Countertops

 

Countertops

Question:
We are looking to replace our old laminate countertop, can we just re-laminate overtop of the existing?
Answer:

It is possible to laminate over the existing countertop but not recommended. The concern with Laminating over existing is that you need to scratch the surface (belt sander) to ensure a good adhesive bond between the old and new laminate. Even with a wide belt sander it is extremely difficult to get a smooth surface for bonding purposes and the result is a wavy appearance. Old laminate countertops are typically removed prior to re-installation.

Question:
How long does it take to install a new laminate countertop?
Answer:

This is highly dependant on the design of a kitchen. A basic galley kitchen could be 15 minutes whereas a large U shaped kitchen with chimney notches could take upwards of 4 hours. Installation times overall vary primarily as a result of the amount of miters to assemble and notches/scribing required to fit the walls.

Question:
We are replacing our countertop with something other than laminate, what would you recommend?
Answer:

Although laminate remains a great value to consumers, there are other premium products on the market. Granite, Corian and Quartz probably make up 90% of the premium countertop market. Each product has its own features and benefits relative to performance, esthetics and overall value. This final selection of which product is “right� for you is dependant on what you want to achieve in your overall kitchen design.

Question:
Do some stores carry precut counters and can you install them by yourself? How difficult is this and what tools are necessary?
Answer:

Some stores carry blanks only. Some can cut them to your required length. You will need a drill, screws, glue, jig saw. We can also sell and cut tops to your required length.

Question:
How do I remove my kitchen countertop without ruining my kitchen cupboards?
Answer:

Your countertop should be screwed from the underside. Remove the screws and cut the silicone along the back wall. They should come off easily. If by chance they are not screwed in from the underside, it is possible the the deck was nailed or screwed on before the laminate was put on. If that's the case, the removal will be much more difficult. Then you must peel the laminate back to get at the nails or screws.

Question:
We installed gray granite tiles on our kitchen countertops. When the tile was laid in the mortar, it became much darker, almost black. Will it dry out to its original color or will it remain dark? Should we wait until it's dry to seal it?
Answer:

Are you positive that you didn't install Marble instead of Granite? If so, then yes, it will tone back down to it's original color. You do not have to wait to seal...most manufacturers suggest waiting only 48 hours before sealing. If you did infact install marble , it is possible that you may have stained it with the thinset...

Question:
A contractor installed new wood over my existing countertops then glued down new laminate. Now the laminate has lifted, creating a large bubble in a couple of places. Is there any way to fix this?
Answer:

Depending on the type of adhesive that was used you may be successful by doing the following:1. Reheat the area Lifting - get a blow-dryer and apply heat to the lifted area. Apply enough heat that it is hot to touch.2. Apply pressure to the lifted area - Use a J Roller or wooden block and apply pressure to the heated area. Be careful to apply pressure slowly as you do not want to crack the laminate in the process.3. Allow area to cool.Most Solvent based adhesives will reactivate with heat. If you are unsuccessful then the contractor most likely used a water base adhesive

Question:
I want to replace my countertops and I want to do it myself. What are my choices for countertop materials and how easy would they be to do?
Answer:

Choices are numerous including: laminate, tile, solid surface (Corian), quartz surface (Cambria), granite, soapstone, marble.Depending on the product, we have many clients that do it themselves.

Question:
When remodeling my house in Texas, I had the formica stay all in one piece and the installer molded it to go on the counter top and up the wall to meet the cabinets on the wall, so there was no seams. Is there anyone in the area that does this? That has the type of machine to heat it and mold it?
Answer:

Integral laminate backsplash is generally 4"" tall in our market area. You may want to look into using solid surface for a seam free appearance.

Question:
Do I need to remove the current countertop or can I tile on top of it?
Answer:

Is your countertop Ceramic Tile or Formica? Either way you can go over both, but I'd recommend different methods for each substrate...please give us more info.