Updating Kitchen Counters Makes for a Fun Winter Project

Old counters can make a kitchen seem drab and out-of-date. Luckily, there are a few options for counter replacements that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. If you’d love to give well-worn or boring old countertops a new look without breaking the bank, this week’s column is for you.

Paint. Assuming you’re working with old laminate counters, a fresh lick of paint can give you an easy update to a dark, faded kitchen. Brands such as Rust-oleum offer special paint just for countertops that come in a dozen colors and don’t require a coat of primer if you’re just going over laminate. Many also contain antimicrobial protection which will protect the painted surface against mold, mildew and other odor and stain causing microbes.

Concrete. Concrete countertops and floors are very fashionable in home trends, but having to deal with the process of pouring a real slab can be expensive and challenging. Not to worry - you can always skim coat your current counters to make them look like the real thing. Ardex sells a feather finish which will help the concrete bond to the countertop, and while it might not have the same durability as a solid concrete counter, you’ll be able to achieve the look for a lot less.

Tile. I love the aesthetic of tile because it can add lots of color and style to a kitchen at a really affordable price. While you can technically tile over laminate, I’d recommend building new countertops out of plywood and then using an underlayment of tile backer to secure each piece into place. A tile countertop can look great, but it also involves a lot of grout which can be tough to clean. If you’re tiling, be sure to invest in a proper sealant.

Stainless Steel. If you’re comfortable building and sanding down new plywood countertops, consider wrapping them with stainless steel sheet metal. For a metal look without the real thing, you can purchase liquid stainless steel paint made by a company called Giani. Both will give your kitchen a modern look which can be brightened up with colored cabinets, or left with more natural materials for an industrial feel.

Corian. If you love the look of stone but granite and marble are out of your budget, you might want to consider a less expensive alternative such as Corian, which is a solid surface material derived from bauxite. It’s durable, comes in a variety of thicknesses and can mimic the look of marble, sandstone or other popular, more expensive natural stone materials. It also comes in solid colors if you’re after a more contemporary look.

Do you have a tip or trick to give countertops a breath of fresh air without spending a ton of money? I’ve love to hear from you - send me a message on Facebook at facebook.com/odonnellbros

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Spruce Up Those Suspended Ceilings with Head Turning Tiles

I received a question from a reader this week that I thought was well worth sharing.

Dear Bob,

We are remodeling our basement this winter and my husband says we should keep the suspended ceiling even though I think it looks terrible. He says it makes it easier to get into our wiring and plumbing. Is there anything we can do maintain the accessibility but make it a little more stylish?

Thanks,

Sue G.

Dear Sue, I’m so glad you asked this question because suspended or drop ceilings make a lot of sense for basements and office spaces. A suspended ceiling consists of a simple grid of lightweight tiles or panels, and they are popular because they are simple to install and allow easy access to internal wires and pipes. There are other benefits too: suspended ceilings are great for absorbing acoustics, they are more moisture and fire resistant than drywall ceilings, and they are naturally insulating which gives them a tick in terms of energy efficiency.

For all these reasons, suspended ceilings are a popular choice and your husband is right for wanting to keep them. However, I agree with you -  those mineral fiber panels aren’t the nicest to look at. Luckily, manufacturers have recently been thinking the same thing and there are now tons of options to create a really great looking ceiling to match your remodeling project.

One of my favorite options is pressed tin tiles, which were popular in the early 1900’s and can still be found in townhouses and brownstones in urban areas like New York City. They are making a huge comeback in modern design too. Tin plated tiles come in a range of patterns and finishes and the detailing adds a lot of flare to a room, even if you choose a white finish. Personally, I love the warmth of a copper look.

The faux wood is another popular choice, which comes in a ton of stains and colors. I like a dark walnut or cherry for a den or home office, while a lighter color would look great in a kitchen or darker basement.

Lastly, let’s not forget about vinyl. Vinyl tiles allow you to get interesting textures above your head and some of the 3-D and built in crown molding options can give a room a classy upgrade without forgoing durability. They are very easy to clean and are stain and water resistant if you’re looking for a solution in a leak prone area.

I hope these ideas answer your question Sue and best of luck with your basement makeover!

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Don’t Let the Wintry Weather Damage Your Roof

The kind of weather we’re having can create some messy challenges for homeowners. Snowfall followed by warming temperatures and then more snow makes icy conditions on sidewalks, in your driveway, and worst of all - on your roof. The culmination of wintry build-up is one of the most dangerous hazards for a home because although those huge, hanging icicles look pretty, the ice dams that they come from can result in major leaks in your ceiling and interior walls.

An ice dam forms when heavy snow blankets the roof, forming an extra layer of insulation. As warm air rises from your house and up through your attic, it causes the layer of snow closest to the roof to melt and the water to slide down into the gutters. This would normally be a good thing, but because so many homes in our area aren’t properly insulated, what often happens is that when the melting water hits the cold eaves of the roof, it freezes again instead of draining off through the gutters, forming an ice blockage. As that ice grows and grows, the water has nowhere to go so it starts to move under your roof shingles and eventually into your insulation and drywall. This is when you’ll start to see the leaks in your ceiling and walls.

The best way to avoid this problem is by taking preventative measures. I get calls from homeowners to remove ice dams after every winter storm, and for many, it is too late and they are already facing thousands of dollars worth of damage. But if you’re lucky enough to catch an ice dam before it fully forms, it’s a smart idea to get rid of it as quickly as possible.

Firstly, when you’re clearing snow from your driveway and sidewalks, think about your roof too. Removing snow from the house is the best way to protect your home against it melting and refreezing in the gutters and up the roof. If you already have an ice dam forming, you can use a hammer and chisel to get rid of it, but be very careful as roof shingles are more delicate and brittle in cold conditions. One safe home remedy is to fill a pair of pantyhose with an ice melter and lay it across the ice dam so the water will melt into the gutter. If you’re not comfortable on a ladder, call a professional to help you get rid of the ice dam quickly and safely.

These, of course, are just stop-gap measures. The only way to prevent ice dams from forming permanently is to have your home properly insulated and ventilated. More than 75% of homes in our area are under insulated which causes the heat from your home to shoot right through the roof. Having appropriate insulation and ventilation will keep your home free from ice dams and will keep you much more comfortable in both the winter and the summer. You’ll feel the difference immediately, and you’ll see the benefit in your energy bills too. Have questions about ice dams or need a hand? As always, I am here to help.

Bob O'Donnell is the owner of O'Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro”. All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O'Donnell Bros, Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.