Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - big box countertops
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mudcat24
10-24-07, 04:35 PM
are the laminate countertops that you purshase at the big box store built well enough to put in your kitchen . i mean as far as construction and dependability to last for a few years to come .
MissTFried
10-24-07, 05:01 PM
Laminate countertops are not built by big box stores, they are built by local fabricators or large regional fabricators and sold through the big box stores.
There are 2 types of laminate countertops, one is post formed (the backsplash is an integral part of the top) and a custom top. Effectively, they are made of the same materials.
Usually, a particleboard substraite and a standard grade laminate ( typically Formica, Wilsonart, Nevamar or Pionite)
The general construction is pretty much the same a 3/4" deck and 1 1/2 build-up around the edges.
A post formed top will always be seamed in the corners, and a custom top fabricators will try to find a less conspicous place for seams.
Hope I answered your question.
There are 2 types of laminate countertops, one is post formed (the backsplash is an integral part of the top) and a custom top. Effectively, they are made of the same materials.
Usually, a particleboard substraite and a standard grade laminate ( typically Formica, Wilsonart, Nevamar or Pionite)
The general construction is pretty much the same a 3/4" deck and 1 1/2 build-up around the edges.
A post formed top will always be seamed in the corners, and a custom top fabricators will try to find a less conspicous place for seams.
Hope I answered your question.
mudcat24
10-24-07, 05:35 PM
so other than the seam areas the construction is the same as if i would hire a contractor to build these.is the laminate a good quality as there is a many of diffrent company that make it.i guess im asking is a good choice to deal with these kind of stores for quality as compared to the mom and pop stores
mitch17
10-24-07, 06:47 PM
My wife bought a lot of counter top for her office (probably upward of 100 total lineal feet) at Menards a few years ago and it's held up great.
Just Bill
10-25-07, 04:49 AM
Pre-made tops are fine, if your house is plumb/square, and the walls are flat. If such a house exists, I would love to see it. Custom made tops are trimmed to fit the wall exactly so there are no, or only small gaps that need caulking. If you have an 'L' shaped top, things get even worse with a pre-made top. The miters are often diifficult to get tight and match correctly. They are, however, considerably cheaper, and they will last as well as other formica tops, once installed.