can you cut laminate worktop in curves?

jubarnes26

I'm looking at a monza kitchen from homebase and really would like the curved drawers and curved end breakfast bar - figured I could afford the kitchen units - until I actually went to Homebase yesterday and was advised that if I wanted curved units the only worktop I could have would be their Maia range or Granite or wood.

now laminate is approx £95 for 3 meters - this maia stuff is £825 almost 10 times the cost.:eek:

So was wondering if this is just a ploy by the big companies to sell stuff hand in hand?

Is it physically impossible for a carpenter or skilled kitchen fitter to cut laminate into the same shape as the more expensive materials?

Seems a bit daft to me - is there anywhere on line that I could get a worktop made that wont cost an arm & a leg and I could buy it seperately to the kitchen?

warmhands.coldheart

I have seen a corner curved on a laminate worktops on a breakfast bar and a counter overhang but from what I saw, the corner can't be too tight a curve/radius as you have to be able to glue the end strip on. A decent fitter can do wonders...... But then that's the problem... getting a really good fitter. it may be something you may need to get a good skilled joiner to do rather than just a Kitchen fitter

evokit

Maia is delivered already pre curved for the radius ends, i havnt seen the length for curved drawers.
As my trade (kitchens) I wouldnt recommend doing any curves with Laminate as that radius has the glued on edge and not a nice finish and likley to ping off over time
Also laminate, regardless how good the fitter is the curved drawer will be very hard for them to cut to a good finish IMO

evokit

P.s - you would also need a 900 deep laminate so the whole front will edge will need cutting (if in one run) and also the 900 deep will be a bit more in cost than the standard 600.
Go for 20mm Quartz, maia not so forgiving with actual kitchen use

jubarnes26

Thank you - thats given me a much better understanding.

iamcornholio

evokit wrote: »

Also laminate, regardless how good the fitter is the curved drawer will be very hard for them to cut to a good finish IMO

A perfect radius can be achieved with a router and a trammel
Also glue it properly and the edge strip stays on.

The biggest problem, if it is one, is that the bullnosed (rounded) top edge can't be replicated on the radius cut, so the radius becomes a square edge.

This can look unobtrusive in some locations, and with some worktops. The main thing which highlights it, is a different shade of edge strip

Its not too bad though, but it just needs to be borne in mind

If you have a solid beech or other non-laminate top, then its not a problem at all

cyclonebri1

Echo the above, a decent finish can be achieved on curved laminate. You simply have to be very carefull and avoid too sharp a radius and you have to acept before you start that the joint of the edging back to the face of the laminate will show an elongation of the colouring of the body of the edging strip.

Granite for me I'm afraid.:D

evokit

iamcornholio wrote: »

A perfect radius can be achieved with a router and a trammel

Of course it can be done - no decent kitchen companies would recommend it though.
Yet i was meaning more the curved drawers

evokit

Kitchen designer,
I know thats why square edges are for, still would require a 900 for the drawers

john.h

I cut one a couple of weeks ago to match a curved base unit. It was a square edged laminate worktop from Howdens, and i also used the curved jig howdens sell..

John.

cddc

Got home, about to post, saw that KitchenDesignR has beaten me to it. 50mm square edge laminate is the answer to your question. There are a few issues with some of the cheaper ones that are not postformed and have a join on between the horizontal and vertical on the front edge so check samples before you buy.

I would also advise you to go with anyone but Homebase for the units themselves. Monza is a cheap door and the carcasse quality is not good for what you pay. Most other sheds and suppliers will do a gloss white slab door for a similar price on a better carcase that would give you greater quality for a similar amount of money.