It seems that major manufacturers and retailers are planning to help you eliminate your existing countertops and replace them with all new counters. There is no denying that using the materials overlay (such as a hard slab of granite, solid surface, or quartz) is a good solution to bring a new look to your kitchen. This method helps you save money and time significantly.

What is the materials overlay?

It is used to cover your current countertops. In simple terms, the materials overlay is the large, dry, thick, prefabricated sheet. It’s thick enough to where it sits on top of your current countertops. If you want to renovate your kitchen countertops without wasting effort to destroy it, this is a good choice for you.

What the materials overlay is available?

In fact, the materials overlay is varied. Each type has its own advantages. Depending on your needs and your budget, you can choose a coating material for your kitchen countertops. Engineered stone, quartz, natural granite, and concrete are popular materials overlay and are widely used. Concrete is not a big market for overlays, but there are many suppliers of concrete overlay today. Quartz countertops overlay is used by many people for the benefits that it brings

In fact, quartz countertops overlay is used by many people

Can you really install on your existing countertop with the materials overlay?

You can do it easily and quickly. That is one of the attractive advantages of the materials overlay. 

Of course, you can also remove your existing countertops and install a completely new countertop. However, it will take you a lot of time and money to do this. 

What sizes do they come in?

The fact of the matter is that they come in many sizes to make your choice comfortable. Depending on the size of your countertop, choose the most suitable mini-slab overlays. The use of mini-slab overlays is to completely cover your countertops and minimizing seams. Therefore, a typical overlay slab will measure out at 16″ to 18″ wide by 26″ to 26.5″ deep, with a thickness of 2″. An 18″ x 26″ mini-slab works out to be 3.25 square feet and about 23 pounds.

Do you have to do any cutting?

You don’t need to cut the stone if your countertop has a straight or L-shaped countertop configuration. However, around the sink and at the corner are the two most difficult points.

As for your sink, you can buy sink tools of pre-cut stone, so that you only need to install the stone and set the sink in place with no cutting involved. As for the corner, you can approach by at least two ways. You can place two perpendicular plates and fill the square with a similar-sized slab. Or you can have two slabs that are cut at 45-degree angles and join at this cut. The second version means you have one less seam.

What about edges?

Normally, we all know that the front edge must be flat and polished. If you want an overhang that called apron, it’s possible to purchase slabs with an apron attached, or you can purchase extra-deep slabs and cut off the back inch and reattach as an apron to the front. The missing rear inches filled with materials must be similar to mini-slab overlays.

How can I minimize seams?

Ot can hardly be denied that minimizing seams is very important. However, you need to make the seam minimize procedure correct. To remove seams or lippage when installing (lippage is a vertical difference between two plates), you should not use what is called “wild color”. This is because the distinctive patterning on one side will not be matched on the other side of the seam. In addition, colors like dead black or other uniform colors will show seams. something like mint brown granite or other stone that has a consistent grain is a good way for minimizing seams

Advantages of using materials overlay

The first advantage of using mini-slab overlays is DIY-friendly. Slab overlays are specifically designed for the do-it-yourselfer. Newly engineered stone or slab counters are not DIY-friendly. 

Moreover, this method help you save time and money in bringing a new look to your kitchen. In addition, You will not have to destroy your current countertops.

Use them better than using tiles. Rather than 60 linear feet or greater of seams, as you would have with tiles 12″ or smaller, you might have as little as 10 linear feet of seams for a 10′ x 10′ kitchen.

Disadvantages of using mini-slab overlays

Seam: there will be a few seams visible because you are not using large and continuous sheets. However, after a while, homeowners do not pay much attention because they are quite small.

Shipping costs: This cost is difficult in purchasing the materials overlays. Therefore, you will need to order online and bear the shipping fee. Many companies that supply materials overlays charge a pretty high shipping fee. For example, the shipping fee for six 18 “x 21” small plates is worth $ 199 for only 149.70 dollars. However, when you increase your order by more than $ 600, you will get free shipping.

Shipping cost is difficult in purchasing the materials overlays

What’s the cost?

As mentioned above, using mini-slab overlay will save you significant costs. Overlays are purchased for each piece and the pieces run for about $ 50 to $ 100. The Overlay is less expensive than the usual stone or quartz countertops just because they yield to do-it-yourself installation.

All in all, using the mini-slab overlay is a great choice to refurbish your kitchen