Changing a Kitchen Worktop on the Cheap
Discussion
Basically we're just in the final stages of purchasing a new (old) home, and having undertaken a third inspection have noticed that the worktop on the existing kitchen is 'shagged' for want of a better word. It's warped, whilst the laminate surface is missing in various places, meaning it'll be near impossible to maintain hygienically.
Our long-term plan is to rip the whole kitchen out, but we won't be able to afford this in the short-term so I'm looking for a cheaper interim solution.
This has brought me round to the idea of replacing all of the worktops myself, if possible. Having never done so before, I'm keen to obtain the advice of the PH masses about how feasible it'll be to do a decent job on it.
The main area I'm worried about is the jointing between surfaces. I've had a look at a number of online guides, all of which seem to suggest a router is an essential tool to getting a clean finish, without using jointing bars and the like. Problem is, I don't own a router, and am not keen on purchasing any tools not currently in my possession at present as all funds are getting pumped into other projects already in hand.
Thoughts? Am I setting myself up for more expense than just getting a chippy in?
Our long-term plan is to rip the whole kitchen out, but we won't be able to afford this in the short-term so I'm looking for a cheaper interim solution.
This has brought me round to the idea of replacing all of the worktops myself, if possible. Having never done so before, I'm keen to obtain the advice of the PH masses about how feasible it'll be to do a decent job on it.
The main area I'm worried about is the jointing between surfaces. I've had a look at a number of online guides, all of which seem to suggest a router is an essential tool to getting a clean finish, without using jointing bars and the like. Problem is, I don't own a router, and am not keen on purchasing any tools not currently in my possession at present as all funds are getting pumped into other projects already in hand.
Thoughts? Am I setting myself up for more expense than just getting a chippy in?
Really tempted to give this a go myself, and might see if I can borrow a router from somewhere. I'm usually pretty handy, and like a challenge. That said, I should probably get a chippy in anyway, just so that I can compare the costs/relative merits with my eyes open.
I should point out, when I say temporary fix, I'm probably talking around 5 years, as I have some other projects at the head of the queue for the spare cash - namely mods to the double garage I'm more than slightly excited about. As such, it needs to be decent enough as a finish, and I'm just a bit concerned that joint strips my be an irritant to clean after a while.
I would normally leave this alone, but the Mrs was adamant we had to put at least a new worktop on, or she wants the new kitchen ahead of the garage getting kitted out.
I should point out, when I say temporary fix, I'm probably talking around 5 years, as I have some other projects at the head of the queue for the spare cash - namely mods to the double garage I'm more than slightly excited about. As such, it needs to be decent enough as a finish, and I'm just a bit concerned that joint strips my be an irritant to clean after a while.
I would normally leave this alone, but the Mrs was adamant we had to put at least a new worktop on, or she wants the new kitchen ahead of the garage getting kitted out.
smn159 said:
russy01 said:
Venom said:
No way will the wife go for that option sadly. Having checked out Ikea, that may definitely be the easiest way to go, so long as the cost stacks up. 
Could always replace the wife 
That's interesting to know. Ours is a U shaped arrangement also, so costs are likely to be very good indicator if we went down that route.
Personally, I've decided that we're going the cheapy cheap route for the surface material itself - I've been quoted £150 in total for a very basic black laminate top (3x3m), although that price excludes fixings and no upstands as I'll be tiling the walls once the new top's down.
Personally, I've decided that we're going the cheapy cheap route for the surface material itself - I've been quoted £150 in total for a very basic black laminate top (3x3m), although that price excludes fixings and no upstands as I'll be tiling the walls once the new top's down.
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