Black Formica Worktop - advice needed

4 years ago

We moved into our house over 25 years and inherited a fitted bespoke kitchen. The cupboards are made from real wood (Ash) and the worktop is black Formica edged with the Ash. The kitchen has proved to be solid, timeless and still looks good, but the worktop has lost its finish in places and now marks very easily.

Any advice re the Formica worktop - can be restored or treated in any way to regain the slight shiny finish? I have tried to contact the company that built the kitchen (Greenwich Wood Works), but unfortunately, they no longer exist.

Featured Answer

Jonathan

4 years ago

That up to you but it will have been made in separate pieces as the whole lot is too big to get in the door.
If it is actually composed of more than one piece then it can be dismantled

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Comments (18)

Jonathan
4 years ago
You should just replace the worktop. Modern laminates come in a range of finishes to suit every taste and the cost will be similar to any repairs.
Alternatively upgrade to a solid surface.
Daisy England
4 years ago
Another one here for replacing it. So much choice on laminates these days from lots of different manufacturers. Not worth the cost of repairing it.
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franseb
Original Author
4 years ago

Thanks for the advice Jonathan and Daisy England, but not sure it's that simple just to place the worktop without making other substantial changes which could be costly As you can see from the photos,

ne area of the worktop have cupboards above which are designed with built in plinths coming down onto the worktop. The plinths are part of the design of the cupboards, which are fitted up to the ceiling. It's all very solid and built-in onto the walls.
franseb
Original Author
4 years ago
Not sure if the photos were uploaded?! Maybe I haven't done it properly...
franseb
Original Author
4 years ago

Hope this works now...
Jonathan
4 years ago
Yes you are right that will have to be temporarily be moved to replace the worktop. But a professional will have it down in about 5 minutes and back up in 30.
It’s still cheaper to replace the worktop.
franseb
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks Jonathan for your assurance - I'll look into it.
Daisy England
4 years ago
Laminates aren’t really expected to be repaired like Corian or solid surface are as it’s just a thin layer on top of a board so to speak.

It‘s an easy enough job to do. I can see what you mean now the photos have appeared. There is much choice now so it will also give you the opportunity of changing the colour and texture if you want something different.
franseb
Original Author
4 years ago
|Understand what you're saying re laminates, but I'm not tired of the kitchen and thought there might be some way of "treating" the laminate to restore it...but doesn't seem to be, so changing the the worktop might be the solution to consider. Thanks.
Sonia
4 years ago
Hi, there are specialist companies who fit new worktops over old, so no need to remove the old one. No idea how good they are but maybe worth a look?
Daisy England
4 years ago
You’d pay less for the removal of the laminate and replace with another laminate.
franseb
Original Author
4 years ago
That's be worth looking into...
Jonathan
4 years ago
They would still need to remove the cabinets resting on the work surface but you could get the appearance of a granite without actually paying for solid stone.
Having said that some of the quality laminates are excellent now.
franseb
Original Author
4 years ago
That's what I'm worried about...it's not that straight forward...the plinths are fixed on the worktop and made into/part of the cabinets....think I might just leave it. The kitchen still looks good. Will find some way of cleaning up the laminate.

Thank you all for you suggestions.
Daisy England
4 years ago
You could always get someone in to quote. Most trades people offer free quotes. By doing this you would know exactly what’s involved and whether you move forward with the idea. It might put your mind at rest.
franseb
Original Author
4 years ago
Yes, that's a very good idea
PRO
Schmidt Kitchens Fulham
4 years ago
If you are still considering replacing a laminate worktop we can help you with that. Also, what Schmidt does and I absolutely love it is an inset of a stone into laminate worktop so you just pick a spot on your worktop you would use for hot pots or as a chopping board and you're killing two birds with one stone. Check the picture

Black Formica Worktop - advice needed

Jonathan

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