Laminating a countertop is a great and economical way to create a durable and waterproof work surface. This is an ideal project for kitchen countertops or a craft room's work-counter. Using the right tools and materials, you can install laminate with relative ease. This article provides step-by-step guide to help you achieve the laminated countertop of your expectations with relevant consideration notes.

1. Prepare for the project

• It is crucial that you spend time on preparing elements that determine the finished product. The following questions will help you get there:

• How big is the countertop? For instance, a work-countertop in a craft room may need to be 24 to 36 inches wide, or a standard kitchen countertop may need to be 12 inches wide. It all comes down to the type of work done and materials used on the countertops.

• What visual effects do you want to create? The colors are a big part of this. A dark reddish-brown wood countertop is super appealing but being placed under insufficient lighting in the area, you might need to cast a lighter or brighter color on it so that you can maximize the productivity and also the visual attraction.

• How about the location of the countertops? Countertops installed near the sinks or in areas in close vicinity to water, or where other liquids are likely to be spilled, needs to be post-formed. Because post-formed countertops have an integrated back-splash and slightly raised front edge which decrease run-off from the surface, they help manage spills more efficiently.

• Have you decided on the type and finish of the laminate? There is a large selection of plastic laminates, from a range of attractive colors to realistic wood or stone designs. The textures are also diverse, from very smooth and glossy, to embossed texture. Laminate manufacturing lines have done a marvelous job in creating very closely matching laminates with the model materials they imitate. Plastic laminates come in sheets, the common measurement of which is 49 or 60 inches by 12 feet. A waste-conscious purchase would be highly beneficial for you and the environment, so best to buy sheets cut to the size of your project.

• What will you glue your laminate to? If not directly to the countertop, either plywood or MDF (medium density fiberboard) would do the trick. Read the following rough comparison to find out their advantages and limitations and decide on one that suits you:

• MDF board: less prone to warping, as it has no directional grain like wood materials do. It has denser surface, so its glue absorption is better than that of plywood. This also means the glue will dry slower. One advantage it has over plywood is that MDF board costs 25-30% less than a sanded hardwood plywood, making it a cost-effective option for a tight budget.

• Plywood's structural strength is higher. It doesn't weigh as heavily as MDF board. Plywood is typically available in a range of thicknesses, from ¼ inch to ¾ inch and a range of sizes, from 4 foot (1.2 m) by 8 foot (2.4 m). Customized sheets can be longer. Plywood can be made more moisture resistant if exterior glue is applied to it. This article will provide a guide on how to work with plywood.

• Have you selected a contact cement? There are two basic adhesive options: a water based contact cement, which is non-flammable and takes longer time to dry, and a solvent based contact cement, which is extremely flammable and faster to set. Typically, each 4x8 sheet or 32 square feet of countertop needs 1 quart of adhesive.

• How do I apply the glue? You will need disposable paint brushes or a paint roller for that. <

So, to sum it up, you will need to check before installing a laminate countertop: the size, color or visual effect, countertop's placement, laminate's type and finish, choose either plywood or MDF board to glue the laminate to if gluing it directly to the countertop is not preferred.

2. Let's start!

Materials and tools you will need:

• Laminate

• Plywood or MDF board (optional)

• Sandpaper/ Buffing material

• Jigsaw

• Router with a laminate trimming bit

• Contact cement

• Dowel rods (optional)

• Paint brushes/ paint roller

• Measuring tape

Step 1: Buffing and standing

The laminate will only stick to the existing countertop properly if it is well prepared. The countertop needs to be dull and very flat, which can be achieved by buffing and standing its surface. Make sure the dust is cleaned up completely so it does not get mixed up with glue. A glossy finish countertop is not recommended as a base for gluing laminate.

Step 2: Cut the laminate

First, measure all the different angles of the countertop. Secondly, cut out the laminate pieces to match the existing countertop. Make use of a jigsaw. For optimal success, add 1 inch on all sides of the laminate pieces. This will allow flexible adjustment if needed as once the application of contact cement does not allow error. Typically, ¼ to ½ inch is let overlap so that the material can be trimmed to fit after being glued.

Step 3: Prepare the plywood or MDF (optional – if your project does not involve laminate over plywood or MDF board, skip this step)

Cut the plywood (or MDF) to the intended size. Make it slightly larger than needed so it can be scribed and trimmed to fit. On a set of saw horses, place your plywood, and the cut sheet of laminate bottom up on a clean, flat, stable work surface so glue can be applied. Make sure the plywood and the laminate are clean after glue application.

Step 4: Applying contact cement

Brush or roll the cement onto the existing countertop and to the back of the laminate. If you are working with plywood (or MDF), apply cement on the plywood and the back of the laminate, not the countertop.

Avoid runs or thick splatters on either surface. Excessive amount of glue will create a bumpy finished surface. Allow the cement to dry a bit until all the wet appearance disappears. The cement itself will not be super sticky, but it bonds perfectly and instantly with other contact cement. Bear in mind that the countertop and the laminate pieces must not be in contact.

Step 5: Apply countertop

Projects without plywood are very straightforward at this stage. Once the cement has dried a bit, carefully lay the laminate on top of the existing countertop. Be extra careful because once the two cemented sides make contact, adjusting the countertop will be difficult. You might use a rolling pin or other equivalent tool to roll over the laminate to get rid of any air bubbles. The goal is to have the laminate bonds flat.

If you use plywood (or MDF) instead of directly laying the laminate onto the countertop, carefully place the laminate on top of the plywood, align it so it is placed fit along the ends and front edge. You need to do it quickly because repositioning them is almost impossible once the glued surfaces make contact. To prevent buckles or bubbles from forming, use a soft cloth to press laminate's surface from the center towards the edges. Ideally, there will be a minimum eighth of an inch overhang all the way around the top once the laminate pieces are pressed down. Don't start applying countertop just yet after step 6.

Step 6: Overhang

You can skip this step if you see an exact fit put together. But this is very unlikely so use a router with a laminate trimming bit to cut off any excess laminate on all edges. If your trimmer is tapered, do not set it too deeply as it can scuff the laminate below the thickness of the surface material.

When working with plywood, do the following first before working on the overhang: after the laminate and plywood are glued together, a piece of laminate needs to be cut for your edge band. Then, glue the edge band on each exposed edge. Like what you did with the top sheet, apply the contact cement to the plywood edge and the laminate's back, and allow it to dry. You may use a router to trim the unnecessary edges. Finally, fit your countertop into position after cleaning up any glue spots on the surfaces. In general, putting laminate over plywood takes a bit more time and involves more things to do.

Step 7: Dowel Rods

A very low-tech strategy, which is not entirely a must but very helpful, is to use dowel rods to ensure the laminate fit properly. Place the dowel rods from the front to the back and span the whole length of the countertop. Do the same with the laminate. Once it is in the right position, roll the rods over the laminate surface to secure it in place.

SOME EXTRA TIPS:

1. When sawing and trimming the laminate or plywood, wear safety goggles.

2. If you are not entirely confident working with laminate, ask for help. It is a fairly difficult material to handle and can easily crack if improperly supported.