Can you cut a Laminate Countertop?
Wednesday, December 9th, 2009 at
7:13 am
I have a kitchen island with the top matching my countertops(laminate). There is about an 18” overhang so it can be used with stools as a breakfast bar. I’d like to cut that overhang off, and pust the island against the wall. Is this easy? Will the laminate split? I have a guy installing my floors that will certainly have the tools and experience…but i don’t want to ruin it
Tagged with: breakfast bar • kitchen island • laminate • overhang • stools
Filed under: Your Community Center
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Are you installing it permanently against the wall? If so, cut it about 1/4" longer than you want it, then have him scribe it to the wall. Tape the edge with masking tape, set the cabinet against the wall, and open the scribe to the largest gap. While holding it square to the wall, trace the contour along the full length of the counter top. Use a belt sander to take it to the line. You may need to touch it up, but this will give you a good fit. Hope this helps.
You can cut the top but there is no guarantee that it doesn’t chip.
If you do cut it, put tape, painting or masking where you are going to cut and make sure you down cut with the saw. A newer blade will also help and making sure you go slow so you take out smaller pieces.
If I were doing it.I would cut the laminate close to where I wanted the final cut and then use a straight edge and router to make the final cut. Routers are used all the time to cut laminate and should be able to do it without chipping.
I am curious about the island. Is it on wheels? Just setting on the floor? Or is it anchored to the floor? So many islands are anchored to the floor and if that is the case you are going to have a problem moving it.
Put 2 inch masking tape over the area you want to cut. Clamp a straight edge on your countertop allowing for the offset of your skill saw. Now cut using a very find plywood blade. Cut very slowly, if you force the blade you may chip the laminate.