Plastic laminate countertops are economical, durable, easy to clean, come in a wide variety of designs, and best of all are relatively simple to install yourself. Here are some tips on how to cut a laminate counter to fit your need.
Tools
You will want to gather the following items:
- Jigsaw (saber saw) with a “down cut” blade minimum of 10 teeth/inch
- Circular saw with a thin kerf (space left by cut of blade) carbide blade with 60 teeth
- Sanding block/Belt sander with 220 grit sandpaper
- Portable drill
- As always, eye protection
Cutting to Fit
You can buy laminate countertops in stock sizes that come in two foot intervals between 4 and 12 feet. There is a good chance that the space you have for a counter is not perfectly divisible by two. But fear not, cutting the counter to fit is not a terribly difficult chore. As a matter of fact, quite often the retailer will have end trim pieces of matching laminate to glue on after you make a cut. Here are the steps to get a clean cut off of your counter.
- Mark your measurement for the necessary length on the edge on the counter.
- Adhere a strip of masking tape on the counter where your cut will be to protect the laminate from chipping. Lay a second piece of masking tape so the shoe to your saw will rest on the two strips of tape and protect the counter from being scratched.
- With a carpenter’s square mark your cutting line onto the first piece of masking tape.
- Measure the distance from the blade on your circular saw to the edge of its shoe. You will want to clamp a 1×2 to use as a rip fence. Use this measurement so that the saw rests against the fence and the blade is lined up with your mark. Hint: add 1/16th of an inch to your measurement so that your cut is actually a little wide of the mark. This way if there is any minor chipping to the laminate then you can sand it out with the belt sander and the counter will still be the correct size.
- Set the depth of your blade to 1/8th inch deeper than the thickest part of the counter.
- Always get the blade up to full speed before initiating your cut. Another suggestion is to do a practice cut into the waste side of the counter so you can get a feel for it.
- After making your cut sand the edge even with your mark and remove the masking tape. When sanding be sure to use down strokes only so you are not pulling the laminate away from its base.
Cut Hole For Sink
Cutting out the hole for your sink is similar to the steps above but with a few differences:
- Again, use masking tape where you will be cutting to protect from chipping.
- The manufacturer of your sink should have supplied a template that you can transfer onto the counter to get an exact cutting line.
- Drill a starter hole inside the template marks. The bit should be wider than the blade to your jigsaw.
- Screw a 1×2 (you can use the same piece you used for a rip fence if it is wider than the sink) to the center of your future hole. This will support the cut away so that its weight won’t break any laminate when reaching the end of your cut. Use only one screw so the board can be spun out of the way a little when you get to that section of the cut.
- Insert the blade into your starter hole and start cutting. Again, always have the blade up to full speed before initiating the cut.
- You will find that it is a little harder to control a straight line with a jig saw but not to worry, the lip of the sink will cover any minor slips over your mark.
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{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
It’s the laminate BACKSPLASH of the countertop that’s the problem. Any suggestions how to shorten a counter with attached back?
Annie-o – that is a difficult task. My best advise is to find a friend that owns a radial arm saw, or rent one for the day. That will solve your issue of cutting through the backsplash in one motion. Of course, there is the issue of portability with a radial arm saw. So, a second solution is to do the majority of the cut with your circular saw and finish (very carefully) with a hand saw. As I mentioned in the article, if you keep the cut wide of your mark, leaving some material, you can sand out imperfections.
Jeff, is it advisable to turn the counter top upside down and cut it through as much of the backs plash as I can before I finish the cut by hand?
Van
@Van if you’re comfortable going freehand without a visible mark, I would say that’s fine. Again, cutting wide of the mark and sanding down later gives you some latitude.
what kind of saw good to cut the laminated countertop for kitchen
As mentioned above, your best bet is a circular saw, but be sure to put on a “thin kerf” blade. Preferably a carbide blade with 60 teeth.
I have an island cabinet with an overhang. I want to cut off some of the width. The top is detachable so that will not be a problem to take it off the cabinet. The edges are beveled. How can I do this?
Darlene – If I’m understanding the question correctly, you want to shorten the overhang. Most of what is described in this post still pertains, but in this situation you will need to make a second cut by angling your saw blade to match the existing bevel. I would not recommend trying this without previous practice. Even more difficult will be getting your hands on some matching laminate so you can re-laminate your new edge. If you still want to give it a shot, here’s a good article on laminating counters: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/h2laminatecountertop#b
What about laying the laminate on the countertop I want to recover? Would that work as a rip fence/template? My problem is that the counter has a curve on the end that I need to get right.
Andrea – It sounds like you’re into a project beyond the scope of this article. The rip fence suggestion is really for a straight cut, and I’m not quite sure what you mean by “recover.” If you are going to laminate a counter yourself then check out the link just above in the reply to Darlene.
-Good Luck!
Is it correct to use a circular saw with more teeth in the blade and put masking tape on the counter so that the counter doesn’t split ?
That is exactly correct Sharon. The more teeth the finer the cut, and the masking tape will reduce the chance of chipping.
hi,
Can you tell me how to trim the pre-made endcaps? They iron on and there is always allot of extra material that needs to be removed.
Thanks
Ken, this link provides a good solution to trimming end caps, plus images on how to do it: http://www.mal-o-sen.com/apply_end_cap.htm
Hi Jeff!
We want to cut the formica back splash down, without removing them and add granite counter tops, on top. (Trying to go green, by NOT removing them.) Can this still be possible, by using a circular saw and masking tape? Or do we need to remove them first and then use the circular saw?
Thank you very much for your time.
kitty
I want to cut a leftover piece of laminate into a corner desk. The edges will butt the walls since I plan to form a right angle at the apex, the wide curved being the front. I don’t have a circular saw to use, but I do have a jig saw, will this work?
Hi Kitty – If the back splash is a separate unit from the counter top then it is probably secured with screws coming up from under the counter, and possibly glued to the wall. If the back splash is a molded piece of the counter, then just have at it with the saw. You’ll be covering it with the granite, which will hide the cut anyway. Nice job going GREEN!
Susan – should be no problem, just make sure you get a reverse blade for cutting metal. This will make a much finer cut, and cut on the down stroke to avoid chipping (along with the masking tape). Be sure to create a jig to maintain a straight line.
I want to cut the backsplase off my famica counter top is that possible
It’s definitely possible to cut it off, but what’s the plan once its removed?
Sorry but this isnt the best advice…. I build cabinets and regularly cut and install laminate tops. Best thing you can do is flip the counter upside down and make all of your measurment marks. Fasten a fence to the bottom matching the offset of the circular saw faceplate. Then make your cut in two passes. One for the backspash, and one for the top its self. The saw blades motion cuts up into the laminate when cut upside down. This will prevent chips, no need for masking tape, and since your cutting on the underside you cant scratch it with the saw……again no need for tape. Way quicker….. and dont even think of touching a laminate top with a jig saw unless its the sink opening which will be overlapped…. Jig saw = chips….
Gabe – Thanks for your input. Personally, I have not had chipping problems when using the proper blades as described in the article. Your method does sound to be the “quick” solution, but I’m curious what you use to set the counter on. By flipping it over I would think the backsplash creates an awkward angle for cutting.
Great tip on cutting counter tops thank you it worked out well and got an even cut