School me on Countertops

[Thaco]

So i am re-doing my kitchen, so far i have been able to do everything myself but this is the one topic that eludes me....

School me on countertops... I am looking for something in a dark colour (grey/black) also i would like something reasonably priced, and something that will be pre-cut to my measurements so i can just drop it in place.

I've already got my Ikea kitchen, just working on the reno now but I'll be looking for a corner section roughly 102*42" with a sink cutout and another straight section 30", i'd like to keep it under around $800

[Thaco]

this is basically what i am looking at

[C_Dave45]

Originally posted by Thaco
i'd like to keep it under around $800

Arborite/Formica Laminate. You'd be lucky to even get that for under $800. But it's quite easy to do yourself.

[Thaco]

any idea where i can get it cut? i need an L shape and am not comfortable doing that myself, no problem installing it, its just the corner cut i cant do.

[jwslam]

kind of on topic: Have you decided what kind of joint? A 45? one of these doglegs? Other?


» Click image for larger version

[C_Dave45]

Originally posted by Thaco
any idea where i can get it cut? i need an L shape and am not comfortable doing that myself, no problem installing it, its just the corner cut i cant do.

Well you wouldn't actually cut the laminate before installation in your case. (Other than the strips for the face of the top). You build your countertop out of two layers of MDF, cut that to size and shape, and secure, then you glue the laminate to the counter top. You use a router to cut it to the shape of the MDF. You would need two sheets for your layout. As long as the distance from that inside corner to the stove was less than 48", (although you CAN get 60" sheets, I think they might be special order) that would be one sheet. Then you'd need another sheet for the little section.

You use a carbide tip awl to score and snap the laminate. You make it slightly larger than needed then router to the edge after its glued. You wouldn't want to make a large L-cut before installing it, as it would very likely split when putting it in place.

Very basic laminate install:

Originally posted by jwslam
kind of on topic: Have you decided what kind of joint? A 45? one of these doglegs? Other?


» Click image for larger version

That particular seam is using a solid surface material (that pic is of Corian) which can be sanded and polished after it's put together. You couldn't do a seam like that with Laminate. If you had to do two pieces then you would either want to seam right in the middle of the sink, or just a straight/mitred seam at the corner. Making a good laminate seam is quite tricky. The OP shouldn't need to seam in his case.

[speedog]

Gluing laminate to counter top, people need to remember to put the contact cement on both the counter top and the laminate - I've got a job coming up that involves replacing counter tops in 79 units because the original installers only put contact cement on one side and the laminate is now lifting. Also be aware, that when the glued up laminate touches the glued up counter top, it's a one shot deal - if you're using a laminate that has a pattern needs to aligned in a certain way then the contact is even a bigger deal.

[C_Dave45]

Originally posted by speedog
... the original installers only put contact cement on one side and the laminate is now lifting.

Good God, how do these tradesmen even get contracts like this when they obviously don't know the first thing about their trade?!!!!
It would be like me not knowing what type of bonding material to use in a steam shower.
And then the true professionals are left to try and bid against these glorified DIY'ers.
Fuckin annoying as hell.

[speedog]

Originally posted by C_Dave45


Good God, how do these tradesmen even get contracts like this when they obviously don't know the first thing about their trade?!!!!
It would be like me not knowing what type of bonding material to use in a steam shower.
And then the true professionals are left to try and bid against these glorified DIY'ers.
Fuckin annoying as hell.

Gonna be a PITA because all units are occupied save for one where we will be able to set up shop. In some cases we're going to have to remove cabinets to get the existing counter tops out - not a cheap fix for whomever is footing the bill.

[mr2mike]

You could check out Floform
http://floform.com/

They can build the laminated sheets.
You just need to pick up and install.

But some knowledge of installing is helpful because I know it can get frustrating getting it straight and level against the wall and have the corners line up.

[Thaco]

Thanks for all the info guys... this is the only part of the reno that i am not confident i can do myself, i think i might call around for some quotes, this is going to be the most obvious part so i want it to be perfect

[spikerS]

https://www.rustoleum.com/product-ca...ransformations

get it at HD for couple hundred bucks.

[Thaco]

Originally posted by spikerS
https://www.rustoleum.com/product-ca...ransformations

get it at HD for couple hundred bucks.

wont work for me, i changed the layout a fair amount.

[C_Dave45]

If you go with someone like FloForm, be prepared to double his budget at least. I've done work for them, they're not cheap. Good work, but you pay for it.

[mr2mike]

I guess that's how they got their larger, sparkling new show room in the old SpeedTech spot.

[Thaco]

I talked to the lady at lowes, who was not very customer service friendly, but she quoted me ~$650 for a laminate, but its 4-5 weeks lead time and i should have my cabinets in within the next 2-3 days, dont really want to be without a kitchen for that long... i have no problem with a seam in the corner at a 45, just need someone or some place that can cut it for me or provides pre-cuts with angles on em already and install the hardware or the routed section for the miter bolts.

[Thaco]

here's the actual measurements, i wanted to get the cabinets in before i work on the countertop just to ensure 100% that the measurements are accurate, its a 40 year old house, nothing is straight or level, lol.. Also ikea has weird filler pieces recommendations and stuff that i don't quite understand so i am not sure i will follow them.



Basically the L piece is 102x42 and there's another 30" section

[C_Dave45]

Originally posted by Thaco
I talked to the lady at lowes, who was not very customer service friendly, but she quoted me ~$650 for a laminate, but its 4-5 weeks lead time and i should have my cabinets in within the next 2-3 days, dont really want to be without a kitchen for that long... i have no problem with a seam in the corner at a 45, just need someone or some place that can cut it for me or provides pre-cuts with angles on em already and install the hardware or the routed section for the miter bolts.

If that's an "installed" price, I'd snap that up and just wait for it.
Even doing it all yourself, you're looking at $2-300 just for arborite, MDF, glue etc.
The last kitchen I did with laminate I had my buddy do it for me for cash and a favor and it was $1,000 for a similar layout.

[Thaco]

Originally posted by C_Dave45

If that's an "installed" price, I'd snap that up and just wait for it.
Even doing it all yourself, you're looking at $2-300 just for arborite, MDF, glue etc.
The last kitchen I did with laminate I had my buddy do it for me for cash and a favor and it was $1,000 for a similar layout.

that was a pick it up at the store price, but for a complete single piece (for the L shape, also included the separate 30" piece) i believe...


I might just end up doing this, might just go to ikea and buy their $80 in stock countertop and toss it on there just to get us by for the 4-5 weeks. only other problem is ikea is out of stock on my sink, and if i am paying someone to custom make the countertop, i may as well have them do the sink hole too

[Swank]

Originally posted by spikerS
https://www.rustoleum.com/product-ca...ransformations

get it at HD for couple hundred bucks.

Very slick, I might have to try this out for my garage counter tops!