How to Install Laminate Countertops 8 Simple Steps to Success

Learn how to install laminate countertops yourself, and you can save thousands of dollars and improve the value of your home.

Follow these easy instructions from an industry professional to give kitchens or bathrooms an affordable makeover quickly and easily.

You will need to purchase or have the following tools and materials on hand:

• Plastic laminate – use scrap pieces of laminate for edging, or purchase finished edgings and moldings
• Paint brush
• Power sander
• Steel ruler
• Sanding block and sandpaper
• Circular saw or utility knife and special laminate cutting blades
• Laminate Router or router with a laminate bit
• Contact cement
• Roller
• Work gloves and protective eyewear
• Shims, dowel rods, or old mini blind slats
• Hand cleaner
• File

Start by cleaning all surfaces thoroughly. Use the sander to smooth out the surface and remove any paint, varnish or other substances.

Measure the laminate material, leaving about a one inch overhang over counters. This overhang will be trimmed when the laminate is fitted to the countertop surface.

To cut the material with a circular saw, mark the cut line with masking tape for a cutting guide, but if you are using a utility knife, mark the lines using a steel ruler.

Make the cut from the back to front of the laminate with a circular saw, but angle the cut and work from the front surface with a knife.

Follow these steps next to prepare surfaces and to complete your DIY countertop installation.

1. Use the sanding block and rough up the counter surface, and then clean away the excess dust with compressed air or a paintbrush.
2. Apply contact cement to the surface of the counter and the surface of the laminate material, and then let the cement dry for the amount of time specified by the manufacturer.
3. The flow of the installation process is to apply the laminate top, let it dry, trim the excess, and then repeat the process with the edges.
4. After the counter and laminate have dried sufficiently, position the laminate sheet to the countertop, using wooden shims, dowel rods, or window blind slats to keep the surfaces separated until properly aligned.
5. Remove the shims one at a time and press the surfaces together to bond.
6. Use the roller to smooth out the entire surface of the laminate and remove any air pockets. The roller is designed to apply down pressure, so press hard. It is important to apply plenty of down pressure to make sure the laminate adheres to the surface.
7. Apply edgings in the same manner. Apply the contact cement, let it dry, and then adhere to countertop.
8. After the materials are completely dry, use the file, sandpaper, or the laminate trim router to trim edges.

By following the tips in this article, you can learn how to install laminate countertops like a pro. This type of installation can be done by most homeowners. The materials and supplies you need are affordable, and the time investment is small.

Giving a kitchen a face lift with new laminate countertops improves the beauty and the value of your home. To further increase the appeal and value of your kitchen, consider installing laminate flooring as well.

Seamless post-formed laminate tops are economical and easy to install. Because the edges and sometimes the backsplash are included in the molded shape, there are no peripherals to purchase, and little need to cut and to piece seams.

A seam is needed in corners and the miter is usually pre-cut by the vendor. Using a post-formed top eliminates the additional steps of cementing the laminate material to particle board or other backings.

In the substrate method, particle board is used to build a surface to which the laminate is adhered. This is probably the most time-consuming process and is not recommended for beginners.

Refacing countertops means using old tops in good shape and refacing them with new laminate sheets. There are steps to reface and to install new laminate material to the countertops. This is recommended for do-it-yourselfers as it eliminates tearing out old tops, and minimizes the cost of renovating kitchens. Measuring is simple – just measure to fit from the corners of the wall.

The best place to buy laminate is from a local fabricator such as Lowes or Home Depot. Their staff are knowledgeable and will help you choose the right materials, purchase enough for the project, and give tips and support on the installation process.

Patrick Cosmato, Meyer Decorative Surfaces, Personal Interview, July 21, 2011

Author's disclosure: My husband, Patrick Cosmato, has held a valid Class A contractor's license in the state of Virginia for over 20 years. I could not have written this article without his expert advice on how to properly install laminate countertops.