How to Install Laminate Formica Sheets on a Countertop

Clean the substrate. Sand away glue and any other substances on the surface with coarse sandpaper. Brush away sawdust with a paint brush.

Roll out a length of laminate on a large, flat work surface, facing up. Mark the dimensions of the countertop in pencil. Use a straightedge to draw the outline of the countertop, allowing a 1-inch overhang that will extend along the front of the counter.

Lay the straightedge next to the outline. Score the laminate with a utility knife, using the straightedge as a guide.

Break off the excess laminate. Hold the straightedge on the score line of the countertop piece to keep it in place, then lift the excess section until it snaps. Repeat this process for each section of laminate. Move all except the largest sheet, which you will install first, away from the work area. Turn the largest section face down.

Brush contact cement on the underside of the laminate sheet and the section of substrate the laminate will cover. Cover both surfaces completely. Allow the cement to dry, according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Lay dowels about 1 foot apart across the substrate. The dowels keep the laminate from touching the substrate prematurely.

Lay the laminate over the dowels, cement side down. Position the laminate to align the sheet properly over the substrate. Press the center of the laminate sheet to adhere it to the substrate. Move the dowels away from the adhered center as you adhere more of the laminate, working outward from the center. Continue this process until you have removed all the dowels and adhered the entire sheet of laminate to the substrate.

Roll the surface of the laminate firmly with a J-roller to push out air bubbles and ensure that the entire sheet has firm contact with the substrate. Work from the middle out to release air. Then roll along the edges to make sure they lie flat.

Apply contact cement to the underside of the next piece of laminate and the next section of substrate. Allow the cement to dry.

Lay a strip of waxed paper directly on the substrate, abutting the edge of the adhered laminate. The paper keeps the adjoining end of the new piece from making contact with, and adhering to, the substrate prematurely. Lay dowels across the substrate.

Place the sheet of laminate on the dowels. Position it tightly against the seam of the first piece. Place a strip of tape over the top of the seam to hold the edges together, since the waxed paper keeps the end from sticking to the substrate. Begin at the seam and work away from the seam to adhere the laminate, removing dowels as you go.

Remove the tape from the seam. Lift the seam edge of the laminate to remove the waxed paper when you are sure the laminate is positioned correctly. Adhere the laminate edge to the substrate. Repeat the J-rolling process to expel air and ensure a tight, complete bond.

Repeat this process until the entire countertop is laminated.

Cut away the overhanging laminate using a trim router with a beveling laminate blade.

Finish the edges of the counter with more laminate, or install prefabricated trim according to the manufacturer's instructions.