Ideas for the Kitchen: Renew Kitchen Countertops (DIY) - Family Handyman

Laminate Countertops - 10 Impressive New Looks - Bob Vila Things To Know Before You Get This

Beginning with the correct substrate produces a good structure for the countertop. Particleboard has a uniform, clear surface perfect for accepting the contact cement and leaving a smooth surface. Unfortunately, it doesn't come any thicker than 34 inch, which isn't enough for a countertop. You'll need to double up at the edges to develop a 1-inch face and raise the counter greater.

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However, he makes sure to paint the underside of any counter that will sit over a dishwashing machine, washing device, or dryer with a thick coat of primer to protect versus moisture. Pasting the laminate to the particleboard is the trickiest part of building a counter. Two surfaces coated with contact cement bond the moment they touch.

" Because as soon as it's stuck, it's stuck." Separating the 2 surfaces with dowels will give you the opportunity to line whatever up prior to you adhere the parts. There's  Related Source Here  to the method you laminate any counter in order to conceal visible edges. The side edges go on first, then the front edge, and lastly the top.

How to Polish a Formica Countertop - Hunker for Beginners

Matching laminate edges is very challenging, which is likewise why you need to prepare for as few seams as possible; if they are necessary (just like an L-shaped surface, like the one revealed here), your best choice is to laminate two pieces individually, then join them. You can likewise pick to make a backsplash piece, which connects to the back of the counter before you mount the entire piece to the cabinets or the wall.

Cut 4-inch strips of particleboard to line the underside of each edge. Glue and screw the strips to the sheet with 1-inch screws. Make certain the edges are completely flush. If you will be connecting two countertop sections, size and set up the strips on one piece to extend beyond completion of the sheet and fit under the nearby piece (see summary).

Dry-fit the countertop sections prior to laminating them, and ensure pieces fit securely. Sand the joint with 100-grit paper to correct any inequalities. To make an actually tight joint in between 2 particleboard pieces, back-cut the end of one piece by tilting your circular saw blade to 5 degrees. Cut the laminate Thoroughly unroll the laminate and lay it on a flat surface area, faceup.