It’s been a few months since we finished our plywood countertops, and they aren’t as awesome as I was hoping. You can see the planning stages here and the finished product here. The marine poly has scrubbed off in places. It’s not flaky or chipped so you would notice, but it’s wearing through in places (probably from lots of washing) where we are seeing bare wood and water is getting in. The seams are the worst. I might have been better off if I had caulked the seams with paintable caulk instead of using wood putty…..but in any rate, it’s a mess.
I’ve heard of wood countertops working for other families, but not for any families with 6 kids and a kitchen that sees as much action and messes as ours does.
I signed up for the Nester’s Cozy Minimalist class (love it so far and the first class isn’t even until tomorrow) and another student recommended this:
It’s a pvc adhesive film that is super durable and looks like real stone. Some people have to touch it to believe it isn’t real. This would seal up our wood and help our temporary countertops last as long as we need them to, probably more than 10 years.
There are some good youtube videos showing how to use it. Would you ever do something like this?
Yes I will try this !!! We are rehabing a trailer and are gutting it, its in deplorable condition. I’m planning on nailing plywood on some 1″x1″s and skirt the underneath to cover my things. Perfect timing Angela and thanks so much for the great idea.
Sounds really cute! In researching whether this would stick to wood, they recommended painting it first to seal in all the dust and bits and to make sure it was super smooth since all the under texture will pop through.
I just happened to think of this: our main kitchen work surface when I was a kid was a big old electric stove. When the stove quit working, Dad removed the cook top and replaced it with a varnished sheet of plywood. It was next to the working stove, and was our work surface for about a decade. We always did our chopping on a big cutting board, though, not on the plywood.
I love this story, Heather! Your parents were really good at making the best with what they had.
Yes, I would do a lot of things to save money. Also, sometimes you have to take risks, and even if it doesn’t work out you still save money in the long run. (Usually.) I really appreciate your honesty and that you share with us not only what works, but also what doesn’t. Thank you!
It looks like an interesting option but the Amazon reviews make me nervous. It sounds like for counters as big as yours it would be difficult to make look nice. Can you put another coat of sealant on your counter tops?
From Janet:
Yes, I would use something cheaper. Here’s what I would do.
1) Price what you really would like to have
2) Price your cheaper alternatives
a) How long will each of those cheaper alternatives give you before having to invest in the same project again?
3) How much would you invest to spiff up your current situation and how long would that give you before investing again?
That PVC paper is similar to the granite contact paper that they do sell. Next, did you know there was like a spray paint granite counter top look? Next, could you put some plexi or something thicker and clear over what you have with minimal costs to make it work? Could you use a regular color paint in the color you like and then top that with a sealer or some plexi something?
We all want our homes so pretty but man these costs these days are outrageous.
I have been considering using epoxy to refinish a counter top. I used it on our chipboard floors and love how it self levels and is sealed (looks like glass and super durable).
I like this! Must look into it!
What about something like this concrete finish? http://karapaslaydesigns.com/diy-ardex-concrete-countertops/
I was going to mention the concrete ones also. I loved that on Young House Love.
I’m thinking of doing something similar to your countertops. Do you think they would have help up better with a couple thin layers of resin over them?
Natalie, I think that would help a lot.