2 Easy Methods Of Installing The Formica Counter tops
Formica counter tops is one of the best counter tops that is mostly installed in the kitchen of your homes and make your kitchen look exceptional. If the user wants to install such type of counter top in kitchen, they can do so by going through the methods below:
Method 1: Preparing The Formica
- Select The Formica: The first step is to select the Formica that will best match without other things in the space.
- Sanding: In this step the user needs to sand the area on which the Formica is to be installed. The sanding will help to create a rough surface that will help the Formica to adhere to the surface better. Once the sanding is done then wipe all the sanding dust with the tack cloth or damp cloth. In case the surface area is covered with the paint or varnish then the user needs to sand strongly with the medium coarse sandpaper.
- Measure: After the sanding is done then next step is to measure the area on which the Formica is to be installed, measure with tape to get an exact measurement of each dimension of the area.
- Flat And Stable Surface: The user needs to place a Formica on a flat, stable surface, but this should be large enough so that the Formica will be steady while cutting. The user can Use the scrap plywood that the user will not mind damaging with the saw.
- Mark The Measurements: Once the measurements are done then the user needs to mark all the measurements on the backside of the Formica sheet, but add 1 inch to each original measurement. Now the user needs to draw cut lines onto the back of the laminate, but mark the lines with the increased measurements as this will help to make sure that the user doesn't waste a large piece of Formica due to cutting too small a piece.
- Masking Tape: Once the cutting lines are done then apply the masking tape along the lines, the reason for the masking tape is to make sure that lines will be clearly visible.
- Cut The Formica: In this step the user needs to Cut the Formica along straight lines. Use a circular saw, table saw, saber saw, back saw, or laminate shears. The handsaw should have at least 10 teeth per inch. In order to make sure that cutting lines should be straight use a metal straightedge.
- Curved Adjustments: For the curved adjustments the user needs to use the jigsaw or laminate router that will make these finer adjustments.
Method 2: Installing The Formica
- Contact Cement: The first installation step is to apply the contact cement on the surface on which Formica will be attached. In the case of the Counter tops start installing the contact cement on the edges. Apply the contact cement with the help of the brush or roller to both the surfaces. After that left it to sit until it feels little tacky.
- Align The Edge Strip: This is very important step in which the user needs to align the edge strip to the surface properly. Once its done then press the Formica on the surface, both the surface will come in contact then contact cement will bond together.
- Roller: Now use a roller to press the Formica sheet, simply push the roller in the back and forth directly on the surface area, this will help any air bubbles between the Formica and the surface.
- Edge Strip: In case there is edge strip then trim them with the laminate trimmer or router. Then cover the trimmed edge with the painter's tape.
- Main Surface: After the edge work is done then apply the contact cement on the main surface and Formica sheet with paintbrush or roller. Left the contact cement until it becomes tacky and dry to the touch, but not for a long time.
- Dowels: In this step the user needs to align the surface carefully using dowels of size 10 to 12 inches or smaller. The dowels will help to hold the Formica until its properly aligned to the surface.
- Position The Formica Sheet: Once the sheet is aligned the user needs to press it at a time. After aligning it properly remove the dowels so that both surfaces come in contact. Use the roller over the surface to remove any air pockets.