How to Build a Laminate Counter | This Old House
Вставка
- Опубліковано 15 вер 2024
- This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shares his secrets for fabricating a stylish new plastic-laminate kitchen countertop. (See below for a shopping list and tools.)
SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: bit.ly/Subscrib...
Shopping List for How to Build a Laminate Counter:
5/8-inch A-C fir plywood [amzn.to/2ZRUgzf], used to make substrate for counter and backsplash
plastic laminate [amzn.to/2ZZVQz4], used to cover plywood substrate
contact cement [amzn.to/2NbEFEQ], used to adhere top laminate
paint roller [amzn.to/2NXbTY5], short-nap paint-roller sleeve, used to apply contact cement
aerosol contact cement [amzn.to/2LrkxfP], used to adhere edge laminate
silicone adhesive [amzn.to/2Nc2XOV], for securing sink to counter, and counter to cabinets
assorted drywall screws [amzn.to/2LuqQPV], for assembling the counter and attaching the backsplash
1/2-inch-diameter wood dowels [amzn.to/2ZXmOrU], used to prevent laminate from sticking to counter
Tools for How to Build a Laminate Counter:
portable circular saw [amzn.to/2zWYuY0] and straightedge guide [amzn.to/2LsmqZU], used to cut plywood parts to size
drill/driver [amzn.to/2LrY6Y6], for drilling holes and driving screws
belt sander [amzn.to/2Q8K5CZ] and 100-grit belt [amzn.to/2Q6kytS], for smoothing the laminate flush with the plywood top
block plane [amzn.to/2ZQ3UDk], used to trim the plywood build-up strips flush with the plywood top
trim router [amzn.to/2Q7tKhU] fitted with flush-cutting bit [amzn.to/2Qn1B6H, for trimming laminate
single-cut mill bastard file [amzn.to/2ZVj0Yt], used to trim the laminate flush
J-roller [amzn.to/30fQifT], used to press the laminate down into the contact cement
jigsaw [amzn.to/2MUH4Uo], for making sink cutout in countertop
caulking gun [amzn.to/2Lorz4S], used to apply silicone adhesive
air compressor [amzn.to/2Lsq0Dj], air hose [amzn.to/30csmtO], pneumatic brad nailer [amzn.to/2ZVXGlA] and 1-inch brads [amzn.to/2LLMXjx], used to attach plywood build-up strips to underside of counter
Looking for more step by step guidance on how to complete projects around the house? Join This Old House INSIDER to stream over 1,000 episodes commercial-free: bit.ly/2GPiYbH
Plus, download our FREE app for full-episode streaming to your connected TV, phone or tablet:
bit.ly/34RYEP5
Follow This Old House and Ask This Old House:
Facebook: bit.ly/ThisOldH...
Twitter: bit.ly/ThisOldH...
bit.ly/AskTOHTw...
Pinterest: bit.ly/ThisOldH...
Instagram: bit.ly/ThisOldH...
bit.ly/AskTOHIG
For more on This Old House and Ask This Old House, visit us at: bit.ly/ThisOldH...
How to Build a Laminate Counter | This Old House
/ thisoldhouse
Built one all by myself using this video! Thank you!
I firmly believe that Tom is the best carpenter on the planet. It seems like there is nothing that he can't do.
Tommy is so good about explaining, without being condescending!
I've been thru 2 apprenticeships and that's not a common ability!💖
I was wondering where my extra sheet of laminate went after remodeling my 1964 Winnebago.
@Eviscerate qqqqqqqqqqqq
😂😂😂😂😂👍
Nice job overall. I wouldn’t use plywood as a substrate, but I wouldn’t say they’re wrong for doing so. A lot of people in the comment section are really bagging on laminate. In 5 years when the current style changes and everyone has to have the ‘new thing’ it will hurt a lot less to replace a laminate counter than to watch them bust up a piece of granite. Done right, laminate lasts a long time. And if you pick a better color it isn’t so ugly.
This guy is such a boss. He's got boss tools. Boss moves. What an absolute beast.
