How to Install Plastic Laminate Countertops

Laminate on a countertop is a durable, affordable alternative to tile or other materials. Laminate comes in many styles, but in the end it's just a sheet of hard plastic glued over the wood frame of the countertop. Whether you're installing the laminate over a brand-new particleboard frame or retopping worn old laminate, you'll use special contact cement, which is a fast-bonding glue that can be tricky to work with.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Power sander
• 100-grit sandpaper
• Tape measure
• Plastic laminate sheets
• Razor knife
• Straightedge
• Old newspapers
• Contact cement with brush
• Laminate roller
• Router with laminate bit
• Wooden dowel rods

1. Prepare the countertop frame for laminating, making sure there's no grime, gloss or obstructions. If there's a sink, remove it. If the countertop is new, bare wood, sand it down with your power sander and 100-grit sandpaper. If it's old laminate and you're going over it with the new laminate, glue down any loose laminate with contact cement, then buff the whole laminate surface with your power sander. Clean up all the dust.

2. Measure each part of the countertop that you're going to laminate. For each part, cut a piece of laminate so that it's 1 inch bigger all around than the measurement. Cut the laminate by laying it on a flat surface face up, laying a level or other straightedge on it, running your razor knife along the straight-edge, then snapping the piece.

3. Lay your laminate pieces face down on the floor on spread-out newspapers. Spread contact cement thoroughly over the back of them with the brush that comes with the cement. Spread the contact cement on the countertop as well. Allow the cement to air-dry according to the instructions on the can. The cement won't feel sticky to the touch, but will bond instantly with other contact cement, even when dry, so don't let any of the pieces touch each other.

4. Start with the laminate piece for the front vertical edge of the countertop. Carefully position the strip before letting any part of it touch the countertop. Press it in place, and immediately roll over it with your laminate roller to get it tight and squeeze out any air. The laminate should hang 1 inch over on all sides. Use your router with the laminate bit to trim the overhang at the corners.

5. For the main span over the top surface, lay your dowel rods in a row, about every foot, over the countertop. These will prevent your top laminate sheet from touching the countertop until you have the sheet correctly positioned. Lay the sheet over the rods, and position it where it belongs. Pull out the rods from the middle, one by one, pressing down on the laminate as you do. Gradually bring it in contact with the countertop, rolling out the surface with your roller. Once it's all down, trim the edges with your router, as well as the hole for the sink, if necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear eye protection when cutting the laminate with your router.

References

• Replacing a Laminate Countertop.