Kitchen work top question

R3X · 12 Feb 2016 at 22:14

Hi was wondering if anyone knew the answer to this, I need to replace my sagging worktops, but one where a kitchen sink fits into can I get a chipboard-laminate worktop or can I also get a laminate worktop ?

I got a bad feeling the laminate worktop can't have sinks installed in the middle of it ! But maybe a handy man or DIYer would know, cheers

R3X · 13 Feb 2016 at 08:05

thanks guys, yeah I only asked since the one I was getting from wicks says material:
Material: Chipboard-Laminate

http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Blocked-Oak-Grain-Effect-Worktop-38x600mmx3m/p/213454

where as this one says:
Material: Laminate
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Noisetier-Wood-Laminate-Worktop-38X600mmX3m/p/141385

everywhere I have read says sinks can be installed in chipboard laminate, so got confused ill ask the guy at wicks to be on the safe side.

R3X · 13 Feb 2016 at 14:29

Exactly what happen to our one, lasted about 5 years before sagging but the above weetabix effect is exactly what happen to ours. I think you have maintain the white silicon seal around the sink and corners every 1-2 years, otherwise once water gets in it goes weetabix and then your lumped with a high bill ! Will need to replace all boards to get them matching now, as well as a new sink + tap and builder cost, so £1 silicon pound shop sealant is a 100% must.

edit as below make sure its a chipboard laminate for under mounted sinks.

R3X · 14 Feb 2016 at 11:50

Amp34 said:
Undermounted sinks can't be installed in laminate (well apparently they can, but it's a professional job and difficult), normal top mounted sinks you'll have no issue with.

Which is why you need to seal all cuts. It helps reduce the chance of this happening.

Thanks, had a gut feeling it still could not be installed into laminate worktops.

So I was wrong on the above, I do need an under mounted sink installed I will not chance it and stick with work tops with Chipboard-Laminate

R3X · 14 Feb 2016 at 19:35

That was the original question I was asking since its a bit confusing wicks list some of the work tops as laminate and some as laminate chipboard, I was assuming its an error on there site and most if not all the cheapo £65-100 work tops are laminate-chipboard even the ones that say laminate only.

I did speak to Cs (within the kitchen area) to both b&q and selco and they suggest the same as yourself as in real wood is recommended or stone,granite but they never mentioned butchers block.

In the end went with butchers block work top but its still chipboard material, so its rubbish and won't last 5 or 10 years. I will keep the silicon seals redone every few years and perhaps later on down the road go for the real solid oak work tops while they are 2x the price and require higher maintenance it will last a life time if maintained I reckon.

R3X · 20 Feb 2016 at 13:23

Amp34 said:
Just make sure you seal the chipboard after cutting. Spread some silicone or PVA on the cut section and let it dry before installing the sink. You should do that with all cut ends ideally as it will stop water ingress and warping/swelling.

thanks yes I checked on YT and saw some guy doing just this method with PVA, tbh water damage still occurred on my old chipboard work tops within years which had PVA on all edges/cuts, but will try same method again it was the silicon seals which left water falling at the back that damaged it really, I will keep the silicon seals updated more regularly!