Kitchen countertops are not going to last forever. You need to get them changed, once you see those signs. But what are those signs? How do you know when your countertops need to be changed? Well, here is everything you need to know about replacing your laminate countertops. You then consider getting faux granite countertops, natural stone counters, or engineered stone worktops.
There Are Chips
This is one of the most common signs of damage on laminate countertops, but you need to keep an eye out for the worst ones. You don’t just want to look at chips and cracks that are forming. You want to look at those cracks that have been there the longest and are slowly making the material look old and outdated.
Laminate is not the most durable when it comes to kitchen countertop materials, but it’s not the worst either. So, even though laminate doesn’t just crack when you breathe too hard, it is still going to happen especially if the countertops are old or you’re not maintaining them properly.
Maintenance is key when it comes to ensuring that a countertop material stays brand new for longer but even that can have a limit. So, if you see really bad cracks on the surface of laminate countertops and they’re contributing to the damage, then it’s better if you change them altogether. That will be the best decision you make.
Too Many Stains
You know when you look at countertops and there are stains on them. Well, you clean stains that are not stubborn, but there are just some stains that don’t go away and that makes the countertops look old and just very unkempt. This is a sign that you should consider changing the countertops because these stains won’t go away and they’re pretty much permanent.
They’re weird splotches on the surface of laminate that can either be dried-up food or even liquids that have seeped inside thanks to the cracks. They’re not going anywhere and they make your countertops look weird, so it’s high time you change them.
They Look Discolored
Laminate countertops are a type of plastic-wood hybrid countertop material. The laminate part of the countertop is attached on the surface of either plywood or a wooden base and that is what makes the countertop material.
Well, there might be times when the material looks discolored. Either the natural color of the laminate is fading away or it is just the overuse of the countertop without actually protecting it. Discoloration is really common to occur in laminate countertops and you need to think about changing the countertops, because there’s no way for you to fix that.
There Are Heat Stains
Heat stains – those black, hideous, really obvious stains that make the countertops look like they’ve been through hell – literally. Heat stains are also one of those things that you just can’t get rid of.
Laminate is not the best when it comes to heat resistance and it is recommended that you keep either a cutting board or a trivet when you’re dealing with hot things directly on the countertop. Well, that can’t be the case all the time and there will come a time when the countertop surface will be decorated with these black stains that are evidence of you not being careful with heat.
So, instead of trying to use up all of the elbow grease you have trying to scrub these stains away, it’s better to get new countertops altogether.
They’re Too Old
Sometimes, a material has just run its course. It has been around for a long time and now there’s just no way of saving it. It practically looks old and there’s nothing you can do about it.
Laminate also has a lifespan. After that, it just looks weary and it can’t be used anymore. This is usually at the 10–15-year mark. So, you should get new countertops before laminate gives up on you. If you want better life expectancy of your countertops, pick natural stone surfaces.
Countertops Look Outdated
Sometimes, it’s not that the countertops look old, as in they’re damaged and cracked and whatnot. Rather it can be that they just look like they belong in a different period. There are lots of materials and countertop designs that can look outdated and just not in trend anymore.
This is why you want to take that step and perform countertop replacement Raleigh NC. It is the right time to get something that is more modern yet classic for your kitchen. You will thank yourself for the change.
The Have Been Delaminated
Delamination is a process in which the upper laminate or plastic part of the material starts to peel away from the base. In laminate’s case, that is usually the upper sturdier part of the material peeling away from the pressed wood base. This can happen due to multiple reasons. One of them might be mishandling of the countertops.
It can also be because of the cracks that lead water into the depths of the countertop material and that is what loosens the glue holding the material together. So, when this happens, you need to change your countertops, no ifs, buts, or whys.
You’re Remodeling
This is not exactly a sign as to why you need to change your countertops, but it’s more like getting one more thing out of the way when you’re already knee-deep in work. If you’re remodeling your kitchen from start to finish, then it is a good time for you to change your countertops too.
If you’re going through the trouble of turning your kitchen into a mess for a few weeks, then you can go ahead and squeeze the countertops in too, especially if they’re in dire need of a makeover. Just make sure that you have room in your budget too, because remodeling can be expensive.
Maintenance Is Required Too Often
This is a clear sign that you need to change your laminate countertops once and for all. If you see that maintaining the countertops has become a regular thing, then that is not normal. You need to think about changing the countertops, because if you’re spending a lot of money on maintaining your countertops frequently, then why don’t you bite the bullet and get new ones altogether?
It’s more logical and reasonable. You will have new countertops that won’t need to be maintained for quite some time, so you’ll be doing yourself a favor.
Maintenance Is Getting More Expensive Than Replacement
This sign also ties in with the previous one but this has to do with the expenses when it comes to maintaining your laminate countertops. Laminate is generally a reasonably priced material, so maintaining it doesn’t cost a lot.
But if there comes a point when you’re constantly spending more money on getting the countertops to look better when you can spend less than that and get new countertops, then which is the better option? This is where you need to take a step back and finally make a decision.
Conclusion
Laminate countertops are good and budget-friendly, but these telltale signs will tell you when exactly you need to replace them to make your kitchen look brand new. If you want to elevate the look of your kitchen, consult a granite company Durham NC to have granite countertops installed in kitchen.