1990s laminate with a built-in backsplash
Original 1990s laminate is a good candidate when it's solid. We coat the top and the integral splash together.
Serving Aurora & nearby Batavia, Warrenville
Countertop Refinishing & Resurfacing in Aurora, IL
Laminate, cultured marble and tile counters in Aurora resurfaced with a new stone-look or solid-color coating, no tear-out.
- Serving Aurora ZIP 60506, 60502, 60505, 60504, 60503
- A new look without tearing the kitchen out
- Clean, protected work area every day
Countertop surfaces we resurface in Aurora
If your counters are solid but the color or pattern is wrong, a resurfacing coat changes the look without demolition. In Aurora we clean, repair and prime laminate, cultured marble and tile tops, then spray a new stone-look or solid finish and a clear protective topcoat.
Dated cultured marble tops
Cultured marble with a yellowed gel coat or a swirl pattern you never liked can be repaired and coated in a new color.
Wanting a stone look without new stone
Speckled and flecked finishes imitate granite closely from normal viewing distance, on the counters you already have.
Laminate swollen around the sink
If the particleboard has bubbled or gone soft near the sink, a coating won't fix it. That section needs replacing, and we'll say so.
Formica in a color you are tired of
Old Formica colors are the most common reason people call us. A coat of granite-look or solid finish replaces the look while the counter stays put.
Laminate worn dull or through the pattern
Worn-through patches and a faded surface are cosmetic. As long as the board is sound, a resurfacing system covers them.
A previous paint job that is peeling
Peeling DIY coatings come off first. Then we prime for adhesion and build the finish in the right number of coats.
A kitchen you plan to sell soon
Getting ready to list? A new finish on old laminate makes the kitchen photograph and show more current.
What we do on the job
- Inspection for water damageWe press, tap and look along the sink and seams to confirm the base will hold a finish.
- Masking and ventilationWe tape off and cover everything around the counters and set up airflow for the coatings.
- RepairsChips filled, edges reglued, loose tiles reset and grout joints leveled.
- Sanding and primingThe surface is scuffed for adhesion and primed with a bonding primer.
- Base and pattern coatsWe build up color in layers, plain for a solid finish or speckled for a granite look.
- Clear topcoatA durable clear coat seals the color and gives a satin or gloss sheen.
- Cure-time and care instructionsWe tell you when you can use the counter lightly and when it reaches full hardness.
Options to choose from
Laminate (Formica)Plastic laminate is resurfaced after scuffing and a bonding primer.
Solid colorsPlain white, gray, black or warm neutrals for a simple, modern look.
Ceramic tileA coating turns a gridded tile surface into one continuous finish.
Stone-look finishesLayered color chips under a clear coat for depth and a natural look.
Resurfacing vs. replacingCoat what is solid and you like the shape of; replace what is swollen, cracked or the wrong layout.
Countertop Refinishing & Resurfacing before and after — Aurora homes
Before
AfterAn Aurora 1980s two-story: before and after
This one is a 1980s two-story near Tanner. The kitchen as it was: white ceramic tile with dark stained grout lines. The reason for the call: tile counters with grout that never came clean. After: the same counters resurfaced with a smooth stone-look coating, edges and sink area included. Work included inspection for water damage, repairs, plus base and pattern coats.
Before
AfterA Batavia 1980s two-story: before and after
This one is a 1980s two-story in Batavia. Before: white Corian-style solid surface with a yellowed seam. What bothered the owners most: a yellowed molded top they wanted to change. After: the same counters resurfaced with a smooth stone-look coating, edges and sink area included. On site this meant masking and ventilation, sanding and priming, plus base and pattern coats.
Countertop Refinishing & Resurfacing in Batavia →
Before
AfterAn Aurora two-story colonial from the 1990s: before and after
What changed: dark soapstone-look quartz countertops with a tight seam, an undermount sink and a new faucet.
Countertop Fabrication & Installation in Aurora →
Before
AfterAn Aurora 1990s two-story colonial: before and after
What changed: cabinets in white uppers and deep green lowers with unlacquered brass knobs and cup pulls, warm walnut butcher block counters, a green zellige-look tile backsplash, warm oak luxury vinyl plank flooring and recessed lights and under-cabinet LED strips.
Kitchen Remodeling in Aurora →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1980s two-story in Aurora
What changed: the same doors sprayed in creamy white uppers and navy lowers, new matte black pulls; counters and floor stayed as they were.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Aurora →Day by day
- Photos and a quick checkSend pictures of the counters and the sink area; we look for signs of water damage first.
- Color and finish choicePick a stone-look or solid color from samples, plus satin or gloss.
- Prep and coatingWe prepare the tops and build the coating system in stages.
- Cure, then back to useKeep the counters gentle for the cure period we give you, then use them normally.
Countertop Refinishing & Resurfacing questions from Aurora homeowners
Can you resurface a countertop that is peeling?
If the laminate itself is lifting, we reglue it first. If an old coating is peeling, we remove it before refinishing.
How soon can I use the counters?
Cure time depends on the coating and the room temperature. Plan on gentle use for the first several days.
Can Formica countertops be resurfaced?
They can. We check the edges and the area around the sink; if the board is sound, laminate takes a new finish well.
Can I cut on or set hot pans on a refinished counter?
No. Use a cutting board and trivets. Knives scratch the topcoat and direct heat can damage it.
Can tile countertops be resurfaced?
Yes. We fill the grout joints, secure loose tiles and coat over the whole surface for a smooth, single finish.
Do I need a Aurora-registered contractor for countertop resurfacing?
Contractors must be registered/licensed with the City (application, required testing if applicable, proof of insurance naming the City as additional insured). Homeowners may act as own contractor if owner-occupied 6+ months with a Homeowner Liability Waiver. We take care of that before work starts.
Do I need a permit for countertop resurfacing in Aurora?
It depends on the scope. Aurora's rule in short: Interior remodels, structural changes and interior plumbing always need a permit; electrical/mechanical may. We handle the permit when one is needed with Division of Building and Permits, City of Aurora.
Do you work in my part of Aurora?
Yes. Our crews work across Aurora, including Near Eastside, Tanner, Riddle Highlands, Palace Street — ZIP 60506, 60502, 60505, 60504, 60503 — and nearby Batavia, Warrenville, Naperville.
Working in Aurora
- A lot of Aurora kitchens date from the 1990s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Aurora homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- Live in a historic district? Interior kitchen work is usually not reviewed. We check before anything touches the exterior.
Near EastsideTannerRiddle HighlandsPalace StreetWest SideFar East Side
ZIP 60506ZIP 60502ZIP 60505ZIP 60504ZIP 60503
Countertop Refinishing & Resurfacing nearby
Other kitchen services in Aurora
Countertop RepairChips, cracks, seams and burns fixed without replacing the top.
Countertop Fabrication & InstallationQuartz, granite and butcher block, templated and installed.
Stone Countertop RestorationEtches, stains and dull spots taken out, then the stone resealed.
Kitchen RemodelingFull kitchen remodels, from layout to last cabinet pull.
Kitchen Cabinet PaintingFactory-smooth painted cabinets without replacing them.