LESLIE: Ellen in California, who needs some help with a kitchen counter.
ELLEN: I have an unsightly Formica countertop and I didn’t want to go to the expense of granite countertops and – because they have the – Formica has to be removed besides the application of granite.
TOM: OK.
ELLEN: So, this contractor says that there’s a product – I believe it’s polyurethane – that looks like granite and you could get it in different patterns and he sprays it on and it’s supposed to last for years.
TOM: I tell you what, I wouldn’t go that route and here’s why. Because your countertop is only going to be as good as the base and if the – and typically, what happens with Formica tops is eventually the water starts to separate the Formica from the base, what it’s glued to, which is typically some sort of a fiberboard. And even if you spray on something on top of it that works really well or looks great, the base is still going to swell and become deteriorated after a while. What …
LESLIE: And eventually peel off.
TOM: Yeah. If you’re concerned, you don’t have to go straight to granite; I mean, you could simply replace it with a new fiberglass top at about a quarter of the cost. So if you’re happy with – excuse me, if you’re happy with the Formica, you could simply replace it with a new Formica top for like a quarter of the cost.
ELLEN: (overlapping voices) No, I don’t like the Formica.
TOM: Alright. Well, how about Solid Surface? Are you familiar with that?
LESLIE: Like a Corian?
ELLEN: No.
TOM: Yeah, you could use a Corian or a product like that.
ELLEN: Oh, Corian.
TOM: Wilsonart, yeah.
ELLEN: I know about that.
TOM: Yeah, that’s good stuff; beautiful.
ELLEN: Yes. Alright. Thank you very much.
TOM: Well, you’re very welcome, Ellen. Thanks so much for calling us at 888-MONEY-PIT.
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