How to Use Sheet Laminate on Countertops
Laminated countertops come in all kinds of styles, colors and textures, but the laminate itself is pretty much the same stuff: A very thin, hard sheet of plastic that can be cut and glued to the countertop to give it a durable, waterproof surface. You can buy the sheet laminate and mount it yourself with contact cement (a chemical glue). The laminate can go over a bare particle board countertop frame, but it can also go directly over old laminate, provided the laminate is solid and not coming loose. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Hand-held power sander with 80-grit paper
- Tape measure
- Sheet laminate
- Power router with laminate bit
- Contact cement
- Brush
- Laminate roller
- Six to eight 1-inch dowel rods, 3 feet long
Instructions
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1
Use your power sander to dull the surface of the countertop. Completely remove any grime, gloss or shine from it so it's flat.
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2
Measure each span of the countertop. Lay your sheet laminate on a workbench and transfer the measurements to the sheet. Add an inch to your marks all around, the pieces will overhang the countertop. Use your router with laminate bit to cut out the pieces.
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3
Use your brush to apply a thin but complete coat of contact cement over the back of each of the laminate pieces. Apply the cement to the countertop surface in the same manner. Allow the contact cement on all surfaces to dry according to the instructions on the packaging, generally 15 to 20 minutes. Note: Though the contact cement won't feel sticky to the touch, it will bond instantly to anything else with contact cement on it, so don't let the pieces touch each other.
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4
Hold the strip of laminate for the front edge of the countertop in front of the spot where it's supposed to go. Press it to the countertop all at once, allowing the 1-inch overhang on the top and bottom. Immediately roll over it with your laminate roller to seal it in place.
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5
Use your router with laminate bit to trim off the excess laminate all along the edge.
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6
Lay your dowel rods on the main top part of the countertop, positioning them about a foot from each other, facing the front. Lay your main top piece of laminate on top of the dowel rods. Get the piece positioned correctly, then slide the dowel rods out from the front one by one, pressing the laminate down to make contact with the surface as you do. Work your way to the edges until all the rods are out. Roll over the surface with your roller.
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7
Use your router and laminate bit to trim the overhang off the edges of the top piece.
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Tips & Warnings
Laminate can splinter during cutting, so wear goggles at all times.
