Laminate Countertops?

Question

Whats a inexpensive way to cover an old laminate countertop?

My Mom actually used washable/wipeable contact paper to dress hers up!

Answer 1

You can put another layer of Laminate over your existing countertop.
To do that, you must sand the surface of your present counter tops. Your doing that so the new top will stick.
Here's what you do: Using Kraft paper (pick it up at a paint store) make a pattern of your existing counter top/s,,transfer that pattern to the New piece of laminate and cut out what has to be cut.
Now sand the old laminate (enough to break the surface of the old laminate).
Next, make sure you have another piece of Kraft paper a little bigger than the laminate your putting on.
Put contact cement on the old counter top and on the new piece your installing. When the contact cement is dry, put that extra piece of kraft paper over the old counter top (don't worry it won't stick). Now put the new piece of laminate over the Kraft paper(cement side down). Holding the new laminate in place, pull the Kraft paper out from between both pieces. Once the 2 contact coated surfaces meet, they'll stick, so do it right the 1st time. Going from back to front, work the new laminate down (to get rid of any air pockets).

Note: This system works fine if your existing counter top/s have square corners,fronts and back splashes. If there rounded,Forget it, it won't work, "You" can't bend laminates, you don't have the equiptment. But the lumber company you get the laminate at does or their source does. You just have to supply them with a pattern of your counter top/s you want covered.

As to using ceramic tile, same same , you can't bend it either and even the ceramic tile dealer can't bend it. Also, try cutting somthing (food) on ceramic, you'll need a cutting board.

As to using "Butcher Block", it sure looks nice, but it sure grows bacteria real well. You have to clean it after every use. The food particles get into the grain of the wood and "wa-la" a new batch of bacterial starts growing.

Answer 2

Yes you can paint them and tile them.You can also re-laminate them.You can glue laminate over the old laminate.You just have to rough up the surface with sandpaper and use contact cement.

Answer 3

I would get creative since you're covering a crappy surface you can't really make it much worse...you can use materials that fit over the top, even granite, concrete (build a form, you have to polish it), or butcher block, you can tile if you use 1/8th in backerboard first.

Answer 4

Tiles?? Not too inexpensive though - by the time you have bought tiles, grout and edging ones!

Answer 5

epoxy paint from sherwin williams