Over at her blog The Home Project, reader Linn and her husband continue to chronicle the remodel of their adorable bungalow kitchen. Recently, they rolled up their sleeves and installed a stainless steel countertop right over the old, existing laminate countertops. The headline: When first considering the stainless steel countertop option, Linn contacted a big box hardware store and was quoted $150/s.f. for the steel countertop, including installation included. Her countertop is pretty small — just 20 s.f. Even so, that would have added up to a hefty $3,000 kitchen countertop. Researching more options, Linn found a local steel fabrication company that would cut and bend 20 gauge stainless steel to Linn’s exact template — for $400 total.
That is a serious price difference, to put it mildly. So, Linn and her husband figured out how to do the job.. In fact, they make it look pretty in the click here --> step-by-step tutorial on how to measure, prepare for, and install a stainless steel countertop. Nicely done, Linn — you two have mad skills, and the countertop really turned out beautifully. Your little bungalow kitchen, and your little (974 s.f.) jewel box house: simply lovely.
Update: A reader asked, in comments, how I incorporated stainless steel in my kitchen — here’s the video I made about my countertop. The stainless steel and butcher block I added shows starting minute 5:00. See all my stories about ideas for retro kitchen countertops here.
Wow — this is impressive! And beautiful!
I think I just solved my kitchen counter edging nightmare. You just cannot find metal edging for kitchen worktops here in the UK. Ask and people think you’re crazy. Likewise finding any decent retro laminates. Good news! Why didn’t I think of this before Lol!
We did a stainless backsplash at my buddy’s deli and did the same thing: went to the local steelyard, had them cut it to length/width, and all we had to do was tap and drill it up. cost us about $200 but looks like it cost in the thousands. It just proves that you do not need to go to the traditional sources for a product with a little ingenuity.
That’s more or less exactly what I did, only I used copper. Glued them right over the old laminate.
Nice job, and kudos for thinking outside the box.
It looks great! I love that they were able to save so much money, too!
I would appreciate feedback from people who have stainless countertops…how do they do day-to-day with streaks, smudges and water marks?
Looks fantastic. I had stainless steel counters in Japan and I loved them!! Great job.
Perfection! And at 400 dollars, brilliant with it! I wish I’d known about this about a year ago.
Absolutely beautiful. I’m going to look into having diamond plate stair covers made for the front staircase now that you’ve shown me the way. Thank you!
I love your kitchen, Linn!
I second the question about maintenance of stainless steel countertops.
Also, Linn, can you share more about your floor? Is it actual marble? tile? laminate? It sure doesn’t look like VCT or vinyl sheet. I continue to dwell on the b&w checkered floor but am so torn up about which way to go re: cost, maintenance, and not showing dirt!
Meredith, I think that stainless steel countertops get scratchy — but in a nice, patina kind of way. I have a sheet of stainless steel next to my stove, it looks great. I think I have read you can clean these easily with club soda and rag. SUPER PRACTICAL countertops — you can set hot pots right down on them. I think they can be “cold” if used throughout a large kitchen, that is my big issue, but in a small kitchen like Sarah’s or mixed with other materials or…. they can be great. Sarah’s tile floor is marble. She posts about it on her blog.
Meredith, I also recently updated my story about where to buy black-and-white checkerboard flooring in resilient sheet click here ->. At least one company also has “marbleized” black and white checks.
Meredith, we put in the floor ourselves using 12 x 12 inch black granite and white carrera marble tiles. You can read more about it here: http://www.christonium.com/HomeProject/installing-black-and-white-checkerboard-marble-granite-tile-floor
We love our floor, it’s bold and classic and adds so much visual focus. Ours don’t show a huge amount of dirt, especially since the carrera marble is not purely white. I vacuum pretty often and mop every other week or so. I would say go for it, the pattern is wonderful, no matter whether you go with vinyl, laminate or tile!
Also, more about the whole kitchen remodel with detailed budget available here: http://www.christonium.com/HomeProject/kitchen-remodel-before-after
Linn, your floor also looks lovely — thanks. However, I do want to be Precautionary Pam and again warn renovators that: Old floors can contain vintage nastiness in any layers including backing and adhesives. Be sure, before you start ripping out, that you consult with licensed professionals to test for asbestos, lead, etc etc.
