On Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:58:53 -0600, Omelet >
wrote:

>In article >,
> Sqwertz > wrote:
>
>> On Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:45:23 -0600, Omelet wrote:
>>
>> > My wood grain formica countertops currently look like hell, hence using
>> > either my black stove top, or a colored fabric drape for my
>> > backgrounds...
>>
>> I can get you laminate for about $.75/sqft. Just glue it down right
>> on top of the old stuff and weight it down with everything you can
>> think of for 45 minutes. Costs about $20-$25 for an average
>> L-shaped counter.
>
>I appreciate the offer, but I _really_ need an entire new countertop.
>The original one is that particle board stuff covered with the laminate
>and it's, well, it's just really needing replacement. ;-) Not falling
>apart or anything yet, but still.
>
>>
>> Forming a curved edge, if necessary, is the tricky part at home, but
>> you don't have to do that. You might be able to use a curling iron
>> or hair dryer - never tried it.
>>
>> -sw
>
>I really really really want tile or corian steve, but seriously, thanks
>for thinking of me. :-)

By the time new plastic laminate is needed the wooden countertop is
already shot too and also needs replacement... it's false economy to
cover over old laminate... and will most likely look terrible... would
be tantamont to resoling shoes over the old worn out soles. And
actually the entire new countertop with factory installed laminate
costs less than buying the laminate sheets separately and
applying it yourself... I learned that that the hard way with my last
kitchen, I ordered the new countertops with factory installed laminate
but decided to cover the wall from the backsplash to under the
cabinets myself. The plain full sheets of laminate cost more than had
I ordered it made to size and already glued to a thin matrix (would
have been smoother) along with the new countertops and from the
same lot number laminate. The sheets I bought were a different lot
number, close enough so that no one could tell unless I told them but
I could see the difference. Plus I had to buy an extra sheet to
minimize the seams so there was a lot of waste. Unless one is
experienced I would suggest that applying plastic laminate is not a
DIY project.