Straight edge laminate worktop

apmac

Hi all. Hoping for some advice here. We are currently planning our new kitchen and I have loads of questions /issues that I need to resolve. The one I can't seem to get a solid solution for is our worktops.

The design I have settled on will be a sort of U shape kitchen, with one end of the U being made up of a 900(+?)cm breakfast bar. This will have curved cupboards on the end so we need a curved worksurface and we can't afford granite/resin. We looked at spending a bit more and getting real wood but have concluded that we may well regret it- small children, hectic lifestyle etc!

Anyway, we have discovered that it is possible to get laminate cut to shape with a decent (PP) strip round the edge. The issue is really getting the curved bit to have the same edge as the rest of the work surfaces as this seems to be nearly impossible, at least while researching online. I was in Howden today and they have a few proper square edge laminates but I was hoping to have a bit more choice as they didn't have much choice of colour/length.... Anyone had experience of buying /fitting anything like this?

Thanks for reading such a long post!

Norman_Castle

anyway, we have discovered that it is possible to get laminate cut to shape with a decent (pp) strip round the edge

(pp) ?.....

apmac

I don't know, it's what they call it in kitchen places. It's a kind of plastic so I'm assuming it's poly-something. It's thicker than the usual strip you glue onto exposed edges and it looks more finished. I think the idea is that all the edges look the same. Front, sides and curves. It's a couple of millimetres thick.

madget_2

apmac wrote: »

Hi all. Hoping for some advice here. We are currently planning our new kitchen and I have loads of questions /issues that I need to resolve. The one I can't seem to get a solid solution for is our worktops.

The design I have settled on will be a sort of U shape kitchen, with one end of the U being made up of a 900(+?)cm breakfast bar. This will have curved cupboards on the end so we need a curved worksurface and we can't afford granite/resin. We looked at spending a bit more and getting real wood but have concluded that we may well regret it- small children, hectic lifestyle etc!

Anyway, we have discovered that it is possible to get laminate cut to shape with a decent (PP) strip round the edge. The issue is really getting the curved bit to have the same edge as the rest of the work surfaces as this seems to be nearly impossible, at least while researching online. I was in Howden today and they have a few proper square edge laminates but I was hoping to have a bit more choice as they didn't have much choice of colour/length.... Anyone had experience of buying /fitting anything like this?

Thanks for reading such a long post!

We have a curved end to one of our worktop lengths and this was possible with Duropal Quadra-edged laminate. The fitter cuts the worktop with the desired curve and then glues a matching strip to the edge. You can finish off by touching up the join with some kind of crayon/pen (I'm not sure exactly what it was that he used).

We are very pleased with it.

Here's a photo - although the join has been really picked out in the flash from the camera and looks far more noticeable than it really is. In real life, you have to look very carefully to see the join!

CKdesigner

I'm sorry Madget but that's not a finish that I would be completely happy with. The problem I would have is that the normal straight front of the worktop has the standard Duropal Quadra edge and then you can really see that the curve section has had the glue on laminate put on it. - sorry!

As the OP has said a PP edge for this sort of thing would be the way to go. Any half decent independent kitchen specialist would use a laminate worktop fabricator that would produce the worktops to a plan with all the curves and and joints pre-done. I think a much more 'made to order' look and probably not that much more expensive.

CK

apmac

Thanks so much Madget and CKdesigner. Those posts illustrate my point exactly! I'm sure, Madget, that in reality you wouldn't notice that join from a passing glance but the problem is if it was in my kitchen I would know! I'm not planning on replacing this kitchen for a very long time and I want it to be perfect. I'm sure some would say I'm obsessing over a trivial thing but I want to do it right and spend our money wisely.
CK, we are looking at diy-kitchens who advertise the quadra profile but don't mention straight edge. I am also planning on getting a quote from Howden who have straight edge on display but I don't suppose they do a cutting service. Actually, the worktop they had on display had a PP edge but it was coming off at one point and the curve was a bit bumpy if you ran your finger over it. As the strip is so thick and less pliable than the usual strip, is there a danger of it coming off eventually, even if fitted well?
Any help greatly appreciated!

CKdesigner

Hi apmac

I think it is well worth getting a fairly decent laminate worktop with a PP edge that can follow the curves etc. But I think you are potentially giving yourself problems by getting the cabinetry and 'made to measure' worktops from 2 different suppliers. diy-kitchens I think make good quality kitchens for the money but they don't do made to measure worktops, neither do Howdens.

I hate to say it, but I would have to suggest going to an independent kitchen specialist who can supply you with the type of kitchen you want with the curves etc. then no doubt they will use a worktop fabricator that will make the worktops for you. This way all the responsibility becomes the kitchen specialist's, whereas, if you buy the cabinetry from an online supplier, then the worktop from another supplier then if you get a measurement or radius slightly wrong then its your fault! To me this is too much of a risk.

Good luck

CK

madget_2

CKdesigner wrote: »

I'm sorry Madget but that's not a finish that I would be completely happy with. The problem I would have is that the normal straight front of the worktop has the standard Duropal Quadra edge and then you can really see that the curve section has had the glue on laminate put on it. - sorry!

As the OP has said a PP edge for this sort of thing would be the way to go. Any half decent independent kitchen specialist would use a laminate worktop fabricator that would produce the worktops to a plan with all the curves and and joints pre-done. I think a much more 'made to order' look and probably not that much more expensive.

CK

That's okay, CK. The photo does make it look awful, but it actually looks pretty good in real life, when not lit up by a flash. Having said that, upon close examination, you can certainly see that it is a straight-edged strip, so I understand your point.

I'd never heard of a PP edge.

If you do end up getting one, I'd love to see a pic if you get the chance, apmac.

apmac

Thanks all, really appreciate your input.

CK, our budget is quite tight as we will be doing a fair bit of work in this project so there's no way we could afford a 'kitchen specialist' I'm afraid. If it came to that I would need to sacrifice the curves. I just can't believe it would come to that!

All we need is 2 lengths of standard laminate and one 900mm depth piece with one end curved on both corners to match the 2 curved corner units. Bushboard do this but the curved piece has to be straight edge and the regular length only comes with a curved profile!
Surely someone somewhere supplies ready curved pieces with a finish that matches the regular pieces?!
There must be a market for this - am I being cynical in thinking the worktop suppliers just don't want to lose any potential granite purchasers?

DirectDebacle

Here is one of many places that offer Duropal PP edging.

http://www.thetopedge.com/decors/by-edge/pp

There is a handy 'Designer' tool to plan worktops you can use. May be worth giving them a call and asking advice.

ryder72

I agree with CK on this one. You are asking for trouble if you think you can get a good radius cut on a laminate worktop and have it PP edged on site.

There is no reason to assume that an independent is going to be expensive. A good independent would be able to offer you great advise, good value and good service.