OVERVIEW on Kitchen Countertops:
The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your home, and the right choice for kitchen countertops is key to the successful execution and ongoing use of the space. Now more than ever, you can choose from a diverse range of kitchen counter materials. For each aspect of home design and remodeling you can also strive to make choices that are 1) Functional, 2) Stylish, 3) Cost-Effective, and 4) Environmentally Sustainable. These are the four key guiding principles in the GREENandSAVE strategy. You will find that in certain cases, one or two of the criteria take precedent over others. However, as you review the home improvement options that are right for your home, you may be surprised to learn that reaching all four is more achievable than you thought.
Selection Tip: In choosing a kitchen countertop material make sure to think through its integration with your kitchen cabinets, appliances, and the backsplash that will work best for your design and installation. Solid surface and natural stone materials typically need to be precut prior to installation versus tiles that can be cut and set right on the job site. Kitchen countertop backsplashes sometimes look great when they match the countertop material, but you can alternatively enhance the countertop material by choosing a different tile to run from the top edge of the counter all of the way up to the underside of the head cabinet. If you decide on the tiles, also take care in choosing the right color grout and look for new tile grouts that are stain resistant.
DETAILS on Formica Countertop Installation:
The technique for installing countertops is different for every type of surface material. While it is possible that accomplished do-it-yourselfers could make an excellent job of installing a kitchen countertop all by themselves, it is recommended you call on the services of a professional. After all, you don’t want to spend thousands on a the raw materials – only to cut it wrong or seal in incorrectly.
The following installation examples are intended for informational purposes only, and are not a complete guide to installing a countertop.
Carefully clean and then sand the surface (such as plywood or particle board) where the laminate will be applied, taking care to remove all paint or varnish. Cut the laminate to the pre-measured size required using a circular saw or utility knife. Be sure to cut the laminate slightly oversize to allow for trimming later on. Roughen up the surface to be covered with coarse sandpaper and ensure all sanding residue is brushed or blown away. Apply either contact cement or epoxy adhesives evenly to both the laminate and the counter surface with a brush. Allowing the surfaces to dry for the recommended time. Position the laminate sheet over the countertop surface, being careful not to let them touch until the alignment is perfect. Use a roller to apply even pressure to the top of the laminate to bond the two surfaces together. Trim the surplus laminate with a router or a file. Remove extra cement with a solvent designed for this purpose.
GREEN Considerations:
Environmental awareness is driving research towards eco-friendly products, which are not only more friendly for the environment, but also stronger and more durable in terms of materials.
When installing kitchen countertops look for adhesives and compounds that are toxic free and take care to dispose of any waste in the most environmentally friendly manner. Naturally, try to reduce, or encourage your installer to reduce, the total amount of waste materials.
