Get matched with top countertop and backsplash pros in your area

Resurfacing countertops is relatively easy—especially for a pro. During this process, a countertop contractor will sand down or remove the existing countertop surface, make repairs, and then add a new surface or special coating. In certain instances, like if you use a laminate countertop coating system, it’s an attainable DIY for beginners.

The best tool for cutting countertops depends on the type of countertop material. For some softer materials, like laminate (Formica) and butcher block, you can use a hand saw, but most experts recommend power saws like circular saws, since these make the job go faster and easier and give more even results. However, power saws and circular saws are dangerous if used incorrectly, and they can be so powerful that they damage or chip laminate, stone, and other types of countertops. For this reason, you should take safety precautions and use best practices to prevent damage.

Butcher block countertops last around 20 years, and even longer in some cases. This largely depends on how often you complete general maintenance tasks, like sanding and resurfacing to remove scorch marks, dings, scratches and other imperfections. You should clean butcher block countertops after every use to make sure they last. Also, the thickness of the specific strips used to build the butcher block impacts longevity. Generally speaking, thicker strips are more durable than thinner strips.

If the damage is minor, you can repair countertops without replacing them. You can also resurface a laminate countertop rather than replace it when it gets old and dingy. Countertop resurfacing is a relatively easy project, though it can be time-consuming, so you may prefer to hire a pro to do this for you.