1980s laminate with a built-in backsplash
Laminate tops from the 1980s with a coved backsplash can be resurfaced as one piece, backsplash included, if the core is dry.
Serving Lake Zurich & nearby Palatine, Buffalo Grove
Countertop Refinishing & Resurfacing in Lake Zurich, IL
Laminate, cultured marble and tile counters in Lake Zurich resurfaced with a new stone-look or solid-color coating, no tear-out.
- Serving Lake Zurich ZIP 60047
- A new look without tearing the kitchen out
- Clean, protected work area every day
Countertop surfaces we resurface in Lake Zurich
If your counters are solid but the color or pattern is wrong, a resurfacing coat changes the look without demolition. In Lake Zurich 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.
Laminate worn dull or through the pattern
Laminate that has lost its pattern in the work zones can be scuffed, primed and coated so the surface is even again.
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.
Scratches, knife marks and stains
We fill cuts and gouges, sand the whole top and lay down fresh coats, which hides most surface damage.
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.
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
Edge damage is part of our prep. We fix it, sand it smooth and then coat the whole top including the front edge.
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
- 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.
- Deep cleaning and degreasingThe tops are degreased thoroughly, since contamination is the main reason coatings fail.
- RepairsDamage is fixed and sanded flush before any coating goes on.
- Sanding and primingThe surface is scuffed for adhesion and primed with a bonding primer.
- Clear topcoatThe final clear layer protects the finish and sets how shiny the counter looks.
- Cure-time and care instructionsYou get written care tips and the wait times before heavy use and cleaning.
Materials and finishes
Solid colorsPlain white, gray, black or warm neutrals for a simple, modern look.
Stone-look finishesSpeckled or flecked coatings that read like granite or other natural stone.
Cultured marbleCast tops in kitchens and vanities that accept a new color after repair and priming.
Laminate (Formica)The most common base; it coats well when the particleboard underneath is dry and flat.
Ceramic tileTile counters can be coated over once grout lines are filled and loose tiles fixed.
What the work looks like in Lake Zurich homes
Before
AfterLake Zurich kitchen, two-story colonial from the 1990s: countertop refinishing & resurfacing
This one is a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Lake Zurich. What we started with: white ceramic tile with dark stained grout lines. What bothered the owners most: dark grout lines across the counters. 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, repairs, plus sanding and priming.
Before
AfterBuffalo Grove kitchen, two-story colonial from the 1990s: countertop refinishing & resurfacing
This one is a two-story colonial from the 1990s near Didier Farms. The kitchen as it was: almond laminate with a backsplash lip. The reason for the call: a laminate color that dated the whole kitchen. After: the same counters resurfaced with a smooth stone-look coating, edges and sink area included. On site this meant masking and ventilation, deep cleaning and degreasing, plus clear topcoat.
Countertop Refinishing & Resurfacing in Buffalo Grove →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a postwar bi-level in Arlington Heights
This one is a postwar bi-level in Arlington Heights. Before: speckled laminate. The reason for the call: 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 repairs, sanding and priming, plus cure-time and care instructions.
Countertop Refinishing & Resurfacing in Arlington Heights →
Before
AfterCountertop Fabrication & Installation in a 1990s two-story colonial, Lake Zurich
Warm walnut butcher block countertops with a tight seam, an undermount sink and a new faucet.
Countertop Fabrication & Installation in Lake Zurich →
Before
AfterA Lake Zurich 1980s two-story: before and after
Finished: cabinets in deep olive with unlacquered brass knobs and cup pulls, charcoal concrete-look quartz counters, a white 3x12 tile in a stacked pattern backsplash, gray wood-look porcelain plank flooring and black cage pendants and slim recessed lights.
Kitchen Remodeling in Lake Zurich →How your countertop resurfacing 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 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 useThe finish needs time to harden; we tell you when light use and full use are safe.
Countertop Refinishing & Resurfacing questions from Lake Zurich homeowners
Can you resurface a countertop that is peeling?
Loose laminate is reattached; failed paint is stripped. If the core is swollen, we recommend new tops instead.
Can I cut on or set hot pans on a refinished counter?
A resurfaced top isn't made for heavy cutting or hot cookware. Treat it like a finished surface, not a work block.
Can Formica countertops be resurfaced?
Laminate is an ideal base for resurfacing once it's degreased, scuffed and primed.
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.
Should I resurface or replace my countertops?
If the counters are solid and the only problem is looks, a coating makes sense. If water damage or layout is the issue, new tops do.
Do I need a Lake Zurich-registered contractor for countertop resurfacing?
All contractors and subcontractors must register with the Village before work: form, $120 annual fee (Illinois-licensed plumbers exempt), signed $10,000 surety bond. Village pages show differing fee amounts ($110/$120/$125). We take care of that before work starts.
Do I need a permit for countertop resurfacing in Lake Zurich?
It depends on the scope. Lake Zurich's rule in short: Permit required for remodeling (kitchen, bath, basement). We handle the permit when one is needed with Building and Zoning Division (Community Services Department).
Do you work in my part of Lake Zurich?
Yes. Our crews work across Lake Zurich — ZIP 60047 — and nearby Palatine, Buffalo Grove, Arlington Heights.
Working in Lake Zurich
- A lot of Lake Zurich kitchens date from the 1980s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Lake Zurich homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- We know how Building and Zoning Division (Community Services Department) handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
ZIP 60047
Countertop Refinishing & Resurfacing nearby
Other kitchen services in Lake Zurich
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.