I'm having a hard time finding a source for a laminate countertop (more like
an island, really) - the dimensions are 76 x 48 - I'd like to avoid any
seams - there will be a sink, too. My budget can't accommodate granite or
solid surface. Any suggestions? THANKS!

Look in the yellow pages for counter top suppliers. They will make most any
size you would like.

Craig


"Texas Yankee" wrote in message
news:jPV2g.3381$BO2.1167@trnddc02...
I'm having a hard time finding a source for a laminate countertop (more
like an island, really) - the dimensions are 76 x 48 - I'd like to avoid
any seams - there will be a sink, too. My budget can't accommodate
granite or solid surface. Any suggestions? THANKS!

"Texas Yankee" wrote in message
news:jPV2g.3381$BO2.1167@trnddc02...
I'm having a hard time finding a source for a laminate countertop (more
like an island, really) - the dimensions are 76 x 48 - I'd like to avoid
any seams - there will be a sink, too. My budget can't accommodate
granite or solid surface. Any suggestions? THANKS!


That is going to be a custom size.

Laminate is sold in a 4x8 or 4x12 size so seams won't be required.


Colbyt

"Texas Yankee" wrote in message
news:jPV2g.3381$BO2.1167@trnddc02...
I'm having a hard time finding a source for a laminate countertop (more
like an island, really) - the dimensions are 76 x 48 - I'd like to avoid
any seams - there will be a sink, too. My budget can't accommodate
granite or solid surface. Any suggestions? THANKS!


Here's a crazy idea. Call a place that makes countertops. Radical, I know,
but you will be successful in your quest if you do this.

I guess the reason I posted is because my limited experience with buying
stuff like countertops is to go to one of the big box stores and get an
estimate and pay someone to do the work - there aren't too many reliable
independent remodeling folks that I can find here in my locale - I have no
idea about how to contact the companies that actually make the countertops,
but I don't imagine that they'll sell to individuals - my expertise is with
business software, and people pay me to handle that for them - stuff that I
don't know about, I pay people to do it - if I can find someone - at any
rate, if you felt that my question wasn't up to standards, you have my
apology sir.

To those of you that offerred an answer without the sarcasm - thanks!

"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...
"Texas Yankee" wrote in message
news:jPV2g.3381$BO2.1167@trnddc02...
I'm having a hard time finding a source for a laminate countertop (more
like an island, really) - the dimensions are 76 x 48 - I'd like to avoid
any seams - there will be a sink, too. My budget can't accommodate
granite or solid surface. Any suggestions? THANKS!


Here's a crazy idea. Call a place that makes countertops. Radical, I know,
but you will be successful in your quest if you do this.

"Texas Yankee" wrote in message
news:Y1X2g.3393$BO2.836@trnddc02...
I guess the reason I posted is because my limited experience with buying
stuff like countertops is to go to one of the big box stores and get an
estimate and pay someone to do the work - there aren't too many reliable
independent remodeling folks that I can find here in my locale - I have no
idea about how to contact the companies that actually make the
countertops,
but I don't imagine that they'll sell to individuals - my expertise is
with
business software, and people pay me to handle that for them - stuff that
I
don't know about, I pay people to do it - if I can find someone - at any
rate, if you felt that my question wasn't up to standards, you have my
apology sir.

To those of you that offerred an answer without the sarcasm - thanks!

"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...
"Texas Yankee" wrote in message
news:jPV2g.3381$BO2.1167@trnddc02...
I'm having a hard time finding a source for a laminate countertop (more
like an island, really) - the dimensions are 76 x 48 - I'd like to
avoid
any seams - there will be a sink, too. My budget can't accommodate
granite or solid surface. Any suggestions? THANKS!


Here's a crazy idea. Call a place that makes countertops. Radical, I
know,
but you will be successful in your quest if you do this.

The big-boxes don't directly employ any installers. They also don't make the
special-order countertops. All that is subbed out. If your town isn't big
enough to have a custom countertop fabricator, the nearest larger town will.
They may or may not be listed in the yellow pages, but should be listed in
the white pages, if you can find out the name. The guy at the big-box store
may or may not wanna give up the names, since they get a cut when you book
the job through them. Ask around amongst co-workers and neighbors- the local
go-to guy usually isn't a big secret, since word-of-mouth is their best
advertising. Custom counters are usually sold installed, but that is more
true for solid or stone than simple formica. Suppliers don't want the
callbacks from amatuer install jobs, or the bad pr when a botched install is
linked to their name. An island that big, you will want help with anyway-
even in formica, that sucker will be heavy. Off the top of my head, not sure
formica even comes that wide- you may have to live with a joint down the
middle, especially if you want a molded edge. A hardwood edge with formica
center may be easier and cheaper to fabricate.

aem sends...

Hi TY,

I sell custom laminate furniture, so I can speak to this. This sounds like
a island, so I'll make that assumption for my response, meaning all sides
finished and no backsplash.

