter top.
9. After the paint dries, finish the work by applying high-gloss water-based polyurethane. Two to three coats will be sufficient. Then allow the sealer to settle for another 24 hours. This insures the durability of your counter tops so that you can enjoy it longer and maybe pass it down to our children.
Do follow these suggested steps and you will never go wrong in painting your old counter top.
How To Repair Laminate Countertop
For most housewives, the kitchen is their domain in the household and kitchen counters are like thrones which must be thought of meticulously prior to purchasing. But even with a lot types to choose from, laminate countertops is the top-choice for most homeowners. This kind of countertop is readily available in the market with a wide range of designs to choose from, is very low maintenance and is generally the most inexpensive of all countertops.
And because it is very easily cared for requiring very little from already busy housewives, while others might be spending precious time cleaning and maintaining their countertops, laminate owners get to do other things worth their while. However, affordability sometimes affects durability, so what happens when your laminate countertop gets damaged and needs repairing? Then you ask, how does one repair laminate countertop?
The question arises as to whether you have to repair a laminate countertop or to replace it altogether often comes to mind as it is quite difficult to do and with little success rate in fixing it to make it look brand new again. The decision however would rely heavily on the degree of damage the countertop has incurred.
Minor scratches of course, are easiest to deal with. There are polishes which are available and can easily be bought. This can be reapplied every now and then to hide the laminate imperfections. For bigger problems like dents and cuts, a laminate repair paste can be tinted to match with the existing color or shade of your countertop. The paste then can be smoothened over to cover and to serve as camouflage to the area which is damaged.
Another option which can be done is to cut an exact size and shape as the damaged area and replace it, as one would work on a puzzle. However, this is difficult to be done without the damaged area being noticed. The glue should be removed ever so carefully. Make sure the old glue is entirely scraped off or removed before even attempting to put in the new piece. You can soften the glue by using a heat gun or iron. For a smoother surface, sand the exposed area. After making sure that the area is clean and smooth, spread glue for the new piece to be fixed. Then fix the piece of the countertop like a puzzle piece. Utmost care is needed if this is to be done so as to not damage the countertop area even more.
All materials and tools needed to repair a damaged laminate countertop such as polish, repair paste and putty knife are readily available in shops and are within easy reach. However, professional service to change or repair a countertop can also be sought should you decide to let professionals work on the problem.
Colorful and Stylish Countertops on the Go
If you are having problems with what you are going to do your countertops to go away from its usual and simple surface, then you don’t have to worry now. There are many available alternative countertop decorating materials that will aid you in beautifying your home.
Here are just some of the samples:
One of the widely used alternative countertop decorating materials that you can use is fabric. You just have to measure the countertop then use it as guide to your fabric. Cut the fabric just right for the measurement of the countertop. If you want it to be straight and simple, then cut it just as the shape of the surface. On the other hand, if you want some designs on it, you can cut in different edges depending on the style that you want. After that, get a glue gun then run on some glue on the edges of the fabric and paste it on the countertop. If you want to still add some designs on it, you can get a textile paint and sketch some small objects over the fabric or you can just cut on some colorful pictures and glue them on the fabric.
Another is that you can use wallpaper for the countertop. Yes, wallpapers are not just for the walls. You can find your desired color and design in the nearest department store. You also have to have a glue gun or much better, rugby. The same process must be done, cut the wallpaper with just the size of the countertop then glue it carefully, not extending the edges of the wallpaper.
How to laminate counter tops
For most housewives, the kitchen is their domain in the household and kitchen counters are like thrones which must be thought of meticulously prior to purchasing. But even with a lot types to choose from, laminate countertops is the top-choice for most homeowners. This kind of countertop is readily available in the market with a wide range of designs to choose from, is very low maintenance and is generally the most inexpensive of all countertops.
And because it is very easily cared for requiring very little from already busy housewives, while others might be spending precious time cleaning and maintaining their countertops, laminate owners get to do other things worth their while. However, affordability sometimes affects durability, so what happens when your laminate countertop gets damaged and needs repairing? Then you ask, how does one repair laminate countertop?
The question arises as to whether you have to repair a laminate countertop or to replace it altogether often comes to mind as it is quite difficult to do and with little success rate in fixing it to make it look brand new again. The decision however would rely heavily on the degree of damage the countertop has incurred.
Minor scratches of course, are easiest to deal with. There are polishes which are available and can easily be bought. This can be reapplied every now and then to hide the laminate imperfections. For bigger problems like dents and cuts, a laminate repair paste can be tinted to match with the existing color or shade of your countertop. The paste then can be smoothened over to cover and to serve as camouflage to the area which is damaged.
Another option which can be done is to cut an exact size and shape as the damaged area and replace it, as one would work on a puzzle. However, this is difficult to be done without the damaged area being noticed. The glue should be removed ever so carefully. Make sure the old glue is entirely scraped off or removed before even attempting to put in the new piece. You can soften the glue by using a heat gun or iron. For a smoother surface, sand the exposed area. After making sure that the area is clean and smooth, spread glue for the new piece to be fixed. Then fix the piece of the countertop like a puzzle piece. Utmost care is needed if this is to be done so as to not damage the countertop area even more.
All materials and tools needed to repair a damaged laminate countertop such as polish, repair paste and putty knife are readily available in shops and are within easy reach. However, professional service to change or repair a countertop can also be sought should you decide to let professionals work on the problem.
The best alternative countertop decorating
You can also use linoleum in placing some decorations on the countertop. After gluing the linoleum onto the surface, you can add some small objects around the linoleum by using glue gun or plaster of Paris to ensure that these objects would not be misplaced. You can place figurines along the edge of the linoleum so that it will trace the horizontal edges.
Of course, the very familiar way to decorate your countertop without spending too much is through the use of the different colors of paint. You don’t have to be a professional painter to create some good designs. You just play along with colors and cool drawings and you can have a good output for your countertop. First, you have to paint the surface with a base color. You can choose from white, black, orange or green. Then, you can use the bright colors in drawing small objects such as fruits or vegetables to complement with your kitchen’s surroundings. These are just some of the home décor ideas you can use to come up with the best alternative countertop decorating. They are very easy to do and will certainly give your kitchen a better and stylish look.
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