Laminate is made in many different grades intended for specific uses. For practical purposes we’ve narrowed this down to two categories; Vertical and Standard Grade.

Vertical Grade is ideal for use on low wear surfaces such as cabinet faces and sides, doors, furniture, etc. It is a little thinner than standard grade and thus, a thinner line will be visible at the edges. Vertical Grade laminate is not recommended for countertops or any surface that will likely see a lot of use. Thickness’ can range from .027″ (0.7mm) nominal to .029″ (.7mm) nominal.

Standard Grade, or Horizontal Grade, is a little thicker and typically is used for higher wear areas like countertops and desktops. This material is less flexible and slightly more difficult to work with but is the standard for making most laminate countertops. Thickness’ can range from .035″ (0.9mm) nominal to .045″ (1.1mm) nominal.

Laminate thickness typically ranges from .027” (Vertical Grade) to .048” (General Purpose Grade) depending on the purpose and material.

The ideal methods for cutting laminate are:

• Router with a flush trim router bit and a straight edge guide
• Router with an over-trim router bit on the countertop being fabricated
• Table Saw

Formica and Wilsonart manufacture various sheet goods, decorative edges and other products. Each offers a unique variety of differing color choices, patterns and finishes but they are very similar products of equal quality, construction and cost.

Yes, you can apply new laminate over existing laminate. You will just want to scuff it up a little bit with 100 grit +/- sandpaper and make sure to clean / degrease it well.

Laminate patterns are often available in multiple finishes. Our SKU’s are broken down to specify the pattern code followed by the finish code and finally the sheet size. For example: in the SKU# 7732-58-4×8, the first set of numbers (7732) represent the pattern “Butterum Granite”. The second set of digits (58) are Formica’s code for “Matte” Finish. The final sequence represents the size (4′ x 8′ sheet).

To view the appearance of Feeney finishes, click on any of the following: Expressions (SP), Gloss (31/GL), Matte (30/MT/SF), Neo (RL), Plush (PL), Pure (PR), Shimmer (38), Stone (64), Techno (TF).

To view the appearance of Formica finishes, click on any of the following: Oiled Wood (26), Scovato (34), Crystal (42), Artisan (43), Etchings (46), Matte (58), Gloss (90), Infinity (AN), MicroDot (MC), Monolith (ML), Natural Grain (NG), Plex (PX), Radiance (RD), Sculpted (SP), SatinTouch (11), Woodbrush (WR).

To view the appearance of Wilsonart finishes, click on any of the following: High Gloss (01), Timbergrain (05), Textured Gloss (07), SoftGrain (12), Fieldstone (15), Casual Rustic (16), Silken Wood (17), Linearity (18), Leno Weave (19), Soft Silk (21), Antique (22), Gloss Line (28), Mirage (35), Fine Velvet Texture (38), Facet (45), Quarry (52), Glaze (55), Aligned Oak Texture (57), Matte (60), Aligned Walnut Texture (67), FineGrain (78), Ridgewood (79), Sculpted Wood (88).

There are several things that can lead to cutting into the face of the material:

• The router bit can be exposed too much. Because the bit is angled, the further down it extends from the router base, the more it will cut into the counter and eventually the face. Start off with the bit just barely exposed beyond the base. Make a short trial run and adjust down if not cutting enough.
• The router base, especially on small laminate trim routers, is typically only supported from one side & is prone to bending over time. If that is the case, the bit may cut in too deep for the same reason as above.
• If the router base is flat, smaller bases like on the trim routers lend to tilting the router a little & causing the bit to cut too deep in some places. It’s imperative that the base stay dead flat to the countertop when running along the edge.
• Lastly, if the front edge of the countertop is not a true 90 degrees, or within reason, and particularly if the bottom of the front edge is angled back, the bearing will ride inset from the top edge you are trying to bevel and the bit will cut into the face.

Formica and Wilsonart laminate, regardless of pattern and finish, should be treated and cared for in the same way: wash with a soft, clean cloth, water and mild soap, rinse well with water & dry thoroughly. A soft brush may help clean more heavily textured finishes. Do not use abrasive cleaners, steel wool, sandpaper, or Scotch-Brite® scouring pads. Laminate finishes are designed last for a long time with proper care.

Formica offers an instructional video that can be found here.

We offer current patterns of Feeney, Formica & Wilsonart brand products. Please Contact Us with any inquiries.

Formica Infiniti™, the next generation of surfacing, has many great qualities. While Formica Infiniti is very durable, occasionally in high traffic areas, the surface can become burnished. A unique and transformable property of Formica Infiniti is its thermal healing capabilities. Using a paper towel, water and an iron, the burnished surface can be easily healed with a few passes.

Follow these easy step-by-step instructions to learn how to thermal heal Formica Infiniti. What you need:

• Iron
• Paper towel
• Spray bottle with water

Steps to thermal heal:

1. Turn the iron to the highest heat setting.
2. Place a paper towel over the burnished area.
3. Spray the paper towel with water.
4. Press the iron over the wet paper towel and burnished area 4 to 5 times.
5. Wipe off excess water with paper towel.
6. If necessary, repeat the steps above.

Please note, while thermal healing can be used to restore burnished areas, thermal healing cannot repair gouges or scratches within the surface of Formica Infiniti. Learn more here.

Formica Infiniti™ is created by combining ultra-fine embossing with a manufacturing process that produces a soft-to-the-touch, fingerprint & chemical resistant, antibacterial surface

Formica Infiniti is the next generation of surfacing, offering a super matte, soft-to-the-touch finish that provides a beautiful look and feel that is impossible to resist. Envision hard-working low-gloss tables and countertops in cafes and casual diners, effortlessly stunning at first glance, but with state-of-the-art functionality and surprisingly little maintenance required. A game changer in surfacing, Formica Infiniti is a new offering for any space calling for a tactile yet durable and matte surface. It doesn’t stop there; with the added benefit of thermal healing capabilities, Formica Infiniti has a home in every space!