Tommy always making it look like child's play.
Laminate is still the top selling counter surface. More laminate than granite, quartz, or solid surface...sorry to burst folks bubble. Laminate is a great economical choice for those not wanting to spend 1000's on a countertop.
laminate too much precision work. Meganite is faster, stronger, more durable than laminate and seamless. When you add labor cost for laminate, Meganite come out comparable if not just marginally more expensive .
@@ninjaman58 Its not seamless, the seams are less conspicuous. And it's certainly not less expensive. Having a shop for over 30 years doing Corian back in the last 60's and early 70's when it was new and also doing 1000's of laminate tops, it is much more labor intensive doing solid surface than laminate. We made laminate tops with no deck seams if the top was smaller than 60" by 144". After I sold my shop I taught solid surface fabrication and did continuing education seminars for architects on laminate, solid surface , quartz, granite and scores of other surfacing products.
Exactly. Too many couch internet tv jockey expert s
I don't see to many people using a scribe like Mr Tom does it is definitely a tool that I am going to add to my arsenal.
I think the hardest part to making one of these is finding the laminate sheets! Special order and takes time.
My dad built countertops for a living never seen the backsplash installed like that.
how did your dad do it?
@@leemp337 his we're installed separately not attached to the countertop
I'm one of the few that actually love laminate counters. Durable as hell, cleans beautifully, just not in that color. Have some in rentals that are in great shape even after 50 years unless the renter used them as a cutting board or ash try.
laminate countertops are some of the most fragile countertops lol
I like laminate also. It will last a long time if installed correctly and taking care of. They still install it in commercial and residential building s. I don't know why all these people on here are shocked to see it. Don't get it. Stone nice too but not always the best choice
I've seen some really pretty laminate countertops. I just put some in my home. If you have boat loads of money then have at it with the stone. Choosing the right colors you can make a beautiful kitchen without spending 1000s of $$$$.
It's nice to see others who are using laminate. I have laminate from 1959 that is still totally functional, but I'm ready to get a new color other than wood grain. And yes, had people in there who used it as a cutting board in the past. Can't afford granite and it breaks faster. And glasses can shatter on it if you put them down too fast on the stone. The laminate over plywood is a little more forgiving.
@@shadowblack1987Baloney.
this is for people like me who can't afford granite which is extremely expensive and this was done way better than the factory ply wood no seams. I'm going to do the same thing but I want a different laminate
you can pour poly fake granite liquid on them, looks like granite, kind of
I remember my parent's kitchen remodel, in the late 1970s. They had fake-wood-grain laminate countertops. Guess it was what they wanted.
Stone countertops are over rated and still need maintenance. Too expensive
he is the true definition of "old and wise"... not like these old people who shares their life stories of their misfortunes and predictable life choices.
Silva the master craftman
Lots of respects for this artist
i dont understand if all the people saying "1970s/80s/90s etc called, they want their countertop back" actually dont like this counter top or are just joining the bandwagon. i think it looks way better than modern minimalist stuff, it makes it seem more like a home kitchen than just some sterile place that comes with a house and it doesn't look bland like modern stuff usually does
Old school, one solid piece
Pretty good footage for the 1970s. Those Festool tools have hardly aged at all!
Since the early 80's i was taught to use nova ply...( high density particle board ) for laminate tops.....
I really appreciate this video. It helps me a lot more that some other videos doing the same stuff
I am sure you realize that laminate manufacturers(Formica, Wilsonart) only recommends the use of particle board as the substrate and will only guarantee it using only particle board. I know of many cabinets shops that use China birch as the substrate as we all know how thin the top layer is on that. Maybe a good US grade plywood wood do, though.
Good point. Particle board and laminate, when glued correctly, have a closer expansion and shrink rate than plywood and laminate. Also, plywood tends to be wavy.
