Okay, among the myriad of repairs I'm having to make this winter, one of the primary projects is replacing the small countertop and cabin table. The previous counter was just painted white, and the table a glued-on laminate. I'd like for both to match. I'm considering a thin ply of mahogany, maybe a light coat of water-based stain on both, with a healthy coating of fiberglass resin for protection. (The draw is that they'd match the bulkheads I'm having to replace...don't ask!) Can anyone offer pro's/con's to this set-up, or at least other options? Thanks for the help!
Countertop conundrum
- Thread starter Mook16712
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Laminate is very durable
Mook: You cannot beat laminate (formica type products) for counters and table tops. Wood veneers look great when new, but you cannot sand them very much when it is time to refinish. Our laminate on our Hunter 31 still looks very good after 20 years. Obviously you do not want to cut on it, use cutting boards. I personally like white laminate because it brightens the interior. I would also stay away from glossy finishes. They tend to show wear from scuffing much more than a mat finish. I see no reason why you cannot mix or match the counter tops, table tops and/or bulkheads.
Mook: You cannot beat laminate (formica type products) for counters and table tops. Wood veneers look great when new, but you cannot sand them very much when it is time to refinish. Our laminate on our Hunter 31 still looks very good after 20 years. Obviously you do not want to cut on it, use cutting boards. I personally like white laminate because it brightens the interior. I would also stay away from glossy finishes. They tend to show wear from scuffing much more than a mat finish. I see no reason why you cannot mix or match the counter tops, table tops and/or bulkheads.
mee tooo
My table drops down from the bulkhead. When up, it stands out because the mahogany laminate doesn't match the real mahogany bulkhead plywood. White would be OUT of the question, beige might work for the top surface, and mahogany veneer or plywood for the bottom. That way when it's up, it will look god against the bulkhead. In addition I have light oak butcherblock laminate for the sink countertop, stove cover, and engine doghouse cover. There is no Feng Shway or whatever it it. When i am at Lowe's I go to the kitchen design deaprtment and look to see what the tops are with mahogany or cherry cabinets. Real dark is real dark. A friend has black tops with cherry cabinets and light oak floors. It's dark. So, I'd go with laminate. There are just to many colors and paterns not to, and it lasts a long time.
My table drops down from the bulkhead. When up, it stands out because the mahogany laminate doesn't match the real mahogany bulkhead plywood. White would be OUT of the question, beige might work for the top surface, and mahogany veneer or plywood for the bottom. That way when it's up, it will look god against the bulkhead. In addition I have light oak butcherblock laminate for the sink countertop, stove cover, and engine doghouse cover. There is no Feng Shway or whatever it it. When i am at Lowe's I go to the kitchen design deaprtment and look to see what the tops are with mahogany or cherry cabinets. Real dark is real dark. A friend has black tops with cherry cabinets and light oak floors. It's dark. So, I'd go with laminate. There are just to many colors and paterns not to, and it lasts a long time.
Agree with Steve
Mook, I just replaced my Catalina 36 galley tops with Formica solid surface (just like Corian) and it is beautiful. I was going to veneer the tables too, but Steve is right, you would have nothing but de-lamination and other maintenance problems. Go to Home Depot or Expo and check out the Mahogany style Formica they have now and it looks really great compared to 20 years ago when there was just the one bad fake oak Formica choice. Good luck. TM
Mook, I just replaced my Catalina 36 galley tops with Formica solid surface (just like Corian) and it is beautiful. I was going to veneer the tables too, but Steve is right, you would have nothing but de-lamination and other maintenance problems. Go to Home Depot or Expo and check out the Mahogany style Formica they have now and it looks really great compared to 20 years ago when there was just the one bad fake oak Formica choice. Good luck. TM
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