We haven't written a "Dear John" letter in years. What you heard us talking about was a product called Permaedge -- an add-on edge detail for use with plastic laminate tops. The product is available from BMD Industrial Distribution a wholesale product distribution company located in Sunnyvale, CA.

Permaedge is intended for use with NEW installations rather than refabrication. However, in some instances Permaedge could be added to an existing countertop, but the countertop would first have to be removed. The special tools which are used to make the joint between the countertop and the Permaedge could not be used on most countertops while they are in place on top of the cabinets or against a wall. A call to Tony Damiano at BMD (1 800 843-6110) could put you in touch with a Permaedge fabricator in your area.

The front edge (and the top of the back splash) of a plastic laminate top are usually finished with either a squared or rounded surface. Occasionally, someone gets creative and adds a piece of wood trim instead. This limits the variety of appearances that a plastic laminate top can have to the pattern and color of the top material and the few edge selections noted here.

As a result it is very difficult to create a plastic laminate top that is unique. For this reason some folks think that plastic laminate tops are not a "upgrade" finish. The truth of the matter is that plastic laminate tops are among the easiest to maintain.

Permaedge is a relatively new concept in the fabrication of plastic laminate countertop edges. Here the manufacturer has developed several interesting edge shapes which have been made even more attractive to the user by making multiple colors and patterns available. The Beveled edge style for example, has a front surface (about 3/4" wide), a 45 degree bevel (about 3/8" wide) and a top surface (about 1" wide). Each surface can be finished with a different color and style of plastic laminate material.

Normally, a rolled edge counter would be one color and pattern. With the Permaedge process the countertop can be one color and the edge (Permaedge) can be made using up to 3 colors. Sort of like an edge banded carpet in two or more colors. The one and one half inch wide beveled Permaedge can be fabricated with decorator matched laminates giving a four color look to an otherwise mundane product.

Installing Permaedge is not for the do-it-yourselfer because it requires the use of highly specialized tools that cost almost $2000.00, and they are not available for rent anywhere that we know about. The tools even-out and square the edges of the countertop, cut a continuous notch (dado) into that same edge (this accepts a reverse dado from the Permaedge for a permanent and strong interlock between the edge and the top). Yet another tool allows the fabricator to make perfect 45 degree miters at corners.

We think that elegant countertops can now be created from plastic laminates that will lend new and interesting beauty to what was once considered bottom-of-the-line.