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Post by craftedbys on Jun 15, 2021 20:17:38 GMT
Several weeks ago I posted that I was having to replace my double wall oven that went out. I told y'all that if DH had his way, we would redo the entire kitchen.
Yep, this has now become "If you give your DH an oven". Now, it is true that we had been talking about redoing the kitchen, but I thought we were going to wait several months but the universe and my oven had other plans.
So since it was going to take seven or eight weeks to get the oven delivered, we went on ahead and ordered a new refrigerator and cooktop, fridge is at least 20 years old, cooktop somewhere in the 30 to 40 years old range. We need a new kitchen faucet, so since we are replacing that, why don't we get a different sink?
Well, if we are getting new appliances we need new paint for the walls and ceiling, and if we are painting the ceiling we might as well replace the ceiling fan and lighting over the table.
The cabinets are solid maple and just need a new coat of stain and some new hardware to make them look fantastic. Thank goodness!
Now I agree that the 40 year old floor needs to be replaced because it is peeling up in a few places and it is definitely seen better days. Am still looking for what I want.
The sticking point is now the countertops. Yes, they are 1967 formica, white but with a faint cream pattern that you have to get really close to to see.
Now my mother was fastidious about these counters. No cutting anything on them. Ever. She had two pull out wooden boards (way back they were called "dough boards") custom made and we always used those or other cutting boards. No hot pans or dishes on them. Ever. Trivet, hot pads, or put them on the cutting boards. She never let anything spilled sit long enough to stain and she waxed them twice a year.
I really am having a hard time justifying the $5000 it will cost to replace them when they are still in fantastic shape, as in not a nick or scratch on them, and replacing them would be purely for looks. The thing is, they are the same color as some of the fancy granite and quartz counters we saw at the kitchen store.
I am thinking of maybe adding a glass backsplash underneath the window and behind the cooktop instead.
If you have managed to read this far, can I get some opinions? Is formica really that God awful? How hard would it be to replace the counters at a later time if they ever get in bad enough shape to warrant replacing? Would it really add that much value when our children decide to sell? (We don't have any plans to move anytime in the next decade.)
Appreciate any input!
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Post by mom on Jun 15, 2021 20:32:12 GMT
Yes, new granite will be worth it if you choose to sale. For me, if you are getting a practically new kitchen, you aren't going to want old countertops when its all said and done. Do I think formica is God awful? No. But I do think I would reget not doing it all at once. One mess and you get a new kitchen. Depending on your sink, you might have to take your new sink back out when do decide to do the countertops.
IMHO I would spend the money. Do it once and do it right. The counter tops are 54 years old. Its time to update them.
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Post by tommygirl on Jun 15, 2021 20:37:42 GMT
I can see how you might be torn. Ultimately I feel like it is your home so you should do what you like. If you plan to move at some point (next 5-10 years?) you might think about upgrading the counters just for resale value, but do what you enjoy. Kitchen countertops are used so much and are so visible in the kitchen. We just redid a bathroom and I kept the vanity cabinet and just replaced the countertop and sink. The contractor kind of acted like he thought it was silly to not replace the whole vanity. Even though we could afford it I just couldn't justify the cost when I knew I would just pick something that looked exactly like what I was replacing. There was nothing wrong with my "old" vanity. So I did what made me happy and it turned out great.
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oh yvonne
Prolific Pea
Posts: 7,989
Jun 26, 2014 0:45:23 GMT
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Post by oh yvonne on Jun 15, 2021 20:39:59 GMT
My vote for just do it! Have fun, a new kitchen is the best!
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Deleted
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Mar 29, 2024 15:44:22 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2021 20:40:20 GMT
Honestly, I'm on the fence. If you aren't moving and you like what's there and it is in good condition I'd say you would be fine since you aren't replacing the cabinets. If you are selling, stone or a solid surface counter is pretty much expected even in moderate priced housing and does a ton for appeal. With such a big refresh (especially new appliances and flooring, that will be a huge improvement) I think I would tend to just go with the new countertops if it was me!
