Coronavirus continues to disrupt life around the country—social distancing, quarantines, mask-wearing, and working or learning from home all continue to add strain to already stressful and economically uncertain times. With many of us spending a lot of time at home, you may have had plenty of time to notice any issues in your space—especially in the kitchen, a room often called the heart of the home.
Many kitchens now function not just as places to cook, but as gathering places, offices, classrooms, and more—and as places that need to be kept especially clean. With the CDC recommending that high-touch areas be cleaned and disinfected regularly, you may have spent plenty of time wiping down kitchen countertops and faucets or taps—and getting familiar with any flaws in the countertops. Maybe you’ve wondered if cracks, chips, burns, or scratches are preventing you from getting the counter as clean as you’d like—or if you’re causing long-term damage to the countertop itself.
But with the economy rocky and the kitchen more important than ever, a full renovation may have been set aside as a future project. After all, the time, space, and financial commitment may seem out of reach. But if concern about keeping the kitchen clean is wearing on you, or if the appearance or function of your countertops is starting to impact your life, you should know that there are other options. Refinishing or reglazing is an affordable and quick solution that can get your kitchen back up and running in just a few hours.
And for those with older Corian or solid-surface countertops, refinishing is what these counters were designed for! This article breaks down how that process works and why you may want to consider it.
What are Corian countertops?
In 1967, the Dupont Corporation created a new type of man-made material that gained popularity for use in kitchens—Corian. This type of solid-surface material is durable, comes in a variety of colors, and is less expensive than granite countertops.
It also doesn’t require the special care and frequent sealing that countertops made of natural stone do. That’s because Corian is non-porous—unlike natural stone. Non-porous countertops don’t allow liquids to get inside and damage the countertop from within.
When were Corian countertops popular?
After the development of the material in the late ‘60s, Corian countertops really took off in the 1980s, taking over from the more expensive granite that was popular in the 1970s. While it’s hard to imitate the look of natural stone, Corian countertops look more like it than laminate or tile, other popular options in the past.
That’s not to say that the solid-surface countertops in all older homes look like stone—you may find that the color of yours is a bit dated, in addition to the wear and tear that comes with years of cooking on them. But Corian countertops can easily be given a topcoat that mimics granite. These faux granite countertops can give you the look of stone without the cost, while remaining easy to clean and care for.
How are Corian countertops refinished?
One of the faults of Corian countertops is that they’re easy to scratch or leave marks on. Countertops installed in the ‘80s, when they were especially popular, often show serious signs of wear and tear after years or decades of regular use. But here solid-surfaces have an advantage that natural stone does not. These countertops are homogenous, or made of the same material all the way through.
This means that when you sand down the top layer of a section of Corian countertop, the layer underneath looks exactly the same as the layer that’s been sanded away—just without the scratches, burns, chips, or other problems that arise after years of use. This means that the countertop can be sanded down and refinished to get it looking like new.
Can I refinish the countertop myself?
If you have older Corian countertops, they’re likely showing signs of wear—chips, cracks, scratches, burns, or just a loss of luster that makes them look flat and dull. Some issues can be resolved with some elbow grease and a mildly abrasive cleaner that gently buffs away evidence of problems.
But for serious issues, it’s time to call in a professional. Homeowners just don’t have access to the same tools, and a professional company knows how to ventilate the space properly, which prevents any harmful dust from sanding sticking around in your home. Our blog talks more about steps you can take on your own and how to know when it’s time to call a professional.
I have a Corian counter-top and sink. Can both of those be refinished?
Yes! A solid-surface sink is even more likely than the counter to show wear and tear over time, and might look dull and scratched after years of use. But solid-surface sinks have the same benefits as countertops, and can easily be resurfaced.
If your plans for updating your home involve changing the faucet or taps that are currently installed in your solid-surface sink and counter, that’s also much less time consuming and expensive than you may think. There’s no need to rip out the whole counter—or live with a sink that doesn’t function well. A professional can fill the original mounting holes in the countertop to let you put in new fixtures, leaving you with a smooth-looking countertop and sink.
Where can I find counter and sink reglazing near me?
At The Tub Pros, we’re proud to serve Memphis and the Greater Mid-South Area. Our factory-trained technicians can get your home looking and working great again—even during these uncertain times. Reviews about shower, tub, countertop, and sink refinishing Memphis customers are available on our home page—we take pride in our work and offer a written warranty on our projects.
If you’re ready to get your kitchen back to looking and working great, you can use our convenient online form or give us a call at (901) 871-8827.
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