New Laminate over Old Laminate?

16 years ago

We are getting ready to sell our house and we want an inexpensive fix for a laminate counter with an ugly color. Has anyone here ever applied new laminate on top of the old?

The counter is actually in the basement bathroom, not the kitchen. But I thought someone on this forum may have tried it too.

Thanks for any help you can give.

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Comments (8)

tulip_lover
Original Author
16 years ago
The guy in the kitchen department at my Lowe's says it can be done. He said to sand the old laminate and get rid of all dust first.

I'd still love to hear from someone who has tried this. Thanks!
dawn_t
16 years ago
I applied new laminate over old in my present kitchen, approximately 8 years ago, and no problems so far.

I think the trick, as tulip_lover stated, is to ensure that the old laminate is VERY well sanded so that all gloss is removed. Then use generous layers of contact cement.

HTH,
Dawn
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User
16 years ago
It's not hard, but it's not that much $$ savings either.
This only works with laminate counters with square edges. Postformed laminate counters with the rounded edges will need a postformed grade of laminate and some heat and a vacuum press to be able to follow that curve around without breaking. And, postformed slabs are available from your big box supplier or local lumber yard at about the same price as that sheet of laminate. Just cut to size and do the sink cutout and you're done. Even vainty depth slabs are usually available in stock colors from a local distributor in 7 days. A inexpensive color/finish 4x8 sheet of laminate (usual minimum size require for order) might run you $60 while a 6' slab of stock color laminate might run you around $75. Not a huge $$ difference when you have to buy the other supplies needed and your time.
momto4boys
16 years ago
We just had a kitchen place come out and measure and give us prices for new laminate. At first, I thought we were going with all new counters. Till he saw what we had (only 3 yrs old) and convinced me I could just go over it. No demo, cheaper, etc. I was all for it. After some thought, I realized I'd be stuck with the edge that I hate, so I started to think we wouldn't go with that plan. Then, they called yesterday with the estimate.
I was told it was $8.50 a square foot to build new decks, and install. Another place told me $6.50 for going right over the old. So, I was a bit shocked when my tiny kitchen came in at $969, just to put plastic over plastic :(
Basically, you have to buy the whole sheet, not just the square footage you need. Which, I knew. But I guess I ended up wasting a LOT of material because of the shape of my counter and bar.
Heck, Lowes quoted me $1400 for all new counters, and installation. Seems if the other place is as high as they are to just slap new over old, all new decks with the nicer edge will be a LOT more. They'll get back to me tomorrow with those prices.

The guy who came out did tell me exactly what to do to get the old off in the areas I want to tile. And exactly what they do when they put the new on. Heck, I may just buy the sheets on Lowes, and let dh have a whack at it :)
tulip_lover
Original Author
16 years ago
Dawn, thanks for the feedback. That's good to hear that it worked for you.

Live Wire Oak: I see your point! Yes, I wanted to do the prefab counter - it would have been $69 for the 8' piece I need. But this is for a bathroom, so it's too deep and won't work. I could order one the right depth for $200.

The existing counter has square edges, so this should work. All I'll need is one piece of 4' x 8' laminate which is $45 at Home Depot. I just wanted to hear from folks who have tried it and see how it turned out.
cherryhillhandyman
16 years ago
It can be done if you have a router with a laminate trimming bit, a laminate cutter, a file and preferrably a belt sander, but it's a PITA. Assuming you have a drop-in sink and a backsplash, it must be basically disassembled, laminated, and reattached. I'm sure that you can find a closeout cultured vanity top cheaply in the correct size that will be a LOT less work and look nicer in the end.
sandsonik
16 years ago
Momto4boys, can you tell me what the guy told you to get rid of the old laminate to tile? I want to do that too! I assume you're talking about the laminate backsplash, not the counter?
sandsonik
16 years ago
Never mind the previous post - I saw your answer in the other thread, Momto4boys!