How to Build a Kitchen Counter Top

One of the many jobs a homeowner faces in the upkeep of a home is remodeling the kitchen. Probably the hardest task to tackle in the kitchen is building a kitchen countertop. If you have a little bit of woodworking knowledge, building a kitchen countertop will be easy. You need only follow a few simple step-by-step instructions.

Instructions

Working the Wood

1

Place the piece of 26-by-96-by--inch plywood on a worktable. Next, place the 2 pieces of 2-by-96-by--inch plywood on the same table. Apply glue to one of the 2-inch sides of the 2-inch pieces, then turn them over and line them up with the long edge of the 26-inch wide plywood. Secure the 2-inch strips with the box nails.

2

Place the 2 pieces of 2-by-22-by--inch plywood on the table. Apply glue to the flat side, turn them over and secure them on either end of the 26-inch wide plywood with the box nails.

3

Sand the edges of the plywood with the sand block until they are smooth. Fill any voids in the plywood with wood putty to ensure a solid fill.

4

Place all the pieces of 2-inch wide laminate on the plywood. Apply contact cement to 3 of the edges of the plywood with the paintbrush. Allow this coat to dry completely. Then apply a second coat of contact cement to the wood edge and the first coat to the back of the 2-inch strips of laminate.

5

Stick the long piece of laminate on the plywood first. Next, stick the shorter pieces on the sides, pushing them against the back of the long piece. Be certain that there is a good bond between the laminate and the plywood.

6

Remove the excess laminate from the plywood with a router and laminate cutting bit. Be cautious when approaching the end of the plywood, as the router can get away from you at that point.

7

Sand all the area where the router trimmed the laminate down to the surface of the plywood. Be careful to keep the sanding block level with the surface of the table.

Applying the Laminate Top

8

Clean the top of the plywood as thoroughly as possible before applying contact cement to the plywood. Pour some of the contact cement on top of the plywood and in the roller pan.

9

Roll out the contact cement that you poured on the plywood with the roller. Be certain that you spread contact cement all the way to the edges of the counter top.

10

Allow the contact cement to dry completely. Place the 28-inch wide laminate upside down on another table. Apply a second coat of contact cement to plywood. Also apply contact cement to the back of the laminate.

11

Place the -by--by-30-inch lumber on top of the plywood once the contact cement is tacky dry. Space them out evenly.

12

Place the piece of laminate on top of the lumber on top of the plywood. Be careful not to allow the laminate to make contact with the plywood.

13

Begin pulling the sticks out from the center and work your way towards the ends. Rub your hands over the surface of the laminate to eliminate air bubbles as you go.

14

Route the excess laminate off with the router and the laminate cutting bit. File down sharp edges to prevent injury. Clean excess contact cement with Naptha and a clean cloth.