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Counter overlay and paint ceramic tile backsplash?

12 years ago

My kitchen has tile counters and backsplash. The grout on the counters is impossible to keep clean and generally looks bad. I was considering an overlay. Anyone have any experience with them? Is it less or more expensive than demo and replacing? And finally, is it possible to paint the tile backsplash?

Thanks

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Comments (3)

palimpsest
12 years ago
I think the overlay would be a relatively expensive alternative to removal in your case, but it's hard to tell without seeing the actual counter.
bmorepanic
12 years ago
If you have a little time and patience, try grout paint from the big box store. It has a roller or a brush on the end that you use over the grout. As a side benefit, the grout becomes very easy to clean.
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User
12 years ago
The changes you are proposing are a "15 minute fix" for a TV camera shoot, not something you can really live with in a working kitchen.

Removal of your existing counters is the only good alternative. Get that 5 lb. sledge and whack away! It's good for your frustration level after dealing with the grout. New DIY laminate counters ae an inexpensive choice. You can buy the blanks at your local box store and do your whole kitchen for under $300. If you are talking about something like one of the granite overlays, those cannot go on top of tile, and they are VERY expensive. 10x the cost of the DIY laminate at least.

While you are removing the tile counters, remove the backsplash too. It might just be easier to take off the drywall while you are at it rather than to try to patch the drywall that gets damaged. You can replace it with cement backerboard rather easily and retile with something more attractive.

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