Installing Flat-lay Laminate Countertops

By Larry Walton

Not everything should be set in stone. Laminate counters still have their place in many home improvement applications.

Realtors often caution against over-building in some neighborhoods where values are established by comparable houses in the community. In these cases, it’s wise to select materials that keep costs down. This doesn’t mean you have to go with fake wood grain or avocado green. Large varieties in color and textures are available with today’s laminates.

One of the big advantages to flat lay laminate countertops is the ability to fit them precisely to irregular wall shapes and a variety of countertop sizes. To do this, you should plan to fit and fasten the sub-decks to the cabinets or strong backs first, and then fit and install the laminate.

When preparing countertops for laminate, sand everything flat and smooth including seams and the self-edge connection.

Design Options

Because flat-lay laminate can be fit very closely to the wall, it works well for desktop surfaces where no backsplash will be used.

One of the ways we eliminate seams is to buy large pieces of laminate to cut out L-shaped sections.

When you want to use a backsplash for kitchens, baths and utility rooms, you have a number of options including tile, stone or matching laminate. One of my favorites is a 3/4-inch thick backsplash with a laminate face and wood accent cap to match the counter edges.