| ate countertops are beautiful, durable and easy to | | | | attached to the cabinets from the underside with |
| care for. They are also reasonably easy for the | | | | wood screws. |
| average do-it-yourself homeowner to install. Laminate | | | | Sheet Laminate Countertops |
| countertops can be purchased as a preformed top | | | | Instead of using preformed laminate countertop |
| countertop section, which simply needs to be installed | | | | material, you can purchase sheet laminate and make |
| on top of the cabinets, or as sheet laminate which will | | | | your own countertop. Although it is usually |
| be fastened to a countertop support structure. | | | | recommended not to install new sheet laminate over |
| Preformed Laminate Countertops | | | | top of an existing laminate surface, it is possible to do |
| These are extremely popular and are easy to install. | | | | this if absolutely necessary because of project budget |
| One of the advantages of this type of laminate | | | | restraints. If you are constructing a new support core |
| countertop is the fact that the backsplash area is | | | | for the laminate countertop, you will want to cut the |
| already pre-molded right onto the back of the | | | | wood to the proper size and shape for the countertop |
| countertop, and the front has a curved edge, or some | | | | area, making sure to clean the dust and debris off of |
| other decorative type of edge profile treatment. This | | | | each wood support core piece before applying the |
| style of laminate countertop can be purchased in | | | | laminate. |
| sections to form whatever countertop shape is | | | | The cut edges of the wood support will be covered |
| needed, using miter joints to connect the sections. | | | | first in strips of sheet laminate, using the adhesive. |
| Before purchasing or ordering this style of laminate | | | | Once the edges are in place, let them dry and cure |
| countertop, you will need to measure the area | | | | thoroughly before proceeding, and trim if necessary. |
| carefully, planning for any joints or angles that you will | | | | The sheet laminate will then be cut to the basic size |
| need to make. You will also need end cap kits to | | | | for each piece, and laminate adhesive is used to apply |
| match your countertop, to finish off the exposed cut | | | | the surface to the wood support pieces, following the |
| edges of the countertop. | | | | adhesive label instructions. Be careful not to get |
| Before cutting this type of laminate material, protect | | | | adhesive on the edges of the pieces that have |
| the laminate surface with masking tape, draw the | | | | already been covered in laminate, and use a roller to |
| cutting guidelines onto the tape, and then use a | | | | get a good seal between the wood core and the |
| fine-tooth saw to cut the material from the top. You | | | | laminate surface. Once it has been adhered in place, |
| will also need to cut any sink cutout areas that are | | | | allow to cure. Cut the laminate surface so that it is |
| necessary. When finished, sand the cut edge so that it | | | | flush with the wood core sides, and use a file to |
| is smooth before completing the installation. When | | | | achieve smooth edges. After your countertop pieces |
| assembling a laminate countertop made from separate | | | | have been finished in laminate, you are ready to |
| sections, you will want to use fastening bolts so that | | | | assemble them and attach to the cabinets, using the |
| you can pull the joint tightly together, and use a tube of | | | | same methods that you would for preformed laminate. |
| sealant to caulk the joints. Preformed countertops are | | | | |