DIY laminate worktop

The kitchen is one of the main rooms in the house. Therefore, the organization of the workspace must be approached seriously. Household appliances and furniture should be placed so that they are convenient to use. One of the main attributes of the kitchen space is the countertop. It is on it that household appliances are placed and the cooking process takes place. The countertop can be made of different materials from both an array of boards, glass, chipboard and stone.

Laminate worktops for the kitchen

Laminate flooring is one of the most popular options for kitchen worktops. It has a reasonable price, as well as a wide selection of different textures and colors. The material can be glossy or matte, can imitate wood or natural stone. It is made from shavings, which are pressed, and then a decorative layer is applied. After which the product is impregnated with resin or melamine. The resulting product is quite durable, and it is very easy to take care of it.

Advantages and disadvantages of the solution

Like any other material, a laminate for a kitchen worktop has its advantages and disadvantages.

The pros include:

• The material is quite reliable. Compared to natural wood, it retains its original appearance much better with almost constant exposure to liquid, temperature and various sharp objects.
• Care. Due to the fact that the material is impregnated with resins, it does not require any special care.
• Cost. The price of a laminate flooring is significantly lower compared to other materials. At the same time, it has a long service life of about ten years.
• Appearance. Compared to other coatings, the laminate has a much wider selection of colors, textures and patterns.
• The material allows you to give the future countertop absolutely any shape.

REFERENCE. Despite the fact that the coating does not require special care, do not use cleaning agents that contain abrasive particles. This will lead to deformation of the upper layer of the product.

The disadvantages of laminate countertops are:

• Traces of grease remain on the coating.
• If there is a washing machine in the kitchen, then the vibration created by it can lead to deformation of the entire structure.
• When using harsh detergents, the appearance of the countertops spoils very quickly.
• In places where frequent temperature changes are possible, cracks may form over time.
• If the surface has chips or scratches, moisture entering through them leads to swelling of the coating.

How to make a laminate worktop with your own hands

Laminate is a material that is quite easy to use. If you have all the necessary materials, you can even cope with it yourself without any preparation.

Manufacturing steps:

• Preparatory. First you need to determine the size and shape of the future product. You also need to decide on the design, choose colors that will harmonize with the rest of the kitchen space. It is also worth considering whether the structure will have frequent contact with water. For such places it is advisable to take ready-made material. Factory worktops are covered with a special protective layer, and their edge is raised, which prevents moisture from dripping onto the floor.
• Material selection. It is necessary to decide what the product will be attached to. It can be plywood, which is quite durable and lightweight. Also suitable is MDF. It is heavier than plywood, but more durable. And due to the fact that MDF has a rough surface, the adhesive absorbs much better, which adds more structural strength.
• Next, you need to choose the right glue, since not all types of laminate have an already applied adhesive layer.
• Prepared plywood sheets must be given the desired size and shape. If the countertop should sit very tightly, you can cut off the plywood a little larger.
• Laminate is also cut to the size of the countertops. It is advisable to leave 10 mm at the edges. This will allow you to adjust the size in place after it has been glued.
• Glue is applied evenly on plywood. The same procedure is carried out with a laminate. This must be done carefully to avoid smudges.
• The glue needs to dry a little, after which the sheet of the laminate needs to be put on plywood and pressed firmly and evenly.

REFERENCE. In order for the surfaces to stick evenly, it is advisable to take a rag and treat the surface with light pressing movements from the center to the edges.

• It is necessary to prepare the edge, it must also be made of laminate. Then stick it on all available edges of the countertop.
• Using a grinding machine, you need to remove all excess.
• Use a soft, damp cloth to wipe the finished product, removing all traces of glue.

Laminate worktops can be a great kitchen solution. They are easy to manufacture, and a wide selection of colors and patterns allows you to choose the option for any room design.