Worktop overlays - anyone tried?

[MustBeDueSomeBetterFeet]

We're thinking about updating our kitchen a little to see us through a few years before we do a proper job.

We hate the laminate worksurface that's there, and I found an option for quartz overlays and there seem to be a number of companies that do them.

If anyone had done this, did it work? And are there any companies you'd recommend?

[loveka]

I would be interested too, but they look very expensive. I wonder if fitting a new worktop, which could presumably be reused might be better?

[MustBeDueSomeBetterFeet]

Oh really? I haven't investigated cost yet so you may be right. I was just hoping not to ruin all my tiling....

[Eminybob]

My mil has them. She is very pleased with them, but I think they look awful. Really big and chunky and not at all like they are original worktops.
That may be just the company she used though, others may look better.

[niknac1]

I think lots of people choose wood worktops rather than laminate when they can’t stretch to the more expensive options. They look lovely in the photos I’ve seen on Rightmove but I am not sure about their practicalities as I find our laminate worktop very practical and easy to keep clean but I agree I prefer the look of composite or stone worktops but don’t have the budget for them. I believe there may be worktops with a slice of composite on but I haven’t been to a shop to check as we will wait until we can afford to do it all completely.

[MustBeDueSomeBetterFeet]

Yes, I wasn't sure if wood was particularly durable?

I have no problem with laminate itself, but the pattern that's in there is so very dated. But if these overlays are unattractive/expensive, I'm thinking of trying to live with it, and perhaps just changing the island top to something a bit nicer. Maybe wood actually?!

This has only started because we wanted to paint the room, and now we've starting wondering if we might change the hob, change the worktop, change the radiator... Need to work out what's sensible for an interim solution really!

[MistyMeena]

I have wooden worktops and look lovely but I hate them! In fact was thinking of doing the very same but if the overlays look awful then maybe not 🤔

[loveka]

I am in the same boat, needing an interim solution to our new kitchen.

The worst bit of ours is the white plastic cladding on the walls and kitchen island sides.

I wonder if I could just put the overlay on the island. But not for £600 per square metre! This is the only price I have seen.!

[MustBeDueSomeBetterFeet]

£600! Oh my word! I had no idea! I'm going to have to do some more investigation.

In that case, I might just change the worksurface on the island and paint.

Can't your cladding come off loveka?

[loveka]

It can I think, but we are on a tight timescale as it's being rented out as a holiday let.

I found it impossible to find any other prices for the overlay.

[MustBeDueSomeBetterFeet]

Gosh, sorry to not return to this thread for so long!

@mistymeena why do you hate your wooden worktop? We were just considering this as an option?

It's difficult @loveka when you're letting a place, to find a gap to do any work, isn't it! Then you think, well it's not THAT bad.... Not perhaps to your personal taste, but it still rents so..?

I'm a bit put off the idea after these responses, so might look at some other laminate/quartz?/wood options for our island and hope that's enough.

[MistyMeena]

Wooden worktops - they do look nice but obviously being wood they have a slight texture to them which somehow means they never look or feel as clean as I would like. And unless you are careful about wiping up around the sink and oiling every so often the wood does spoil.
Admittedly we haven't looked after ours quite as well as we should have but I just long for something shiny that feels properly clean!

[Furano]

I looked into the overlays and decided not to waste my money on a half hearted job and just wait and do the whole kitchen. It was also really surprisingly expensive!

[MustBeDueSomeBetterFeet]

@MistyMeena I see!! Good to know.

I'm now thinking of changing the worksurfaces entirely (despite it maybe breaking my tiles) for a laminate oak effect and possibly solid oak on the island unit (but need to take into account the potential 'issues' with this). I barely have time to look after myself and two children; let alone a bloody worksurface!!

[niknac1]

I once broached the subject of a wooden worktops with a joiner who sometimes does really good work for us and he was not encouraging at all. I think washable laminate is so easy to keep clean . I recently saw an add for Formica with a wood trim/ edging and it looked really attractive. I think Formica is very durable but more expensive than laminate. I think they do it in lots of colours / designs. Might be worth a look.

[anonymousbird]

Our worktop overlay is amazing, two years on and I still find myself admiring and stroking it as it's soooo smooth and lovely.

We used Granite Transformations and they were fab from beginning to end. I have no idea what our square meterage was though, so can't give you a square meter price. It is the easiest thing in the world to keep as well.

[MustBeDueSomeBetterFeet]

Oh, thanks @Niknac1!

@Anonymous I will contact them! Thank you for that recommendation. No harm in looking methinks.

[anonymousbird]

And I agree with MistyMeena as we have wooden worktops in our other property and it looks nice, but I don't like to use it or put anything down on it just in case!

[niknac1]

The advertisement I saw on Facebook was for Plykea, they they make worktops and drawer front etc for ikea units. I am sure you can get the Formica worktops elsewhere.

[MustBeDueSomeBetterFeet]

Plykea!? OK, thank you! I will investigate....

[niknac1]

The worktops on the website were really expensive but I have seen similar before in magazines.