If you want to make your laminate countertops look more professional, then it is a good idea to edge them. Edging countertops will give your kitchen cabinetry the same look and feel that expensive granite or marble counters do. One of the most common questions asked is- can I put new laminate over old laminate countertops? The answer to this question is “yes” but you have to follow the right guide. In this blog post, we show you how to install laminate countertop edges.
Still don’t know which design to choose for your new kitchen?
Step 1: Overview of Laminating a Countertop
Before you go out and buy your supplies, it is best to have a basic understanding of what laminating countertop edges entails. We usually recommend having your laminate cut for this job at a local hardware store or home improvement center. Having them do the cutting will save you time and provide a more accurate cut. Once you have the pieces of laminate back at your house, place two of them side by side on top of your kitchen countertop. Take the third piece and place it upright in between those two pieces. It should be lined up with where they end. This process ensures that when we fasten our laminate strips for countertops onto our two bottom pieces, that the top piece matches up perfectly.
Step 2: Prepare the Countertop
Before applying your edging, you should remove anything that would be in the way of it laying flush with your DIY countertop edge. If there are wall cabinets under where you will be working, then you should remove them temporarily. You also want to make sure that all appliances are removed for this task. This next step is especially important if you plan on using adhesive caulking to attach the edging onto the laminate edging the countertops. We really cannot stress how important it is to not skimp on this step. Applying adhesives before securing the edging can create a big mess, so please take these precautions seriously.
Step 3: Attaching Edging
You want to start your edging strip with at least 2 inches of adhesive caulk. When working with adhesive caulks, always remember to apply pressure on each bead so that it fully adheres to the surface. This will help prevent wavy edges down the road, so keep a steady hand. When applying the caulking around the cabinet where you will be attaching your edging strip, use a generous amount to ensure a full seal. When applying pressure on each bead, also make sure that you have extra adhesive caulk available for any mistakes or screw-ups.
Step 4: Attach Your Edging
We recommend going with 1/8 inch thick strips of edging for countertops. This size works well because it is not overly bulky but still gives your countertop trim a nice finished look. We recommend using either screws or nails to attach the edging depending on how thick your cabinet is. If it measures 1/4 inch or less then you should use nails, while anything thicker should have screws used for attaching them. The easiest way to place your edging in between cabinets is by holding it up with one hand and screwing in the fastener with the other hand. When working above cabinets, we recommend placing one screw into each end of the edging before even attempting to lift it up into place.
Step 5: Finishing Touches
The easiest way to complete this project is by pulling off the tape along the joints of your edging and then adding caulking to each joint. When using adhesive caulk, you need to wait at least 24 hours for it to fully set before continuing with caulking around the cabinets themselves. After that has dried up, then you can take a damp sponge or rag and wipe away any excess adhesive that might have squeezed out during installation. We recommend doing this over a towel because littler pieces will come off while you are wiping it down, which could lead to some really big messes if they fall onto your floor.
Bottom-line
Laminate countertops are gaining more popularity when compared with other types of countertop materials because they have so many advantages. They are easy to install, affordable, stylish, and extremely durable. Laminate countertop edges come in a wide variety of finishes (granite, metallic, wood) which allows them to match any style of kitchen or bathroom. They offer a durable and sleek surface that is easy to clean and maintain and they resist stains, scratches, and heat.
