Laminate
countertops are both a very durable and unexpensive alternative to
other materials. With its typical brand name formica
counter tops, usually laminate countertops are meant.
The laminate material are different layers of paper,
board and
melamine or plastic. Forced at
high pressure or low pressure in
the finished shape, the countertops come usually with
a rounded front edge.
Special connectors for laminate kitchen countertops
To fit the laminate countertops to the kitchen
cabinets, the board is usually screwd from the bottom
to the top. With a typicall thickness of about 1.5 " or
38mm the srews get a good fit. Depending on the accessability
of the area, most cabinet maker use angle supports available
in good hardware stores.
The
corner cut of laminate countertops
In L - or U - shape kitchens the countertop needs to
be cut and fit properly. Due to the rounded front edge,
a simple cross cut will not work so there are two ways
of cutting. Either cutting a 45 angle which lets fit
both parts precisely together, similar to a picture frame.
Or
a precision cut out on both sides of the top. This
is usually done with a router using special router
templates. With a guide bush guiding the router along
the template whilst the router bit cutting the laminate.
If done properly this kind of joint will look even
less visible than the angle cut.
 Whatever
method used to cut the corner of the countertops,
the two ends need to be kept together firmly. Therefore
special countertop contectors are used. By drilling one
hole in each part of the tops and routing out
a small groove, the connector is inserted and thightend
to hold the laminate countertops in its position firmly.
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