Kitchen worktop covers

[Zonder]

Has anyone got these? We are thinking of changing our kitchen worktops and saw an ad for worktops that go over your old worktop. I can't think what they are called. Has anyone done them? Any positives or negatives? How pricey are they?

Just bumping this.

I dont think I've seen those, I'm intrigued!

The only thing I can think is Fablon. I've seen people put that over worktop and it does work in a pinch but can tear or melt fairly easily so isn't a long term solution.

The only thing I can think of is the granite ones, which tends to be nearly as expensive as just replacing,

Thanks. Definitely not thinking of fablon. Will see if I can find a link.

This is the kind of thing I mean:
www.quartzize.co.uk/

I don’t think it’s a cheaper option from what I’ve heard, just get quotes.

Worktop overlay is the term. I think it could potentially be cheaper as they use a much thinner amount of material.

No experience sorry.

Thanks anyway.

Yes we did this, not in our kitchen but I bought an old sideboard to turn into a vanity unit and I used it there. It’s a thin layer of quartz over another surface. It isn’t massively cheaper but it is cheaper than solid stone.

We used granite transformations who have showrooms all over the country

We used Granite Transformations too and the whole process was brilliant. A visit was made to measure accurately to create template for the overlay. The sheet product was precisely cut off site and included cut outs for plugs, hob, sink. When it arrived the product was positioned, attached to the surface to be covered. Edges were attached and buffed down till the join was invisible. We also had splashbacks of the same material. The whole effect has been magical and since original tops were black, now they are white with sparkly bits in, which reflect light beautifully. Love it!! (and it was cheaper than replacing with brand new tops.)

@Zonder

Has anyone got these? We are thinking of changing our kitchen worktops and saw an ad for worktops that go over your old worktop. I can't think what they are called. Has anyone done them? Any positives or negatives? How pricey are they?

are you asking because you want new worktop, or because you want granite?

remember that worktops are boards that are lifted onto the top of units after the kitchen has been assembled. They can be lifted off and replaced with new. Ordinary worktops can be surprisingly inexpensive.

often they are just screwed down from underneath, but they may have tiles along the back edge which are liable to be damaged, and the sink will have to be removed (or you might like a new one).

Stone or granite ones are incredibly heavy and are glued into place, it may be impossible to remove them without considerable violence.

When you plan it in, they can be fixed to be more easily changed next time.

Get a quote first. It’s usually 2 x the cost of going to an independant quartz fitter yourself.

are you asking because you want new worktop, or because you want granite?

Good question @PigletJohn we currently have wooden worktops and they don't look great plus they take a lot of care. I don't really have a fixed idea of what I want instead - just something low maintenance and hard-wearing that looks good!

Laminate cover can be surprisingly effective. We used a wood effect one and it looks great

My sister used granite transformations a year or so ago - very pleased, half the price of new quartz and didn't have to re-tile the walls.

if you happen to like laminate, you can change it, and instruct the woman who fits it so it can easily be unscrewed and replaced again next time you want a change.

Square joints (not mitred or outed) make it a DIY job, provided you are strong enough to lift the boards. A 3-metre length is very heavy and unwieldy, but some sheds will cut to length (square cuts only) on their big saw.

You can buy matching upstands to avoid retiling.

I've arranged to have some quotes from the two companies mentioned re quartz, thank you for the post OP. Out of interest, does anyone know any companies that would remove and replace the laminate part of the worktops? Everywhere seems to be based around fitting yourself which I don't fancy

If I was replacing worktops that are laminate with laminate I’d get a joiner or kitchen fitter in. Our kitchen fitter does that.

This is interesting - and leads me to wonder what would really work for us as a surface. What do people recommend that is hard-wearing, looks good and isn't wood?

Is laminate a good idea? Is quartz best?

Laminate is fine and most kitchens use it.

Lam8nate can look great, it’s easy to care for, easy to replace, much cheaper than quartz. Pretty bombproof too, you can put hot (not super hot) pans on, it doesn’t stain…

We replaced the existing worktop with laminate when we moved in. It was dark and badly damaged but at the time we didn't want to replace the whole kitchen.
Bought a cheap, butchers block effect wooden laminate worktop from Homebase and had a joiner friend fit it. It took him a Saturday afternoon to do and with worktop it was about £400.

We've since replaced the whole kitchen but the cheap stuff was great for a few years and changed the whole look of the room.

We have quartz and I love it - cost about £5k but will hopefully last a long time (already on 7th year and looks as good as new)