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Hi all,
I'm a Master's student (sustainable business) researching how to keep old laminate worktops out of the skip. Thanks again to everyone who answered my poll on removed worktops a few weeks ago. Most of you said they're rarely reusable once they're out, which led to this idea.
**The idea:** instead of ripping out a tired laminate worktop, you fit a pre-cut ~4 mm compact HPL skin **on top of** it. There's no glue, so the skin can come off again later. Sink and hob are lifted out and refitted. Panel price would be about the same as a new laminate worktop. Height goes from 38 to ~42 mm.
There are 2 options for the front edge (see first image). Both are held by a small hidden bracket with 2 short screws from below:
- **A: L-cap.** One L-shaped piece; the lip hooks over the old edge. Looks seamless.
- **B: Flat skin + edge strip.** A separate same-decor HPL strip on the front; the brackets unscrew from below.
View attachment 424543
*[image: 2 options for the front edge]*
*[image: fitting steps]*
**And if you have a minute, reply with the number + a short answer:**
- Question 1: Which edge would you rather fit, **A or B**? Why? (Or how would you do it instead?)
- Question 2: How long would it take you vs a standard rip-out and replace (2 lengths, 1 sink, 1 hob)?
- Question 3: Where would it go wrong, or when would you say "not on this job"? (cut-outs, joints, sealing round the tap, upstands, the lip/bracket catching drawers, undermount sink, swollen chipboard…)
- Question 4: What would make it worth offering for you, e.g. training/certificate, customer leads, less disposal hassle? Or what puts you off?
- Question 5: other comments or recommendations
Short answers are fine. Happy to take longer replies via email: [email protected] too.
Replies may be quoted **anonymously** (no usernames) in my university report. Nothing is sold here and no company is involved in this post.
Cheers,
Ann
I'm a Master's student (sustainable business) researching how to keep old laminate worktops out of the skip. Thanks again to everyone who answered my poll on removed worktops a few weeks ago. Most of you said they're rarely reusable once they're out, which led to this idea.
**The idea:** instead of ripping out a tired laminate worktop, you fit a pre-cut ~4 mm compact HPL skin **on top of** it. There's no glue, so the skin can come off again later. Sink and hob are lifted out and refitted. Panel price would be about the same as a new laminate worktop. Height goes from 38 to ~42 mm.
There are 2 options for the front edge (see first image). Both are held by a small hidden bracket with 2 short screws from below:
- **A: L-cap.** One L-shaped piece; the lip hooks over the old edge. Looks seamless.
- **B: Flat skin + edge strip.** A separate same-decor HPL strip on the front; the brackets unscrew from below.
View attachment 424543
*[image: 2 options for the front edge]*
*[image: fitting steps]*
**And if you have a minute, reply with the number + a short answer:**
- Question 1: Which edge would you rather fit, **A or B**? Why? (Or how would you do it instead?)
- Question 2: How long would it take you vs a standard rip-out and replace (2 lengths, 1 sink, 1 hob)?
- Question 3: Where would it go wrong, or when would you say "not on this job"? (cut-outs, joints, sealing round the tap, upstands, the lip/bracket catching drawers, undermount sink, swollen chipboard…)
- Question 4: What would make it worth offering for you, e.g. training/certificate, customer leads, less disposal hassle? Or what puts you off?
- Question 5: other comments or recommendations
Short answers are fine. Happy to take longer replies via email: [email protected] too.
Replies may be quoted **anonymously** (no usernames) in my university report. Nothing is sold here and no company is involved in this post.
Cheers,
Ann
