How to Use a Sheet of Laminate on a Rounded Countertop

Laminate sheets that are used for countertop surfaces come in rectangular sheets, which are glued to the surface of the counter. However, not all counters are square; some have rounded corners or curves that will require cutting the laminate to the correct shape. You can use a sheet of laminate on a rounded countertop by measuring, tracing and then cutting a template out of paper or cardboard.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Masking tape
• Pencil
• Paper
• Scissors
• Saber saw
• Plywood sheet
• Saw horses
• C-clamps

1. Measure the width and length of the countertop and then place a sufficient number of paper sheets or cardboard over the top of the counter.

2. Place strips of masking tape where the sheets of paper overlap to connect the sheets together.

3. Draw a line on the underside of the paper along the edge of the countertop with a pencil. This will outline the shape of the countertop on the paper.

4. Take the paper outline off of the countertop and move it to a flat surface, such as a piece of plywood placed on two saw horses.

5. Cut along the pencil mark with a pair of scissors to create a template of the countertop.

6. Place a sheet of laminate, face down, on the plywood.

7. Place the paper template on top of the sheet of laminate and secure it using small pieces of masking tape.

8. Trace around the template to draw a line representing the round shape or curves on the sheet of laminate.

9. Secure the sheet of laminate to the plywood using c-clamps. Place a c-clamp on each side of the sheet of laminate.

10. Cut along the pencil mark you drew on the sheet of laminate with a saber saw. A saber saw will allow you to cut a round or curved shape in the laminate.

11. Release the c-clamps and set the piece of cut laminate on the countertop to confirm the fit.

Tips & Warnings

• Start the saw before you start to cut into the laminate. This will prevent jagged edges when the saw starts cutting.
• Cutting into the laminate face up on the plywood can leave jagged edges on the finished side of the laminate.

References

• How to Install Plastic Laminate Countertops

Resources

• Cutting Laminates