Tommy is a wood whisperer 😂
Such a joy to watch pros at work. hope I can use some of this info in my project. gotta get one of those track saw adapters. Looks to this rookie like a great alternative to a table saw. Thanks guys
Awsome granny green countertop
My dad’s favorite thing in the world when I was little was this show. I watched it every day. Then I became a craftsman in the late 90’s. Still enjoyed the show but started to see some things differently. Now at nearly 30 years in and building homes from the ground up all custom all myself I find it hard to watch the show ….. most of the things they do they act as if they are THE way to do something but in reality it’s all regional. If you think that’s dumb to say then you clearly haven’t worked all over the country.
Tommy is a beast! Kevin just stands there and pulls his hammer or tape out to do something
Hard to beat 50 years of experience.
I wanna see you guys do a resin counter top for a kitchen
Was this sink approved by Richard or he is going to have to pull it out again to replace with a dffferent one?
Amazing, the only counter top in the world where the back splash is installed first.
First time I ever seen it too but I don't mind it
How do you do it? Just caulk it down and angle pin? Then laminate?
Tom is the best
Very nice. Positive thing about laminate is its very cheap to replace. Get under it and it pops off
Michael Jackson $at what?
BEST video of all!!!!!!!!
Great video and very thorough, except they left out the part where they trimmed the top laminate flush with the edge laminate (which was applied first). That's the part I was hoping to see.
Forty years ago my parents had custom cabinet work done by an old Swedish carpenter --simple, beautiful, golden pine. Now the old cooktop needs to be replaced with a smaller one, building up the cabinetry and countertop to support it. Try finding a carpenter to replicate it in the simple, old fashioned way; they want to get fancy and expensive, which is why I'm watching this video.
I want the picture of the cow.
send me $500, I'll send it to you
@@eksine 399 if you buy it from me
I could send you a pic of my ex wife for free
@@santrader1707 Moooo
I loved it. Not all of us can Go Granite. My concern was no bull nose for any run off.
they sell styled edge for laminate i recently bought double round over
I didnt understand what pushing the plywood to the side wall did when they ended up pulling it back out again for the backsplash?
Research and Build It’s 10 months late but Incase you or someone else is still confused here’s a answer to the best of my knowledge. the stove wall wasn’t square however the sink wall was! So by lining the plywood up with the wall that is square and then placing the backsplash in its approximate location it allowed them to scribe a line that would leave the sheet square on both walls instead of just the one. Otherwise the countertop would have been askew as the original one was actually set to the crooked wall causing the gap on the sink wall! When they cut the area marked using the backsplash piece it accommodated for the walls crookedness and left the correct sized gap to properly secure/place the backsplash piece which sits behind the countertop! The countertop is now square with both walls! Hope this clears up some confusion.
@@jaykneegarner2479 wouldn't the backsplash replace the scribed line against the wall? Unless you scribed out the backsplash too? Was this just to show the viewers?
Looks like a nice DIY project.
Would love to see that done in stainless steel.
Same process. Plus a cut off wheel and maybe welder depending on stock material size
Goody! Great! Thanks a Lot!!
Plug cut with a jig like a boss
The way it was installed when they found it was very, counter active
Where'd the picture go? Kevin must have broke it.
I didn't know you could do this. I thought laminate counters had to be made out of that solid 2" fiber board stuff. What a wonderful idea.
A counter top replacement for regular folks who don't have that money tree behind the house. Then again I probably wouldn't install slab stone counter tops in my personal residence even if I could afford them.
Would you be able to do a video on a nice Fite pit with stones to be able to sit around the fire place.
back to 80s
Wow awesome job
Hey --How was B.I. this Summer., Kevin? Hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. :)
1980's called, they want their countertop back...
NO MEAN COMMENTS RAPH GGRRRRR
Or what the homeowner could budget for. This Old House usually does very high spec, high quality renovations of properties, which are great to watch and works of art - but most people don't have those homes or that money - so videos like this that show more budget renovations are still useful I think.
theducks.org So very well said. Matter of fact being a remodel carpenter myself that would be the majority of people. Also some of the best clients.
theducks.org the costumer has plenty money if they can hire these guys to build a custom top rather than cheap one from the shelf
koolkevin1107
While it is ugly as sin, the good thing about that top is there's no miter seam.
Good ol' contact sment. Don't leave home without it.
Awesome Video
so where the laminate corners meet, are those sealed with anything? it would seem that the joints would be a fail point for water penetration. Do you go back over it with a skim of silicon or like a varnish type of seal?
They sealed the joint with silicone. The wood underneath the laminate
Not sure if thats cost effective nowadays having in consideration the price of plywood and sheet vinyl,time etc.. maybe in this case of a custom made size. Any opinions from someone else from the trades out there?
running the router in the wrong direction should be left to right or counter clock wise
That's interesting... I thought back splashes were supposed to sit on top of the counter and that the subtop was supposed to have a small lip to over hang the top of the cabinet to hide the seam where the top meets the cabinet?
The "back splash" isn't like mine are done. Where he add a strip a plywood to the front to make the counter appear thicker than it is, the seam where the top meets the counter is effectively out of view. Unless you are drunk, laying passed out on the floor saying SOB, Tom did that wrong.
No offence to Tom, he looks like a fun uncle or grandad!
3/4" plywood about $90 a sheet now
Thats how sinks was done in the 1960s early 70s....lol
Just a smaller detail, but did he have to lay the laminate on top of the plywood? I would imagine if you place the laminate on a large, open space then it would be easier to put the plywood on top of that.
The laminate doesnt lay flat. Ever have a poster from a tube roll up on you?
This looks like the kitchen where they fixed the dishwasher drain.
I love and respect Tom and the guys but Is plywood considered old school? I was told to use particle board because its more stable and flat, also If you put backsplash on top you don't really need to scribe to the wall...everyone has their method I guess, bottom line looks great
The underlayment on our kitchen countertops is plywood--the countertops themselves are stone/granite. The previous laminate countertops (before our remodel) had particle board--which was also used in the kitchen cabinets.
It handles moisture better.
How long do you have to wait after u stick the sides and top before you start to router them flush?
After sticking the parts together, use a roller or block of wood and a hammer to press them together, working from the center toward the edges. A countertop this big should take about 5 minutes to roll. Router anytime after that.
What if I don't have a compass to make the scribe
Wicked smart
you can use the same idea to cut your own Granit
OK thanks so much my life is a bit more than complicated 8njyebgkhdooyfyi
May i have the old countertop to make a router table, please!
telosfd Lol are you serious? You need exactly this specific piece of material on the whole world? Just put a "wanted" ad on eBay or so.
The information was great but the labor and material cost of this build had to be much higher than a pre-made laminate countertop at one of the big box stores. I have bought and installed them for customers and there is no way that I could do (or would do) this build for them at a lower cost.
Agreed!!
Have you ever ordered any custom laminate counters not just a spec off the shelf piece this is something a decent handy home owner can pull off and save a large sum. Of money especially on a large kitchen island ex. Plus they may have a dated design but your really only limited on that by your imagination
It was probably cheaper to match. Some people like their current kitchen style even if dated. I enjoy closed off designs for homes and not open concept. I like both .
This is meant for someone to do themself instead of hiring you. Im not sure how you didnt catch that.
Is Kevin’s tool belt filled with fisher price tools.
Probably. Some day he will receive a man's hammer to carry in that belt.
ok. ill just imagine what it looks like when its finished.
I only watch the old guy with the stache
Belt Sander aka Project Wrecker
so that first scrib along the left wall was worthless ??
darren here he never marked the plywood! It was one of 2 ways he wanted to demonstrate how to scribe the plywood for the camera! In a real world job he likely would have just scribed it the first way. On the show it needs to be about as fool proof as can be for the DIY types with little or no experience! The second method is darn near foolproof for the casual DIY types.