Formica Infiniti is ideal for high traffic areas such as restaurants, hotels, healthcare and retail spaces, commercial offices or any setting that calls for countertops, tables, doors, partitions, cabinets and furniture. Formica Infiniti pushes the boundaries of surfacing, combining state-of-the-art functionality with a surprisingly low level of maintenance. As beautiful as it is durable, Formica Infiniti features a wide array of product benefits.

• Soft-to-the-touch, super matte finish

Current trends for interiors feature super matte looks that are visually appealing as well as pleasant to the touch. This satisfying surface is also resistant to fingerprints and smudging.

• Antibacterial

While effortlessly stunning at first glance, this innovative product is constantly working. Formica Infiniti has antibacterial properties created from a silver-based system to keep bacteria from reproducing.

• Easy to clean, chemical resistant

With its state-of-the-art functionality, Formica Infiniti is chemical resistant and will withstand rigorous cleaning protocols for worry-free maintenance.

• Post-formable

Formica Infiniti can be used for both vertical and horizontal applications and is post-formable.

• Thermal Healing of burnished areas

A unique property of Formica Infiniti is its thermal healing capabilities. In three simple steps, the surface can be renewed.

We recommend using either 3/4″ particle board or 3/4″ furniture grade plywood. Particle board is stable, smooth and economical. Furniture grade plywood is typically found in lumber yards with a hardwood veneer such as birch. The species of veneer is not critical, just that the board is consistent in thickness and smooth on the surface.

View a wide variety of Spec Sheets here, from sinks to adhesives, we’ve got the information you need.

The quick answer is no. All of the edge molding profiles are manufactured from medium density fiberboard with decorative laminate adhered to the face. Depending upon the edge profile, some are slightly more flexible than others. The Ogee profile, being 3/4 ” thick, is very rigid and difficult to bend. The Bullnose and Bevel profiles are 3/8” thick & thus may be bent slightly over a long arc, for example; a long side of an island countertop.

The ends of the backsplashes are typically capped using our pre-cut Laminate Edge Strips, scrap laminate from your countertop project, or mitered and returned to the wall with a small piece so that the profile is on the end.

All Backsplash, Bevel Edge, Bullnose Edge & Ogee Edge profiles are manufactured and shipped in 95″ lengths. Some patterns may be available in 12′ lengths but these must ship freight and are only cost effective for orders consisting more than 15 pieces. Please call for availability.

The Bullnose Countertop Edge Trim height trends between 1-9/16″ and 1-5/8″. It is a little over-sized with the intention of it being trimmed to match the counter-top thickness. As this can vary depending upon what exact substrates are used to build the top, it’s sent a bit over-sized to cover all bases. There are a few ways this can be managed at time of installation:

1) You can measure and pre-trim the edge on a table saw before installation
2) You can install the edge as it is then flip the top and belt sand the edge smooth with the deck.
3) If it does not interfere with the cabinet drawers and doors, you can just leave it long for a thicker looking top.

Simply put, no. The color matched caulk is intended for the area where the countertop and the backsplash are joined. It can also be used to touch up seams and miters. It is too thick to use as an installation adhesive for the edge trim. For edge trim installation, we recommend using Lokweld II Wood Glue.

You will need two different products for installing Backsplash.

1. Construction adhesive is used for attaching backsplash to your wall. Find our Adhesives selection here.
2. Color matched caulk is an adhesive and sealant for attaching to your countertop. This makes a moisture resistant bond with your countertop and should not be substituted. Available in squeeze tubes.

Splashes can be a bit tricky to hold against the wall until the permanent adhesive sets. There are a few approaches and you may find you need to incorporate more than one for your project.

Hot melt adhesive: This can be a very effective way to hold however craft type hot melt might not be strong enough if the wall is very uneven. Installers typically have industrial adhesives and applicators that reach higher temperatures and holding strength.

Short sticks (think 1×2’s or similar) cut slightly longer (1/8″) than the distance from an upper cabinet to the top of the splash. These can be wedged from the cabinet down against the top of the splash on an angle, holding it both down and back.

Sticks cut the length measured from the front of the countertop to the face of the splash and clamped at the front edge will hold the splashes back against the wall.

Lastly yet least preferably but effective, screw a short stick to the wall just above the splash to hold it down. Of course, a little drywall repair will be needed afterward.

The most common application is a 1/8″ bead that would run about 53 linear feet. Click here to check the chart on how many feet you can expect to cover with a 5.5oz tube of caulk in various bead widths.

Seamfil will cure in approximately one hour, but we recommend 24 hours for total cure. Learn more about Seamfil here.

You will need two different products for installing Backsplash.

1. Construction adhesive is used for attaching backsplash to your wall. Find our Adhesives selection here.
2. Color matched caulk is an adhesive and sealant for attaching to your countertop. This makes a moisture resistant bond with your countertop and should not be substituted. Available in squeeze tubes.

Explore our guide to easily create your own custom Seamfil color! View the Seamfil Mix Chart.

• Non-Glued: Comes in a 600′ roll and does not have any sort of adhesive backing, allowing you to choose just the right adhesive for your project.
• Peel-N-Stick: Is a ready-to-go 300′ roll with adhesive already applied. Simply peel the backing off and attach to your surface.
• Pre-Glued: Is for for machine application only, this is not an iron-on product. PVC Edgeband comes in 2 x 300′ rolls. Wood Edgeband comes in 2 x 250′ rolls.

You can print a W-9 for the current year from here.