How to Cut an Existing Laminate Countertop
Laminate is a common material used for kitchen and bathroom countertops due to its durability, ease of installation and low cost. Although it is best to cut the laminate counter to size prior to installing it, you may have to cut an existing counter that is already installed. The best way to accomplish this task is to remove the laminate counter from the cabinets so that you will not damage the surrounding walls with the saw.
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Place the blade of a utility knife at the left back corner of the laminate countertop where it meets the wall. Run the knife all the way across the back of the counter to cut through any caulk that is sealing the seam. Repeat the process on both sides of the counter, if they also meet a wall.
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Open up the cabinets under the laminate counter and crawl into them so that you can locate the screws which hold the counter to the cabinets.
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Insert an electric screwdriver into each screw and remove them. Set the screws aside in a safe location since you will need them to reinstall the counter.
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Grasp one end of the laminate counter and ask another person to grasp the other end. Lift up on the counter and take it to an outdoor location.
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Turn the laminate counter upside down so that the finished side is facing downward. Use a tape measure to determine where you need to cut it and draw a line at the location with a pencil.
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Put on safety glasses and plug in a jigsaw. Turn the jigsaw on and move the blade along the pencil line to cut through the counter.
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Flip the counter top back over with the help of a friend and take it back inside. Set the counter back into the proper location on the cabinets.
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Crawl back into the cabinets and insert the screws back into the screw holes using an electric drill.
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Apply a thin bead of silicone caulk around all edges of the laminate counter that meet a wall to seal out moisture.
References
Tips
- You can also use a circular saw to cut laminate.
Writer Bio
Kimberly Johnson is a freelance writer whose articles have appeared in various online publications including eHow, Suite101 and Examiner. She has a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia and began writing professionally in 2001.
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