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 Crystal Lake & nearby Lake Zurich, Elgin
Countertop Refinishing & Resurfacing in Crystal Lake, IL
Laminate, cultured marble and tile counters in Crystal Lake resurfaced with a new stone-look or solid-color coating, no tear-out.
- Crews working in Crystal Lake ZIP 60014, 60012, 60098
- Most jobs done in days, with your kitchen still usable
- Samples and a written quote before we start
Countertop surfaces we resurface in Crystal Lake
Resurfacing is a coating, not a new countertop, and it works best on tops that are flat, dry and well attached. Our Crystal Lake techs check that first, fix chips and loose edges, then apply a multi-coat system you can choose in a speckled granite look or a plain 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.
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.
A kitchen you plan to sell soon
If you'd rather not invest in stone for a house you're selling, refinishing the existing tops is the lighter update.
Counters in a rental unit
In a rental, a refinished counter turns around quickly and the cabinets and plumbing stay untouched.
Tile counters with grout that won't come clean
Grout that stays gray no matter how you scrub can be covered. We secure any loose tile, fill the joints and coat the top.
A previous paint job that is peeling
If an earlier painted finish is flaking, we remove what won't hold, sand to a sound surface and start the coating over.
Matching new cabinet paint
Many people resurface counters along with a cabinet repaint, so the whole kitchen changes together without a remodel.
What we do on the job
- Deep cleaning and degreasingGrease, soap and silicone residue are removed so primer can grip the surface.
- RepairsDamage is fixed and sanded flush before any coating goes on.
- Sanding and primingA sanded profile and a bonding coat give the finish something to hold.
- Base and pattern coatsA solid base color goes on, followed by fleck or mineral layers for a stone look.
- Clear topcoatA durable clear coat seals the color and gives a satin or gloss sheen.
- RecaulkingFresh caulk at the backsplash and around the sink once the finish is dry.
- Cure-time and care instructionsYou get written care tips and the wait times before heavy use and cleaning.
Finishes we offer
Solid colorsPlain white, gray, black or warm neutrals for a simple, modern look.
Cultured marbleMolded marble-look surfaces that can be refinished in place.
Resurfacing vs. replacingResurfacing changes the look of sound tops; replacement is for damaged substrates or a material change.
Laminate (Formica)Plastic laminate is resurfaced after scuffing and a bonding primer.
Stone-look finishesSpeckled or flecked coatings that read like granite or other natural stone.
Countertop Refinishing & Resurfacing before and after — Crystal Lake homes
Before
AfterCountertop Refinishing & Resurfacing in a 1980s two-story, Crystal Lake
A 1980s two-story near The Villages, a typical kitchen for Crystal Lake. 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. The job covered repairs, sanding and priming, plus recaulking.
Before
AfterAn Elgin 1990s two-story colonial: before and after
A 1990s two-story colonial in Elgin, a typical kitchen for Elgin. Before: white Corian-style solid surface with a yellowed seam. The main complaint was 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 deep cleaning and degreasing, repairs, plus sanding and priming.
Countertop Refinishing & Resurfacing in Elgin →
Before
AfterA Hoffman Estates raised ranch: before and after
A raised ranch in Hoffman Estates, a typical kitchen for Hoffman Estates. What we started with: white laminate with brown flecks. The main complaint was laminate worn through near the sink. Finished kitchen: the same counters resurfaced with a smooth stone-look coating, edges and sink area included. On site this meant deep cleaning and degreasing, clear topcoat, plus cure-time and care instructions.
Countertop Refinishing & Resurfacing in Hoffman Estates →
Before
AfterA Crystal Lake 1980s two-story: before and after
Warm walnut butcher block countertops with a tight seam, an undermount sink and a new faucet.
Countertop Fabrication & Installation in Crystal Lake →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1990s two-story colonial in Crystal Lake
Finished: cabinets in warm taupe with satin brass pulls, warm walnut butcher block counters, a gray beveled subway tile backsplash, light beige 18x18 porcelain tile flooring and recessed lights and under-cabinet LED strips.
Kitchen Remodeling in Crystal Lake →How the job goes
- Photos and a quick checkA few photos tell us the material and whether resurfacing is likely to work.
- Color and finish choicePick a stone-look or solid color from samples, plus satin or gloss.
- Prep and coatingMasking, cleaning, repairs, priming and the finish coats, usually over one to two days.
- Cure, then back to useKeep the counters gentle for the cure period we give you, then use them normally.
Countertop Refinishing & Resurfacing questions from Crystal Lake homeowners
Is it the same as painting my countertops?
DIY counter paint and a professional resurfacing system differ in primer, build and topcoat. That is why DIY jobs often peel at the sink.
Does countertop refinishing really work?
Yes, with limits. A professionally applied system bonds well to laminate and cultured marble, but it won't fix a swollen core and it isn't a cutting surface.
How soon can I use the counters?
Usually light use within a day or so, with full hardness taking longer. We give you the exact times for the product we use.
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.
Do you refinish bathroom vanity tops?
We do. A matching vanity finish is easy to add while we're set up.
Do I need a permit for countertop resurfacing in Crystal Lake?
It depends on the scope. Crystal Lake's rule in short: Kitchen alteration handout (Nov 2019) requires a contractor list and two sets of plans showing floor plans, electrical layout, structure and plumbing changes; inspections for rough electrical, plumbing, framing, insulation and final. We handle the permit when one is needed with City of Crystal Lake Community Development - Building Division.
Do you work in my part of Crystal Lake?
Yes. Our crews work across Crystal Lake, including Downtown, Coventry, Four Colonies, The Villages — ZIP 60014, 60012, 60098 — and nearby Lake Zurich, Elgin, Hoffman Estates.
Working in Crystal Lake
- A lot of Crystal Lake kitchens date from the 1990s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Crystal Lake 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.
DowntownCoventryFour ColoniesThe VillagesWedgewoodBurtons Bridge
ZIP 60014ZIP 60012ZIP 60098
Countertop Refinishing & Resurfacing nearby
Other kitchen services in Crystal Lake
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.