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Post by Darcy Collins on Jun 15, 2021 20:43:49 GMT
In all honesty, I would put countertops absolutely first on my list of things to upgrade in a new kitchen if they were 1967 Formica. It's way too much effort to go through all that and keep the dated countertops. Especially if you were to add a backsplash as it would make it more difficult to replace them later and not damage the backsplash. I'd find a material you love and make the change - but wandering around granite yards for the perfect slab is one of my favorite things to do - so perhaps I'm not the right person to ask.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Jun 15, 2021 20:45:55 GMT
I'll be honest, if you are going to the trouble and expense to update everything else in the kitchen, those formica countertops are just going to look out of place. It's going to look like you forgot that step. As for quartz vs granite, check your local market since there is a chance you will sell. What do the other houses in your neighborhood have now? Around here, quartz has edged out granite as the top choice for countertops. Formica, no matter how pristine, would mean lower offers because they would figure replacement into the offer.
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Post by ~summer~ on Jun 15, 2021 20:47:49 GMT
Yes, replace the counter tops. You won’t regret it.
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Post by belgravia on Jun 15, 2021 20:59:04 GMT
Definitely replace the counters. If you don’t, they’ll stick out like a sore thumb
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Post by librarylady on Jun 15, 2021 21:03:46 GMT
Replace the countertop. If you don't it will be a "jarring look" against the more modern things in the kitchen. Go with quartz. It is just as modern as granite with less upkeep to worry with. (granite has to be sealed etc.) countertopadvisor.com/granite-vs-quartz/You will love your new kitchen when it is done.
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Post by mikewozowski on Jun 15, 2021 21:04:07 GMT
all you **needed** was a new oven. all the other things were replaced/refinished for looks.
i agree that if you are replacing almost everything else, you should also replace the countertops.
who wants 50 year old formica in a brand new kitchen.
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Post by marysue63 on Jun 15, 2021 21:05:02 GMT
I agree with the previous poster that if you are updating everything else the older counters might really stick out, in a bad way! I say go for it!
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Post by grammadee on Jun 15, 2021 21:08:15 GMT
craftedbys, I am thinking that even if they do not have a scratch on them, these counter tops will have lost their sheen and the colour will have faded &/or dulled after that many years. I would recommend that you get the new tops to go with your new cabinets. But it sounds like those counter tops are really important to you and that they carry with them memories of your mom. Can you save some of them to create something that will respect that memory? A frame for a family photo? A top for a trunk of quilts?
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Post by ntsf on Jun 15, 2021 21:33:17 GMT
I would replace the counter tops and put tile behind sink and stove. I can't imagine glass there looking good. tile is not that expensive for a small area.
reusing the cabinets is your big savings. just stick with that.. maybe some new pulls on them.
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Post by Darcy Collins on Jun 15, 2021 21:39:20 GMT
I would replace the counter tops and put tile behind sink and stove. I can't imagine glass there looking good. tile is not that expensive for a small area. reusing the cabinets is your big savings. just stick with that.. maybe some new pulls on them. I assumed she meant glass tile - it's pretty popular.
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Post by cropelf on Jun 15, 2021 21:43:33 GMT
"If you give your husband an oven, he'll want to bake cookies!" Love it!
I had Formica in my last house and replaced with Corian during a remodel. Corian translated to "Gourmet Kitchen" in listings.
In our current house, it came with granite countertops. I LOVE THEM!!! No need to worry about burns, scarring, etc. Easy to clean. Our house was built in 1995, so pre granite. I also use plastic cutting boards, which go in the dishwasher daily for sanitizing. (I took a lot of cooking classes.)
So if it were me, I'd go with new countertops. It will also look better in the end.
Good luck. And enjoy the cookies!
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Post by malibou on Jun 15, 2021 22:14:02 GMT
With virtually everything else new, I think your beloved countertops will stand out like a sore thumb. I'm sorry. Can you perhaps see about salvaging some of it for a counter in your laundry room, or using it to make a craft table?
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Post by MichyM on Jun 15, 2021 22:22:29 GMT
I’m in agreement with the rest of the peas, replace your countertops!
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Post by MichyM on Jun 15, 2021 22:24:09 GMT
Also, if you like the counters, see if they can be pulled in tact, then use them in an office, workshop, as a table top/desktop, whatever. Then you’ll still have them, albeit in a different fashion.
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Post by grammadee on Jun 15, 2021 22:32:04 GMT
Also, if you like the counters, see if they can be pulled in tact, then use them in an office, workshop, as a table top/desktop, whatever. Then you’ll still have them, albeit in a different fashion. Yes! In a craft room?
