Overlay Worktop For Kitchens: Advantages And Disadvantages

Overlay Worktop For Kitchens: Advantages And Disadvantages


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Many of us often pause our Overlay Worktop kitchen renovation requirements because of financial limitations. But, which amongst us wouldn't love an up-to-date and a good-in-condition kitchen? We all do, don’t we?. It is not an option but a necessity. So, these are the situations we wonder if we would be able to cover our old worktop ever; whether with our current budget we would be able to replace our kitchen countertop; whether we could ever get a new kitchen at this very restricted price! Rest assured! All of these questions could be answered certainly, provided your existing countertop base is even, strong and durable. Worktop overlays could be installed on any kind of surface!

What Exactly Is An Overlay Worktop At Your Kitchen?

Laminate Countertop Overlaying

A worktop overlay is a thin slab of man-made material precisely measured to fit over your current tabletop. It is available in a variety of contemporary designs and materials. It may appear like a new granite or quartz countertop, costing less money and time than a comprehensive kitchen countertop. It's a strong surface that would endure years of hard work at the heart of your home, winning over your hearts as well.

Process Of Covering Kitchen Worktop

An overlay worktop is when concrete or another synthetic material, like granite, marble, wood, or lamination, is placed over the current countertop material covering the level surface that conceals the existing surface.

To give this space a distinctive fresh appearance, the concrete overlay can be coloured to complement the current kitchen accessories. As long as the structure is proficient, you could cover your countertop with even a different material. The same material that is used to make conventional countertops is used to make countertop overlays.

Cleaning and sanding the old countertop surface to achieve a smooth and level surface is the first step in the countertop overlay procedure. The surface is then coated with glue before the fresh material is overlaid. The new material would then be cut and processed to ensure a smooth and consistent look.

Overlay Kitchen Worktop Near Me - Manufacturing Process:

Many businesses that claim their materials Granite or Marble, only relate to the worktop's appearance rather than its actual composition. You could pick from scores of granite, quartzite, or marble options. Marbles are extracted from the quarries and the huge quantities of remaining fine aggregates of stones processed and used to create overlay - worktops. Before being cleaved into slabs of 8 mm thickness, the powdered stone leftovers are added with resins, epoxy, dyes, and other substances. They are then heated and moulded to a very hard surface that can be smoothed and designed for worktops. Some overlays are made up of approximately 93 percent natural stone aggregate.

Worktop overlays have veining, swirls, and specks in a non-repeating style to imitate authentic granite. The various kitchen counters can also benefit from coverings produced from recycled glass to offer a splash of colour.

COLONIAL WHITE BOOKMATCH GRANITE

COLONIAL WHITE BOOKMATCH GRANITE

£349.10

Colonial White Bookmatch Granite is a pretty white slab with tiny dark specks and veins. The slabs are naturally occurring and formed as the result of hot, bubbling igneous rock. Colonial White Bookmatch Granite is a type of granite that… read more

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GREEN BEAUTY CROSS CUT MARBLE

GREEN BEAUTY CROSS CUT MARBLE

£617.75

Green Beauty Cross Cut Marble is a visually pleasing green natural stone quite personating a rainforest theme. A hint of dark green shade, light green, with a hit of white here and there make them into a complete forest like… read more

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Why UK Homeowners Are Choosing Overlay Worktops for Kitchen Renovations?

Basically, regardless of their base, quartz, granite, and all other materials, perform similarly. Solid granite or marble, for example, are quarried and cut into slabs of varied thicknesses, and then polished to create gorgeous natural surfaces. In contrast, engineered stone is crushed stone combined with a high-performing polymer resin with a little quantity of colour. The ratios vary depending on the producer, but most slabs contain roughly 93% natural stone which turns out to be the optimal option for the homeowners in the UK. Some engineered stone surfaces contain large percentages of recycled material. They're environmentally friendly not only because of the material's manufacturing and mobility but also because a high volume comes from recycled materials.

The Thickness Of Overlay Worktop

The Thickness of Overlay Worktop

Thickness of the Overlay Worktop varies depending on the manufacturers and suppliers. Overlays are becoming increasingly popular as a substitute for genuine Quartzstone. The idea is to coat your existing worktop using a thin coating to get the desired surface. Overlays are available in 8mm (the most common) and 13mm thicknesses.

