Plastic laminate is versatile, and useful for both floors and tabletops!
Laminate countertops are a surprisingly flexible, attractive, and beautiful alternative to other types of countertops and tabletops, like marble and granite. If you are interested in using a laminate countertop or tabletop in your kitchen or home, here’s what you need to know.
Why Laminate?
Plastic laminate tabletops are very popular with homeowners looking for a cost-effective and beautiful option. Plastic laminate is known for being:
- Inexpensive and typically much less than natural stone
- Durable over many years of wear and tear
- Unique and not something that everyone else has in their home
- Available without the unattractive dark edge that kept many people from purchasing these tabletops
Making a Plastic Laminate Tabletop
Creating a plastic laminate tabletop isn’t too difficult, even if you have never worked with the material before. Start by gathering two pieces of ¾ inch particleboard, cut longer than the final size of the tabletop. Use carpenter’s glue on the bottom piece of particleboard and screw the two together. Trim the plastic laminate tabletop area to size so that you have a perfect edge.
Cut the plastic laminate into the size you need (about an inch larger than the actual plastic laminate tabletop will be). Since it is a brittle material, make sure that you have something supporting it from below to avoid cracking or damage to the material itself. Next, cut it to length and glue the laminate using an appropriate adhesive. Use slip sticks to ensure that the plastic laminate doesn’t bond to the surface too quickly.
Next, trim the plastic laminate so that it perfect lines up with the hardwood edge of the tabletop. Go slowly to ensure a thorough job. Last but not least, finish the hardwood edge with wood stain or paint. That’s it! Now you can enjoy dinner or just about anything else on your durable tabletop.
Hire a Wonderful Craftsman for Your Interior Design and Architectural Millwork
Mahogany Inc. is a general contractor that specializes in quality construction for residential and commercial projects. We have the expertise and experience to tackle whatever your custom woodwork job is (and acquire those hard to find woods you might want to use!). If you are looking for work that will set your living room, kitchen, or business apart, contact us online or give us a call at (410) 727-0334. To see examples of our wonderful work and see what our customers have to say, check us out on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest.