Laminate countertops represent the entry price level. Laminate
countertops are made by gluing a sheet of laminate (which is basically plastic)
onto wood. The sheet is very thin,
only about 1/32 of an inch thick and has the color/pattern on the top side. The sheet
is usually glued onto particleboard, because particleboard does not expand and contract
as much as regular wood with the change in humidity. Thus the laminate sheet is less likely
to peel off the wood base. Also particleboard is heavier than regular wood and the extra weight
helps to keep the countertop in place. Laminate countertops come in two varieties: postform
and self-edge.
Postform
Postform countertops refer to pre-made lengths of laminate countertops with a 4 inch
backsplash and a 1 1/2 inch front edge included. Postform countertops are made by basically gluing
and melting onto the wood the laminate sheet. With postform the edges are all rounded. There are
no sharp corners or black stripes. You have a smooth curve in the front, the back bottom and
the back top. Postform tops are sold at hardware stores in lengths of 8, 10 or 12 feet
in a few common colors. They are also sold with a miter cut, which is a cut at a 45 degree
angle and is used when you have an L-shaped countertop. You would place two miter cuts together
and attach them. Postform countertops are the cheapest available, especially if you will be
doing the installation work yourself. You typically buy a piece
longer than you need and cut the extra amount off at the house or order one the right size
and just cut the hole for the
sink, faucet and/or cooktop. The main advantage of postform is its price, however, you cannot use
postform if you have an island or peninsula, since the backsplash is already attached. With a
peninsula or island, you cannot have a backsplash. Also, postform does not come in lengths
longer than 12 feet. Thus postform is somewhat limited. Postform tops typically sell in the
$18 - $20 per linear foot range for most standard colors.
Self-Edge
Self-edge countertops are countertops that are made to order. With self-edge
the installer typically would first build a template of the countertop or, if it's a
simple design, go off the blueprints or use your drawing if you do not need
installation, and then build the wood base and a separate backsplash. Once
built, a laminate sheet is glued to the top, front, back and each side.
With self-edge there are no rounded
edges. Depending on the laminate used, there will also be a black strip visible at all the
corners. Self-edge tends to run about twice the price of postform (countertop only),
but, you can get any shape you want.
With template and installation, a self-edge countertop will run about $30 per square foot.
Below is a picture of the side view of a postform top, a self-edge top and 2 postform pieces
with miter cuts attached
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