Pics and ideas needed! Countertops please!

[DavieBoot]

Hi forum, I'm getting ready to build the kitchen area of a TTT that my boyfriend and I are building. I'm trying to find some ideas for counter tops.

Dose anybody have any lightweight counter top ideas? What works? What wears well and looks good?

Thanks!

Ashley

[doug hodder]

Any of the million patterns of formica or similar laminates on ply...about as light as you're going to get, wears well. Doug

[StPatron]

I agree with Doug's recommendation.

A little heavier but very durable... laminate flooring. I chose a tiled look laminate flooring, Habitat for Humanity find.

[DavieBoot]

Okay, so if I go with laminate I'm looking for something funky..maybe with a little sparkle, otherwise a bright color, like orange or red. Does anybody have any suggestions on any specific builds that have used bright laminates for the countertops so I could get a visual? If not that, anybody have suggestions for companies that make funky color laminates?

Thanks a tons!

[StPatron]

Laminate suppliers (including HD and Lowe's) have design catalogs and samples and will special order non-stock patterns.

Websites, such as Wilsonart, might help during your research:

http://samples.wilsonart.com/

[hoytedow]

The counter-top doesn't have to be heavy. I built mine out of 1/4" plywood. It holds the microwave just fine. It does have a 1.5" frame glued all the way around it so it will hold shape. You can then cover it with any spill-proof coating, even epoxy.

[BrwBier]

I built my counter top with laminate, 1/4" ply, 1"pink foam, 1/4 ply. All glued together. Nice and strong and some what light.
Brwbier

[Juneaudave]

If you haven't done so...the Galley Galleryis a great place to get ideas!

[Tumbleweed_Tex]

Here’s an untested idea…

Flooring centers always have a box or two of leftover or discontinued hardwood flooring planks for little or nothing, and teardrop galley countertops are not very big.

A little experimenting with fine sandpaper, and you could paint these planks to your heart’s funky content.
Mix or clash the colors at will.

Then, instead of installing the planks parallel with the front of the countertop, put them down at a 30 or 35 degree angle, and take care to get the joints really tight. Once installed, a few coats of clear sealer would finish the job.

I’m not sure how this painted version would look, but I’ve seen the hardwood flooring used on countertops in a high-dollar motor coach conversion, and it was very impressive. The angled installation made it look really nice.

[DavieBoot]

Tumbleweed,
I like that idea a lot. I think I'll be calling some flooring stores this afternoon!

[Tumbleweed_Tex]

Pictures...lots of pictures...

I'm thinking the finish on that stuff will have to be roughed up a little with 220 or 320 grit to get the paint to stick well, and the face veneer is pretty thin. Be sure and paint the mating surfaces so there will be color in the joints.

Experiment a little, and keep us posted, because you're gonna be the subject matter expert.

[DavieBoot]

I'll be sure to let you know how it turns out!

[gregp136]

The red Formica worked for us.



Greg(and Laurie)

[DavieBoot]

The flooring post got me thinking about cork. I found this on the interwebs. http://soytuf.com/cork Anybody know anybody who has used cork? o

[DavieBoot]

I think I've changed directions totally in the last few minuets. I think I'm going to try cork floor tiles like this http://laycock.smugmug.com/Other/Projec ... 73&k=Fs7u7

Along with hemp board for the under surface. Hemp board is super light and strong, and I just called the owner of this company http://www.hempsteads.com/hemp-concretehemp-board/ and he said he has some second lying around that he'll sell me.

Now I'm REALLY excited. Thanks for the ideas...the flooring was a great idea..and the inspiration for the cork..I don't think you can get any lighter than cork!