A Guide to Laminate Worktops

It’s basically multiple layers of material, such as melamine, fibreboard, decorative paper and an overlay which are fused together and bonded to a substrate. A process which makes a tough, durable surface. Laminate worktops are an amazing budget option, offering you a wide range of choice in terms of colour texture and overall look. They can accurately mimic other worktop materials, so you can have your granite, slate or marble-alike laminate worktop and it won’t cost a fortune. 

Laminate is one of the few materials that a DIY-er can have a go at installing, as they are easier than others to fit; however, you will need to line up a few pieces of equipment before you start. 

 

A circular power saw with a fine-tooth, thin blade is best for cutting the worktop to the length you want before you begin fitting it. You need to clamp a straight edge to guide the saw first of all. You can also use a hand saw, but a circular will make the job far quicker. You also need to take care when cutting as a circular saw can produce jagged edges so one way to avoid this is to lay the laminate face-side down and cut from the back to the front. Tricky areas such as around the sink and hob should be measured with care. You need to keep any worktop joints at least 100mm away from the sink. Hob cut outs should be at least 60mm from the back and 50mm from the front. 

All kinds of laminate have their plus points, They are after all pretty hard wearing and hygienic as well as incredibly low maintenance but if you want a worktop that’s the best of its kind in terms of durability then the choice has to be solid laminate. This is a material made from several layers of laminate compounded together to create an incredibly hard-wearing worktop. These surfaces are more durable than traditional laminate which makes them a great option for busy households. What makes the solid laminate worktop a game changer is that it is incredibly heat resistant and can sustain temperatures of up to 180° for 10 minutes. It’s also waterproof and can be used with under-mounted sinks and have drainage grooves routed into the surface. 

Laminate worktops are relatively easy to look after. You can usually just wipe them down with soapy weather and voila! Good as new. 

 

If you keep leaving streaky marks when you’re cleaning the countertops then try spraying the surface with a weak solution of warm water and vinegar and wiping with a clean rag. 

 

Maybe after a few years your laminate worktops are beginning to look a bit tired? If that is the case use a laminate polish to restore them to their gleaning former glory. Just apply, allow the polish to dry and then buff with a clean cloth. 

If using laminate polish doesn’t work, or you fancy changing the colour of your worktops then it is possible to paint them using something called worktop paint. If applied properly a one coat application can effectively conceal any imperfections and brighten up the surface. 

 

The downside: 

 

Although you can paint laminate there may be drawbacks. The nature of laminate is that it is impermeable, so while this makes it perfect when resisting stains and water damage it can mean that certain paints and varnishes just won’t adhere to the surface. And this is how you could in fact make your tired old laminate worktop look much worse, especially if it gets chipped. We are not saying this will happen every time and there are some very good paints out there that can do the job but don’t think that this will be an infallible solution. You also need to be mindful that any chips and dings can become a nice little place for germs to multiply, resulting in an unhygienic work surface and that’s really something you don’t want from your laminate worktop. 

A mason’s mitre joint is the most commonly-used method for joining two laminate kitchen worktops. This joint is also known as a butt and scribe joint or a hockey stick joint and it can be one of the most difficult jobs when installing a kitchen. You want to create clean joints so that the two worktops flow seamlessly into each other. If you can’t get the two surfaces to marry beautifully then using metal strips along the joints will hide any imperfections. 

 

A full mitre which is a 45 degree cut from one corner to another isn’t often used, as most kitchens aren’t an exact square so this means joining laminate worktops is a precise task that takes time and patience to complete. 

 

Firstly, pick a corner and work your way round from there in a methodical way. Your base units should be in position and as worktops usually have some overhang there’ll be a support bar to the front and some form of bracket at the back where your worktop will be fastened by drilling and fixing in place with screws. If there is a gap between units, a timber batten will need or be affixed to the wall at least 20mm thick, to support the worktop. 

 

Most kitchens will require you to butt together two worktops in a corner space, which means you’ll have to join the joints. You’ll do this by using bolts to hold them together. 

 

You are now ready to place your second worktop in position on top of the cabinets. To secure your second worktop in place, follow the same procedure as the first one, drilling holes from the underside of the cabinet and into the worktop, then fixing with screws. 

 

Sometimes you can use an aluminium strip joint, for example if the two worktops aren’t lying completely flush, ensure the alignment is correct and make a mark for the right fixing positions. Mark a 2mm diameter and then drill 20mm deep into the worktop. 

 

Apply silicone sealant along the cut edge. Next, screw the aluminium strip into position using long countersunk wood screws measuring 16mm in length by 3.5mm in diameter. Make sure you wipe away any excess sealant with a damp cloth. 

 

Finally fix the worktop in place using countersunk wood screws measuring 16mm in length and 5mm in diameter. Where a strip is being used, add sealant on the cut edge of the worktop join. Before fastening them together, butt one worktop against the other and then remove any excess sealant. 

 

Repeat the process for the rest of the worktops you are installing. 

 

Feel it’s time for a new laminate work surface? Get in touch by calling 01455 634 045 or sending an email to info@kitchenbathroomcreations.com.