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Old 12-17-2013, 08:45 AM   #1
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countertop ideas

I need to rebuild a countertop in an older SMB. I'm posting this here hoping to brainstorm some ideas all of us homebuilders can use.

What can I make a countertop out of? Ideally I would like Corian or something like it, like the newer RVs and SMBs have in them. I have no idea where to source this kind of material, or how to cut it or use it.

I know there are lot of other ideas. Feel free to share yours. Obviously you can skip good old heavy laminate residential countertop. I used that on my last van but it is thick and heavy and I don't think it's the ideal choice for an RV. It is easy to find and use though and looks pretty good.

Thoughts?

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Old 12-17-2013, 10:25 AM   #2
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Re: countertop ideas

Home Depot and Lowes both sell composite countertops cut to order. They both have their house brand which costs less than Corian but looks the same.
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Old 12-17-2013, 11:09 AM   #3
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Re: countertop ideas

Quote:
Originally Posted by 86Scotty
I need to rebuild a countertop in an older SMB. I'm posting this here hoping to brainstorm some ideas all of us homebuilders can use.

What can I make a countertop out of? Ideally I would like Corian or something like it, like the newer RVs and SMBs have in them. I have no idea where to source this kind of material, or how to cut it or use it.

I know there are lot of other ideas. Feel free to share yours. Obviously you can skip good old heavy laminate residential countertop. I used that on my last van but it is thick and heavy and I don't think it's the ideal choice for an RV. It is easy to find and use though and looks pretty good.

Thoughts?
If you are looking to save weight, think twice about Corian -- it is VERY heavy.
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Old 12-17-2013, 11:20 AM   #4
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Re: countertop ideas

My cabinet top with the flip up side needs to be replaced. I was thinking wood ... like a maple butcher block, but thinner. Easy to have made in a wood shop and easy to install ... and replace if necessary.
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Old 12-17-2013, 12:25 PM   #5
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Re: countertop ideas

I have corian in my home and like someone posted above, its pretty heavy.
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Old 12-17-2013, 12:42 PM   #6
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Re: countertop ideas

Someone just recently did some sort of bamboo plywood or laminate product that I think was 3/4" thick, and they laminated an extra piece of 3/4" on the front face to give it a thickened front edge. It really looked great - hopefully they will chime in!
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Old 12-17-2013, 02:01 PM   #7
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Re: countertop ideas

Quote:
Originally Posted by chromisdesigns
If you are looking to save weight, think twice about Corian -- it is VERY heavy.
What's an extra 40 lbs in a 10,000 lb van anyways?

You could easily save that weight by packing concentrated beer instead.
http://www.patsbcb.com/brew-concentrate
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Old 12-17-2013, 03:13 PM   #8
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Re: countertop ideas

Quote:
Originally Posted by carringb
Quote:
Originally Posted by chromisdesigns
If you are looking to save weight, think twice about Corian -- it is VERY heavy.
What's an extra 40 lbs in a 10,000 lb van anyways?

You could easily save that weight by packing concentrated beer instead.
http://www.patsbcb.com/brew-concentrate
Hmmm, I guess that ad link is real, though I didn't think so at first.

OK, Corian is heavy. What does SMB use? I thought that was 'thin' Corian in the newer vans. Is it just some sort of composite instead?

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Old 12-17-2013, 04:09 PM   #9
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Re: countertop ideas

Stainless steel is great and can be bent/made into whatever shape you need, like a back splash, folded down front edges, holes for sink etc. Put it on top of thin ply or even just cover the existing counter that needs replacing. I have seen galvanized steel used in kitchens also. Works well too.
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Old 12-17-2013, 05:58 PM   #10
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Re: countertop ideas

I just did our build in october and we did acrylic or solid surface countertop. You use wood tools to cut ,work and sand wet. lots of youtube how to videos
We bought it from solidsurface.com. It is called Black Lava from
Avonite Foundations. We ordered 4 samples and looked all over and this is the closest match to our galley door cabinet.
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