Tools
- Laminate sheet
- Contact cement. We used ¾ gallon for about 40 square feet.
- Cheap brushes for applying contact cement
- Power sander or sandpaper sheets for roughing up the countertop surface
- Utility knife and straight edge for cutting straight lines
- Laminate cutting blade for the utility knife, plus a few spares
- Roller for applying even pressure to countertops, ensuring maximum contact
- Dowel rods for preventing contact between the two glued surfaces
- Router for cutting off excess laminate
- Straight edge bit for router
- Rasp or large file for sanding the countertop edges
- Drill for starting the sink opening
- Safety equipment: goggles, mask, shop gloves, and clean up material in case there’s an accident
Before: Kitchen Countertops
NOTE: All photos can be clicked on to increase the size.
1. Clean everything off the countertops. Wipe down with a simple cleaner. Fix any bad spots. Lightly sand all surfaces and edges then dust off.
At this angle you can see the sanded counter tops
2. Cut down laminate sheet as needed. Cut the sheets so they’re oversized to allow for trimming.
Checking the fit of the laminate sheets
3. Apply a layer of cement to the countertop and also to the back of the laminate sheet. You usually have to wait until the cemented surfaces are dry to the touch before continuing. Please follow the manufacturer’s directions.
4. Keep the cemented sheet and cemented countertop apart until they are correctly positioned. To do this, lay dowel rods about 12” apart between the two cemented pieces. Don’t worry, the dowel rods will not stick to the cement. The rods can be moved around between the surfaces while you are working. Use at least ¼ inch diameter rods – larger is better.
5. When the laminate sheet is correctly positioned, remove the dowel rods one at a time as you bond the two pieces together.
Carefully removing the dowel rods
To view more of the process, see page 3. To jump straight to the end and see the final result, as well as all of the wonderful carnivals I’m participating in, visit page 4!
[...] need to go check out the How to Install Laminate Countertops article! I just added a bunch of photos of the process. If you still have questions after [...]
Pingback by Update! | Prudent and Practical — December 22, 2008 @ 5:22 PM
Laminate was always less expensive variant than granite or quertz.
Comment by countertop — November 5, 2009 @ 6:38 AM
Laminate is really the best way out, unfortunately it is very easily scratched.
Comment by kitchen countertops — November 9, 2009 @ 6:22 AM
These look really great! I can’t believe what a difference you made for not that much money. This is a great upgrade. It’s really good of you to give such specific instructions and advice–a real service! Thank you!
Comment by Richella — January 19, 2010 @ 9:34 AM
Wow those look great. We have ceramic tile and I would love to either replace them or paint them.
Comment by Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage — January 19, 2010 @ 12:37 PM
You make this project look so easy! I’d love to change out my boring gray counters for a nice laminate (since we can’t afford granite!!) I’m bookmarking this page. Thanks!
Comment by Ashley — January 19, 2010 @ 2:24 PM
They look great! Huge difference too…thanks for the tutorial and for linking to Mi4M
Comment by cindy — January 25, 2010 @ 7:22 AM
what a great tackle and one that we will do this summer as well thanks for the great post
Comment by angie — January 26, 2010 @ 8:09 AM
Now that’s a HUGE tackle! Awesome job:-)
Comment by Susie's Homemade — January 26, 2010 @ 8:56 AM
Hi! Thanks for linking up to Trash to Treasure Tuesday with some great advice. Please add a link to REINVENTED in your post, thanks.
Comment by Kimm at REINVENTED — January 26, 2010 @ 8:30 PM
The joys of remodeling.
Comment by BarbaraLee — January 27, 2010 @ 1:29 AM
WOW! very impressive!
Comment by Stephanie — January 28, 2010 @ 9:31 PM
Great advice. I actually did paint my countertops to look like granite (or stone) http://craftskeepmesane.blogspot.com/2010/01/i-painted-my-countertops.html
Comment by Kaysi @ Keeping It SImple — January 30, 2010 @ 11:01 AM
Those look great. I would love to have you be on my list for Tutorials. I am going to be starting a weekly tutorial. Let me know what you think.
cheri.peoples@live.com
I also have a fun give-a-way starting tonight.
THIS IS ON MY FAVS LIST and will be posted in a bit.
Cheri
Comment by Cheri Peoples — January 31, 2010 @ 4:34 PM
You left out one inexpensive countertop choice in your list. Butcher block!! We plan on using maple butcher block countertops from Lumber Liquidators, and can do our whole kitchen for less than a thousand dollars! Butcher block looks beautiful, and you can stain it any color you like. And when it gets scratched or cut, it just adds character. And you can always sand it and start over with a new finish!
Comment by beth — February 1, 2010 @ 11:02 AM
This looks so good! We did this in out first house a few years ago, and watching all your work makes me kinda tired!
Great job. Come back again and show us the cabinets!
Comment by Remodelaholic — February 1, 2010 @ 1:18 PM
That’s fantastic, looking at selling my house, and really need to update the kitchen, but not spend much money. This idea really fits the bill, thanks for taking the time to share
Gavin
Webmaster at Tennis Supply
Comment by Gavin — April 22, 2011 @ 6:14 AM