Laminate edging is a great way to seamlessly blend your laminate countertops into the surrounding cabinetry. It can also be used to cover up imperfections in the edges of your countertop, create an attractive border, and provide some protection for the edge of your counters.
Moreover, it is an inexpensive way to add a decorative touch to your countertops. The best part is, it can be installed in just minutes with the right tools and materials. This blog will walk you through the steps regarding how to install laminate edging on countertops, so be sure to read until the end.
9 Easy Steps on How to Install Laminate Countertop Edges:
- Select a laminate edging that goes well with your countertops. The last thing you want is the edging not matching with the countertop (unless you’re going for a contrasting border).
- Before you start the installation process, make sure the surfaces you want to finish are clean and dust-free. You can clean away dirt from the surface using a roller brush or paintbrush.
- Cover the worktop with masking tape to prevent any excess adhesive from sticking to it. This will save you from having to clean up the messy, gooey gunk after you are done.
- Apply PVA glue – or a suitable contact adhesive – along the laminate board edge that is visible. Be sure to first remove any old glue residue from the previous edge strip. You can also use rubbing alcohol to remove the glue if it’s not coming off easily.
- Apply the glue in long smooth strokes but avoid bubbles; use a wet paper towel to wipe up excess adhesive if needed. Wait twenty minutes until adhesive begins to form tiny beads on the top (at this point it will be sticky).
- Now carefully install the edging strip on top and secure it in place. We suggest you use a 3-way clamp to keep the strip firmly stuck until the glue is cured. This way, the strips, and countertop edge will be pushed tight against each other while drying overnight, which will create a solid adhesion between them.
- Once the strip is fully attached to the countertop and the glue is cured, cut the excess area of the strip with a laminate trimmer or a sharp carpenter’s plane.
- Next, add some finishing touches to make the strips nice and smooth. For this, take a fine-toothed file and use it onto the edges of the strips until they are in line with the countertop. You can also use sandpaper after this to achieve a smoother finish.
- Be sure not to trim, grate or sand down the strip excessively. Doing this can expose the laminate board which will not only look messy but the exposed core board can get damaged from moisture over time.
One of the benefits of using laminate edging is that it doesn’t require any sealing or painting, so once you’re done with these steps, you’re all set.
Some Important Considerations When Installing Laminate Edging:
- Do not put any weight on top of freshly glued pieces until they are completely cured (at least overnight). Otherwise, their adhesion will be compromised which could cause them to detach later on down the line.
- Make sure you cover up furniture nearby so you don’t accidentally get adhesive on them either. Keep your adhesive off of clothing or other surfaces.
- Remove the clamp only when the adhesive is fully dry (at least 24-hours) so you get maximum bonding strength.
- Make sure your countertop is level before applying glue to its edges. The last thing you want is uneven edging.
- Excess glue will ooze out while setting the strips, so make sure you have a wet cloth or paper towel handy to quickly wipe it up and avoid it sticking permanently onto the countertop.
- When cutting the laminate strip, cut it as close to the countertop edge as possible, keep your blade nice and straight so you don’t have any jagged edges.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How Can I Clean My Laminate Countertops?
After the installation of laminate edging is complete, you can use a dampened cloth to wipe down your countertop. Avoid using any solvents or harsh chemicals as they may cause damage and discoloration.
How Do You Remove Old Glue Residue from Counters Before Installing New Edging?
There are many ways to do this, you can start with a putty knife or scraper to scrape off old adhesive and glue residue from your countertop’s surface. If something remains, try wiping it down with rubbing alcohol so the new laminate edging has better adhesion when you install it later on.
How Often Should I Maintain Laminate Edging?
Laminate doesn’t require as much care and attention as other materials like marble. Nevertheless, giving your counters regular dustings will help prevent dirt and grime buildup which could damage them over time.
Is There Any Other Type of Edging That’s Better Than Laminate?
Well, there are many edging types out there depending on what you want in terms of style, longevity, maintenance, and your budget. You can explore quartz edging that goes well with most countertops. Check this guide by Caesarstone to learn more about them and their types.
Parting Words
If you were wondering how to use laminate countertop edges, now you know.
Laminate edging is an inexpensive way to add a decorative touch to your countertops. Whether you want just a border or an entire countertop done with these laminate strips, you’ll find that this is the quickest and easiest method to do so.
So go ahead and follow this blog’s instructions carefully and use these steps to learn how to install laminate edging on countertops. We wish you the best of luck.
