A kitchen countertop is defined as a horizontal surface used for food preparation. Countertops are made from different materials either man made or natural, each with their own advantages and downsides. More materials are now available to choose from, ranging from concrete to stainless steel.

Common countertop materials include solid surface that are resistant to water and heat, quartz which gives a hard surface, granite with its natural beauty, and other special materials made from wood, stone or metal that you can personalize. One of the famous countertop material currently are laminate, they are easy, inexpensive, and easy to apply. It is one of the cheapest countertop available, costing $35 to $45 per square foot. The most common misconception of laminate countertops is that they are plastic, but the truth is they are different entities- they are more like distant relatives.

Laminate countertops have different designs, colors, and patterns; they are available as glossy finish or even dull sheets. The laminated sheets are made from papers that are soaked in resin and held together to form a sheet through pressure and high temperatures, a base of chip wood is placed under this layer. A thick laminate is employed for horizontal areas while thin laminate is commonly encountered in vertical areas. The disadvantage of laminate countertop is that it is fragile; it gets chipped off easily and scratched, allowing water to sip in the wooden base. The upside of laminate is that it requires little maintenance, cleans easily with just water & soap, resist moisture, can be installed in a short period of time, last longer, cost less to repair, resist bacteria, and can last for 30 years. Laminate are also used in the bathroom and laundry room besides the kitchen.

Laminate countertops are the perfect way to reflect you style to your kitchen design since it is available in 250 patterns and colors, it is simple to apply and thus making yearly makeovers within reach. Installing laminate countertops on your own can help you save money, and with the proper technique it can also help you save money and effort. Sheets with thickness of 1/16″ to 1/32″ are recommended, which can be cut by saw or utility knife.

Before applying the sheets it is important sand the countertop first in order to have a clean surface devoid of varnish or paints. Laminate sheets can be applied using epoxy adhesives or contact cement. Apply an even layer of cement using a brush or wood paddle to both the countertop and the back of the sheet, once they are dry to touch then you can carefully lay the sheets, making sure to get an accurate position before placing the first contact. If you are not sure about the precise positioning, then you can use dowel rods placed in between the sheet and the countertop until you are ready to place the sheets in their proper positions. After positioning, use a roller on the newly laid sheets while applying firm pressure to get rid of air bubbles and to secure the attachment of the laminate. The excess cement can be removed either with solvent or nail polish remover. Whatever your budget is there will always be a laminate countertop available to suit your individuality.

Author Bio: William I. Neil is an architect, providing home improvement information and business directory listing about laminate countertops also categories, e.g. granite countertops

Category: Home Management
Keywords: laminate countertops, countertops, countertop, home, home decoration, home improvement, kitchen