RV Counter tops: Sorts & Upgrades

RV producers make an enormous deal about their counter tops, usually touting strong floor counters or thermoformed. In actuality, there are a number of major countertop varieties you’ll discover in most RVs, every having its distinctive execs and cons. 

So, perhaps you’ve narrowed down your RV decisions to 2 fashions with totally different counter tops, and that is the ultimate issue that may sway your resolution. Or maybe you’re an RV proprietor embarking on an offseason renovation and want the fitting RV countertop substitute. 

In both case, our primer on RV counter tops will enable you be taught extra about this a part of RV development.

Key Takeaways

• Sorts of RV Counter tops: The three most important kinds of RV counter tops are strong floor (sturdy, water resistant, however heavier and expensive), thermoformed/pressed floor (seamless, straightforward to wash, however much less heat-resistant), and laminated T-mold (inexpensive, straightforward to interchange, however much less sturdy and water resistant).
• Changing RV Counter tops: When selecting a substitute, take into account measurement/form, materials sort, funds, and set up wants. Greater-end supplies like granite or marble add weight, doubtlessly decreasing the RV’s cargo capability.
• Renovation & Upgrades: DIY countertop substitute includes eradicating outdated counter tops, cleansing the world, putting in the brand new floor, and sealing it correctly. Different upgrades embrace including countertop extensions or portray current counter tops for a refreshed look.

Predominant RV Countertop Sorts

RV countertop supplies fluctuate by producer. These are the commonest varieties present in most trendy RVs.

Strong Floor

In RVs, most strong floor counter tops are manufactured utilizing artificial supplies, generally polyester or acrylic resin, and mineral mud within the desired pigments. As soon as fashioned, these counter tops mimic stone and are extra water resistant and simpler to wash. Corian RV counter tops are one instance of a well-liked model. 

Pressed Floor/Thermoformed

Thermoformed RV counter tops—often known as pressed floor—are manufactured by heating a sheet of artificial materials till pliable sufficient to mildew into the specified form and thickness. Whereas strong floor counter tops will be thermoformed to create custom-made shapes, not all thermoformed counter tops are made utilizing strong floor supplies.    

Laminated T-Mould

Laminated T-mold counter tops basically start with a particle board materials laminated with an acrylic-based resin. The T-mold itself is usually a versatile rubber or plastic edging in a T-shape. This edging is inserted right into a groove alongside the countertop’s edge to complete it off whereas including affect safety.

Selecting Alternative Counter tops for a Camper

Whether or not your RV counter tops are damaged otherwise you merely wish to improve, you’ll be able to change them with any of the aforementioned varieties. You too can get upgraded supplies like granite or marble from particular person suppliers. Nevertheless, you’ll must be sure your RV can deal with the added weight of such supplies. Should you take that route, you’ll possible cut back your cargo carrying capability. 

When selecting an RV countertop substitute, take into account these choice standards: 

• Countertop Measurement and Form. Some RV kitchen counter tops are sq., some are rectangular, and others are within the form of an L or a U. RV toilet counter tops will also be sq., rectangular, or triangular. No matter your case, you’ll want the exact dimensions of your counters to discover a appropriate substitute.
• Clearance and Obstructions. You could additionally take into account the clearance to drawers and doorways, in addition to the rise between the highest of the counter or backsplash and obstructions. Examples of obstructions embrace blind hold-downs, outlet and swap plates, window frames, and nook trim. Lastly, you could additionally verify {that a} fully-finished piece from a vendor can match by way of your RV door and/or round partitions or cupboards. If not, the ultimate meeting might must be performed contained in the RV.
• Sort/Materials. Strong floor vs thermoformed or pressed floor vs laminated counter tops with T-mold. Or perhaps you’re on the lookout for a higher-end strong floor materials than what you’ll discover in most RVs. The selection is yours, however bear in mind the way it’ll affect the following issue.
• Price range. Usually, counter tops will run from least to costliest within the order of laminated → thermoformed/pressed floor  → strong floor  → pure stone like granite or marble. Most of those can be priced by the sheet, relying on sq. footage, variety of cuts and openings, and edge therapies.
• Set up. When factoring your funds, embrace set up time, provides, and/or companies. The offseason is a good time for RV renovation initiatives, however you’ll wish to schedule installations like this effectively prematurely to make sure your camper is prepared in your subsequent journey season. 

