Kitchen worktop overlays???

[Philv8s]

I have just moved into a house with very tired and stained oak kitchen worktops. I see there is an option of fitting quartz,etc overlays as a more cost effective option to give the worktops a new look. What is the hive PH mind on these overlay options and any recommendations greatly appreciated.
Is there much price difference to just rip out the old work tops or are overlays a big saving? I only have about 5m2 so not a huge worktop area and only a sink and hob to be fitted on it.

[Huzzah]

Philv8s said:

I have just moved into a house with very tired and stained oak kitchen worktops. I see there is an option of fitting quartz,etc overlays as a more cost effective option to give the worktops a new look. What is the hive PH mind on these overlay options and any recommendations greatly appreciated.
Is there much price difference to just rip out the old work tops or are overlays a big saving? I only have about 5m2 so not a huge worktop area and only a sink and hob to be fitted on it.

Why not try sanding and re-oiling?

[119]

That would be my first thought.

All the sink and stuff will have to come out anyway so certainly worth a go.

Having said that, we looked at a house where the worktop had horrendous water stains around the sink and my first go was going to be a good sanding.

However we never bought it in the end .

[Djtemeka]

Sand away… loads away…

Won’t make a £€%ing difference if the damage is past 1-2mm.

You may end up with a clean surface but it will be like a skateboard park after you’ve sanded that much off.

My experience is, nice when new. st all the other times.

[Simpo Two]

When I decided to do a cheap facelift on my kitchen from its original beige roll-edge worktops I used laminate/formica stuck on with impact adhesive, then cut the front vertical with a circular saw and stuck an oak moulding on the front. Cheap to do but you need DIY ability.

[Philv8s]

I have already tried sanding it back and oiling but the damage it too deep, hence my thinking of the overlay options.

[Crumpet]

My Grandparents had it done many years back. It looked alright from what I remember; very solid and definitely updated it from the nasty tops that were on before.

However, it looked weirdly thick and chunky, although perhaps that’s no bad thing.

Personally I’d just put full new tops on as the cost won’t be much different, although the depth of wood might mean tiles are in the wrong place.

[Belle427]

My brother in law used to work for one of those transformation companies and now has his own business doing it and kitchens too.
When done properly by a good fitter its very good and you cannot tell its an overlay.
Dont think its cheap though.

[LooneyTunes]

Belle427 said:

My brother in law used to work for one of those transformation companies and now has his own business doing it and kitchens too.
When done properly by a good fitter its very good and you cannot tell its an overlay.
Dont think its cheap though.

Inlaws did it on their kitchen. No idea how much it cost, but experience was as above.

If the kitchen isn’t massive it can be worth checking out you local quartz place for offcuts. One near me will properly template and edge them for not a lot of money (the material has already been paid for so it wouldn’t surprise me if it goes into the Christmas fund).

[Kwackersaki]

We had approximately 10m2 quartz overlay worktop fitted a couple of years ago for just over £3k, which included a “free” composite sink.

Very pleased with the finish but the edges can chip if you’re not careful.

A solid quartz wortkop was around £500+ more and with these you can have profile edges but you had to remove the original worktop yourself, or the companies I contacted said you did.