Countertop Replacement

Picking a Counter for the Light It Will Actually Get

Most people choose a countertop by color. In a Palm Springs kitchen we start one step earlier, with where the sun lands. A counter tucked into a galley with no window sees nothing but lamp light. A counter under a wide clerestory, or one that runs past a sliding door toward the patio, can sit in direct sun for several hours a day from spring through fall. Those two runs should not always get the same material, even in the same kitchen.

So the first visit is mostly looking. We note which walls face west, where the band of light from a high window crosses the counter in the afternoon, and whether the kitchen is part of a house that stays closed through summer.

How the Common Surfaces Handle Desert Conditions

Granite. Very tolerant of heat, and a sealed granite does not mind hard water much. The catch is that a dark polished granite in direct sun gets hot to the touch, and white mineral spots from the tap show clearly on it. A lighter or honed granite hides both better.

Quartzite. A natural stone, harder than granite in many cases and very heat tolerant. Some stones sold as quartzite are softer marble-like material, so we test a sample with a knife and a drop of lemon juice before anyone commits.

Engineered quartz. Consistent, nonporous and easy to clean, which makes it popular for rentals. It is bound with resin, though. A hot pan set straight on it can leave a mark, and long direct sun can fade or yellow some colors. Most manufacturers exclude outdoor installs from the warranty. We use it happily indoors, away from the brightest window.

Porcelain slab. Fired at very high temperature, UV stable and unbothered by hot pans. It is thin and less forgiving to fabricate, so edges and sink cutouts need an experienced shop, and it chips if something heavy hits the edge.

Solid surface and laminate. Affordable, and fine for a small condo on a budget. Both can scorch, and laminate relies on glue at every edge, which is exactly what heat attacks first.

Butcher block. Warm and beautiful, and it hates dry air. Expect to oil it regularly and to see small cracks at the ends if it is neglected.

The Replacement Itself

A typical countertop replacement runs in this order:

1. Assessment. We check that the cabinets are level and solid. A new slab will not correct a cabinet run that has sagged, and a heavy stone on a tired particleboard box is a bad idea.
2. Tear out. The sink and cooktop are disconnected and the old top comes off. Tile over plywood is the messiest, and sometimes the plywood underneath needs replacing.
3. Template. The cabinets are measured digitally once the old top is gone, including the sink model and any faucet holes.
4. Fabrication. Usually one to three weeks, depending on the shop and whether the slab is in stock.
5. Install. Seams are joined with a color matched epoxy and the sink is mounted. This is where heat matters most.

Why We Set Seams Early in the Day

Stone seam epoxy, the adhesive under an undermount sink and the silicone around a backsplash all cure faster when they are hot. On a July afternoon, a seam adhesive can start to set before the two pieces are pulled flush and leveled, and the result is a lip you can feel with a fingertip. So installs in summer start early, the air conditioning runs, and the adhesives ride in the cab of the truck, not the bed. Slabs are never left in a garage overnight.

Hard Water and the Undermount Sink

Coachella Valley water leaves a white ring of scale where the sink meets the stone. Undermount sinks show it more than drop-in sinks because the edge is exposed. It wipes off if you keep up with it. What does real damage is an acidic cleaner on marble, limestone or a soft quartzite, which etches a dull patch that sealing will not fix. We will tell you which cleaners are safe for the surface you choose.

When Not to Replace

If a granite top is dull and absorbs water, it probably needs sealing, not replacing. If a laminate edge has let go in one spot, it can often be reglued. We would rather quote you a repair than sell you a slab you did not need.

Call (760) 893-4112 to talk about your counters.