Formica Sheets

Tuesday, January 18, 2011


At this time, the most versatile and widely used countertop material that one can find in today’s homes are the formica laminate sheets. With formica sheets, a contractor, home builder, or homeowner is allowed to create countertop that is completely customized to cover cabinets at home like the ones found in the bathroom and the kitchen. However, these laminate sheets may also be used to cover workbenches in home garages and also in businesses. Formica sheets may be readily purchased in a variety of choices when it comes to colors, patterns, and surface textures unlike the pre-made type of formica countertops. Everyone can have these formica sheets purchased from several retail and hardware stores like the Home Depot and the Lowe’s. For the surface textures, the typical ones are smooth, shiny and also matte finishes. These formica sheets may also be combined with other colors and pattern designs, which will give your home an almost unlimited end result. This can also provide a unique look. To select a right look for a home, you can look over some formica samples, which you can bring home.

With Formica, homeowners typically install prefabbed countertop and the professional contractor usually does the installation of the formica sheets, which are cut from the scratch to the specific size for your prepped countertop substrate. Installing formica by yourself is not difficult but requires laminate tools or special formica and knowledge of installation process. Installation of the formica by a professional can be usually quick, painless, clean, and also inexpensive.

Formica sheets and plastic laminates are destructible but extremely versatile and durable unlike other materials used for the same purposes. You can have the formica sheets conform to any size or shape you like regardless of any irregularity, mounting position, or angle, which means that you can have the material mounted vertically or even in an upside down position. A traditional countertop has its 3 general parts, which may be covered using formica. The three parts are countertop deck, countertop nose or front edge, and the backsplash. Typically, the edge most likely matches the countertop but the backsplash need not match its countertop or edging.

For some backsplash application, there are a lot of ways that one can install the Formica sheets. The most preferred and common way to install the Formica sheets is the code back splash. This can be made possible by having one continuous laminate sheet type of Formica from countertop to backsplash area. A formica sheet will roll from the countertop’s flat deck to the backsplash in vertical position and will provide seamless type of transition from countertop area to the backsplash area. With coved backsplashes, these will rise from countertop area to the upper cabinets’ bottom, which is typically 18 inches but can just simply rise from 4 inches to 6 inches. For formica backsplash not reaching upper cabinets or only some few inches in height, having silicone caulking application is important in order to provide watertight seam that will help prevent mildew and mold from forming in the walls or even behind the cabinets.

Several methods are available when choosing formica countertops front edging. This will depend on the home’s décor and the owner’s personal preference. One can have the square edge that usually has the seam between countertop deck area and edging. You can also choose seamless edging using rolled edge. This rolled edge will provide the waterfall look or effect and only 1/4 circle. There is also the full wrap, which extends about half circle providing one solid look similar to the corian or granite. For other Formica edging option, you can use the wood edging. If you decide to go for the wood edging option, it is necessary to use some type of hardwood like maple, oak, cherry, or the hickory woods. The hardwoods can withstand the moisture, can direct water much better than the softer woods like poplar and pine, and more durable.

If you want to install and use Formica sheets at home, you have to remember that there is limitation when it comes to the sheet sizes. With thickness, the grade generally used for the backsplashes is 1/32 inch vertical and 1/16 inch thick. For a countertop having depth and run that is much longer and deeper than the laminate sheets’ dimensions, seam will be visible in the countertop. The formica sheets readily come in varying lengths such as the 8 foot, the 10 foot, as well as the 12 foot and widths such as 3 ft, 4 ft, and also 5 ft. You can also mix or match the different sizes, which means that the largest available size for a laminate sheet is 5’’ by 12’ while the smallest is 3’ by 8’. You can make use of these dimensions if you want to do a layout of your own countertops that requires least number of seams. Seams should not be made close to the location of your sink in order not to allow the sitting water from penetrating wood surface area just below the formica countertop. With these seams being prone to collecting dirt, the formica countertop can be damaged.

A formica is impact resistant, can look good for years with proper care, and easily maintained. If you are looking for long-lasting inexpensive material for your countertop, then formica is one great choice. You have to decide on whether you can do the formica sheets installation from the scratch or if you prefer having preformed formica sheets for your countertop. To be able to properly install formica to your countertop and ensure that they last long, you need to prepare and be attentive to every detail that needs to be taken cared of.

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