How to Install a Laminate Kitchen Countertop

Laminates on the kitchen countertop are a common kitchen feature due to the ease of cleaning and the many different colors and patterns now available. Some can be quite a challenge to install, mainly due to patterns. For example, a laminate that simulates a wood grain in the form of planks change color often and are difficult to match in areas where a seam is needed. Solid colors are the easiest to install and require the least amount of care. Read on to learn how to install a laminate kitchen countertop.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Laminate
• Contact cement
• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• Straight edge
• Flat file
• Laying sticks
• Paraffin wax block
• Clamps
• Belt sander
• Router with laminate bit
• Rubber roller (or mallet)
• Paint brush
• Lacquer thinner
• Soft cloth

Preparation

1. Prepare a work area with plenty of flat surfaces to lay the laminate out. Mark the length of the longest piece needed to cover the wooden surface of the countertop.

2. Clamp the straight edge onto the laminate allowing the distance from the bit to the outside edge of the router base and cut the first length. Repeat this step for all the lengths needed.

3. If there is a corner in the countertop, measure to the wall on each leg of the countertop as if you were going to overlap the two sections.

4. Measure the depth of the countertop and add one inch. Mark the laminate, clamp the straight edge in place to ensure a straight cut with the router and cut the depth.

5. Measure and cut 2 inch strips and cut them using the procedure in Step 2. Lay these strips aside from the rest of the laminate as they will be the first applied to the edge of the wood surface countertop.

Laying the Laminate Edge

6. Spread contact cement with brush on the 2 inch strips of laminate as well as the front edges of the countertop. Allow the contact cement to dry to a tacky texture.

7. Beginning in a corner, carefully place the laminate strips onto the front edges of the countertop. Be certain to allow the strip to hang over the top and the bottom of the wood edge. Roll with rubber roller or tap lightly with rubber mallet.

8. 
   Working the edge

   Cut the laminate smooth with the wood surface with the router. This will leave a rough edge. Next, sand the top edge of the strip with the belt sander lightly to make it level with the flat surface of the wood countertop.

9. The inside corners will have to be filed to fit the wood countertop because the router will not allow the cut. Carefully apply pressure using the edge of the file to accomplish this. Take care not to break laminate below the surface of the wood countertop.

10. Clean off excess glue that may be on the laminate with the soft cloth and lacquer thinner.

Laying the Surface Laminate

11. Mark the sink opening on the laminate and cut a hole in the center just big enough for the router bit to fit into it.

12. Do this step now if the sink section of the laminate fits into a corner. Overlap the laminate and clamp them into place. Use the straight edge to draw a line from the back corner to the front corner of this section of the laminate.

13. 

    Clamp straight edge in place in order to use the router to cut this line. This is to ensure a tight seam. Clean all saw dust from the laminate and the wood countertop.

14. 
    Glue sticks

    Spread contact cement on the flat surface of the wood countertop and the laminate. When glue becomes tacky, lay the glue sticks on top of the wood surface and then place the laminate on top of the sticks. Use care not to allow the laminate to touch the wood surface.

15. 

    Remove glue sticks one at a time taking care around areas that have seams. With sticks removed roll the laminate solidly to the wood surface with the rubber roller, or tap it down with a rubber mallet. Coat the edges with paraffin wax and cut off excess with router. Cut the sink hole in the same fashion. File edges with the file to remove sharp edges and clean laminate with a soft cloth and lacquer thinner.

Tips & Warnings

• Always wear safety glasses.
• In some cases the 2 inch edge strips can be purchased already cut.
• Practice with the file before using it on the finished product.
• Use plenty of paraffin wax.
• If you are good with freehand router cutting, this can substitute for the filing of the inside corners.
• Be sure to remove all sharp edges with the file.
• Provide adequate ventilation when using contact cement.

Resources

• More information about laminating countertops