This is surely an opportunity for homeowners to renovate their kitchen at a low price. But when it comes to granite, is it really worth it?
Sometimes we want to spruce things up in our home, and entirely changing the appearance of our kitchen is a great way to start. You can be the new owner or even the one that chose that granite countertop years ago, and now it doesn’t fit with the style you want anymore. If you search for alternatives for what to do with your old granite countertop, you might find the epoxy countertop a good idea.
But in this article you will learn the pros and cons of it, and while it can not be a very good idea to pour it over granite.
A high-quality granite countertop beats any kind of refurbished countertop. Do you want to know why? Then be sure to check out our definitive guide on granite countertops!
How does it work?
Epoxy countertops are made by pouring a thick layer of epoxy over an existing countertop. You can’t buy one at a store, you have to make it, and most people try to DIY it, but it is safer to call a professional.
You will seal the surface, if it is porous, and then start the preparation to apply the product over it. It can take more than one day to get it the way you want it, but after that there is no turning back. Once you pour it over the counter, it will start to harden.
This synthetic surface will be shiny and glossy, and if done right will be durable and resistant to most stress. But doing it so can be a very hard process, harder than just replacing your stone for another.
How good is a granite countertop?
Aside from being extremely durable and having unique designs from each cut, granite is modern. It is usually the center of attention in the room, complementing and giving meaning to the style at the same time.
It is affordable, and for the time it lasts it is more than an investment, it brings value to your house. The installation process is simple, done by a professional, and it will turn out exactly how you imagined. If you are looking for an outside piece, don’t worry about the weather or the moisture, it can handle it.
Why don’t they work together?
Technically, the epoxy can be a refinishing alternative for the stone. But it is much more worthy to use other methods of refinishing and polishing granite to bring back its shine. But granite, and even marble, don’t need restoration. The resealing process must be done once a year, but it is enough to keep the integrity and glossy effect on the stone.
Refinishing and polishing the countertop can be cheaper and less messy than making a whole new epoxy countertop. The sealing takes a lot less time to be fully functional again, and can be done in less than a day!
If you are still in doubt, let’s compare both and see what fits you the best!
The surface
Granite is a porous surface and, without the seal, food, water, grease and other things can get trapped in the stone. So it can be prone to molding if not properly sealed. On the other side, epoxy is non-porous, being much more sanitary and easy to clean.
As it is a synthetic product, the epoxy is not heatproof. This means that if you leave a hot pot for too long, the heat will go through the epoxy and can damage the surface underneath. Granite, on the other hand, can last through cold winters and hot summers with no problem at all.
The unique design is a feature of both. But the epoxy needs a professional hand to make it look exactly how you wanted. The granite has a unique pattern over each cut, and you already know how it will look before putting it up.
The installation
Although there are a lot of videos on how to DIY the epoxy application over your countertop, it is not wise to do it. As you pour the epoxy, it starts to harden, so you need to move fast. There are no second chances with it, once there you can’t go back. If you end up not liking the design, there is not much you can do, unfortunately. The process itself can take more than a day, and to be completely hardened and functional, you have to wait up to 3 weeks!
As with granite, you don’t need to worry at all. The professional team will go to your house with the stone already properly cut. After that they will install it and seal it. This process can take only a day depending on the size of your kitchen. But once put in place you don’t have to wait long to use it again.
The cost
Of course, the epoxy is the cheaper option. You can expect to spend $3 to $8 per square feet, plus the service of a professional. But for its durability and strength, the granite can be considered affordable at the minimum of $40 per square feet.
Where to find them?
The epoxy can be found in kits online, but you better be careful about the quality. Hire a specialist and ask him beforehand what product he recommends.
But if you want quality granite, beautifully delivered to your door, choose Eagle Stones. If you live in, or nearby, Sarasota, we can guarantee that you won’t have to worry. We will just leave you to relax as you wait for your brand-new countertop to be installed!
Click here to learn more about our products!