The countertop is great, but so is the entire work area. So much storage in such a small space!
man alive! i LOVE IT. so gorgeous.
my mom (a realtor) had a house listed about a year ago – built in the early 40s, i believe and that sucker had the most beautiful stainless counter tops original to the house… you’re right, Pam – they age beautifully.
the place got reno’d by the new owner. and not in a way we’d all like to think about.
ps. sorry i was all storytellin-like and i didn’t adequately comment about what a flippin’ GREAT job you guys did on this kitchen! i’m so jealous! and i bow down to your DIY money-saving ways!!! the kitchen looks great. heading over to your blog to check out more, Linn and husband!
Yet one more reader out there who is a model DIY-er! As someone whose skill set seems to be limited to demolition and painting (and designing), I’m always so impressed and not just a little jealous of those with considerably more skill. The stainless steel looks great, kudos to you both!
that is cool. it looks great in that small kitchen. i’ve never much liked stainless steel counters, but looking at this i think it is just because they are so *much* in a large kitchen. now i’m thinking about how nicely a small amount of stainless steel would pair with butcher block.
Love the idea of stainless with butcher block on the counters. Any thoughts on how to combine them well?
Pam, thanks for your responses. Sadly, real marble is not in the cards for us, and neither is DIY (2 small kids + 2 jobs = no money, no time!). Will check out the new b&w sheet info.
See my video, minutes 5-6 is when I show my mixup: http://retrorenovation.com/2010/09/07/retro-renovation-tv-laminate-countertops-for-your-mid-century-kitchen/
Hi everybody! Thanks for all your wonderful comments about my kitchen! It’s so great to get nice feedback like this! Regarding maintenance and upkeep with stainless steel, I have to say it’s great. Our counters are so durable: you can put hot pans right on it, you don’t have to worry about water spots, you don’t have to be too careful since it definitely won’t crack.
In terms of scratches, we haven’t really had any. Well, sure you get tiny scratches all the time, but that almost polishes the metal and makes it look even better. So, I would say to everyone who’s debating doing this whether it’s to your counters or an island – or even a work table (wouldn’t that be great to fix up an old table to do crafts on, plant flowers on etc…) – go right ahead. This is not that difficult to do, as long as you get the measurements right, and we just love ours!
Sometimes ‘diy’ is the only way to go! Looks great!
Over the course of remodeling and updating three homes, we’ve researched and done quite a few jobs ourselves. In most cases we feel that we’ve done a better job than some of the people we would have hired, and there’s the gratification of having done the work ourselves (which I’m sure is something you feel every time you look at your wonderful counter). Some times it may take longer than hiring it out, but most of the time it’s worth the time and the effort involved.
Regarding the NY Metals snap-on edging — does anyone know if it will conform to a radius? I have a 45 degree rounded edge at one end of my counter. I’m hesitant to order the snap on molding because I’m worried it won’t bend around a rounded corner. Does anyone know?
I did a story on this, it’s in the Kitchens / Countertops category: http://retrorenovation.com/2008/10/15/can-i-use-stainless-steel-snap-on-edging-to-make-a-curve-not-easily-use-butcher-block-or-switch-to-aluminum-tee-molding/
Great post! We’ve done the same in 3 new kitchens on our farm, and we’re about to do it in a fourth cabin that has an existing laminate counter.
I can’t understand why stainless steel counters are so expensive from a home store, when all you have to do is find a good metal fabricator and have one made for your template. Simple, reasonably priced, and you support a local business.
After living with stainless steel countertops for 6 years, I can’t imagine using a different surface. They’re very simple to maintain, and it’s a luxury to put hot pots down without worrying.
To clean and shine them, I use a nontoxic stainless spray based on olive oil.
I plan on doing this to my small vintage rv. It’s maybe only 3 feet by 6 feet but this is soooo perfect!! THANK U THANK U!!
Hello My name is Liza and I need some help. I have a granite counter top and it is cracking. Well it is cracked and is getting worse. I am a single mom and on a strict budget so I am looking for ways to either repair it or do something like the post here but i don’t know where to start let alone look. Note I am not above ripping out the bottom cabinets and putting in stand alones but I am unsure as the pricing. Please any advice is welcomed! I look an hope to hear from you.
Thank You,
Liza
Where are you finding sheet metal fabricators willing to do a residential application? Everyone I’ve called says they only do commercial. I really want to do this but can’t afford the box store costs.
Nicki–We just look for metal fabricators in the yellow pages. We don’t mention that the steel we want shaped is for a countertop; we just bring the plywood template and they do it. To be honest, my husband trained in welding, so he talks to the guys, and he may know the language that makes them happy to help out. But in our small farm town and in the bigger city nearby, we’ve not had any trouble finding small shops that are happy for the job. We bring the plywood template by and then come pick up the fabricated steel.