How to Build a Laminate Countertop 08

Kitchen And Bathroom Renovation : How to Build a Laminate Countertop 08


Repairing & Maintaining Laminate

Laminate countertops can be found in more kitchens than any other type of countertop material. The main
reason is that laminate is versatile and inexpensive. It’s stain resistant, durable, sanitary, and it’s the only
material that requires no maintenance aside from regular cleaning (you can’t say that about even the most expensive marble or stainless steel surfaces). If you like the look of laminate, its only real drawbacks are that it’s susceptible to damage.

Topping the list of common laminate damage problems are knife marks, burns, delamination, and misaligned or curling seams. While damaged laminate cannot be easily repaired and scars cannot be removed, there are some simple repairs you can make to spruce up your laminate.

Did someone forget to use a cutting board? You can help hide scratches and light gouges in laminate with
a commercial seam filler, available from laminate manufacturers. For chips or small holes, you can purchase a repair kit from home and hardware stores. Seam filler and repair kits consist of a plastic compound that you mix to match the color of your surface. Follow the product directions for mixing and applying the patch. Again, the repair won’t be invisible, but it’s better than doing nothing.

Burn marks are next on the list, as many a laminate countertop has been marred by a hot pan, a fallen cigarette, or a potholder left too close to a stovetop burner. If the burn is near a cooking area, you’re in
luck: you can cut out the damage and set a large tile into the surface to create a built-in trivet.

A vinyl and leather repair kit can be used to make touch up repairs on laminate countertops. To use this kit, prepare the repair area with an abrasive pad, blend paints to achieve similar color, apply the paint to the repair area, cover with a clear coat, and then heatset with a household iron after the paint dries.

Seam-filling compound is purchased pre-tinted to match common plastic laminate colors. It can be used to repair minor chips and scratches or to fill separated seams between laminate sheets.

Use a J-roller to re-bond loose or bubbled laminate to its substrate. Heat the repair area with an iron first.