Where to buy decent laminate worktop (NI)...?

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I've decided to tackle replacing my kitchen worktop, and looked at good ole' B&Q first - but have been alarmed by the number of negative reviews of their products.

I know you have to take some of these with a pinch of salt, but several of them include photographs of the tops delaminating etc, and it's a bit scary.

Anywhere you'd recommend getting something half decent?

Please note I'm in N Ireland, so I have B&Q and Homebase, but no Wickes.

Ta :D
 
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Forget the sheds. IMHO their worktops are all much of a muchness. Instead look for firms who can supply worktops from Duropal (Pfleiderer), Resopal (Wilsonart), Bushboard, etc. All of these are far better quality. A quick look on their respective web sites should give you the local distributor for your region. For example Duropal (my own personal favourite) is distributed in NI by IJK Timber Group in Belfast (according to the Pfleiderer web site). Expect prices to be a bit higher on 38mm thick trade quality worktop than it is on 30mm stuff. Also note that trade worktops generally come in 4m or 4.1m lengths
 
For example Duropal (my own personal favourite) is distributed in NI by IJK Timber Group in Belfast (according to the Pfleiderer web site). Expect prices to be a bit higher on 38mm thick trade quality worktop than it is on 30mm stuff. Also note that trade worktops generally come in 4m or 4.1m lengths


Thanks for that. My existing worktop is 38mm, so I’d want to replace it with the same… and actually, the longest section is about 3½M, so again 4M sounds good :D


Will investigate further…
 
OK, found them :D

Only one thing... I thought "standard" worktops were 38mm thick, as mine seem to be? But these Duropal ones are 40mm.

Although it's only a couple of mil, I guess it does make a difference...
 
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There isn't really a "standard". Cheaper laminate worktops are 28 to 30mm, better ones are 38 to 40mm. 38mm is the old Imperial 1-1/2in (and is what Wilsonart, an American company, seem to deliver), 40mm is metric. That 2mm makes very little difference most of the time. If it is an issue you could always route a small rebate at the back or plane a chamfer onto the edge if it is necessary to undershoot existing tiling. My preference for these three brands is based on never having had a dud from any of them, plus good quality, plus (at least in the case of Pfleiderer) having an efficient and helpful distributor (with most deliveries next day, or at most 48 hours). One downside of dealing with these firms is that you should expect to pay a delivery charge. I'm trade and it's no different for me
 
If it is an issue you could always route a small rebate at the back or plane a chamfer onto the edge if it is necessary to undershoot existing tiling.

Thanks for explaining that :)

Yes I’m going to have to measure everything carefully – I think it does go under the tiles, as you suggest, but haven't looked closely yet. More worryingly, although all but one of my cabinets are high level, the one at the end is long, and comes right down onto the worktop. I can’t just move it up, as it has to line up at the top etc. Always something, isn't there…

My preference for these three brands is based on never having had a dud from any of them, plus good quality. One downside of dealing with these firms is that you should expect to pay a delivery charge.

Well, I’d have to pay a delivery charge anyway – don’t think they’d fit in my old motor :eek:

And your reasoning is sound. Will investigate further over the weekend…
 
Note that if you do have to rebate or chamfer to get a fit that it would be advisable to seal the exposed edge - something like old gloss paint, silicone, etc would do just fine
 
Note that if you do have to rebate or chamfer to get a fit that it would be advisable to seal the exposed edge - something like old gloss paint, silicone, etc would do just fine

Aye, cheers for that. One (hopefully final!) question - it's an L-shaped worktop, so I'm going to have a join.

If this pic comes out OK, you can see the existing one has been sawn or machined to fit - I'm not very enthusiastic about those kind of aluminium joining strips you get, but is it going to be possible for me to replicate what I have now with a Black & Decker jigsaw, or am I being unrealistic?

Thanks again :D

20191109_105749.jpg
 
On the upside, it should be possible to hire a 1/2in plunge router, 30mm guide bush and worktop jig from a local tool hire place (check the jig for aný nicks in the edges and reject unless it is spot on). Get some decent 1/2in diameter cutters (e.g. Trend, Faithfull, etc) and use one cutter for every 2 joints.

You may also need a circular saw with a fine tooth blade, a straight edge and a couple of cramps to cut the worktop to approximate length as well as at least three trestle (to make your cuts on) and finally a fine, single cut file (8 or 10in/200 or 250mm) to finish the end laminates. Most "dog bone" worktop joiners will require a 10mm open ended wrench (a pair of pliers or a combi wrench won't do)
 
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OK guys, thanks for the honest advice. I don't think I'm prepared to go to all that trouble for something I might make a balls of anyway - so alloy strip it is...
 
Having decided I wouldn't do the best job of this, I’ve had a local kitchen fitter round, and he’s left me his Duropal and Top Shape sample books round.

Would you say there was any advantage of one over the other? Though it’ll probably come down to colour etc anyway…
 
Not familiar with Top Shape (other than knowing that it is a brand from Worktop Express?) but as to Duropal I feel it has a slight advantage over Resopal or for that matter Egger (both of whom manufacture their own laminates) or Bushboard (whose Prima range uses Formica laminates) simply because the underside is sealed a wee bit better, although that is a subjective assessment. TBH you can't really go wrong with any of the major brands, especially if they are fitted by a competent fitter who is prepared to guarantee his work.
 
Not familiar with Top Shape (other than knowing that it is a brand from Worktop Express?) but as to Duropal I feel it has a slight advantage over Resopal or for that matter Egger (both of whom manufacture their own laminates) or Bushboard (whose Prima range uses Formica laminates) simply because the underside is sealed a wee bit better, although that is a subjective assessment. TBH you can't really go wrong with any of the major brands, especially if they are fitted by a competent fitter who is prepared to guarantee his work.

Cheers. PS love your quotes. Re the cat one, I assume it means you're a cat lover - here's my little Lucifer:

Big_coon_2.jpg
 

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