Has anyone used linoleum as a countertop? It’s been suggested to me as a kitchen and bathroom countertop. I’m looking for a material that’s “green,” i.e., environmentally-friendly. Linoleum (by both Forbo & Armstrong) fits the bill.
I’m concerned about what the edges would look like. I don’t want a seam. Does anyone know if linoleum can bend around the edge of a countertop?
If anyone has any photos of a linoleum countertop, I’d love to see ’em.
Replies
From what I understand preformed countertops are made of linoleum. Linoleum wrapped at high temperature and pressure to form a rounded front edge and radiused up and over the backsplash. Formed in one piece these units a free of joints unless you need to turn a corner or need a length over 12'. The joint made when lengths are mitered or butted can be made relatively unobtrusively. They can be seen but don't look bad and, properly done, they don't leak or swell.
These preformed countertops are not considered especially high end units but they are cheap, effective, available sold by the linear foot at home centers and, at least some of the better ones, relatively good looking to my uncultured eye.
I have seen a few of these still holding up and looking relatively good after a decade or more use. These preformed units are sometimes installed as reasonably decent place holders until funds become available for higher end tops. As I said some of these 'temporary' installations soldier on for many years.
Postformed countertops (rolled edge) are high-pressure laminate. Self-Edge countertops (square edge) are high pressure laminate. The difference is the paper they use in the laminate. Postform is crepe paper and self-edge is kraft paper.
Linoleum is what the first countertops were made from years ago.....before HPL.
Cath,
Any linoleum counters I've seen have a metal edge on them, polished aliminum or S.S. I would guess. It's a retro look now.
C
So you're saying that my countertops are so old that they've come back into style?
I've got linoleum countertops on some old cabinets from my house. I'm guessing they're at least 50 and maybe 75 years old (pretty good life span IMO). Usual cautions, don't cut direct on them, don't place hot items, etc.. You'll need to reoil the surface as they are certainly porous. My have metal edges on them are are always collected gunk.
Good luck!
mistake. There is no win
and there is no fail . . . there is only
make."
John Cage