Laminate Counter Tops
Post Form Counter Tops
Post Form counter tops are prefabricated laminate tops. They have a rounded or rolled front and backsplash. The tops are ordered in sections and corners are bolted together. There will be a 45 degree angle seam in the corners, and a 90 degree straight seam for runs over 12 foot. All laminate colors are available in post form tops. Tops with multi colors or designs, help to conceal the seams. This type of top was originally designed to provide a economical and quickly installed counter top for simple kitchens. Due to the preferred rolled edge these tops have become very common even in more upscale homes. The Post Form tops does have some limits on design and wall straightness and corners being somewhat square. The price for these tops average around $13 to $24 per ln. ft.
Custom Laminate Counter Tops
Custom Laminate tops are laminate installed over plywood. In most cases these tops are installed on site and custom made to fit any style kitchen design. They will have square edge fronts and any size detached back splash. The most common back splashes are a covered 1x4 and sealed with a caulk seam, the other is a full height back splash, where laminate is placed on the wall from the counter top to the bottom of the wall cabinets. Colors with multi colors or designs, help to conceal the seams. One advantage of this type of top is the laminate can be changed without changing the entire top, by using the correct glue laminate can be installed over the old in most cases. There are three major brands of laminate Formica, Wilsonart, and Nevamar. There are no major differences in the brands other than customer color preferences. The Formica brand is ordered from a company in Columbia. The Wilsonart and Nevamar are ordered from companies here in Charleston. Laminate comes in sheets up to 5' x 12'.
UPDATE: I am finding the Formica brand laminate has become much harder to work with and harder to order. This problem is reflected in my pricing below.
My Install Pricing
The below listed prices are averages. All install prices are given by estimate only. The install includes installing a new sink or resetting the old sink, removal of old counter tops if necessary, delivery of new counter tops, replacement of sink shutoff valves if needed.
Post Form Average for labor $750
Custom Laminate Average $950-$1100 (Add $200 for Formica Brand Laminate)
Building the counter top deck and installing laminate Average $1500-$1800
Solid Surface Counter Tops
There are many types of solid surface tops. The first to arrive on the market was Corian and is the best seller mainly due to the name recognition. Corian may start at around $110 per ln. ft.. Other solid surface tops may be equal to or better than Corian, so shop around.
I do not install solid surface counter tops but only advise the customer to ensure they know what they are purchasing, when the install is to begin and end and also what the company will do and will not do as far as the appliances and sink hook ups are concerned.
I always tell everyone if you want a solid counter top, go with Granite.
