Browse Forums Kitchen Corner 1 Apr 28, 2007 10:13 pm im currently choosing colour for our benchtop, and i love this look
http://www.formica.com.au/design/gallery_item.asp?ID=6 but im confused, when i was instore the other day the guy said for a square edge im better off choosing a darker colour so the joins are less noticeable. but i cant see any joins in the picture? am i missing something? Re: formica question 2Apr 29, 2007 7:58 am He was probably referring to where the laminate meets along the edges.
That cascade top is not postformed - which is where the laminate is rolled around the edge of the top. Instead the top and side have been fabricated in a substrate, probably HMR particle board and then each flat surface has had it's own sheet of laminate applied and trimmed back to square. The bottom layer of most laminates is a blackish colour, so when you cut them for edges the black becomes visible. Your consultant was saying that because this black edge shows up, it is better disguised in a dark patterned laminate. There are a few new laminates made with a white base layer...I think Abett are doing one...but my other thought about the top in those images is that it might not be laminated at all and is actually a solid material such as Corian or Hi Macs. Cheers, Earl Re: formica question 3Apr 29, 2007 10:45 am thanks earl, i sorta knew the basics of the laminate joins etc, i just couldnt see that it had any. so the white adhesive does make sense perhaps. i wouldnt have thought it were a corian top (although it does look like it) but only because formica have advertised that it is a laminate benchtop.
do you think this look is still achievable using a dark laminate? keeping in mind of course that i have white poly doors and am yet to choose splashback, which i thought would maybe tie it all together? Re: formica question 4Apr 29, 2007 11:48 am Cobylee,
I would have to look more closely at the actual top to see how they did it before commenting further regarding whether it is lamiante or not. The image in the link isn't good enough for me to make a definitive statement. I also don't do much work with Formica brand laminates, so I don't know whether they have used a white laminate base. As said, I do know that one of my suppliers has a range of white bases for this purpose; I am pretty sure that it is Abet Laminati, but would have to go to our studio to check my sample boards. I have seen jobs like this before done in laminate and I believe it is possible to achieve very clean joins akin to mitres that minimise the exposed laminate base - but I am not an expert in the actual application and machining of laminate, so maybe one of the other guys can be more informative. I suspect that if it is possible it would take a lot of time and care which normally equals more dollars spent. I think the telling factor here is that the sales consultant made a point of suggesting that you go for a darker colour if you want the cascade effect. As for whether a dark top would work with your colourscheme my personal opinion is Definitely! The whole white on white with white is extremely popular at the moment - and for good reason as it looks very attractive - clean, minimal and modern; but my personal preference is for dark tops, for a number of reasons, mainly that a bench top is a Worksurface, and as such will be subject to scratches, stains and impact - ANY white material will show this more than a dark colour. Further, white verticals are great as they diminish the bulkiness inherent in kitchen cabinetry - but a dark benchtop can work well as it tends to "float" on top of the whites and is inevitably one of the highlights of a kitchen. My personal preferences in a board based kitchen are: Dark, slightly patterned kicks - horizontal woodgrain is good for this. White/Pale flat doors aiming to be un noticeable. Highend steel handles - go for standout quality here, as they are visual cues to the function of each cabinet and will highlight the layout. Dark patterned tops - tightformed or square edges and preferably 38mm rather than 34mm, just to give that little bit of extra perception of solidity. Glass or vitrified tile splash back - light colour, easy to clean. The colour philosophy I use is that the kicks and the tops should contain elements of colour that are also in the floor (they don't have to be the same colour) - it only has to be a little bit, but picking up similar colours in the strong horizontal elements will subconciously tie the whole layout together. Having said this, at the end of the day YOU are the one who is going to have to live with (and clean) your choices and everyone has their own tastes. I hope this helps more than not. Cheers, Earl Re: formica question 5Apr 29, 2007 8:49 pm thanks again, yes your opinions are, as always quite helpful!
i have since done some research and found the laminex squareform, but since im still leaning towards a darker colour im guessing the standard square edged might be a more economical choice. although when i was looking at samples the dark colour i was partial to was'wollemi pebble' from the polytech range, whats the word on that brand? i just cant find a similar colour in either laminex or formica, although 'jet terazzo' laminex is growing on me sorry if im going off the track... Re: formica question 6Apr 29, 2007 9:57 pm Cobylee,
If you want a cascade effect (as illustrated in the image you referenced) then you will need seperately laminated edges as opposed to a postformed profile such as Laminex's Squareform. Polytech are one of our preferred suppliers and I can personally recommend them. They have recently upgraded their range of product to also focus on boards and laminates and I have been very happy with their quality and service. Our entire display kitchen is done with Polytech gloss white boards and tightform 38mm laminates and we are getting a very positive response to the layout. In terms of quality of board and laminate I believe that they are as good as any on the market - and cheaper than some of the bigger names to boot. If you are dealing with an independant supplier then don't be afraid to ask for Polytech...or you can contact them directly to see how they can help you. Cheers, Earl Re: formica question 7Apr 29, 2007 10:21 pm sounds good to me!
yeh, ive found a local independant guy who just does benchtops (kitchens on request) so he has the sample displays set up for all three brands we have mentioned. i'll go back and have a chat with him in the morning. tell him i want the square stone look without the pricetag, see what he suggests we do. as i see it, (correct me if im wrong!?) ive got three options, squareform, pencil edge or use a dark colour to disguise joins cant believe how much i have learnt in all aspects of my renovations a big thankyou to everyone Re: formica question 10May 01, 2007 10:22 am Hi R.M.
As I stated in my post I also agree that a waterfall side needs to be made from either a solid top or laminated flat on all sides. However, I was also thinking that if one got someone who carefull/good enough at postforming and machining you could theoretically join two pieces of tightform with a mitre joint. Of course the joining line would still be there, and I'm not disagreeing with you, but it's just a thought. Cheers all! Earl Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ You can really use anything you want the main consideration would be how it looks once painted/finished - or the look you want. Cabinetmakers use MDF because its cheap… 2 10927 I would say both styles you have pictured are steel. The lower chord of the first pic would be a massive lump if made using timber considering the size of the rafters. If… 1 6807 1 13645 |