Call a custom cabinet shop, most of them are capable of working with
laminate, and it won't be a lot of money. Avoid home stores, even the
independent ones. For this, you want to talk directly to the fabricator or
you may well end up with seams where you don't want them to be. Laminate is
available in 4x8 or 5x10 sheets. To best avoid seams, you'll want bullnose
sides, but not all shops are set up to do this, and it will require a 5x10
sheet, which is sometimes a special order and takes a couple of weeks to
get.

If you don't want bullnose sides, and go with flat edges, you'll have at
least two seams along the side. A 5x10 should yield two seams, a 4x8 should
be six (if a second sheet is used then it will be three seams). Again, if
you go direct to a fabricator you can discuss where approximately to have
the seams put for best appearance. Make sure you tell him what you're using
this for and what the support is, if he thinks its a table top he may build
it differently than for island that takes a sink.

S

You'll get seams in the side.

S

On Mon, 24 Apr 2006 02:13:51 GMT, "Doug Kanter"
wrote:

"Texas Yankee" wrote in message
news:jPV2g.3381$BO2.1167@trnddc02...
I'm having a hard time finding a source for a laminate countertop (more
like an island, really) - the dimensions are 76 x 48 - I'd like to avoid
any seams - there will be a sink, too. My budget can't accommodate
granite or solid surface. Any suggestions? THANKS!


Here's a crazy idea. Call a place that makes countertops. Radical, I know,
but you will be successful in your quest if you do this.

Commie, pinko.

On Mon, 24 Apr 2006 03:30:38 GMT, "ameijers"
wrote:


"Texas Yankee" wrote in message
news:Y1X2g.3393$BO2.836@trnddc02...
I guess the reason I posted is because my limited experience with buying
stuff like countertops is to go to one of the big box stores and get an
estimate and pay someone to do the work - there aren't too many reliable
independent remodeling folks that I can find here in my locale - I have no
idea about how to contact the companies that actually make the
countertops,
but I don't imagine that they'll sell to individuals - my expertise is

Even after what Doug said?

with
business software, and people pay me to handle that for them - stuff that
I
don't know about, I pay people to do it - if I can find someone - at any

If you can learn to make enough money to pay people to do things, you
can learn more about the phone book, and the business-to-business
yellow pages (which often doesn't require you to be a business to
purchase, and never requires you to be one to get a copy of the
directory) and the One Book, I think it is, the competing yellow pages
in many areas (a book I despise, but which does have the advantage of
covering large areas that are 10 or 30 or more miles outside of town),
and yp.yahoo.com .

What is possible, maybe likely, is that they won't want to spend much,
maybe not any, time discussing what would look nice where, and what
shape it ought to be. They'll give you a stack of their colors and
patterns, and tell you their limitations, like the size limitations
someone mentioned, and expect you to tell them what you need in
detail, and they'll make it for you.

So come prepared.

The last time I bought something at a wholesale place, a 4x8 sheet of
some sort of white plastic type stuff, it was only 28 dollars and they
did spend quite a bit of time with me, and she volunteered that she
was waiving the small order charge, but I have a very nice personality
when I'm not on the net. It comes natural because I actually do like
talking to ...almost everyone.

rate, if you felt that my question wasn't up to standards, you have my
apology sir.

To those of you that offerred an answer without the sarcasm - thanks!

"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...
"Texas Yankee" wrote in message
news:jPV2g.3381$BO2.1167@trnddc02...
I'm having a hard time finding a source for a laminate countertop (more
like an island, really) - the dimensions are 76 x 48 - I'd like to
avoid
any seams - there will be a sink, too. My budget can't accommodate
granite or solid surface. Any suggestions? THANKS!


Here's a crazy idea. Call a place that makes countertops. Radical, I
know,
but you will be successful in your quest if you do this.

The big-boxes don't directly employ any installers. They also don't make the
special-order countertops. All that is subbed out. If your town isn't big
enough to have a custom countertop fabricator, the nearest larger town will.
They may or may not be listed in the yellow pages, but should be listed in
the white pages, if you can find out the name. The guy at the big-box store
may or may not wanna give up the names, since they get a cut when you book
the job through them. Ask around amongst co-workers and neighbors- the local
go-to guy usually isn't a big secret, since word-of-mouth is their best
advertising. Custom counters are usually sold installed, but that is more
true for solid or stone than simple formica. Suppliers don't want the
callbacks from amatuer install jobs, or the bad pr when a botched install is
linked to their name. An island that big, you will want help with anyway-
even in formica, that sucker will be heavy. Off the top of my head, not sure
formica even comes that wide- you may have to live with a joint down the
middle, especially if you want a molded edge. A hardwood edge with formica
center may be easier and cheaper to fabricate.

aem sends...

I really think it would be worth the time (and gasoline) to drive quite a
distance to get exactly what you want. Divide the expense by the number of
years of enjoyment you'll get from the countertop and a classy looking
kitchen, and it'll seem like a very small investment.


