Yes, you can glue down laminate sheets to plywood or particle wood. This will allow you to create a brand new countertop without 100% replacing the unit itself. It already has the laminate added, and no gluing is required.
Table of Contents
3 Ways To Install Laminate Worktops:
- The first is to remove the existing laminate covering and stick a new one on the wooden worktop.
- The second option is to remove all of the existing worktop, buy plywood or particle wood, cut it to the right size, glue it with a new laminate and screw it on top of the kitchen cabinets.
- The third option is the precut method which involves the removal of the existing wooden worktop. And a ready made laminate worktop of the same size is attached to the top of the kitchen cabinets.
Here’s a video on how to install sheet laminate:
1. Installing New Laminate To Existing Worktops
Before starting, turn off the water and the electricity supply. Remove the sink and anything else in the way.
Removing, Cleaning And Measuring
Removing the existing laminate sheet on the worktop allows you to glue down a new laminate to the countertop. Scratching and scraping are necessary to remove the existing laminate. A belt sander is required, and a metal file will help finish the job.
Clean off any dirt and scattered pieces of trash and debris from the surface. Accurately measure the length and width of the countertop where the laminate is to go. Double check the measurements for accuracy, mistakes are the last thing you want.
Using a pencil, mark the rear side of the laminate and add an inch to the front and sides of the laminate. There is no need to add space to the section against the back wall (known as the backsplash). The additional inch will be trimmed to the correct size with a router later on.
Affordable Laminate Countertops that Look Like Wood
Do White Laminate Countertops Stain?
Cutting The Laminate
Cut the laminate to size using a trim router. You can also use a knife but using an electrical trim router is the quick and efficient option.
What Is Contact Cement?
Contact cement (also referred to as contact adhesive) is a strong glue. By coating two surfaces, the two exteriors glue together to form a strong permanent bond. Because of its strong adhesive properties, it is used to glue laminate to the countertop
Applying Contact Cement To The Laminate And The Worktop
You apply contact cement glue to the back of the laminate with a roller. Let it dry and give it another coating. You will also apply contact cement to the worktop with a roller. Again, let it dry and give it another coating. Let the contact cement dry for 15 to 20 minutes.
Laminate Countertops that Look Like Stone
Finishing The Gluing Process.
Place some wooden dowels on the countertop about 10 inches apart perpendicular to the surface. Now lower the laminate onto the countertop. This way, it does not stick immediately to the countertop and allows the laminate to position correctly.
Remove the centre dowel, which will allow the laminate to fall onto the countertop. Press down and start removing the remaining dowels. As you continue to press down, move from the centre to the outward areas. Use a roller to ensure the laminate sticks well to the countertop.
Removing Excess Laminate
Use the trim router to remove the excess laminate and utilise a file to smooth and fine finish the laminate. And finally, take some acetone to wipe down the edges and the top surface to remove excess contact cement.
Repositioning The Sink
You will need to reposition the sink, but the sink area has laminate over it! Using the trim router, cut out the correct size area of the laminate to allow the sink to go back into the correct position
Laminating The Edges
Cut the correct size laminate to fit the worktop edge. Apply contact cement to both the laminate and the countertop and glue the laminate to the worktop.
Finishing Off
Replace the sink back in position. Caulk the outside section of the sink and the area against the back wall. This will ensure water does not enter the countertop and cause damage.
2. Installing A Laminate Countertop By Replacing The Existing Countertop
There are two options. Here you would take:
- A new plywood or particle wood worktop and glue a laminate or
- Take a precut laminate countertop and install it in place of the existing one.
The Groundwork To Install The Laminate Countertop.
Using a new plywood or particle wood worktop and gluing a laminate is the more difficult option.
Before starting, turn off the plumbing and the electricity supply.
First and foremost, take the sink out and pull the old worktops from the base cabinets. Traditionally old worktops are nailed down. Newer ones are glued or screwed. You have to unscrew or yank these countertops off the existing base cabinets.
Measure the area on the base cabinets to know the size required for the new worktops. The old countertops will serve as a guide to the measurements.
Use Build Up Strips
Place build up strips on the base cabinets to provide support for the countertops. Drill holes at the front and the back of the build up strips. Then drill three holes of equal distance in the middle of the strips to allow screw installation.
Using 1.25 inch dry wall screws, attach the strips to the top and back of the cabinet. Now place build strips 18 to 24 inches along the cabinet run and screw them into the cabinet. Again use 1.25 drywall screws. Be sure to leave 2 inches from the ends.
Cutting The Plywood Or Particle Wood Countertop
With the circular saw cut the plywood or the laminated worktop to the correct size. Use the cabinet measurements you’ve taken before. Use a straight edge guide to assist you in cutting straight. Be sure to wear safety glasses to protect your eyes.
Advantages Of Pre Cut Laminate Countertop.
There is no need to trim the precut laminate as it is available in the size that will fit your existing countertop. You simply have to provide the correct measurements when purchasing the product.
Scribing The Countertop
You have to scribe the section that goes against the back wall. While the worktop is straight, there is a possibility the back wall is uneven.
The front portion of the countertop will not look uniform without any adjustments. Additionally, the gaps may be too big to be fully covered by caulk. Without the gaps fully covered, water and other substances can enter the inner parts of the worktop and cause damage.
Position the laminate on top of the countertop as if already installed allows for scribing. With the scribing tool, work out uneven areas of the wall. A scribing tool will also mark these areas accurately on the countertop, and cuts are made in these areas to enable a snug fit against the wall.
You will cut the countertop with a circular saw and sand the countertop to the line with the sand belter.
Incorporating The Sink.
Take the cut countertop and place it over the base cabinets as if the countertop is fully fitted. Place the sink in the correct position on top of the countertop and draw around the outside perimeter of the sink. Place a masking tape on the outside to protect the top of the countertop.
Draw another line 0.5 inches inside the first one you’ve just drawn on all the sides. We’ll refer to this as the “inner space.”
Use the circular saw to cut the “inner space” from the countertop. Before doing so, drill holes inside the four corners of the “inner space.” This provides a place for you to start cutting with the circular saw. After you cut the space for the sink, use a trim router to remove the excess area. And use a file to smooth and fine finish the countertop.
3. Adding Laminate To Plywood Or Particle Wood
If you are using plywood or particle wood, you will need to glue a laminate on the top. This process is the same as gluing a laminate to an existing countertop.
With the exact measurements of the countertop, measure out the laminate size. But add an inch to the front and side.
Gluing The Laminate To Plywood Or Particle Wood
Apply contact cement glue to the back of the laminate with a roller and let it dry before giving it another coating.
As before, using the roller, apply contact cement to the worktop. Allow it to dry and apply another coating. Allow the contact cement to dry for 15 to 20 minutes.
Use wooden dowels, placing them on the countertop about 10 inches apart perpendicular to the surface. Lower the laminate onto the countertop. It does not stick immediately to the countertop and allows you to position the laminate correctly.
Remove the centre dowel allowing the laminate to fall onto the countertop. Pressing down, start removing the remaining dowels moving from the centre and outwards.
Use a roller as assistance to ensure the laminate sticks thoroughly to the countertop. Use a trim router to remove the excess laminate. End by using a file to smooth and fine finish the laminate. Wipe down with acetone to remove any excess contact cement.
Installing The Countertop To Base Cabinets
You will secure the countertop to the cabinet using 1.25 inch drywall screws by screwing from the bottom of the built up strips. Ensure the screws are not driven too far as it will lead to the screws coming to the surface of the countertop.
Finishing Off
Cut the appropriate size laminate and add it to the edges. Replace the sink and finish by caulking the sink and the areas between the back wall.
