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Does anyone have any knowledge or experience w Formica Decometal?

last year

last modified: last year

We/son needs a new countertop in what will be a rental property. The place needs some spiffing. This is a sort of generic modern townhome . The countertop on there now is shot. The community was built in the late seventies through early eighties, his has ugly but sound slab door dark faux walnut wood cabinetry along with s/s steel appliances. There is also a large s/s commercial open shelf island with real walnut top. We added some finger pulls in nickel. Even more hideous is the tile floor which he is removing and adding a light/medium Lvf that resembles a French oak (not ordered yet). I originally thought a plain off white countertop would look best. I don't love the mockups I did with an off white top and that brought me to a search and find of the Formica Decometal. https://www.formica.com/en-us/search-by-color/commercial?_gl=16ok2co_up*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkOqZBhDNARIsAACsbfJRlTxcsaj10Gt7hsdCOKQXyLWnIDWUhNdHBWVEOUTVzM-Dmix7A_saAk_ZEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds#sort=relevancy&f:Color=[Gray]&f:ProductLine=[DecoMetal%C2%AE%20Metal%20Laminate]

Knowledge?

They even have a brushed stainless look.

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Comments (12)

just_terrilynn
Original Author
last year
These look pretty nifty .
palimpsest
last year
I would only use these on vertical surfaces.
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just_terrilynn
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
Thanks Pal, I was hoping you would see this.

Oh what to do. Son is also getting a new roof put over the screened patio so need something budget friendly, somewhat attractive and durable. The original plan was to spend more and get a countertop he could repurpose when he gets new cabinetry down the road. But that isn’t leaving much of an emergency breakdown of other things…fund.
palimpsest
last year
last modified: last year
Some of these are ok for "light duty horizontal" but to me that means as a furniture finish, not a countertop. I don't think I tested these, but Chemetal HPL metallic laminates seem to scratch pretty easily and these are the same thing.

And I don't think they are actually inexpensive.
just_terrilynn
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
Well, talked to son who lives and works about two & a half hours away… he said a better countertop is not off the table. So, there are more options now. Would like to get a fabrication of something light on the glue to be reused on a future kitchen. Back to looking at hardy, but a hardy that could go into the future but blend now. He has taked of a new similar kitchen to the existing but better quality.
Kswl
last year
I like some of those a lot. Not the ones that ape stone or wood, but the twill and cotton and linen patterns and the woven brass are all great. The washi paper is fabulous!

I disagree that they would not be suitable as countertops. I’ve seen fifty year old formica that looks much better than chipped and discolored stone. As long as he had a landing surface for hot pots like a wood topped island or a large wood cutting board to serve that purpose I wouldnt hesitate to get formica. There are also lots of stylish retro patterns that range from interesting to cute that would also be fun.
palimpsest
last year
I would get regular formica for sure. Formica DecoMetal says in the specs Vertical or Light Horizontal use, and some are Vertical only
just_terrilynn
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
I’ll put a few things together and see what he thinks. Over 90% of the time we agree on picks. Maybe there is a formica that won’t show cut marks as much. There are three of these townhomes up for rent now for $2,600 to $2,700 which seems crazy high to me. All have various stages of remodel. Not grand but most nice enough. My son wants to rent his for slightly less even though his also has a good sized under roof screened patio. Even he thinks the rent is crazy high here.

Anyway, this is what we will be working with.

And this LVP in the 3.35 width because we think the wide will look stupid in here.

The real color is between these two photos. A pinch warmer than above but not as warm as below. Sorta more natural

ETA: Call me crazy but I like this Formica below for an older Florida kitchen.

Too bathroomy?
palimpsest
last year
last modified: last year
This limited number of patterns comes as ColorCore which means it is the same color all the way through instead of being brown under the top layer.

https://www.formica.com/en-us/products/ccore/colors#sort=relevancy
just_terrilynn
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
Thank you Pal. Maybe I should just play it safe and do

this colorcore Surf, not too white or too gray or too warm off white.

Is there a secret to making this look ultra cool? like thickness or a particular edge?
palimpsest
last year
A standard edge looks good because there is no brown line.
just_terrilynn
Original Author
last year
Yes, thank you Pal! Sold!

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