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Post by craftedbys on Jun 15, 2021 22:34:04 GMT
Thanks for the input, I know y'all are right, just having a hard time with committing to spending the extra $$. We could use that to redo the shower in the master bath (we want to ditch the tub and tiled walls for a really nice shower with no step and glass doors. grammadee I don't think it is much as being attached to her memory through the counters, but it is getting over the lessons she taught me. As a child growing up in the depression she (along with all of my older family members) had the mindset of don't get rid of something that is still usable (considered wasteful). Use it, repair it, repurpose it, give it to someone else who could use it. I guess that is good when you are talking small appliances (which is why I found 3 other mixers in the house when we cleaned it out, although the toaster oven has been a godsend, LOL) but not so useful when it comes to major renovations. It's funny, DH was the on trying to talk me INTO new counters, but then started trying to talk me OUT of them. So we are going to have to sit down and make a decision and a new budget if we decide to rip them out and get a new counter. Either way we need to get off the stick and make some decisions.
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Post by Crack-a-lackin on Jun 15, 2021 23:05:48 GMT
To answer one of your questions, countertop can fairly easily be replaced at a later date. With Formica you will need a drop-in sink, if you got quartz/granite/quartzite you could get a more up-to-date under mount sink. Drop-in is fine, just not a current look. I would go ahead and get new counters now since you’re going to all the effort with the other items.
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Post by lisacharlotte on Jun 15, 2021 23:16:43 GMT
If you were keeping the kitchen original retro, I’d keep the counters. If you are updating everything to look modern (new appliances and glass backsplash sound modern) I thing you need new countertops. Also, depending on the type of sink you want, it may not be possible with your old Formica.
We gutted and redid our kitchen two years ago. Our 100 year kitchen was last updated (minimally) in the 80s and was desperate for a redo. You’re gonna love it. I hope you share photos.
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Post by cropelf on Jun 15, 2021 23:45:46 GMT
if you can use old cabinets and Formica elsewhere in the house, say in a craft room, basement, garage storage, consider it a win. I so get that you want to redo the bathroom as well. If it were me, I'd consider one room at a time. Bang for buck is highest on kitchens then bathrooms when talking resale. If it's a 60 year old kitchen, you have more than recovered your investment in a remodel. Most kitchens are remodeled long before the 60 year mark. Good luck. And Enjoy your new space.
BTW, the newer appliances are so much more efficient. You should see a reduction in your energy costs as well. Consider it a savings account for the bathroom!
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caangel
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,414
Location: So Cal
Jun 26, 2014 16:42:12 GMT
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Post by caangel on Jun 16, 2021 2:24:10 GMT
Also, if you like the counters, see if they can be pulled in tact, then use them in an office, workshop, as a table top/desktop, whatever. Then you’ll still have them, albeit in a different fashion. Yes! In a craft room? My craft desk is the wood block coutertop that was a peninsula in our old kitchen.
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Post by bc2ca on Jun 16, 2021 3:59:26 GMT
If it were me, I'd replace the counters in a heartbeat. It was the hate for our counters that prompted our kitchen renovation. There was nothing wrong them except the color and the edge finishes were so dated. I wouldn't want a partially updated room and do think it will look half done leaving the counters and cabinets in place. I also think a glass tile backsplash will look out of place next to the formica.
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Post by AussieMeg on Jun 16, 2021 4:07:31 GMT
Another vote for replacing the counters - that formica is as old as me!!! I think that you would probably regret not doing it once the rest of your lovely new kitchen is in. Even though it is in very good condition, it's still terribly outdated. I can't wait to see the photos of your new kitchen once it's done!
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Post by crazy4scraps on Jun 16, 2021 4:44:19 GMT
I’m going to agree with everyone else, if you’re going to all the trouble to make everything else new you might as well do the counters too and only deal with that remodeling mess once. Why limit yourself to only granite or quartz though? Personally I LOVE my Corian countertops in my house which is why I chose that for our lake cabin when we were rebuilding it two years ago. It looks pretty and requires no special care or upkeep, and if it gets a scratch or ding it can be repaired.
I can pretty much 100% guarantee that when it does come time to sell your house, the very first thing a realtor is going to tell you is that those old dated counters need to be replaced to match the rest of the kitchen, so you might as well do it now and enjoy them yourself for the rest of the time you live in the house.
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Deleted
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Mar 29, 2024 15:44:22 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2021 7:30:45 GMT
I think it is fine to keep the original counter tops as they are in good condition, as the cabinets will be staying too.
Kitchen fashions keep changing fairly quickly anyway , and whatever you replaced it with might not be in line with any future purchasers wishes either.
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Post by hookturnian on Jun 16, 2021 7:33:43 GMT
Dare I say it, TTIUWP
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