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.
BE AWARE UPDATE: A reader commented that his contractor would not install a stainless steel countertop in his kitchen — the contractor said that the building code would not permit this metal countertop in residential uses. I am not an expert. Consult with your own properly licensed professional(s) to assess this issue so you can make your own informed decisions.
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.
JKaye says
The countertop is great, but so is the entire work area. So much storage in such a small space!
Meredith R. says
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!
pam kueber says
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.
pam kueber says
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.
Linn says
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
pam kueber says
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.
Just another Pam says
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!
Anne says
Looks fantastic. I had stainless steel counters in Japan and I loved them!! Great job.
Wendy M. says
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?
Chris H says
Nice job, and kudos for thinking outside the box.
Laura E says
That’s more or less exactly what I did, only I used copper. Glued them right over the old laminate.
Joe says
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.
Gavin in the UK says
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!
chris says
Wow — this is impressive! And beautiful!