Tile or laminate added in an older kitchen
Counters in older kitchens are often fitted tightly to uneven walls. Refinishing keeps that fit while changing the look.
Serving Evanston & nearby Skokie, Glenview
Countertop Refinishing & Resurfacing in Evanston, IL
Laminate, cultured marble and tile counters in Evanston resurfaced with a new stone-look or solid-color coating, no tear-out.
- Crews working in Evanston ZIP 60201, 60202, 60208
- Most jobs done in days, with your kitchen still usable
- Samples and a written quote before we start
Countertop surfaces we resurface in Evanston
Resurfacing is a coating, not a new countertop, and it works best on tops that are flat, dry and well attached. Our Evanston 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.
Formica in a color you are tired of
When the laminate is in good shape but the color dates the room, resurfacing changes it in a couple of days without new tops.
A kitchen you plan to sell soon
Before listing, a resurfaced counter is a short project that removes one dated feature buyers notice.
Scratches, knife marks and stains
Stains that bleach won't touch and a web of cutting marks are covered after prep, leaving a smooth, uniform surface.
Tile counters with grout that won't come clean
Tile counters can be coated over so the dark grout lines disappear under one smooth finish, after loose tiles are reset.
Wanting a stone look without new stone
Our granite-look coatings use layered color flecks under a clear coat, so the surface has depth rather than a flat paint look.
Chips and loose edges before coating
Resurfacing only holds on a solid base, so we reattach lifted edges and fill chips before anything is sprayed.
Counters in a rental unit
Landlords use resurfacing to refresh worn tops between tenants without the cost and downtime of replacement.
What the work covers
- Masking and ventilationWe tape off and cover everything around the counters and set up airflow for the coatings.
- 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 topcoatThe final clear layer protects the finish and sets how shiny the counter looks.
- Cure-time and care instructionsWe tell you when you can use the counter lightly and when it reaches full hardness.
Finishes we offer
Stone-look finishesLayered color chips under a clear coat for depth and a natural look.
Ceramic tileTile counters can be coated over once grout lines are filled and loose tiles fixed.
Resurfacing vs. replacingResurfacing changes the look of sound tops; replacement is for damaged substrates or a material change.
Cultured marbleCast tops in kitchens and vanities that accept a new color after repair and priming.
Solid colorsA single uniform color, often paired with a satin topcoat.
Countertop Refinishing & Resurfacing before and after — Evanston homes
Before
AfterBefore and after: a prewar brick bungalow in Evanston
This one is a prewar brick bungalow in Evanston. Before: dark brown speckled laminate. The reason for the call: tired, stained laminate. The result: the same counters resurfaced with a smooth stone-look coating, edges and sink area included. Work included masking and ventilation, base and pattern coats, plus clear topcoat.
Before
AfterBefore and after: a postwar Cape Cod in Skokie
The site: a postwar Cape Cod in Skokie. What we started with: light beige laminate. The reason for the call: tired, stained laminate. The result: the same counters resurfaced with a smooth stone-look coating, edges and sink area included. On site this meant deep cleaning and degreasing, base and pattern coats, plus cure-time and care instructions.
Countertop Refinishing & Resurfacing in Skokie →
Before
AfterCountertop Refinishing & Resurfacing in a 1950s ranch, Glenview
The site: a 1950s ranch in Glenview. What we started with: speckled laminate. The reason for the call: laminate worn through near the sink. The result: the same counters resurfaced with a smooth stone-look coating, edges and sink area included. Work included masking and ventilation, base and pattern coats, plus clear topcoat.
Countertop Refinishing & Resurfacing in Glenview →
Before
AfterCountertop Fabrication & Installation in a brick bungalow from the 1920s, Evanston
Finished: black honed granite countertops with a tight seam, an undermount sink and a new faucet.
Countertop Fabrication & Installation in Evanston →
Before
AfterEvanston kitchen, prewar brick bungalow: kitchen remodeling
What changed: soft sage-green inset-style cabinets with unlacquered brass hardware, honed white marble-look quartz counters, a white handmade-look square tile backsplash, restored oak strip floor and schoolhouse pendant lights.
Kitchen Remodeling in Evanston →How the job goes
- Photos and a quick checkSend pictures of the counters and the sink area; we look for signs of water damage first.
- Color and finish choiceWe bring sample chips so you can see the finish next to your cabinets and floor.
- 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 Evanston homeowners
How soon can I use the counters?
You can set things down fairly soon, but heavy use, scrubbing and wet items should wait until the full cure time we give you.
What does countertop resurfacing cost?
Size, condition and finish type drive the price. You get a line-item estimate once we have seen the counters.
Should I resurface or replace my countertops?
Resurface when the tops are sound and you're happy with the layout. Replace when the core is damaged, or when you want real stone or a new shape.
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.
Is it the same as painting my countertops?
Similar idea, different materials. Our coatings are made for countertops and are applied in several coats over a primed surface.
Do Evanston condo associations need to approve countertop resurfacing?
Associations usually set rules for work hours, elevators, deliveries and insurance, and many require approval for plumbing, electrical or structural changes. We provide the certificate of insurance and follow the building's rules.
Do I need a Evanston-registered contractor for countertop resurfacing?
All contractors working in city limits must register with the City; annual fee General Contractor $150, Trade Contractor $125. We take care of that before work starts.
Do I need a permit for countertop resurfacing in Evanston?
It depends on the scope. Evanston's rule in short: Residential permit applications go through the Citizen Portal; City worksheets signed by the contractors are required for any electrical, plumbing or HVAC work. We handle the permit when one is needed with Community Development Department, Building & Development Services (Building & Inspection Services).
Do you work in my part of Evanston?
Yes. Our crews work across Evanston — ZIP 60201, 60202, 60208 — and nearby Skokie, Glenview, Park Ridge.
Working in Evanston
- Most Evanston homes are prewar. We work around plaster walls, radiators and out-of-square rooms every week.
- Condo or townhome? We follow association rules on work hours and elevators and bring the insurance certificate your board asks for.
- Live in a historic district? Interior kitchen work is usually not reviewed. We check before anything touches the exterior.
ZIP 60201ZIP 60202ZIP 60208
Countertop Refinishing & Resurfacing nearby
Other kitchen services in Evanston
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.