"Texas Yankee" wrote in message
news:Y1X2g.3393$BO2.836@trnddc02...
I guess the reason I posted is because my limited experience with buying
stuff like countertops is to go to one of the big box stores and get an
estimate and pay someone to do the work - there aren't too many reliable
independent remodeling folks that I can find here in my locale - I have no
idea about how to contact the companies that actually make the countertops,
but I don't imagine that they'll sell to individuals - my expertise is with
business software, and people pay me to handle that for them - stuff that I
don't know about, I pay people to do it - if I can find someone - at any
rate, if you felt that my question wasn't up to standards, you have my
apology sir.

To those of you that offerred an answer without the sarcasm - thanks!

"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...
"Texas Yankee" wrote in message
news:jPV2g.3381$BO2.1167@trnddc02...
I'm having a hard time finding a source for a laminate countertop (more
like an island, really) - the dimensions are 76 x 48 - I'd like to avoid
any seams - there will be a sink, too. My budget can't accommodate
granite or solid surface. Any suggestions? THANKS!


Here's a crazy idea. Call a place that makes countertops. Radical, I
know, but you will be successful in your quest if you do this.

"Texas Yankee" wrote in message
news:Y1X2g.3393$BO2.836@trnddc02...

but I don't imagine that they'll sell to individuals

I just noticed this. That's simply wrong. Any countertop place will be happy
to take your money. If you *do* find a place that seems hesitant to deal
directly with homeowners, it's probably because they're afraid of building
something for an experienced person who may not measure correctly, and then
end up being a service nightmare. I recently visited a custom curtain store
where the manager said exactly that. They won't take orders for certain
types of window coverings unless one of their installers comes to your home
to double check your measurements. There are certainly other ways of getting
around this.

"mm" wrote in message
news
On Mon, 24 Apr 2006 02:13:51 GMT, "Doug Kanter"
wrote:

"Texas Yankee" wrote in message
news:jPV2g.3381$BO2.1167@trnddc02...
I'm having a hard time finding a source for a laminate countertop (more
like an island, really) - the dimensions are 76 x 48 - I'd like to avoid
any seams - there will be a sink, too. My budget can't accommodate
granite or solid surface. Any suggestions? THANKS!


Here's a crazy idea. Call a place that makes countertops. Radical, I know,
but you will be successful in your quest if you do this.

Commie, pinko.



I know. My phones are being tapped ever since I told my son to check the
yellow pages to find skateboard dealers.

Thanks for the guidance !

"mrsgator88" wrote in message
. com...
Hi TY,

I sell custom laminate furniture, so I can speak to this. This sounds
like a island, so I'll make that assumption for my response, meaning all
sides finished and no backsplash.

Call a custom cabinet shop, most of them are capable of working with
laminate, and it won't be a lot of money. Avoid home stores, even the
independent ones. For this, you want to talk directly to the fabricator
or you may well end up with seams where you don't want them to be.
Laminate is available in 4x8 or 5x10 sheets. To best avoid seams, you'll
want bullnose sides, but not all shops are set up to do this, and it will
require a 5x10 sheet, which is sometimes a special order and takes a
couple of weeks to get.

If you don't want bullnose sides, and go with flat edges, you'll have at
least two seams along the side. A 5x10 should yield two seams, a 4x8
should be six (if a second sheet is used then it will be three seams).
Again, if you go direct to a fabricator you can discuss where
approximately to have the seams put for best appearance. Make sure you
tell him what you're using this for and what the support is, if he thinks
its a table top he may build it differently than for island that takes a
sink.

S

I think that you will find that any "top shop" will build anything you
want.
Contact any cabinet shop in the yellow pages and ask them if they will build
the top for you or ask them
who they use, some shops will use someone else to build their tops for them.
Also there may be a listing
for a company that just builds laminate tops. Check more than one company,
there is usually a lot
of variance in prices between them. You should also want to go to their
shop and look at their work.
We had a company that built tops for us, their work was poor and too
expensive for what they provided.
Mainly the poor quality of work is what drove us to start building our own
tops. It's difficult to provide a
quality product for a customer when it looks like crap with radiused ends
looking they were cut out around
two different size coffee cans then beltsanded by a blind fabricator.
cc



"Texas Yankee" wrote in message
news:Y1X2g.3393$BO2.836@trnddc02...
I guess the reason I posted is because my limited experience with buying
stuff like countertops is to go to one of the big box stores and get an
estimate and pay someone to do the work - there aren't too many reliable
independent remodeling folks that I can find here in my locale - I have no
idea about how to contact the companies that actually make the countertops,
but I don't imagine that they'll sell to individuals - my expertise is with
business software, and people pay me to handle that for them - stuff that I
don't know about, I pay people to do it - if I can find someone - at any
rate, if you felt that my question wasn't up to standards, you have my
apology sir.

To those of you that offerred an answer without the sarcasm - thanks!

"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...
"Texas Yankee" wrote in message
news:jPV2g.3381$BO2.1167@trnddc02...
I'm having a hard time finding a source for a laminate countertop (more
like an island, really) - the dimensions are 76 x 48 - I'd like to avoid
any seams - there will be a sink, too. My budget can't accommodate
granite or solid surface. Any suggestions? THANKS!


Here's a crazy idea. Call a place that makes countertops. Radical, I
know, but you will be successful in your quest if you do this.