Technician Tip: Abilities, instruments and tools, and the extent to which a fabric will be labored within the area are sometimes thought-about too late within the course of.

How To Redo RV Counter tops

Any DIY RV countertop renovation will comply with the identical fundamental steps: 

1. Take away home equipment that could possibly be broken/impacted
2. Take away current counter tops
3. Clear and prep for RV countertop substitute
4. Set up new counter tops
5. Exchange home equipment

The problem and procedures required in every of those steps will fluctuate. For instance, your counter tops might embrace an under-mounted sink, which wouldn’t must be eliminated previous to eradicating current counter tops, however it’s going to require extra care throughout the removing.

In case your new counter tops weren’t minimize to order immediately from a provider, they could must be minimize to the right dimensions. The really useful process for securing and sealing a substitute countertop might fluctuate relying on the fabric.

Technician Tip: For lengthy edges like alongside the partitions, extra assist will possible be required since RV counter tops are in-built place as an alternative of being freestanding containers, as seen in residential purposes. Particularly when altering to a special materials, there could also be no helps on the wall from the earlier countertop, or the prevailing assist could also be on the fallacious top or not of appropriate power.

Can You Set up an RV Countertop Extension?

The smaller the RV, the much less counterspace it often provides. Whereas there are exceptions to this common rule, top-of-the-line renovations to develop your meal prep space is a countertop extension. Should you’re contemplating this RV improve, ask your self the next questions: 

• Is there area for a flip-up extension?
• Is it doable to put in a backer to assist the extension’s weight?
• What are your best countertop extension dimensions?

Guarantee there’s sufficient clearance for the extension to fold up and lock in place with out obstructing partitions, furnishings, or cupboards. Utilizing {a magazine} or sheet of cardboard, simulate the extension in numerous places, each prolonged and retracted. This may enable you discover the place that may work finest in your wants and spot these obstructions. 

Additionally, take into account the way it impacts your motion contained in the RV. If the extension blocks the doorway or one other important space when in use, you’ll have to determine whether or not the added workspace is definitely worth the short-term inconvenience.

Technician Tip: Bear in mind to make sure that the retracted extension doesn’t conceal the outlet on the aspect of the cupboard, particularly if it’s the GFCI receptacle.

Like mounting a TV in an RV, a countertop extension requires a backer to assist its added weight and the load of something you place on prime of it as soon as prolonged. Earlier than continuing with this renovation venture, guarantee there’s area and assist so that you can set up a backer (sometimes inside a decrease cupboard).

How Large Are Counter tops in Most Campers?

The counter tops in RV kitchens can fluctuate tremendously in width. You’ll discover entrance kitchen journey trailers or rear kitchen fifth wheels with counter tops that span the complete width of the trailer—practically 80 inches in some fashions. It’s troublesome to estimate common RV countertop width as a result of the design and format of RV kitchens fluctuate dramatically from mannequin to mannequin. 

As you’d count on, RV toilet counter tops are sometimes smaller, with widths within the 19 to 22-inch vary. By way of depth, kitchen RV counter tops sometimes vary from roughly 18 to 24 inches deep. Nevertheless, you will discover outliers as slim as 16 inches and as broad as practically 26 inches.

How To Paint RV Counter tops

In case your counter tops aren’t essentially broken however you’re bored with the look, portray them a brand new coloration could also be an possibility. In fact, this can rely on the floor sort. Whereas all RV counter tops will be painted, not all paints will work for all countertop varieties. Seek the advice of your RV producer for really useful paint varieties that may work in your counter tops earlier than continuing. 

That mentioned, with the fitting paint in hand, the method is comparatively easy. 

1. Shield surfaces that received’t be painted. Use masking tape to guard sinks, stoves, partitions, and cupboards. 
2. Prep the floor. This contains thorough cleansing (probably utilizing a degreaser), sanding, and priming. Like your paint selection, the precise floor prep strategies will fluctuate relying in your counter sort. 
3. Paint and let it dry. Relying on the paint sort, it’s possible you’ll want to finish a number of coats. To guard the paint and lengthen its lifespan, it’s also possible to take into account including a hardener or ending with a topcoat or sealer.
4. Ending touches. Take away any masking tape defending non-painted surfaces, and admire your handiwork!

Technician Tip: Comply with suggestions from the paint vendor concerning sanding between coats and different software strategies.

Are you interested by studying extra about RV development and/or renovation? Get pleasure from these extra assets:

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