Hola buenos días quien mejor q Tom Silva es un dragón para los trabajos lo hace todo muy fácil lo q es saber
It’s a lot and don’t have that router bit or the roller or the dowels 🤪
1:08 That picture be gone :-)
Antique
I want the cow picture 🖼️
Plywood is NOT a suitable substrate for Laminate. Over time, the grain of the plywood will telegraph through the laminate. No laminate company recommends plywood. Either a GOOD particle board or MDF is the recommended substrate. I have made 1000's of custom tops and never had a single issue with water or de-lamination, over the last 50 years.
I'm sure that's why he used the expensive smooth sided plywood. I would use plywood over particle. Particle is great until it get wet. But it is truer. Thank you for sharing
@@corysturgis6660 I have made 1000's of laminate custom tops over the years...all with industrial grade particle board with zero failures of the substrate. You may be confusing commercial grade or underlayment (big box crap), which are all vastly different. Any plywood, even those with minimal grain will telegraph through the laminate over time. MDF is available in exterior grades, which are used for outdoor signage. Using the proper materials and showing best practices is what TOH should be about. What you get is the homeowner going to the box stores, buying the cheap china plywood and then having their installation fail.
@@wags99999 thanks for sharing
No one except Wilsonart.
This isn't the 70's, who wanted a green laminate counter in 2014 ?
You skipped the part about laminating the top of the backsplash
Who else noticed the flip phone on his side ?
thx
It Miss subtitles in english
counters are so expensive today..this is a good idea.. laminate at RONA.CA is only 40$ and 5/8 particle board is only 20$
san379 If you really don't care about the looks.. just wrap some trailer sail over a piece of wood.
"particle gets fucked up when it touches water."
And you think that hardwood doesn't?
Solid wood will warp, bend, possibly crack AND rot. Plywood is a better choice than either solid wood or particle board for this application.
off camera tommy had to build another counter cause kevin stayed on that corner with the belt sander for 20 minutes !!!
How about wheres the stove vent. We alway mount the sink before installing the top
its falling apart lol like 1 little chip comes off
My husband uses these plans from Woodglut and is very happy with them. However. I love yours!
Ugliest finish I've ever seen.
Dont forget the contact c'ment lol
6:15 mins “he is using a j roller”
I spend 3 years learning cabinetry, and I'm starving for work.the industry just disappeared. All went to China.
F China and all the business that talk advantage of their workforce but charge as much if it were made here. You have to build a network of builders, remodelers, realtors that trust you. Good luck man
must be a rental property.
Or the home is owned by a family that recognizes functional value over fashion and deposits the difference into the savings account. Let the next owner install high end fashion. Whatever high end counter a current owner selects today not satisfy the buyer down the road.
waswestkan Filling up a savings account is not a goal. What you really mean to say is that they don't want to put their money into something that makes life a little more comfortable.
You'll have to explain how a counter top material can "make life a little more comfortable." I have HP laminate counter tops and also soapstone. I'm not "more comfortable" because of the soapstone. Your comment makes no sense.
It's fine to save money... no one argues that. Problem is its FUGLY what they chose lol
Would not be happy with scratches like that on my countertop. Camera does not miss much.
I didn't notice any scratches (if there were some, they certainly didn't standout). You do realize that a kitchen countertop is a "work surface"--and not a museum display piece? The best way to keep your kitchen pristine and "like new" is by not using it.
I caught them right away....looks like Tommy got a little crazy with his file on the front edge......lol
No Closed Captions....
Tom os kinda of a meany in the jobsite
We have noticed that as well. Kind of a pain to work with methinks.
why would you not secure the top to the base? i'm sure its heavy and theres nothing that will get behind it and push it out, but it can still be lifted from the front.... I would put some blocks in here and there and secure it to the base with screws... just saying... but great video none the less!
It makes it easier to rip it out when you realize you don't like it.
+Damien Nicholas You can screw it from beneath.
I'm pretty sure they only dab the corners with stone countertops too. I would run a few shallow scews
That would have been a nice counter top when Tom was a teenager
peter has the job
spencer fair fairbrother bob
sonny barger sob
Again ,in another spotless cute New England home. Also when you have an unlimited tool budget , anything is possible. With all that money they pick the ugliest laminate color.