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Cecile
2nd May 2012, 11:13 PM
Seeking more information from the knowledgeable folks here.

In the absence of a budget big enough, we will not be able to afford a stone benchtop. Commercial grade stainless is also on our wish list for at least part of the kitchen, but most likely unaffordable.

Laminate will be our best option, most likely. A few questions:

Can anyone recommended brand of laminate that will give the longest life? Or they all much the same? I'm not choosy which brand. Ted prefers a gloss finish for easiest cleaning, although I am aware that they show scratches.

My issue with laminate is the black edge if you're not doing post formed edges. I understand you can get a square edge now that isn't cut, and I remember the solid core laminates.

I've been doing my research, lots still to find out so that when we do finally get the $$$ we can write up the specs and have it made.

Thanks!
Gaza
2nd May 2012, 11:19 PM
A post form square edge is what you after over laminate stuck on a substrate that will have the black edge.

Why not go to a laminex deisgn show room they have pattens these days.


Another option is high compact laminate but this stuff is exy but very heavy duty
Cecile
2nd May 2012, 11:28 PM
A post form square edge is what you after over laminate stuck on a substrate that will have the black edge.

Why not go to a laminex deisgn show room they have pattens these days.


Another option is high compact laminate but this stuff is exy but very heavy duty

Ah yes...there's a laminex showroom in Geelong not far from our place. Thanks for the reminder.
Pitto
3rd May 2012, 12:13 AM
Just go to Bunnings and get one of their high quality, low price benchtops............. :innocent:


Seriously, Check out the Laminex Diamondgloss range. I have a strong dislike for gloss laminate tops, but i have been surprised by the
scratch resistance of the Diamondgloss range. Formica have a similar option that i used on a clients sideboard, The laminate was an exact match
to the 30mm stone that was already in the kitchen :D

That said, Laminate will be your cheapest option, I would look also at the Laminex Squareform range as the tight 6mm radius on a 38mm substraight looks great. Formica now do a similar product too.

EGGER do 5m runs of 600mm deep single roll, 900mm deep double roll, 38mm thick tops that have a 3mm radius and they look great too,
however the colour range is limited. EGGER would be cheaper than Laminex.

GP
r3nov8or
3rd May 2012, 10:08 AM
Yep, the Laminex showroom on School Rd is a great place for ideas. Check their showroom opening hours

But if you want big samples to take home (e.g. 400x700), Newgrove Benchtops in Leather St Breakwater is great. The kitchen tradies we got quotes from all used Newgrove for the benchtops.

Not sure if the square-form technology has changed recently, but last I looked it is only rolled over on long edges, so if you have an exposed end-of-bench it will have a cut edge and corners. This may be less than ideal on wide islands
Cecile
3rd May 2012, 02:32 PM
you have an exposed end-of-bench it will have a cut edge and corners. This may be less than ideal on wide islands

I had already considered this. I might go with a timber edge all the way round, which I had in another house and liked a lot, very serviceable and protected the benchtop edge. There's also the stainless steel edge strip idea. In the end, it will depend on the final kitchen cost.

Thanks everyone for information.
r3nov8or
3rd May 2012, 03:15 PM
We have an island bench, and exposed bench-ends, in laminex, and have a full roundover edges and rounded stainless steel caps on the corners.

(It's funny how many people rub the caps. Just stand there chatting, and rub the caps... I think it means they like it :B)
Cecile
3rd May 2012, 04:46 PM
We have an island bench, and exposed bench-ends, in laminex, and have a full roundover edges and rounded stainless steel caps on the corners.

(It's funny how many people rub the caps. Just stand there chatting, and rub the caps... I think it means they like it :B)

Photo please?
Black Cat
3rd May 2012, 06:05 PM
My house in NZ had a black granite-effect high gloss countertop, and like you I shrieked at the horror of all those scratches. But after two years of cats being belted off it (they dig their claws in when you do that), fishtank being dragged across it, toast crumbs left to fend for themselves and other domestic failings on my part, it was still a high=gloss finish when I left. What is more, it looked so much like granite that most potential buyers assumed it was ...

Since it was installed by the previous owners, I have no idea what brand it was - but I would have it every time given the choice!
r3nov8or
3rd May 2012, 07:23 PM
Photo please?
Here you go.

89963 89964 89965
Black Cat
3rd May 2012, 08:06 PM
so that's rebated into the laminex top for a smooth finish then? Sweet!
r3nov8or
3rd May 2012, 09:29 PM
so that's rebated into the laminex top for a smooth finish then? Sweet!

Yep, that's right.
Cecile
4th May 2012, 12:16 AM
Here you go.

http://www.renovateforum.com/attachments/f200/89963-kitchen-benchtop-sdc11869.jpg http://www.renovateforum.com/attachments/f200/89964-kitchen-benchtop-sdc11871.jpg http://www.renovateforum.com/attachments/f200/89965-kitchen-benchtop-sdc11872.jpg

This is really beautiful. Can you PM me who did your kitchen/benchtop?
r3nov8or
4th May 2012, 01:39 PM
This is really beautiful. Can you PM me who did your kitchen/benchtop?

I agree :) PM sent earlier
Butterfly3
4th May 2012, 08:15 PM
Hi there. I know a guy who can cut benchtops to size. Not stone, not laminate either, some new product from Laminex which can be moulded and everything. Could always give him a call, his name is Ced, 0435 862 564.
r3nov8or
4th May 2012, 08:30 PM
Hi there. I know a guy who can cut benchtops to size. Not stone, not laminate either, some new product from Laminex which can be moulded and everything. Could always give him a call, his name is Ced, 0435 862 564.

If laminex make it I'm sure the laminex showroom will have it
Godzilla73
4th May 2012, 08:30 PM
Hi there. I know a guy who can cut benchtops to size. Not stone, not laminate either, some new product from Laminex which can be moulded and everything. Could always give him a call, his name is Ced, 0435 862 564.

You mean this stuff. http://www.laminex.com.au/uploads/brochures/LAM1248_Freestyle_Curve_Bro.pdf If he can cut this, then he should be able to cut laminate. By the way there's a bit more to it than just cutting it, and apart from the wow looking pic in the brochure it is almost pointless imo...
Gaza
4th May 2012, 09:15 PM
Maybe laminex version of corian
Butterfly3
5th May 2012, 02:24 PM
You mean this stuff. http://www.laminex.com.au/uploads/brochures/LAM1248_Freestyle_Curve_Bro.pdf If he can cut this, then he should be able to cut laminate. By the way there's a bit more to it than just cutting it, and apart from the wow looking pic in the brochure it is almost pointless imo...

Yeah that's the stuff. He does kitchens for a living so I'm pretty sure he knows what he's doing.