Laminate Countertop Substrate

We ask for a waiver to the warranty when laminate cabinets with a plywood core door are specified and they won t change their mind.

Laminate countertop substrate. Most brands have the same selections for many colors and patterns for the two thicknesses. From gene wengert forum technical advisor. If the shrinkage of a laminate is 0 5 then that is 0 025 for each 5 rh change. Popular brands of laminate countertops include formica arborite nevamar and wilsonart reeg.

Plywood medium density fiberboard mdf and particleboard are all suitable substrates each with positives and. Mdf is also a more than adequate substitute. The process of building a laminate countertop begins with the substrate or base. So when the substrate is changing about 10 times more than the laminate it is logical to me to conclude that the substrate is the issue.

In truth there are more eco friendly options out there when it comes to countertop materials. Steps for building a laminate countertop. Laminate considered backing is usually thinner than vertical grade and comes in around 1 40 or so. Wood has about 0 25 shrinkage for a 5 rh change or about 10 times more.

The substrate might be particle board or plywood. A laminate countertop installation is basically a grade school cut and paste project writ large. Laminate countertops present an interesting dilemma for homeowners looking to go green. Particleboard has been the standard for laminate substrate for a long long time.

Although unfinished particleboard bears little resemblance to traditional hardwoods its smooth consistent surface is ideal for lamination. You build the substrate cut out the laminate and paste the two together with contact cement. Laminate countertops can contain. Starting with the proper substrate creates a good foundation for the countertop.

Laminate for countertops horizontal grade is usually 1 16 thick. Set the inch plywood countertop substrate into place on top of the cabinets.