Overlay Worktops UK; For Different Surfaces

Overlaying Concrete Countertop

Overlaying Concrete Countertop

Concrete overlays are a healthy, simple-to-apply option to cover atop laminated, timber, or tiled worktops that exist already. The overlay offers a durable concrete look and style for a relatively low price of freshly laid out concrete platform. Installing countertop overlays is a challenging task that should be left to professionals, but with sufficient knowledge, one can carry out the job alone too.

Assuring that the concrete is spread evenly is the most crucial part of the installation, so you'll probably need numerous rounds of concrete pouring. Particularly if you're dealing with tile counters, much attention needs to be paid to concrete pouring because the grout lines would be deeper than the tile surface.

Laminate Countertop Overlaying

Although laminate countertops are inexpensive, the colour and design eventually deteriorate and become outmoded. It's a good decision to paste down a new lamination sheet instead of replacing your laminated countertops if they're still in good condition.

Wood Worktop Overlay

Resurfacing your wooden countertop can be done with concrete, lamination, or composite wood. You must ensure having a strong base before deciding to overlay your hardwood countertops.

Granite Overlay

Introducing a granite overlay worktop drastically reduces the cost of remodelling your kitchen or bathroom instead of total replacement. Still, having the countertops examined is important to justify your decision to overlay. If the counters are damaged, fixing them before adding the countertop overlay is a best idea to prevent new panels from being affected. To successfully overlay a worktop, you'll need a steady and strong counter to support the overlay. Additionally, you need to ensure that the base is plain and even, as the overlay is often thin because any difference would affect it.

The existing granite countertops might also be removed. Some plywood could be set as base, and the overlay worktop can then be fixed on top.

Covering Quartz Worktop

Covering Quartz Worktop

Because it is one of the toughest rocks, Quartz is one of the materials that will last the longest as an overlay worktop. Because Quartz may replicate the appearance of granite or marble, the Quartz overlay countertops are beautiful. It doesn't need to be resealed and requires less upkeep than other natural materials.

THUNDER WHTIE GRANITE

THUNDER WHTIE GRANITE

£349.10

Thunder White Granite is a natural stone, and like many other granite varieties, it offers an enduring quality and benefits that make it a popular choice for various architectural and design applications. Versatility: Thunder White Granite can be used for… read more

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WHITE MIRROR QUARTZ

WHITE MIRROR QUARTZ

£293.75

White Mirror Quartz is ideal for anyone looking for a white work surface but prefers something less clinical than plain white. To help bring your kitchen to life, our extensive range of white mirror quartz features a reflective mirror fleck… read more

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VANCOUVER QUARTZITE

VANCOUVER QUARTZITE

£435.50

Vancouver Quartzite is a unique and sought-after natural stone known for its striking beauty and durability. This metamorphic rock features a mix of cream and white hues, often with captivating veins and patterns.  Benefits: Vancouver Quartzite hardness and resistance to… read more

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Example Of Overlaying With Moon White Granite Worktop

Moon White Granite is a natural stone with fine grains and complex patterns. It bustles with dazzling white specks and swirls interspersed with silvery grey and jet black. Mineral particles are scattered throughout the sturdy granite countertop, which results in stunning grey waves flowing across the entire stone surface. If any worktop has been worn out, it could be covered with overlay worktops instead of changing the entire stone.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Overlay Worktops in British Kitchens

Advantages Of Overlay Worktops

Disadvantages Of Overlay Worktops

  1. Quick installation; usually one day


  1. Affordable


  1. Premium look at a much lesser cost


  1. Sustainable option than creating landfill dumps

  1. Seams might be visible


  1. Their quality depends on the countertop base that supports them. Weak bases prevent them from being implemented.


  1. Fewer sellers, so limited matching options

If you have a good budget, we always recommend installing natural or quartz kitchen worktops, as they are very long-lasting, durable as materials, and also add a great value to your property.

We install natural & quartz kitchen worktops, so, send your inquiry here and get a free quote.

P.s. The readers are informed that none of the content available on any of the pages of Work-tops.com should be taken as legal advice and that Work-tops will not be held accountable for your use of the information contained in or linked from these web pages.

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