Laminate Countertops: An Installation Guide

You’ve finally located the perfect laminate for your home renovation project with the correct pricing, style, color, and more. Although the job will take a long time, it will be well worth it. Whether you’re looking to boost your home’s resale value or give it a facelift, remodeling your kitchen is a certain way to feel accomplished.

Getting the area ready for the laminate sheets is the first step.

Take away the outdated countertop
Smooth out with sand
Scrub the floor clean.
Before applying contact cement, roughen up the surface with some sandpaper.
Use back lamination to prevent water from seeping into the countertop if necessary.
Note*

Getting that polished finish requires removing any traces of paint, varnish, or glue.

The laminate sheets must then be prepared for use.

Determine the required size and form by measuring the area of contact.
To precisely cut your laminate sheets, we advise using a utility knife or fine-tooth backsaw. (A circular, backsaw, or saber saw would also work.)
a. Leave a margin of error of a few centimeters to ensure the laminate fits; you can always trim the sheets to size later.

b) When slicing the sheets, it’s best to do so on the decorative side and at a shallow slant.

Step three entails preparing the surface and laminating the sheets to be used.

If you want to bond laminate to your surface, experts advise utilizing contact cement. (Epoxy adhesives can also be used for this purpose.)

Apply contact cement to the surface you’ll be applying the laminate to using a paintbrush.
Spread a thin layer of contact cement on the laminate sheets’ backs.
Follow the drying time instructions provided with the contact cement.
Do not let the cement dry for too long, as this can weaken the bond.

b. Generally, it is ready if the contact feels dry to the touch.
Remember* You might need an extra coat of contact cement on the trim around the countertop’s edges.

Putting down the laminate sheets is the fourth stage.

This process requires extreme caution. Contact cement has an initial binding strength of 50-70%. The laminate sheets must be positioned accurately before they come into contact. Wrapping paper, wooden dowels, or wood strips, all work well.

Space the wood strips or dowel rods out about a foot to accommodate a larger laminate sheet. You may also cover it with some wrapping paper. (When using laminate sheets on a vertical surface, you can skip this).
After the laminate sheets have been appropriately positioned on the surface, the strips of wood, dowel rod, or wrapping paper can be removed.
Apply pressure with a roller over the entire surface to remove air bubbles and ensure the plastic laminate is well-adhered. A wooden block or mallet will also do the trick; when utilizing one of these instruments, it is best to work from the center outward.
The larger laminate sheet should be placed over the smaller one to create the seam. Make a clean cut through the overlapping sheets, then peel off the extra lamination.
Fifth, laminate sheets are attached to the perimeter.
Take careful measurements of the edges and cut the laminate sheets to size. Always leave a few centimeters of sheet length to trim and fit it to the required dimensions.
Use two coats of contact cement to seal the edge of the working surface.
To plastic laminate strips, apply a single coat of contact cement.
Please wait the time specified in the package instructions before handling the contact cement.
Place laminate sheets carefully, ensuring the top edge of the sheet is flush with the top of the counter.
Take your time and apply steady pressure to make sure the sheet is well adhered to.

As a last step, clean and touch up your new counter.

Let the contact cement cure ultimately.
Use a router fitted with a laminate-specific blade or a file for short overhangs to remove any laminate from the edges. A minor mistake could cause the laminate sheets to shatter, so take your time and be careful.
Nail polish remover can also be used to clean up any stray bits of contact cement if you don’t have access to the proper solvent.
Visit our sister site, Pergo laminate Flooring [http://www.pergo-laminateflooring.com], for information on laminate flooring, or visit our site for more information on how to install laminate countertops [http://www.installinglaminatecountertops.com].

Before beginning any job, it is essential to examine local, county, and state regulations on home improvements. While we hope that you find this article beneficial, we strongly advise you to seek a professional’s advice before beginning any home improvement project. Therefore, the writer and publisher of this piece accept no responsibility for any harm that may come from reading it or acting on its advice.

Richard L. McCaffery penned the article.

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